dongordon

This thread is being updated to account for some minor changes and be more accurate -

 

The beaches of the BVI are indeed beautiful, and this thread is meant to provide brief descriptions and comparisons of the beaches for those new to the islands, and allow others to add their experiences and feedback. For those wanting a gorgeous beach with some amenities and no crowd there is not one beach that fits that criteria anywhere, of course. But there are several excellent options to choose from in the BVI, and all BVI beaches are free and open to the public.

 

Tortola -

Cane Garden Bay (CGB) on the north shore of Tortola is the primary beach destination for day visitors because there are several beach bars to choose from and it is easily accessible by safari taxi. As of this writing the taxi fare is still $8pp each way for 3 or more ppl (or with a group safari taxi), $12pp for 2 ppl, and $24 for one person. You would typically just hop one of the safari taxis or other taxis and go as a group for the $8pp fare unless you want a private driver. CGB is a nice beach in a larger bay that is generally calm but can also be quite rough with sea swells (as is the case with most beaches). CGB is home to several beach bars/restaurants including Myett's, Stanley's famous Welcome Bar(now cousin Tony's), the Elms, Rymers, Big Banana, and Quito's to name a few. Quito Rymer is a popular reggae/island recording artist who plays at his bar Thurs & Fri evenings, not to be missed if you have the opportunity to spend the night. All of these spots have good bar food and drinks and Myett's and others rent lounges and umbrellas. Our pick for THE cheeseburger in Paradise (or fish tacos) is Tony’s, and Myett’s is also great.

 

CGB becomes the most crowded bay in the BVI when cruise ships are docked in Tortola, and if you like a busier or more active vibe CGB is your best choice. Good beer, drink and food choices, as well as some watersports rentals and a water taxi to Jost may be possible. There is also taxi service available if you decide CGB is not for you and you want to go to a quieter beach (see below). Here is a link to a webcam when available –

http://www.resortcams.com/webcams/cane-garden-bay/

 

Brewers Bay is just to the north of CGB and is a very nice beach with great snorkeling. Nicole's beach bar serves drinks and food and rents chairs. Brewers is a bit more rustic but really beautiful. In terms of the number of people you can expect to see there, it is much less busy than CGB, but can become busy with ships in port. Taxi fare is the same as CGB.

 

Josiah's Bay lies to the north of Brewer's and is a nice beach with rougher water, very popular with surfers and you can take lessons from

http://www.surfschoolbvi.com/

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g147354-d6105508-r198572995-Surf_School_BVI-Tortola_British_Virgin_Islands.html

Taxi fare is the same as CGB and Brewers Bay.

 

Smuggler's Cove is south of CGB and is one of the most beautiful and natural Tortola beaches. Typically calm waves and great snorkeling off the beach and gorgeous views of Jost and Sandy Cay. There may or may not be a vendor selling drinks and food so you’d want to check with your driver, or if renting a Jeep stop and grab a lunch and cooler of drinks on the way there. Smuggler's is a little harder to drive to because of an unpaved and bumpy road for the last mile or so and the fare is a little higher than CGB or Brewer's. There was a porta potty but that was not present one visit so not sure when there will be one there. The price of a beautiful, secluded beach in paradise! So it gets less of the crowds and attracts more locals and that's the beauty of Smuggler's. . You'll need the taxi driver to return to pick you up here. Taxi fare is $12pp each way for 3, $16pp for 2, and $32 for one.

 

You will pass Long Bay (West End) on the way to Smuggler's and that is a long, beautiful stretch of beach you'll see on picture postcards. Great spot to walk, picnic, or enjoy watching the pelicans dive. Home of the Long Bay Beach Club which once offered day passes but now just rents loungers for $5 each. There is a restaurant and bar and also restrooms available for day visitors. Entry into the water is quite rocky on the west end of the bay but sandier on the east end. Taxi fare is $12pp each way for 3, $14pp for 2, and $27 for one.

 

Long Bay (Beef Island) is a very nice beach near the airport, very natural with no facilities or amenities and popular with locals.

