How walkable are Tortola and Beef Island?

Is it possible to walk from the Beef Island airport to Road Town, and enjoy it? How is walking around the islands in general?

We're going to have 5-1/2 hours between landing and boarding our boat, and it's always nice to stretch the legs after flying. It looks like it's only about 11 km from the airport to Road Town, which should take about 2-1/2 hours on foot.

I have run from Road Town to Beef Island and back. If you do it very early in the morning, the traffic is less but still pretty dangerous. Later in the day, heat, humidity and fast drivers would make it impossible and too risky.

Pretty bad idea to walk to Road Town: no sidewalks, heavy traffic, poor drivers. Better to walk to Trellis Bay and out to Beef Island. Where will you store your luggage?

I like walking and, at home, walk several miles daily. Walking in the BVI is not easy. There are generally no sidewalks and the drivers are undisciplined so it is not safe to walk along the main roads - I'd recommend not undertaking or planning long walks along the road until you know what you are risking. If on Beef Island you could always take off your shoes and just walk the beaches.

Go to the Loose Mongoose, have lunch and a few drinks. No way would I walk that route.

Shoot. I had a feeling this would be the case. Thanks everyone.

Two more questions:

1. Why is Beef Island named so?
2. Any recommendation for how to spend the 5-1/2 hours we have between arrival and boarding?

It will be our first time in the BVI, we are a mid-30s couple, and we will have minimal luggage (one waterproof backpack each). We're definitely up for adventure, but it would also be nice to find a place to hang the hammock for an hour or two. : )

Sneaky third question: What's the best way to get from EIS to Road Town? I'm guessing taxi, but is there a particular taxi company to look for or avoid? Is there a bus?

Who are you chartering with? That will make recommendations easier on what to do. As far as Beef Island I was told that years ago there was a large cattle operation on the island.

Figured it'd be something like that!

We're chartering with BVIYC, on the east side of the harbour.

Walk toward Trellis Bay, then go out to Beef. There is a road that takes you out to the beach where they race remote-controlled boats on the weekend. It's quiet out there. Then walk back to the airport and take whatever taxi they assign you to. They will give you a paper with the price marked.

Sorry, but what do you mean by Beef? Is that a point? A beach?

Beef is the name of the Island. The airport is on Beef Island. Hire a water taxi and have them pick you up at Trellis Bay. It’s a short walk from the airport. You can take the water taxi and see some sites around the BVI and end up at your charter boat.

At the end of Beef Island is a mountain. I believe there's a hiking trail up to the light. It would be a quiet place to hike. Check it out on Google Earth.

Thanks! Looks like that hill with the light is called Mount Alma. We’ll check it out!

And taxi fares are standardized (at perhaps one of the highest rates per mile that I have ever seen in my travels) so it doesn't matter which cab you take. I'd hike up the Mt. Alma (730feet) on Beef Island. I can't make out the path on Google Maps, but there must be one to allow access to the airport light.

Since you are using BVI yacht charters I would catch a cab when you get in to the airport and head there first. Any Cab driver will work but I use Frank Ferrol. You can call him before arrival and he will be there waiting for you at 284 443 5654. Fare should be about 30.00 for two but pay him a bit extra and ask for the scenic route! It sounds like you have a sleepaboard planned that day. The charter company will hold your bags on arrival and you can explore Roadtown or have Frank or another driver take you over to Cane Garden Or Brewers Bay. It’s possible if your boat is ready they might just let you on the boat early and get you off the dock for a extra night on the water! If not as I said you can cab to the Northside of the island or roam around Roadtown and get something to eat. The main Market is Riteway very near the charter company. You can pick up any extra provisions you might want. If you are a sleepaboard I recommend Brandywine Bay for dinner. A bit pricey but a fantastic meal. You will need a reservation. The charter company will handle that.
George

Beef Island got it's name from the cattle that early English sailors put on the island as a source of food when sailing the ocean. It is an island and in the 17th century there
was no bridge to Tortola so the "food" was stuck on island, thus it became known as Beef Island until the 1950's when it's name was changed to Elizabeth Island named
after the Queen of England who actually visited the BVI. That is why the airport is EIS, for Elizabeth Island. The name didn't stick though and it's back to Beef Island.
I keep thinking that all of the free range goats and cattle just might be a result of early settlers on the island. And, is it May yet? Virgin Gorda look out, here we come...

If your into hiking another suggestion would be to drop off your luggage and have your cab driver take you to Sage Mountain National Park. This has a rain forest type setting and the highest point in the US and BVI Virgin Islands. Fairly short hike to the top where you will be rewarded with a fantastic view and cool breezes!

Thank you all for the great tips!

We had a crew this last time that loved to hike...I wouldnt do EIS to Road Town for safety reasons with the traffic. Leverick to Hog Heaven was the longest they did. Cooper was short. They want to the top of the 1st quarantine bay at Benures to see Money Bay

The nicest we ever did was to the peak at Virgin Gorda and up to a lookout tower overlooking North Sound and the whole island...may still be closed

Really cool background on Beef Island, Charlie

Taxi to Road Town. Drop your bags at marina. HIke to Cane Garden Bay. Taxi or hike back.

Remember that hiking in the tropical heat of the BVI is different from doing the same thing at home. I hiked the complete paths at Sage Mountain a month ago, both circuits and the peak. I usually hike 3 hours a day in Europe with a bit of hills and doing the same thing in higher heat and humidity isn't easy until one is acclimated; so it is better to plan less than more. Hiking from Road Town to CGB is not recommended even when acclimated because chances are pretty good that one will be mowed down by someone going uphill or downhill. And if you take a break a Stoutt's Lookout on the way up you might not go any further!

I think I would get closer to your boat and maybe knock out some provisioning....Will you have to quarantine though?

If you did want to hike - and Covid protocols allow, you might consider walking to the Trellis Ferry dock and catching the Scrub Island Ferry, I think it is still 45 minutes past every hour. On arrival you could probably get front desk to watch your bags while you head out and walk around the island....the hike/road loops Scrub island and it's mostly flat and would be a nice stretch and introduction to the BVI. Afterwards grab your bags and a nab a drink at the bar and enjoy the view.

Zanshin is spot on about the tropical heat, plan for shorter hikes at first....and of course bring water.

You could catch the ferry back to Trellis and/or have a water taxi scheduled to pick you up from Scrub.

Zanshin, although I live above 49°N, this summer has been incredibly warm. A town just a couple hours NE of us set a new record at 49.6°C…before burning down. I’m ready to cool off in the BVI Definitely looking forward to spending as much time as I can in the water, but I’d like to see the inland side of at least some of the islands. Any in particular you guys would recommend?

Murdock, who knows what the protocols will be mid November. It’s anyone’s guess whether we will will get to go this time. If we can get on board earlier then provisioning will be the priority. What time do the grocery stores stay open till these days?