Private Pottery Experience at British Virgin Islands
Recommended by 100% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Tortola, British Virgin Islands
- 3 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Group discounts
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Discover the magic of pottery making with a local Tortola ceramic artist who serves as your guide and instructor in this private class. Sit down at a potter's wheel and get your hands dirty or try hand building your own creation. Plus, watch live demonstrations set inside a tropical garden where the workshop is located.
- Private hands-on pottery experience with a local artist
- Get the chance to purchase pieces from a practicing local artist
- Take home your handmade pieces for an additional fee
- Hotel pickup and shuttle provide convenient roundtrip transportation
What's Included
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Bottled water
- pottery tools, materials and equipment
- There is a separate fee if you desire to keep pieces made in class. $5-$20 depends on size/ weight
Meeting and Pickup
You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup
Arranged start time
Confirm time with the local provider in advance of your experience.
- 10/25/2021 - 04/27/2027
Monday - Saturday : 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Sunday : 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
What To Expect
1
The Pottery Garden
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Infants must sit on laps
- Most travelers can participate
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
5.0
based on 86 reviews
Anonymous, Apr 2026
Very friendly and informative guide. Spent time showing us the various portions of the island and shared the history. He was very helpful in teaching us the pottery wheel and techniques to make whatever shape of pottery we wanted. Would highly recommend as something different and fun to do.
Marsha_B, Apr 2026
We had the most wonderful experience in Tortola. Karl is the most amazing tour guide and a great teacher of pottery. We saw many of the sights and beautiful wall murals. We received personal instruction to make our own handcrafted pottery keepsakes. We rate this 10++++++
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Seeing this review warms my heart, your visit was very special, I'm so glad you guys decided to join me. Happy and safe travels!
daughter1, Mar 2026
It was a great experience and would highly recommend it to all. My 8 year old granddaughter absolutely loved it and would do it again.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
It was so fun having you guys. I'm so happy the little one enjoyed.
Tiffany_B, Aug 2025
Karl was delightful from the moment he picked us up until he dropped us safely back off. We had a little emergency and my husband had to go back to the ship. Karl patiently waited with us at the port for him and then took us to his shop while detailing TONS of history and tidbits of info driving through the island. He was so kind, understanding, and knowledgeable with great teaching skill for myself and my husband and especially for my kiddos (12 and 8 years old). I don’t think they will ever forget this experience. They both enthusiastically agree that this was their favorite excursion of our 10 day voyage and one of their favorites ever. Thank you for a wonderful experience!
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Wow! This is so heart warming! Thank you, I really appreciate this kind review. I'm so happy that you guys enjoyed.
jen, Jun 2025
I booked this of tour outside of the cruise offering because I needed something me and my 18 year old niece and I could do together and get me out of the sun because I had, had enough of sun things and I picked great. Karl our host, pottery treacher extraordinaire was waiting for us and we got off the ship early. He gave us a great tour of the city and history lesson. Then we went to his private studio where we got to learn, play, rock out (I had Spotify and we connected to his speaker), and make our pieces. He is a great teacher and a wonderful guy. We both (my niece and i) had a wonderful time. I might say this to keep your piece it is going to have to be shipped and you need to pay for it. It would be best if you had cash for that. If you have your own FedEx or ups number that would help in the shipping. Other than that I would do it again and tell my friends.
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Thanks for writing such a detailed review! I hope this helps others. You guys were great, thanks for booking.
Karl
Nicole_D, Jan 2025
It was a great experience. I went in December and Karl help me so much. He was patient and kind. Thank you again Karl!
Response from Host, Feb 2025
Thank you! It was really nice having both of you, I remember how much you guys enjoyed the views. The piece you made inspired others! Good job.
Thanks again
Sheri_M, Dec 2024
Karl was wonderful and very patient with a first timer like myself. He spent extra time with us showing us around the island and giving us a very thorough history lesson of tortola.
Response from Host, Jan 2025
Thanks for your review! So happy you enjoyed your time and learned something about our island... and pottery!