 

Trellis Bay near Long Bay Beef is a popular mooring bay with a nice pottery shop, De Loose Mongoose bar and great fish sandwiches at Cyber Café. The beach isn't as nice as the others mentioned. However you can take a complimentary ferry over to little Marina Cay where there is a nice small beach and a restaurant/bar. Nice day if you’ve already visited the other areas of Tortola.

 

A great option for Tortola is an island tour. Drivers at the dock offer different tours at very reasonable rates (2 hrs at $15 – 20pp, 3 hrs with a 1 hr beach stop at $25pp, for example). Tortola is a gorgeous island to tour and there are amazing panoramic views for photo ops.

 

Jost Van Dyke -

White Bay on Jost Van Dyke (JVD) is a nice, white sand beach with several beach bars. There's often a busier vibe during the day because a flotilla of cats and motor boats stop there throughout the day to enjoy the vibe. Since it can be a busy vibe along the beach White Bay is not recommended as a destination for those wanting to enjoy nature and a quiet, relaxing beach. But it can also be quieter, just depends on the day. It is a great spot to enjoy drinks at the Soggy $, Ivan's Stress Free Bar, or be entertained by the magic and card tricks of Seddy (Foxy's son) at his One Love Bar. And you can find good music in the afternoon and evening from Rubin Chinnery at Ivan's on Thursdays.

Soggy $ webcam –

http://www.soggydollar.com/webcam

 

Great Harbor is over the hill and home to Foxy's and other places. Foxy's is a fun place to enjoy, the owner (Foxy Callwood) plays guitar and entertains with his stories. This is a very popular spot for New Year’s Eve as well. Great Harbor does not have the nice beach like White Bay but is a good spot for mooring and is where the West End, Tortola and USVI ferries dock. If you choose to visit Jost via the Horizons ferry out of Soper’s Hole, Tortola you will taxi to West End, Tortola (taxi is $12/14/27), ferry to the dock in GH for $25pp round trip, and taxi over to White Bay for ~$5pp.

http://newhorizonferry.com/

 

Virgin Gorda – Valley area

There are also nice beaches on Virgin Gorda like Savannah and Spring Bay with great snorkeling spots. And of course the famous Baths are very unique and worth a visit for those who have yet to experience them. Everything is within a short drive from the ferry terminal in the Valley which makes it easy to see this part of VG. The easiest way there is on your own, just walk to the ferry to the left of the cruise ship dock and take the 30 min ferry to Virgin Gorda, the cost is $30pp round trip. You will find many taxis available for the short ride to the top of the Baths, then you will walk down a trail to get to the beach and the boulders. Devil’s Bay is a very nice beach there.

 

The drivers will recommend a time to be back at the top for your return to Road Town. If you are lucky enough to be in port for a longer day you can work with a driver and get dropped at different beaches as you wish, and possibly hit the Baths when not quite so crowded. Taxi fares can be googled and are reasonable. You can also rent a car if you have enough time for that, the North Sound is a beautiful area to tour.

 

If time allows you can have lunch at the Top of the Baths restaurant, or even taxi to the Mineshaft Café to enjoy the panoramic view and their signature drink the Cave In - "It's all in the Juice, mon!". Also a little shopping is available in Spanishtown a short walk from the ferry dock. Speedy’s also offers packages that include the taxi to the Top of the Baths (same price as buying on your own), and another that includes lunch and a drink at the Baths & Turtle restaurant in Spanishtown. With many of the shorter port times today I’d recommend getting back to the ferry a little early. The ferries are very dependable, but everyone else will also want to spend as much time as possible seeing the Baths and the island and will take the latest ferry back.

 

Anegada -

The beaches of Anegada are also gorgeous, this is a flat island as compared to the others and is a bit far away for a cruise ship stop but worth a visit if you return for a longer stay.

 

So the islands of the BVI offer several options for beach-goers, just depends on the experience you want to have. For a more active vibe hit CGB or White Bay, JVD, for snorkeling try Brewers Bay, and for a more secluded beach Smuggler’s Cove, Josiah's or Long Bay, (Beef Island).

