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Tortola
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Climate & Geography
THE CLIMATE - Temperatures are typically Caribbean. They range from 77°F to 85°F throughout the year, cooled at night by the trade winds. Rainfall measures about 45 inches per year with June through November the wettest period. THE LAND - Tortola is the largest of the British Virgin Islands with an area of 21 square miles. The highest peak is Mount Sage at 1,780 feet. Tortola's southern coast has frangipani and ginger-covered jagged mountains, while the northern coast has white sandy beaches, banana and mango groves, and palm trees. The roads traverse the mountain with twisting and sometimes hairpin turns. Since the British Virgin Islands are so close together, they are a great place for sailing. Many of the best beaches can only be reached by boat. THE BEACHES - All of Tortola's beaches are public! Here are some favorites.
· SMUGGLER'S COVE - located at the most western end of Tortola is a mostly deserted stretch of beach at the end of a long dirt road.
· LONG BAY - Just north and over a small hill from Smuggler's Cove is Long Bay with its long white sandy beach.
· APPLE BAY - The next beach after Long Bay is at Apple Bay, known as the surfer's beach. There is good surfing in the winter and good boogie boarding in spring. In late spring and summer, the surf eases and the swimming is wonderful. The south end of the beach by Sebastions has much more sand than the north end. There are occasional coral rocks on the sandy bottom but you can see where they are and you can "snorkel" without having to get your hair wet! · CANE GARDEN BAY - Located in the central portion of the north side of Tortola over a very high hill from Apple Bay is the famous Cane Garden Bay. Often called the prettiest beach on Tortola, Cane Garden is the home of Rhymer's and Quito's as well as the much photographed tire swing.
· BREWER'S BAY - Just around the eastern point from Cane Garden, this quiet beach is the site of a campground. The Caribbean snorkeling is excellent and the surfing can be quite good if the sea and wind conditions are right.
· DEAD MAN'S BAY, PETER ISLAND - An exquisite beach lined with palm and sea grape trees - this beach is a wonderful place to let your cares slip away.
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