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Mount Healthy National Park: A Step Back in Time

Discover Tortola's history at Mount Healthy National Park, home to the BVI's last standing windmill and ruins of an 18th-century sugar plantation.

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Explore the ruins of an 18th-century sugar plantation windmill, the last of its kind in the British Virgin Islands, at Mount Healthy National Park. This small park offers a glimpse into Tortola's history and stunning views of the surrounding landscape.

A brief summary to Mount Healthy National Park

  • Monday 12 am-12 am
  • Tuesday 12 am-12 am
  • Wednesday 12 am-12 am
  • Thursday 12 am-12 am
  • Friday 12 am-12 am
  • Saturday 12 am-12 am
  • Sunday 12 am-12 am

Local tips

  • Combine your visit with a drink at the nearby bar for panoramic views of the surrounding area.
  • Wear sturdy shoes, as the terrain within the park can be uneven and rocky.
  • Visit early in the day to avoid crowds and enjoy a more peaceful experience.
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Getting There

  • Taxi

    From Road Town, a shared taxi can take you to Mount Healthy National Park from the main taxi stand near the ferry terminal. Confirm the fare before you get in. A typical short taxi ride from Road Town to the park costs around $15-$20 USD.

  • Walking

    If you are near Cane Garden Bay, you can hike to Mount Healthy National Park. Head towards the ridge and follow the trails towards Leonards. The trail from Cane Garden Bay is steep but offers beautiful views. Follow signs directing you to Mount Healthy National Park.

Unlock the Best of Mount Healthy National Park

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Discover more about Mount Healthy National Park

Mount Healthy National Park, a compact yet historically significant site on Tortola's north shore, offers a window into the island's past. The park's centerpiece is the remarkably preserved ruin of an 18th-century windmill, constructed from field rubble, which stands as the last remaining windmill in the BVI. Once part of a thriving 250-acre sugar plantation, the windmill was the engine of a complex agricultural operation. Enslaved Africans cultivated sugarcane on the steep slopes, processing it into sugar destined for British markets. The park grounds also contain the ruins of other plantation structures, including the mill round (powered by animals), a factory with a boiling house, a distiller, a hospital, and living quarters, offering a comprehensive picture of plantation life. Following the abolition of slavery in 1834, former estate workers gained the opportunity to purchase land for themselves. However, the sugar industry declined due to hurricanes and droughts, leaving the windmill as a relic of a bygone era. Today, visitors can explore the sturdy stone structure, imagining the bustling activity that once filled the site. The large arched apertures, accented by cut stone blocks, offer a tangible connection to the past, where sugarcane was carried in for grinding and crushed cane (bagasse) was removed.

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