Tortola On Your Own

[ventri]

We are sailing on the Equinox with a stop in Tortola. Since we booked only a few weeks ago, the Celeb excursions in Tortola are full. We'd like to visit Cane Bay or Brewers beach on our own but, we're concerned about finding taxis, especially once we're ready to return to the ship. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

[Nyhawkeye]

When we were there a few years back we just grabbed a spot on one of the open air bus tours leaving from the port.  There were six in our group and probably another 8 on the bus.  It was a great excursion with great mountain views, a couple of beaches, and a few local shops.  No problem finding one that would get us back in time.

 

[ventri]

Thank you for your response. I will look for taxis or find tours that will take us to the beach and return us back to port. Thanks again!

🙂

[DWhit]

We were there in April and booked a taxi on our own.  We pre- arranged a pick up time and he was there waiting for us as arranged.  Hint: we didn’t pay him until he took us back to the ship.

There was no real concern as the beach we went to had a bar with a phone, and we could have called for a pickup as needed. But as mentioned, none was needed.  We even snuck in a trip to another beach nearby and still made all aboard with ample room to spare.

 

Enjoy, Tortola has some great spots!

[blue_water]

Yes the shared taxis are plentiful at the dock and whisk up to  20+ passengers at a time to the more popular beaches of CGB and Brewer’s Bay. The fare is typically ~$8 - $9/pp each way, and taxis are there for your return. The ride is part of the adventure, with amazing views from the mountaintop. As DWhit mentioned you can also take a “private” taxi. And if you want an island tour then beach time there are 3 - 4 hour shared tours for ~$25/pp…some include an hour at CGB…
You can get info on the options from the nice ladies at the info booth or the taxi coordinators…
 

CGB which is a larger bay is the most popular beach, with several beach restaurants and rental options. It does get quite crowded, when we’ pave stayed at Myett’s we would watch 8 - 12 of these taxis roll in to pick folks up…Brewers on the other hand has just one bar and is a less crowded vibe…

[ventri]

Thanks for your guidance.

You have given us great information. 

We were supposed to go to Tortola last year on the Equinox but, that port stop was cancelled along with PR.

We can't wait to go.

Thanks again!!!

 

 

[blue_water]

Sure! Tortola is a beautiful island with gorgeous bays and wonderful people! Many visitors never really experience that! 

[pc5598]

While in Tortola I was looking to get the family to Jost Van Dyke on our own. We're on NCL 7/7/22, and will be in port from 6am to 1pm.  
Based on the Ferry service I found, we can get there on the 8am Ferry but the return at 12pm will be risky getting back to the ship by 1pm.  Are there any other Ferry services that have an 11 return to Tortola?  Or any suggestions to another island with where the scheduled may be more in our favor? 

[blue_water]

Yes the noon return from JVD would definitely not work for your 1PM departure.

There are no other ferries. However I would suggest contacting New Horizons and inquiring about the “beach drop-off” they are advertising on their site. That sounds like a new charter option they may be offering which may offer custom times.

https://newhorizonferry.com/

You can also hire a private charter if interested, or look at one of the shared, independent cats like Kuralu, Aristocat, and Patouche to see if they are sailing to Jost that day…
 

As far as another island, Speedy’s has a ferry departing Tortola (near the cruise dock) for Virgin Gorda at 7:45 with a return at 11:30. That would give you ~2.5 hours of free time there. Not much time, and the Baths will probably be overrun with your fellow passengers looking at the same limited scheduling…

https://www.bviferries.com/speedys-bvi-ferry-schedule

 

May I ask why you are so keen on going to another island? Or have you already experienced all of the beauty that Tortola offers? If not, Tortola would be a great choice on a short port day. Perhaps an island tour followed by a nice beach, or the botanical gardens and lunch at Pusser’s Road Town Pub?

Just a thought…Many visitors never experience the beauty that Tortola offers because they want to head to White Bay and the Soggy $, or the Baths of Virgin Gorda. They are both great excursions, but with limited time Tortola has a lot to offer! 😄

[jmfx2]

Hello -  if I am reading this right we would need to get a taxi from the cruise port to the New Horizon ferry, then upon return a taxi back to the cruise ship? Are taxis are readily avail as well? Thanks!

[blue_water]

Yes, taxis are available when ferries arrive. There could be a short wait time if there are several fellow passengers with the same plans, but the taxi drivers know how many cruise passengers they delivered to the ferry too…
 

I’d allow 30 minutes each way for the taxi…

[Flapam]

Anyone have catamaran snorkeling recommendations for Tortola?

[blue_water]

Independent outfits? Aristocat, Kuralu, Patouche…