 

There are also some excellent day sail operators that take you to Virgin Gorda and the Baths, to the Indians and Norman Island for snorkeling, and to White Bay, Jost and Sandy Spit for beach time. These include Aristocat Charters, Kuralu, and Patouche. And Mitch offers a personalized, private day on his powerboat through his Ocean Magic Mitch site.

 

And be sure to treat the beaches and other areas with respect and pick up after yourselves, the folks who live there will be very appreciative. The people of Tortola are wonderful and a treat to meet. The beaches will also be as pristine as you remember them when you return to spend more time in the beautiful BVI!

 

Enjoy your time in our favorite islands, and be sure to post your favorite experiences here too!

Thank you Blue Water...

How long of a taxi ride is it to Long Bay Resort.

How is Turtle Bay Resort?

How far is that and what is offered there?

Thanks again.:cool:

Don

Yes, it is for both categories (H6 and B1). All M1s are on the same deck (10) but differ in balcony width.

 

There are also differences in width for the B1s but H6s are the same width.

 

The size order for BA/GA is slightly different than for Escape.

Thank you so much.....greatly appreciated!:cool:

Don

9, 12, 15, (11 & 14 are nearly identical), 10, 13 - deepest to least deep.

Does that include the Haven Aft-Facing Balconies?

No.

 

 

No, configurations are opposite.

BA/GA - 11 & 14 are Configuration A, the rest are Configuration B

Escape - 11 & 14 are Configuration B, the rest are Configuration A

 

 

Yes for stateroom, no for balcony.

 

 

No for stateroom, yes for balcony.

Thank you...

What decks have the larger balconies on the Escape?

Don

Are the Escape's Haven Aft-Facing Penthouse with Balcony (H6) the same as on the Breakaway?

Configuration the same?

Same sq. footage for the cabin and balcony?

Are their certain decks that have larger cabins/ balconies?

Thank you.

Don

They allow you to smoke cigars at the Bali Hai Bar and Grill. It is outside above the pool deck.

Great...thank you.

I know that the GEM has an indoor cigar/smoking lounge.

Are there any outdoor venues for smoking cigars?

I was on the GEM a few years ago and I don't remember or perhaps it might have changed.

Don

I have been on the Breakaway a few times and I am planning to take a cruise on the Escape in 2019 when it arrives in NYC.

What are the differences in the two ships or are they basically the same?

Don

I have a cruise coming up on the GEM in January and a cruise on the Breakaway in February and there are not many port excursion choices listed.

I don't recall NCL waiting so long in posting their excursions or perhaps I'm mistaken.

Has anyone else noticed this delay on their cruises.... upcoming or previous?

When was the last time the GEM was in dry dock and what changes were made?

Looking for a cool countdown clock for my upcoming cruise:cool::cool:.

I used to see quite a few types on the boards, but not many lately.

I haven't seen it published anywhere.

 

The Haven staff will go out of their way to a ridiculous degree to accommodate requests, but that doesn't mean one shouldn't recognize that extra effort is involved and that its the normal Haven staff that handles it, there's no extra behind the scenes food runners for example, someone from the Haven has to go many decks to the main galley or someone has to come up.. There's also a huge difference between making requests at table or in advance in terms of impact.

I agree...the Haven staff were fantastic.

I love the end cut of a prime rib and ordered it a few times the day before and was never disappointed.:cool:

Don

I have seen it several times. Shorts with sandals (no socks), actually. They were a very nice couple who even complimented us on how our children were behaving in the restaurant. That's probably why I can remember them so vividly.

I don't care what people wear for dinner, in fact, I would prefer dinner dining in the Haven in shorts, but my DW and I are on vacation and since she prefers to dress up a bit more than shorts for dinner, I go with the flow and with others in the dining room.

I believe most women enjoy dressing up a bit for dinner unlike most men.;)

One should dress however they feel comfortable.

I'm just thankful that I don't ever have to wear a jacket on NCL which was required on some cruise lines on certain nights in their restaurants.....one of the main reasons I switched to NCL.:cool:

Don

I have seen it several times. Shorts with sandals (no socks), actually. They were a very nice couple who even complimented us on how our children were behaving in the restaurant. That's probably why I can remember them so vividly.