Drew_D, Dec 2024
This excursion was the highlight of our Caribbean vacation. Karl was an exceptional guide and teacher - fun, informative, and creative. The pottery making experience was a blast - and the tour of the island was great. Don’t wait to book this tour - do yourself a favor and do it immediately!
Response from Host, Dec 2024
Wow!
What a compelling review. Thank you! I'm pleased that you guys enjoyed your visit. It was a really good time having you. Continued safe and fun travels.
Karl
Sarah_M, Aug 2024
Book this experience! You won’t regret it! Karl was an excellent teacher and tour guide. He met us at the dock of our cruise ship and gave us a driving tour of the island on the way to the Pottery Garden. Once there he taught us the art of pottery & then it was time to get our hands dirty! We had 3 adults & 2 kids (ages 7 & 10). He was so patient & was even able to teach us to use a pottery wheel. We all had the best time making pottery & learning some new techniques in working with clay! Afterwards we drove a different way back to the cruise port so we could see even more of the island. You can tell Karl loves his work & the whole experience was beyond our expectations. Karl was easy to communicate with prior to the experience (planning it) and was able to accommodate our cruise port schedule. Book early because I’m sure this will fill up fast during busy season! I’m so happy we found this unique adventure ❤️ I’m looking forward to receiving our finished pieces in the mail (he needs time to glaze & fire them) once we’re home! My daughter now wants a pottery wheel & kiln 😂
Response from Host, Aug 2024
Thank you! It was great having you guys in so happy you enjoyed. You all did great, I'm also happy some flamingos were at the pond as well! Hearing about your daughter now intrested in pottery is the best part, good luck to her!
Thanks again
Karl
CAM_F, Apr 2024
A beautifully unique experience that starts with excellent communication and an easily recognizable meeting. Follow that with a wonderful island tour by a well spoken and highly knowledgeable operator on the way to the Pottery Garden which is a fabulous niche of vision. We knew nothing of pottery and learned how to use a pottery wheel to create extraordinarily unique souvenirs while enjoying a one-of-a-kind experience. Karl is a remarkable person offering an excursion you will enjoy and never forget.
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Wow! What a humbling review. I'm happy to have made your visit a memorable one and just as happy to have introduced you to the wonderful world of pottery! Thanks for the encouragement to continue on, truly means a lot!
Thanks for your review.
Emily_S, Apr 2024
An amazing experience!! We had 3 adults and 1 child and all tried the wheel. Karl was a kind and knowledgeable teacher. We all made pieces we are proud of and will be receiving them, fired and glazed, in the mail! (for an additional fee) We definitely recommend this tour!
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Thank you for doing pottery with me, I'm so glad you guys enjoyed. You all did very well, I must say!
Thanks for your kind review!
Hopefully you visit our islands again :)
Elizabeth_L, Dec 2023
Our family of 7 ventured to Josiah's garden to experience hands on pottery. He was so knowledgeable and made it quite the adventure to either literally do hands-on wheel or hands on table. We did half and half. It was a fun break from water activities and close to fun surf beach and bar afterwards.
Response from Host, Dec 2023
Thank you for leaving this kind message here, I'm so happy you guys made it and enjoyed. I love the creations you made. I'll be in touch when they are shipped.
Thanks!
Jennifer_M, Aug 2023
We had an amazing time with Karl! He was super knowledgeable about Tortola and about pottery. We would highly recommend this to anyone. Even our 16 and 17 year old boys loved it
Response from Host, Sep 2023
Thank you! You guys were a blast, was a pleasure having you.
Thanks again
Karl
Erin_B, Aug 2023
The experience was absolutely wonderful! Karl is such a kind man with so much knowledge about the island and the culture and history. Not only do you get a super fun art experience, you get some very rich history and sightseeing of the beautiful island as well. Very fun activity and wonderful experience overall! Highly recommend!
Response from Host, Aug 2023
Thank you for your kind words! It was a pleasure having you guys. I'm really happy that you enjoyed.
