Road Town
Road Town is the capital of the British Virgin Islands and a major base for yacht charters, with ferries to nearby islands and old Crown forts at its edges.
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Road Town is the BVI's seat of government and its biggest settlement, set on Tortola's south coast. It sits on Road Harbour, a horseshoe-shaped bay. The name refers to 'the roads', a term for an anchorage with less shelter than a harbor that ships can still reach easily. Government House, the official residence of the governor, is here, and newer government and commercial buildings stand on the reclaimed land of Wickham's Cay.
For sailors, Road Town is a major base for yacht chartering and bareboating in the Caribbean, and cruise ships often dock here. Short-haul flights land at Beef Island, a short drive away, while long-distance travelers usually fly into St Thomas. The climate is tropical, moderated by trade winds. The driest months are usually February and March, and hurricane season runs from June to November. Fort Burt and Fort George historically marked the western and eastern limits of the town. Plan a day or two in town, or use it as a base for island hopping.
Road Town in five
- Check the ferry timetable firstThe main ferry terminal is at the north-west end of town. Ferries run by day, every day, but night sailings are rare, so check the current timetable before you plan a crossing.Getting around
- Fly into St Thomas for long-haul tripsBeef Island's Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport (EIS) handles short-haul flights and sits a short drive from Road Town. Long-haul travelers land at Cyril E. King Airport (STT) in St Thomas, US Virgin Islands, instead.Getting around
- Ride the safari vansLocal safari vans, which are open pick-ups with benches and canvas tops, act as the island's buses. They are usually cheaper than a private taxi, including the run from the airport to Road Town.Getting around
- Check cruise ship arrivals before you pick a dayCruise ships often dock in Road Town. Check the ship schedule before you choose a day to walk Main Street.
- Compare insurance for June to NovemberHurricane season covers June to November. Irma, the most intense tropical cyclone to hit the islands, arrived on 4 September 2017 and left most islanders without homes, so compare cover before you book.Travel insurance
Things to do in Road Town
See all attractions in Road TownNeed to know
- Currency
- US dollar (USD)
- Entry
- Check the entry rules for your passport before you fly
- Emergency
- 999 or 911 for police, fire and ambulance
- Tipping
- Check whether service is already on the bill before you tip
- Time
- UTC-4, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryMild, breezy
- FebruaryDry, breezy
- MarchDriest, mild
- AprilWarm, quieter
- MayWarm, pre-season
- JuneStorm season starts
- JulyHot, storm season
- AugustHurricane season
- SeptemberWettest, storms
- OctoberWettest, storms
- NovemberWet, season ends
- DecemberMild, breezy
Right now in Road Town
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
28
- Feels like
- 30°
- Humidity
- 80%
- Wind
- 29 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 69%
Tortola
06:48 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today30°27°69%Monday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 69%.
- Tue29°28°45%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 28°. Chance of rain 45%.
- Wed29°26°39%Wednesday: Rain. High 29°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 39%.
- Thu29°26°39%Thursday: Rain. High 29°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 39%.
- Fri28°26°82%Friday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 82%.
- Sat28°26°69%Saturday: Thunderstorms. High 28°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 69%.
- Sun29°28°46%Sunday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 28°. Chance of rain 46%.
Updated 06:04 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Virgin GordaFerry from Road TownGranite boulders at The Baths, reached on foot from the village.
- Cane Garden BaySafari van from Road TownBeach bars and a calm bay on the north coast of Tortola.
- Sage Mountain National ParkDrive from Road TownHiking trails through the rainforest on the island's highest point.Read the guide
Before you go to Road Town
Rules for Road Town, checked
- Check the entry rules for your passport on the UK government's travel advice page for the British Virgin Islands before you book.Source
- Traffic keeps to the left, as in the UK, so look right before you cross a road.
- Check the ferry timetable on the day you travel, since night sailings are rare and schedules can change.
Plan around Road Town
Safari vans, ferries and airport transfers.
Read the guideVisas and entryEntry rules for your passport before you fly.
Read the guideMoney and costsUS dollars, card use and what a day costs.
Read the guideWhere to stayBases in Road Town and across Tortola.
Read the guideTortola travel guideThe island Road Town sits on, beyond the capital.
Read the guideRoad Town FAQ
Is Road Town worth visiting?
For a day or two, yes. The oldest building in town is HM Prison on Main Street, built in 1774, and Government House, the governor's official residence, is also here.
How many days do you need in Road Town?
A day can cover Main Street, the harbor and Wickham's Cay, the newest part of town. Add a day if you charter a yacht or use the town as a base for the rest of Tortola.
Where is Road Town?
On the south coast of Tortola, around the horseshoe-shaped Road Harbour. The name refers to 'the roads', a term for an anchorage with less shelter than a harbor that ships can still reach easily.
What is the weather like in Road Town?
Typical daily highs are about 32 °C in summer and 29 °C in winter, and lows about 24 °C and 21 °C. Rain averages about 1,250 mm a year, wettest from September to November and driest in February and March.
Is Road Town good for yacht charters?
Yes. It is a major base for bareboating (self-hire yachts) in the Caribbean, so it is a common start point for charters. Cruise ships also dock here.
Was Road Town damaged by Hurricane Irma?
Yes. Hurricane Irma struck the islands on 4 September 2017 and left most islanders without homes. Check current conditions before you travel.