I don't care what people wear for dinner, in fact, I would prefer dinner dining in the Haven in shorts, but my DW and I are on vacation and since she prefers to dress up a bit more than shorts for dinner, I go with the flow and with others in the dining room.

I believe most women enjoy dressing up a bit for dinner unlike most men.;)

One should dress however they feel comfortable.

I'm just thankful that I don't ever have to wear a jacket on NCL which was required on some cruise lines on certain nights in their restaurants.....one of the main reasons I switched to NCL.:cool:

Don

We have sailed suites in the past, but first Haven trip coming up in January.

 

Specific dress code for dinner in the Haven restaurant ?

 

Similar to MDR or Le Bistro/Blue ?

 

 

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IMHO...

Shorts are not a problem for breakfast and lunch.

Long pants and a collared shirt for dinner is preferable unless you want to stand out and see some "raised eyebrows."

The Haven restaurant is really a great restaurant and the service is fantastic and so friendly.

I have never seen shorts in the Haven for dinner except on children.:cool:

Don

Nothing has been posted yet on the NCL website for Tortola....only St. Maarten.

What a mess NCL has made of all this. They have taken a great outdoors fresh air venue and turned it into something most of us don't care to return to. We loved the Flamingo Grill on the Getaway. Breakaway had a similar great fresh air venue.

 

We gave it a try a couple of times, and yes, the nachos were probably the most enjoyable item on the menu to have....but not at $15 per person:eek:

 

Perhaps NCL should read what all of us regular customers think before they make any more 'improvements' to this venue!

I agree 100%...

Get it right NCL...If you are going to do a cover charge, make it somewhat reasonable like $10/person (and even that is a high for a couple of burgers and fries for lunch).

Perhaps then I might go there again!

Don

We were planning on their nachos, a cheeseburger, and a frozen concoction. However, if we have to pay $30 for the two of us to grab a snack we will have to take a pass.

I agree...as much as I like the burgers, we will have to find another place for lunch....I'm certainly not paying $30 for a couple of burgers and french fries!!:mad:

With all the great things about NCL, this is how they infuriate their followers!

Don

We are on the NCL Breakaway and the ship leaves Tortola at 1:00 PM.

Are there any ship excursions that are worthwhile while on the island for the short period of time?

Don

Mero is about a 30-35 minute drive up north, on the same side of the island, from where the ship docks in Roseau.

 

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Thanks so much for your response.

Don

Cruises....

For us, there is no vacation like a cruise.

We love the long cruises with the days at sea and because we are beach people we go to the Carribean each year.

We cruise each year out of NYC and because we live in Long Island after we leave home our vacation starts within two hours sippin' cocktails on our balcony.:cool:

And love the casual experience of NCL. :cool:

Don

My wife and I thought the burgers were the best on the ship and ate there several times during our 14 day Breakaway cruise.

We also got friendly with the bartender who made the best tequila margaritas (without the mix)....just the raw ingredients!:cool:

Just our opinion...give it a try.

same here. I missed it. we walked thru the margaritaville on our last sail just to check it out. empty, tacky decor, and while i love Mexican food, i am not a fan of Margaritaville's food on land - so i doubt the sea version is any better.

My wife and I thought the burgers were the best on the ship and ate there several times during our 14 day Breakaway cruise.

We also got friendly with the bartender who made the best tequila margaritas (without the mix)....just the raw ingredients!:cool:

While Dominica is not at all known for beaches, my vote is for Mero Beach. There are little restaurants/bars right on the beach there. They look like shacks, but all is good. Service and food are fantastic and the locals are really helpful.

 

Check out the Romance Bar or Connie's Restaurant, near each other on Mero Beach.

How long a drive from where the ship docks?

Can anyone recommend a private company that does a snorkelling tour at Champagne Reef by boat? We don't want to deal with the rocky entrance, which is what our ship's tour does, and we don't want to book a full island tour.

Yeah...those rocks are almost enough to say...."The hell with it!";)