blue_water

Yes…There are also a few craftsmen and artists (some outside the building) who have crafted some beautiful wood and canvas. Walking through the stalls inside the market is just so underwhelming, or sad…

Why do you prefer a taxi? Or didn’t you research the jitney option?Just curious…☺️ We took the jitneys several times while staying on the island and enjoyed the ride with the friendly locals, and the drivers are great! Just a very easy and affordable option that lets you experience just a little more of Nassau…😉 For someone with mobility issues a taxi is the way to go, of course…But just curious why you’d highly recommend that? We stayed next to Baha Mar for two weeks and the “Daq Shack” became an obsession! I don’t care for strawberries, but I tried my wife’s and had to have one. Not cheap, but they are fresh fruit with LOTS of rum, or Virgin if you prefer, and the place has been there for years and is famous for a reason… The Baha Mar casino is very nice, and you also have access to most restaurants and the piano bar…

My wife enjoys wearing fun jewelry as well…I shared that for Denali and others considering spending good $$$ on jewelry in port (or anywhere for that matter). It actually takes very little research to understand the difference between junk and quality, but how many day visitors leave these ports after spending thousands of $$$ on mediocre jewelry? That’s a rhetorical question of course…☺️

The “best way” depends on you…we prefer taking local transportation over taxis. Just walk to the jitney (bus) stop at Bay St & Frederick and take the #10 to Baha Mar. when you board just tell the driver Baha Mar, as you get close just say “Stop please”. Just $1.25/pp each way, the driver appreciates correct change. As you get close, you will see the Goldwynn Hotel on your right, then Goodman’s Bay Park and then the Baha Mar. the driver will stop at one of the bus stops there. The bus stops at frequent intervals for the return…Very safe, and a nice way to experience getting around! It’s < a 5 minute walk to the hotel casino… VERY IMPORTANT! Stop by the Daquiri Shack by the vendor shops and take a daquiri with you. They are deelish!

Are you cruising to Cozumel?

Wow…The Engrace prices are more than double a source we’ve used, plus the Diamond quality is inferior! An example - Engrace ~2 ct necklace = $8,000. Color is “J”, which has some color, and clarity is “VS2 (very slight)”. A similar 2 ct necklace from Lightbox is $3,600 Color is D E F (colorless), and clarity is “VVS1+” (very very slight or better). Per Google there are several lab-grown sources in STT and other Carib ports, and from this example it’s clear how important research and knowledge is - if you want quality, and at a competitive price… Good luck!

Wow… And I stated the wrong total fare of course…At the $5/pp fare it would be $10/pp RT, or $80 total…But better than $160…

Yes, you will see various safari taxis lined-up at the Spanishtown marina. Is that $20/pp? If so that is crazy… The taxi fare to the Top of the Baths and other points in the Valley area has been $5/pp each way. The older rates state $3/pp for a group of 3 or more, but I would expect the $5/pp rate, or $40 for the group … I know that taxi fares have increased on Tortola for cruisers only, and that may be the case for VG as well. So hopefully someone who has very recently taxied on their own can share the current pp cost…

With your limited time in port it makes sense to go with the cruise line excursion. Going on your own can be a much more enjoyable experience, but only if you are in port for an extended time. It depends on the time schedule of the excursions (that should be posted), but with 10 hours in port, for example, you can use the aid of a VG taxi driver to hit other spots like Savannah Bay until the excursions are through and biggest crowd thins out at the Baths… Going on your own I doubt you can beat the cruise line excursion folks, as you will be taking the same ferry or another close ferry due to the short port time. And you can’t wait them out with the same early return they have. I should add that we’ve never been in that situation as we stay on Tortola and ferry over to VG when there are no ships in port. So see what feedback others have for you too…Just realize your self-excursion options are limited unless you hire a private charter and go directly to Devil’s Bay… Good luck!

I don’t see a 4-ship port day on the VINow schedule until Nov 15 but that doesn’t mean anything. You didn’t mention when the 3rd ship (larger?) departs but you should be fine arriving at 3 or after…If docked at Crown Lindbergh Bay (aka Emerald Beach) is another option…

If they are loose stones (or in settings) be sure to compare prices, and especially quality. Quality does vary in the lab grown offerings.

$160, $65 less than 48” tall… https://bahabay.bahamar.com/ We’ve not been to either water park. We’ve visited Atlantis and stayed next to Baha Mar…

Sounds like the excursion to White Bay, Little Jost, and Sandy Spit that the cruise lines sponsored. Inflatable rafts were used on one of those excursions, and perhaps on a non-cruise line excursion…All I’ve seen since the pandemic is the Rebel Yell cat, but hopefully others can help!

