Private Tour
Private Art & Culture Tour in Tortola Virgin Islands
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
This is the only Tour of its kind available on Tortola which showcases prominent practicing Artists and their work. Small, private groups keep this tour very intimate and interactive which allows you to develop a bond with the artists/guides. The added option features of bread baking(*Must book 2 days in advance for bread baking option*) and clay play allows for great fun, memorable experiences and good photo opportunities! On this tour you will have a true Virgin Island experience as the guides/artists are locals who are passionate about their craft and islands. Having the chance to view and purchase beautiful, authentic local art work created by locals is sadly becoming a rare thing in The Virgin Islands but this tour gives you that chance!
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Seating - customize your tour by selecting forward facing seating or sit facing each other
Bottled water
Air-conditioned vehicle
Binoculars for bird watching at Josiah's Bay Pond
*Added Option* at Jenesis Studio - Bread Baking for $20(must book 2 days in advance for this option)
*Added Option* - Clay play for $12 at Pottery Garden
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
What To Expect
Local Artist Reuben Vanterpool takes you on a cultural journey guiding you through his garden, museum/gallery & traditional oven bakery. Here you can get a taste of Virgin Island life before the 1960's. The facility also includes a mini gift shop & snacket. Mr. Vanterpool is one of the most prominent Artist in the Virgin Is. practicing for over 45 years and mainly works in oil/acrylic on canvas. Many of his beautiful paintings illustrates the early life and culture of the Virgin Is. Jenesis Studios is truly a gem of culture and is well worth the visit. *Added Option* - Bread Baking Observe baking in a traditional oven and sample the goods when complete, along with other goodies! +$20
The Pottery Garden
Local Ceramic Artist Karl Burnett shows you around his pottery grounds "The Pottery Garden" where you'll be immersed in an "earthmade experience". Karl explains his journey as a mainly self taught potter, talks about his making processes and explains his impressive wood fired kiln which is covered in local stone. Take a guided walk through his workshop where the excitement kicks up a notch with live demonstrations on the potter's wheel and other pottery production techniques! After seeing how the pots are made browse around the quaint studio gallery featuring Karl's handmade pieces for sale where you can purchase a keepsake to remember your visit. Karl Burnett is the best known and only local potter in practice on Tortola. The Pottery Garden is a pottery studio placed in a tropical garden just a few minutes away from beautiful Josiah's Bay beach and is an experience you won't regret! *Added Option* - Clay play Get a try at the wheel during the demo section of the tour + $5
Options
Art & Culture Tour Pro
Bread Baking & Clay play: Bread baking @Jenesis Studios & Clay Play @The Pottery Garden **Must book 2 days in advance for bread baking option**
Duration: 2 hours: times may vary depending on lunch or beach
local lunch + custom sights: local lunch and chosen extra sight stops
beach stop: a dip at a beautiful tropical beach
choose between lunch or beach
Pickup included
Art & Culture Tour + Clay Play
Clay Play: Have a chance on the potter's wheel at the pottery garden
Pickup included
Art & Culture Tour + Baking
Bread Baking at Jenesis Studio: Observe baking in a traditional oven and sample the goods when complete! **Must book 2 days in advance for this option**
Pickup included
The Art & Culture Tour
Pickup included
A&C Tour + Clay play + Baking
Baking + Clay Play: Bread baking @ Jenesis Studio & Clay Play @ The Pottery Garden! **Must book 2 days in advance for bread baking option**
Pickup included
Reviews
24 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
City tour and pottery making
458jonathann,
Nov 9, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00November 9, 2025 we did an excursion with him. He drove us around town site seeing and pointing out lots of historical sites and buildings. then we made pottery up at his pottery gallery/garden very beautiful property, he is very friendly host very patient and helps you make your pottery by giving you advice if needed. We had two very friendly puppy dogs on site. Highly recommend doing an excursion with him. then he showed us wild flamingos on the way back to the cruise ship. We also stopped at his store in town. no pressure to buy, just to show us things. Highly highly highly recommend using him. His van was very clean cold AC. and he’s also a very good driver up and down through the mountains. He will glaze and ship your masterpiece back to you for a small fee
A "must do" tour in Tortola
DavidMHaverhill MA,
Apr 12, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We stopped in Tortola on a cruise and wanted to do something other than going to a beach or following the crowd. This tour was OUTSTANDING!!!! Karl is a very personable young man. As we drove around the island he told us of its history. We stopped at Jenesis Studios, met the Vanterpools and toured their garden. Then we stopped at Karl's Pottery Garden and he had me sitting at the potter's wheel making a vase. Lunch at a beachside restaurant, then tour the island on the way back to the ship. If you are looking for a different, fun and memorable experience in Tortola, this is it!!
