When to Go & Travel Tips
Tortola is warm all year. The difference is rain, the trade wind, and hurricane season. The airport, the ED card and getting around are here.
When to go
December to April
The driest stretch, and the busiest. The Virgin Islands government puts the driest months at February and March. In Road Town, a typical winter day reaches about 29°C, with nights near 21°C. The trade wind keeps it comfortable.
May and June
Hotter, greener and quieter. Showers are more likely, and June is the start of hurricane season, though the greater risk comes later. A good window if December to April prices or crowds do not suit you.
September to November
The wettest months on average. The government puts yearly rainfall near 1,150 mm, higher in the hills than on the coast, with September to November the wet peak. Sunshine still breaks through. This is also the heart of storm season.
June to November
Hurricane season runs from June through November, with the greatest chance from August to October. Hurricane Irma struck the islands hard in September 2017. A storm can still disrupt a trip. Travel insurance with trip cancellation, interruption and medical evacuation matters more in these months. I don’t sell travel insurance directly, but I can connect you with someone on Trevello’s support team who can help arrange coverage.
Getting there and arriving
- Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport (EIS) is on Beef Island, linked to Tortola by the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge. Road Town is a short drive once you are across.
- There are no non-stop flights from Canada. Connections usually run through San Juan, St. Thomas, Antigua or St. Maarten. Many trips also ferry from St. Thomas to Road Town or West End. Schedules change, so I check them when we book.
- A regular Canadian passport must be valid for at least six months from the day you enter. A tourist visa is not required for a stay of up to six months.
- Complete the ED card online within 72 hours before you travel. The Virgin Islands government says the authorized site is bviedcards.gov.vg, and the form is free there. Other websites may charge you to fill in the same form. Paper cards ended at the start of 2025.
- Travel.gc.ca lists a $10 USD arrival tax and a $20 USD departure tax. Ask the airline or ferry whether they are already in the ticket. You may also be asked for a return ticket, proof of funds and where you are staying.
Getting around
- Traffic keeps to the left. Mountain roads are steep and narrow, signage is limited, and livestock can be on the road, especially at night.
- A Canadian driver’s licence is accepted for a stay under 30 days. A longer stay needs a local temporary permit, from a car rental desk or the Traffic Licensing Office.
- The Government of Canada suggests a four-wheel drive if you plan to drive the island. A taxi is the simpler choice for a beach day. Agree the fare before you set off. Buses run from the ferry dock toward the busy beaches, without a published timetable.
Practical notes
- The currency is the US dollar.
- English is the official language.
- Water shortages and power outages happen, and not every building has a generator. Pack a small torch, and do not assume the tap will run all day.
- Medical care on Tortola is adequate and limited: one public hospital and one private hospital. Evacuation can be expensive. Insurance that covers it is worth having.
- The crime rate is low. Petty theft does happen. The Government of Canada advises normal security precautions: keep valuables with you, and do not walk a deserted beach after dark.
- Do not take shells, coral or sand when you leave. Customs may stop marine specimens.
Entry rules and advisories change. Before you book and again before you fly, check travel.gc.ca.
Tortola planning questions
Is Tortola only a beach?
A beach week is what it does best, and one hotel can be the whole trip. Road Town, Sage Mountain and a boat day to Virgin Gorda or Jost Van Dyke are easy to add. It is not a city trip, and the hiking is a morning rather than the reason to go.
When should Canadians go to Tortola?
December to April is the driest and the busiest, with February and March the driest months. May and June are hotter and quieter. June to November is hurricane season, and September to November is the wettest stretch. If you travel then, buy insurance that covers cancellation, interruption and medical evacuation.
What is the BVI ED card?
It is the mandatory Embarkation/Disembarkation card for everyone entering the British Virgin Islands, by air or by sea. Complete it online within 72 hours before you travel. The government site, bviedcards.gov.vg, is free. Use that rather than a third party that charges to complete it for you.
Do I need a car in Tortola?
You can have a good week without one if your hotel is on the beach and you are happy in a taxi. A car helps for Sage Mountain and the other north-shore bays. Drive on the left. A Canadian licence covers a stay under 30 days. The roads are steep, so a four-wheel drive is the comfortable choice.
How do Canadians get to Tortola?
There is no non-stop flight from Canada. You connect, often through San Juan, St. Thomas, Antigua or St. Maarten, into Terrance B. Lettsome Airport on Beef Island. The other common route is a flight to St. Thomas and a ferry to Road Town or West End. I check the current connections when we plan the trip.
Is Tortola safe for tourists?
The Government of Canada advises taking normal security precautions in the British Virgin Islands. The crime rate is low, and petty theft does occur. Most visitors travel without trouble. Keep belongings with you, skip deserted beaches after dark, and check travel.gc.ca again before you fly.
Let’s plan your Tortola trip
Tell me who is travelling, when, and whether you want a beach week with a boat day or a quieter stay. I’ll match the base and the hotel, and book the flights and transfers.
The initial 30-minute consultation is complimentary. The professional research fee is $50 per traveller aged 2 or older, paid before research begins.