Short walk from the port. It hasn’t changed, every vendor sells the same stuff, trinkets and souvenirs for first-time visitors…

Just walk to the jitney (bus) stop at Bay St & Frederick and take the #10 to Baha Mar. when you board just tell the driver Baha Mar, as you get close just say “Stop please”. Just $1.25/pp each way, the driver appreciates correct chsnge. You will see the Goldwynn Hotel on your right, then Goodman’s Bay Park and then the Baha Mar. the driver will stop at one of the bus stops there. The bus stops at frequent intervals for the return…Very safe, and a nice way to experience getting around! It’s a 5 minute walk to the water park and hotel…

In case anyone reads the 5- year old posts (#18) we no longer recommend the Alux Restaurant for dinner. A drink and photo op if allowed, but there are better options if looking for that…

There are also diving outfits like Dive BVI that you could contact. Josiah’s Bay surfing is another option away from the other day visitors… https://www.surfschoolbvi.vg/

if interested in an island tour there is info in this thread on both shared and private options… There are shops of course, and Pusser’s Road Town Pub is a nice spot for a bite and some shopping. J.R. O’Neal Botanical Gardens is 2km from the pier, we’ve never been but if interested you could look into that.

Aristocat Charters has a wonderful shared daysail out of West End that includes stops at White Bay, Sandy Spit, and Diamond Cay. They may alter the itinerary by hitting the B Line bat in Little Jost. Bonky is a great guy if you get tee to meet him… https://aristocatdaysails.com/location/west-end/ Since you’ve already done that you can also taxi to Road Town and go out with Kuralu or Patouche to the Indians, Cooper, Norman, or Peter Islands. Kuralu will pick up in WE and on other islands but that would likely be a more expensive private charter… For a beach day I would agree with Smuggler’s Cove, it shouldn’t be too crowded but ya never know. We’ve driven the more “adventurous” Belmont Road between Soper’s and Smuggler’s, or the driver may take you over Zion Hill Rd. But he/she should confirm a return to you at a set time…

Thanks Ms411. So the resort is undergoing renovations as well? That’s great, it needed that…

Magens Bay, like Smith Bay Park, is just a beautiful beach destination with no hotel or resort amenities. If we go there we bring our own lunch… For others looking for beaches with nicer dining options - Secret Harbor is home to the Secret Harbour Resort and other properties, and the Sunset Grille and Patio are very popular with resort guests, visitors, and residents alike. The Caribbean Fish Market in Cowpet Bay is within walking distance of the Ritz Carlton. Sangria’s Bistro caters to owners and guests at the Elysian Beach and other condos there. At Sapphire Beach, there are four condo properties, and Beach Buzz and the Beach Bar cater to owners, guests, and visitors there. I’ve read of a new pizza place and possibly a new restaurant like they had years ago but have not researched that. At Lindbergh Bay, the Emerald Beach Resort boasts the Caribbean Fusion restaurant and Emerald Beach Bar… [EDIT] Aah…forgot the Bolongo Bay Resort! One of our very favorite happy hour spots for cocktails and apps (jerk wings) and dinner, Iggie’s Beach Bar was destroyed in 2017 and is undergoing a rebuild. But the Oasis Restaurant is also quite good.

We are very fortunate in that we have a friend who makes jewelry. But we’ve purchased many of the settings and stones and have learned a lot about that part of it. One note in regards to affordability, and the options now available today - lab-grown diamonds. They are visually indistinguishable from the finest natural diamonds, and much less expensive. One source is lightbox.com, where you will find white, blue, and pink diamonds, set and loose. Just another option for pink stones and rings. My wife purchased several smaller natural pink sapphire stones to accent a diamond ring, and buying natural stones “direct” is sooo much less expensive than buying retail of course - you get so much better quality at a lower price. Not everyone has a jewelry maker at their disposal, but there are several reputable sites that offer rings and other jewelry with high quality natural and lab-grown diamonds, sapphires, and other stones. In years past she had bought jewelry in the Carib, including STT. Her trusted shop is no longer there, and I know she would strongly advise against DI and similar stores. We both can attest to the quality of materials - and as important - workmanship, in a Hook Bracelet purchased at St John Bracelets if interested in that one day… But if interested, compare prices of a lab-grown pink diamond ring to a natural pink sapphire ring by Googling reputable lab-grown diamond sources. Pink diamonds are quite similar to pink sapphires except they are more brilliant. At least you will have more knowledge or info before looking in these stores…

Thank you WisCruiser! 👏 Because of the limited space and number of non-resort lounge/umbrella rentals available, I would suggest reserving your rental from AADivers well prior to arrival. Below is their reply today to my question on their policy - ($10/lounge and $10/umbrella, or $30 for 2 lounges and an umbrella) - https://www.aadivers.com/ The chairs and umbrellas are $10.00 each for the day. To reserve your chairs please complete the “book now” link on the website. If you need a taxi we recommend Shamari 340-643-2098. If the ship doesn’t make it there is not charge. We will not charge your card until you arrive and check in at the dive shop. Cheers, Diane

Taxi is the quickest transportation of course. But if you want to ride with locals for a different experience take the #10 jitney on your return. $1.25/pp. they depart town from Bay & Frederick Sts, and have regular stops along the route…

Meant to add that the nice thing about working with one driver who drops you at different spots and returns (when you call or at an agreed upon time) is you can actually take more with you, like snorkel gea, and leave it with the driver when you go down to the Baths…Makes for a nicer day!