Rare many cruises Posted June 7, 2006 #1 Share Posted June 7, 2006 Please tell us what Virgin Gorda & the Baths are. ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruce-r Posted June 7, 2006 #2 Share Posted June 7, 2006 Virgin Gorda is one of the British Virgin Islands. Most ships make their port call at Tortola and passengers wishing to visit Virgin Gorda either take an excursion boat there or go on their own by ferry. The Baths is a beach area with very large bolders on it, it is unique and picturesque. Read more here: http://www.islands.com/virgingorda/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K&RCurt Posted June 7, 2006 #3 Share Posted June 7, 2006 Just to expand a little on bruce-r's post. Virgin Gorda is about a 1/2 hour boat ride from Tortola. "The Baths" are part of the equivilent to a US State park. There are some shops etc around the parking lot where you are dropped off. There is a trail that is fairly steep that leads down to a beach where there are lockers and snorkling equipment is available fro rent. To the far left of this beach is a trail head to "Devils trail" which leads through "The bathcs", pools of shallow water surrounded by and beneath some huge boulders. the trail ends at another beach area. This has to be one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. I wouldn't miss it if I hadn't been there yet. A photo from the second beach looking back toward the trail. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zydecocruiser Posted June 7, 2006 #4 Share Posted June 7, 2006 As mentioned, Virgin Gorda (Fat Virgin) is one of the larger islands in the BVI. The Baths is a popular tourist destination. There are also several high dollar resorts on the island. On some excursions to the Baths, you swim in! :) Some more pictures here: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=330682 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wentworth Posted June 14, 2006 #5 Share Posted June 14, 2006 Saw your photos (beautiful) and read your captions. We will be on the' Liberty in March'07 and want to do a Baths tour. Am I correct that the Patouche tour would be the easiest to do for a 58 year old with asthma? Do you need to be a great swimmer to swim in from the boat? How far is it? How deep is the water? Looks like this would be easier than the other tour; walking down a steep trail and then back up. Thanks for your recommendation. joyce Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zydecocruiser Posted June 15, 2006 #6 Share Posted June 15, 2006 Saw your photos (beautiful) and read your captions. We will be on the'Liberty in March'07 and want to do a Baths tour. Am I correct that the Patouche tour would be the easiest to do for a 58 year old with asthma? Do you need to be a great swimmer to swim in from the boat? How far is it? How deep is the water? Looks like this would be easier than the other tour; walking down a steep trail and then back up. Thanks for your recommendation. joyce Thank you. I think it is much easier to swim in and certainly cooler. You should be able to swim a little, but don't need to be a good or great swimmer. They have life belts for weak swimmers - should be able to see some wearing them in some of the photos. The water I would guess was about 20 ft deep at the boat, but could vary depending on where they anchor. Another guess might be 100 yards to shore. Some people just swam around the boat and that was all they intended to do. There were several guides who assisted those that needed and they kept an eye on everyone swimming in. I'm sure you could bring an inflatable raft if so inclined. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wentworth Posted June 15, 2006 #7 Share Posted June 15, 2006 Zydecocruiser Thanks for your quick reply. I did email Patouche for pricing and info on their tour and am waiting their reply. Was not sure if this was a half or full day tour. Thanks again joyce Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zydecocruiser Posted June 15, 2006 #8 Share Posted June 15, 2006 We went on the half day tour - it was from about 9am to 1pm. They also have a full day tour. I'm now thinking 100 yards for the swim in might be a high estimate- it was probably less. Originally AllenF arranged a charter for us, but we merged with the FrequentFloater group, so they both would know more about the arrangements than I do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wentworth Posted June 15, 2006 #9 Share Posted June 15, 2006 We went on the half day tour - it was from about 9am to 1pm. They also have a full day tour. I'm now thinking 100 yards for the swim in might be a high estimate- it was probably less. Originally AllenF arranged a charter for us, but we merged with the FrequentFloater group, so they both would know more about the arrangements than I do. Who is AllenF or the FrequentFloater group? joyce Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zydecocruiser Posted June 16, 2006 #10 Share Posted June 16, 2006 Who is AllenF or the FrequentFloater group? joyce A couple of CCers that could perhaps answer any questions about arranging the trip. This was the trip I was on. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=329628 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wentworth Posted June 16, 2006 #11 Share Posted June 16, 2006 zydecocruiser: Heard back from Patouche and am in the process of making our reservations with them. Thank you for all your help and I won't bug you anymore!!!:p joyce Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Green4me Posted June 19, 2006 #12 Share Posted June 19, 2006 Zydego, awesome pictures thanks for the link. We are working with Patouche for a trip in December. Smooth sailing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spalady Posted June 20, 2006 #13 Share Posted June 20, 2006 Does anyone have an idea if anything will be open on Christmas Day? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grumpy8 Posted June 20, 2006 #14 Share Posted June 20, 2006 Just to expand a little on bruce-r's post. Virgin Gorda is about a 1/2 hour boat ride from Tortola. "The Baths" are part of the equivilent to a US State park. There are some shops etc around the parking lot where you are dropped off. There is a trail that is fairly steep that leads down to a beach where there are lockers and snorkling equipment is available fro rent. To the far left of this beach is a trail head to "Devils trail" which leads through "The bathcs", pools of shallow water surrounded by and beneath some huge boulders. the trail ends at another beach area. This has to be one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. I wouldn't miss it if I hadn't been there yet. A photo from the second beach looking back toward the trail. Can you get to the Baths from St Thomas or St Marrteens? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dateacher Posted October 14, 2006 #15 Share Posted October 14, 2006 Thought I would bring this to the top because it had some good basic answers. SpaLaday, if you are still interested, I did email Patouche to see if they would be operating on Christmas Day and they will be. We will be there on NCL Pearl and may book with them. Still trying to find out what my group wants to do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.