Great experience! Karl...
Andrew S,
Apr 10, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Great experience! Karl was a great tour guide explaining the history of Tortola and demonstrating pottery making at his studio. Highly recommend!
Lovely Tortola insights
Paul M,
Mar 22, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Karl is a conscientious tour guide -he shared lots of information about Road Town and our visit at the museum and gardens ( with their gracious owners) provided a glimpse into the virgin island culture of the 50s and 60s. The pottery studio time is special -Karl provided a clear explanation and demonstration of differences in earthenware, stoneware and porcelain and then demonstrations on the wheel about how to shape clay. A highlight was the chance to shape a pot for future glazing and shipping to our home. I would highly recommend you consider this tour option -we learned a lot and enjoyed his hospitality and pride in his craft and the islands.
Loved this tour!
tamisC7569VK,
Jan 22, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We did the art and culture tour when we were in Tortola on a cruise ship stop. Karl was a great guide - loved the art work and garden at the Vanderpool’s studio and home. We enjoyed visiting his studio and learning how to use the pottery wheel — we are having our creations sent to us once they are painted and fired - can’t wait for the finished products to arrive— if you have a stop or are staying in Tortola I highly recommend this tour!!
Great Tour!
Joel H,
Jan 22, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Taking this as a private tour enhanced the experience. Karl combined a tour of the island with a terrific pottery experience.
Great culture and art tour of Tortola
Carl N,
Dec 4, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00If you get tired of just going to beaches, this tour is perfect. Karl was a spectacular driver and tour guide. He is highly knowledgeable about the history and culture of this region and gave us a real sense of how people live here. We visited a museum-garden where we saw art and objects which depict how life was during the plantation age and immediately after. We also saw a curated garden which exhibited various plants and their practical uses. Also we had a chance to see spectacular vistas of the island and then visited Karl’s pottery workshop. He is a master pottery artist. All in all it was a great experience and I would. Highly recommend it.
Just do it!
B429VJmichaelc,
May 17, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Karl is an excellent tour guide and true clay “sculpting” guru! Our visit with Rueben and Olivia was delightfully educational and very interesting learning BVI culture, history, art and agriculture. Then, then sight seeing tour thru the island (with a flamingo 🦩 😀) finishing up with a clay turning lesson at Karl’s studio. My new wife was a natural! This tour was a fabulous day well spent!
Art in the mountains ❤️
Nikki S,
Apr 17, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00The experience with Karl as a whole was great. Karl has a great love of art and pottery and his vibe was pleasant. He took me to the art history of Reuben Vanterpool which had brilliant oil on canvas art showcasing life on the Island as he grew up. Then I went to Karl’s pottery garden to learn about his pottery career and to make a piece myself. It made for a beautiful birthday experience!
Enjoy authentic Tortola !
Y53UCalisonb,
Feb 5, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Karl Burnett picked us up on time at our resort in a recent model air conditioned van. He is courteous and a careful driver so we immediately felt in good hands. Started off by visiting the Pottery Garden Studio and Gallery and was amazed at the many beautiful pots and sculptures that he and his students have created! The time flew by learning about clay and ceramics and trying our hand. He has 4 pottery wheels, one huge wood fire kiln, a small gas kiln and an electric kiln. We purchased some of his mugs. The grounds are a lovely shaded area to bring a picnic lunch and only a few minutes away from a terrific swimming beach with surfing instruction. We wanted to explore the island and drove the ridge road with many beautiful vistas to the Rum Distillery at Cane Garden Bay for a fun and inexpensive visit with rum tasting! Next was a tiny local sea shell museum all the while Karl tells us about the island history and a few his experiences growing up in a large extended family. We stopped frequently for photographs and to check out local Caribbean food take aways. We felt connected and learned lots from this young professional local tour guide. Highly recommend Karl for your tour of Tortola!
Related Experiences
Operated by The Pottery Garden