Jarrel_J, Jun 2023
Karl was an amazing guide to the island as well as very knowledgeable and patient in teaching us pottery techniques. He took time to explain life in the island and answer all our questions. His studio, garden, gallery were all very nice and his little puppy, Klay, was an extra treat! We would highly recommend this tour while on the island!
Response from Host, Jun 2023
Thank you! Really appreciate your kind review. I'm happy you enjoyed your time, you guys are great. I think Klay had the most fun that day!
Amu_O, Mar 2023
Alot of firsts happened on this trip - first time on a cruise, first time in Tortola, first time doing pottery - and all of those firsts were very memorable to say the least, but let's focus on the topic at hand. I wanted to do something different and meaningful and I feel the cruise lines focus too much on trivial excursions that don't immerse you into the culture or the uniqueness of the point of travel. I saw this pop up during my search and thought it would be a nice surprise for my wife (little did I know, she's always wanted to try it so points for me!).
Started off with the initial introduction. Karl was prompt, on time, where he said he would be for pickup, and very communicative from booking. I was under the initial impression that it would be group based but it was private, which made it all the more better in the long run. Karl was able to be more involved and the setting felt that much more unique.
During the ride to his studio, Karl provided a lot of interesting knowledge on Tortola and the origin of Roadtown - which didn't feel like he was just reading from a script. His studio was nicely laid out; you could tell he took a lot of pride in his work and it's appearance. It was partially opened to the garden so the nature feel was calming and made it almost therapeutic. He gave us his origin story of the past 20 years, his transition into his telecom career to his hobby turning into a business, his rebuild during the hurricane, etc. Even found out that we had some African tribal heritage connection thru our ancestors.
Once we started doing the actual pottery work, of course he made it look much easier than it is. But he's a patient teacher and ultimately we got somewhat of a hang to it enough to create some bowls and a plate that we plan to actually utilize.
Afterwards, he took us around his property and shared the garden portion of Pottery Garden. Unfortunately, the plants weren't in season so we couldn't try anything but my wife being a Plant Mom, she was in heaven. And to seal it off, he graciously took us the scenic route back to the port so we could see even more of Tortola.
Overall, long story short, Karl was a kind, professional craftsman who has earned a spot in my memory bank and I'm glad that this experience happened. He even extended his kindness after the fact when it came to the delivery of the pieces we purchased. I don't leave reviews often, especially as detailed as this, but it was much deserving. Here's to hoping the powers at be include him on the cruise's itinerary for predetermined excursions because it's long overdue. Cheers to another 20 years of your passion being profitable and shared with the world, Karl.
Response from Host, Mar 2023
Thank you for your kind review! It has left me speechless and humbled. I am grateful and honoured to have met you and your wife and be apart of some of the firsts you'll have shared. Many happy and prosperous years to you and your family. May we meet again one day.
Berkely_M, Jul 2022
This has been the best out of water experience I have had on Tortola!!!! Karl provided an excellent demo at the wheel with very thorough instructions and hands in assistance. As you can see my husband and I didn’t make masterpieces, but had a blast! We have been laughing about our terrible creations knowing full well we are having them shipped to us and will likely paint them and display on the mantle. Fellas, my husband had a ton of fun too. Karl offers hand building creations with clay also. We have been stuck on the Great British Pottery show and had to take a turn at the wheel. This experience is appropriate for children also. Also, Karl will show you the garden and kilns which are also cool to see. Thanks for the fantastic experience Karl!!!!
Response from Host, Aug 2022
Thank you for choosing to have an experience with us! So happy that you enjoyed. Your pieces are way better than you give yourself credit for. Hopefully we see you guys in our beautiful islands again.
Paul_R, Apr 2022
Karl was kind, educated, full of how to information on getting our clay projects on the way. He was limitless in regards to working with you to achieve a finished art piece Thank You Karl
Response from Host, Apr 2022
Thank you! You guys were great students. I'm very happy you joined us for an earthmade experience. Looking forward to you visiting our beautiful islands again!
From $120.00
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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