shore excursions-Tortola

[minivanmama]

Has anyone done the beach break? Where does it go? Is anything included? Are there better places to go on your own?

I think in St. Thomas we will take a taxi to Magens Bay, or would NCL excursion be better? please share your exp.

[shoreguy]

Better places to go ? Only one I could think is the Baths at Vigin Gorda. A remarkable unique spot.

[CaribbeanBound]

YES! Virgin Gorda is the answer!

 

There is no need to prearrange any excursions here. Taxis line up at the pier to take you anywhere you want to go. Several passengers hopped into taxis and got the exact same tour that other passengers paid double for through the ship. Our sights were set on visiting Virgin Gorda. We got off the ship just after 8:00 am and walked 15 minutes to the red-roofed ferry terminal off to the left of the pier. Speedy's and Smith's both offer service to Virgin Gorda. However, only Speedy's could get us back before our 3:00pm departure. So we caught the 9:00 am Speedy's Ferry over and the 12:30 pm ferry back. Cost was $25 per person roundtrip, including roundtrip Speedy's Taxi service from the Virgin Gorda docks to The Baths. (You will not want to attempt to walk to The Baths from the dock). We brought our mask and snorkel with us. Rentals are available at The Baths. We sat upstairs in the open air seating atop the ferry. Cool winds and great views. 30-35 minute ride each way followed by a 10-minute taxi to The Baths. There is a $3.00 (adults) and $2.00 (children) entrance fee to The Baths which are part of the BVU National Parks Trust. The 5-minute walk down to The Baths was rocky and uneven. At the bottom, single-use-only lockers can be rented for $2.50 each. They are large enough to hold a beach bag or backpack. The Baths are an incredibly fun experience. Here is a detailed map of The Baths at Virgin Gorda. The Baths were really fun to explore. Highly recommend water shoes, a water camera, and a swimsuit. A beautiful beach with crystal clear waters awaits visitors on the other side of the rock maze. While not the greatest snorkeling site for fish, the coral formations were interesting. The water was nice and clear. We would have liked to stay another couple of hours, and look forward to another visit. Highly recommended!

If you have an interest in our entire Eastern Caribbean trip, here are the details... http://www.lavasurfer.com/info/easterncaribbean.html

[Kelfly]

If you travel to the Baths early AM, how crowded is it really? I've read so many reports that the crowds can be unbearable, something we are trying to avoid this trip. If this is a rather overly crowded tourist spot, what would be the next best recommendation be for something to do while visiting Tortola? We are beach and snorkel types...

Thanks.

[dnemke]

Get off the ship early, walk over to the ferry and go to Virgin Gorda. You will see people hanging out there at Virgin Gorda. Have a driver take you to the Baths, on the way there he can stop at Little Dix Bay, walk around for 20 min. The guy will wait for you at the baths, just tell him a time so you can catch the ferry back to Tortola. Catch the trolley tour in Tortola, nice little tour and beach stop. The driver charged 40.00 total. I think the trolley was 15.00 The ferry was about 16.00.

[sandbag7]

The Baths are usually EXTREMELY Crowded. If you can stand hearing over and over what a great place you missed, try Brewer's Bay for snorkleing. If you can stand the crowds, the Baths has some good snorkeling too.

[minivanmama]

Thanks for the info. I thing we will book through the cruise line and take a catamaran over there. We will be there on a Monday. The ship offers two excursion times: 7:15 - 12:00 and 12:00 - 4:15. Which would avoid crowds if possible? We are a family and I think my boys would enjoy exploring the caves. Thanks for all your help.:)

[Kelfly]

We decided to book Patouche and will take a catamaran to Norman Island and Peter Island (decided to skip the one that goes to the Baths due to crowds). Has anyone recently returned from this excursioin? How was it?

[CaribbeanBound]

It may vary, but when we went, the closer to noon it got, the busier Virgin Gorda got. I would go as early as possible.

(Of course, the flip side is IF most ships are leaving by 3, the mid to late afternoon might no be too bad either).

[hrhdhd]

So we caught the 9:00 am Speedy's Ferry over and the 12:30 pm ferry back. Cost was $25 per person roundtrip, including roundtrip Speedy's Taxi service from the Virgin Gorda docks to The Baths.

 

Does Speedy's take credit cards, or are we better off paying in cash? And the admission fee is cash, yes?

 

Thanks.

[CaribbeanBound]

Admission is cash. Don't recall about Speedy's.