Zip Lining Above the Canopy in Tortola

Sailing into Tortola cruise port, I was immediately struck by how green and mountainous this island appeared from the ship. Tortola (Native – Pronounced [tor-TOH-lah]) is the largest of the British Virgin Islands, with Road Town serving as its main hub for travelers arriving by sea.

The island’s name dates back to the 15th century and is believed to originate from the Spanish word for turtle. These days, Tortola is known for its lush hillsides, turquoise bays, and laid-back Caribbean charm. With only a few hours in port, I knew I wanted to experience something memorable and a little bit wild.

I booked a zip-lining excursion that took us up into the hills above Road Town. The drive alone offered incredible views of the coastline, dotted with sailboats and red-roofed homes tucked into the greenery. Once at the mountaintop staging area, we suited up with helmets and harnesses before stepping onto the platform that overlooked a sweeping valley.

Even though I didn’t take any video while zipping from platform to platform (my paranoia about dropping my phone got the better of me), I managed to snap a few photos of the incredible views. The wind in my face, the thrill of speed, and the feeling of flying over the canopy made this one of the most exhilarating excursions I’ve done in the Caribbean.

Sadly, that was all the time there was for. By the time I returned to port, it was nearly time to board the ship again. But Tortola made a big impression in such a short time, and I’d love the chance to return and see more of what the island has to offer.