This is the hub of the British Virgin Islands: Tortola, the green-hilled beauty that is both the heart and the launching point for all of the BVI archipelago, whether you’re taking a sailing charter, or hopping to an island Virgin Gorda. But Tortola is a beachy paradise in its own right, with long stretches of perfect white sand, a vibrant community and some great places to stay. Here are 13 photos that will have you thinking of Tortola as your next destination in the Caribbean.

Tortola’s West End is the gateway to the island, particularly if you’re coming from the nearby U.S. Virgin Islands on a ferry.