Tortola

bms

New Member
Any suggestions on tours - sightseeing, shopping in Tortola? Also, tour company outside of the crusie ship?
 

BSeabob

Forum Manager
Staff member
Tortola is one of my favorite beach islands. Long Bay (West) take a cab and ask to be dropped at the small hotel.

It is also the main departure point for the baths over on Virgin Gorda. I wasn't impressed with a "Ships" tour that I took but there are a lot of other options available on our own.
BUT ....Make sure if you do this you have lots of time. Partial day stops can run you very short on time and I wouldn't recommend anything other that a ships tour if you are there for 1/2 day..(They will wait for you) The "Ferries" over and back are just boats crammed with people if you are on a ships tour...or was so on my adventure.
Baths are quite remarkable but to enjoy you must be fit and a swimmer.
 

bms

New Member
Thanks for the information BSEABoB. We are only going to be in Tortola for about 8 hours and I was concerned about getting to the ship on time. I was thinking about the Baths, but we are not big swimmers. I would actually like to take a tour of the city and stop and one of the beaches to relax. Thanks again
 

Krazy Kruizers

Holland America Specialist
The city is within walking distance from the ship. Been there quite a few times. There are very few shops there conpared to other ports. Pusser's is the biggest store. They also have great drinks there.
 

MissRabbit

Water Sports Instructor
were going to Tortola in November. Some research we did suggested Can Garden Bay or Secret Beach/Brewer's Bay.

Anyone have personal experience at either of those?

We're looking for a beautiful beach to relax and swim.
 

BSeabob

Forum Manager
Staff member
Thanks for the information BSEABoB. We are only going to be in Tortola for about 8 hours and I was concerned about getting to the ship on time. I was thinking about the Baths, but we are not big swimmers. I would actually like to take a tour of the city and stop and one of the beaches to relax. Thanks again

8 hours is lots of time to do anything even getting over to Virgin Gorda

were going to Tortola in November. Some research we did suggested Can Garden Bay or Secret Beach/Brewer's Bay.

Anyone have personal experience at either of those?

We're looking for a beautiful beach to relax and swim.

Neither have I been at but have read about Cane Garden.

We used Long Bay (the western one) Was a small hotel with chairs and all the usual stuff. BUT it's Been a while since we were there. 20 min taxi.
 

mx315

Water Sports Instructor
If you have never been to THE BATHS...I would suggest you go..It is amazing place and you have 8 hours,Plus you CAN do it on your own.....The place is amazing Not just a beach to swim at.........Lets say...Beach,Amazing caves and little spots for pictures...The water and beach are UNREAL!!!! Speedy's is the name of the Ferry company,Then are 5-10min from the port...The ship uses the same company but charges triple.....
 

MissRabbit

Water Sports Instructor
If you have never been to THE BATHS...I would suggest you go..It is amazing place and you have 8 hours,Plus you CAN do it on your own.....The place is amazing Not just a beach to swim at.........Lets say...Beach,Amazing caves and little spots for pictures...The water and beach are UNREAL!!!! Speedy's is the name of the Ferry company,Then are 5-10min from the port...The ship uses the same company but charges triple.....

Is there lots of walking/hiking involved? I would like to go to the baths but pictures i've seen, has looked like you have to be fairly physically fit to visit them.
 

BSeabob

Forum Manager
Staff member
unless you go on a private boat where you can actually swim up but not land due to park regs you must walk down a trail.
The trail is about 1/2 mile with a number of uneaven areas and steps. Not for the faint at heart but if you took your time no problem. Going up is more difficult of course but time is really the only issue.
The beach area is small at the bottom of the trail and access is limited because of the big boulders. If you can crawl on almost all fours you can get to another area of the beach off to the left but failing that you have to swim around.
I was kinda disappointed actually as I'm not quite as flexible as I once was and had not come prepared to swim. Because of my size I couldn't make it through the tunnel to over to the left area of the baths where I assume all those great shots that one see's in everyone's albums and touristy sites :smile:
 

MissRabbit

Water Sports Instructor
yeah i don't think i'll fit between the boulders either. I think I'm going to have to pass on The Baths although they really look beautiful.

I'm considering Smuggler's Cove too. I heard it's terribly scary road to get to it, but it's absolutely breathtaking and private.
 

mx315

Water Sports Instructor
Miss rabbit..I do not think its a half mile on the path....That seems alittle long in my opinon,The caves are unreal,To get in the caves the first one was a little small,There are some stairs and what not,Its unreal in the caves once you get in them,But there is also a path at the top of the Baths to get to Devils Bay that you can take to get around the caves...You still can get to both sides,And explore all the caves from Devils Bay,The only hard part was how many pictures to take..Dont Miss it.Have Fun.
 

Einstein

Staff Captain
We took a Catamaran excursion to White Bay on Jost Van Dyke last year and I would HIGHLY recommend it. Best Beach Day of My Life and one I will recreate ASAP. :doubleup: Make sure to stop in to the Soggy Dollar for one of those delicious Pain Killers if U get there. The Link below will help U out.

Soggy Dollar Bar - White Bay Beach, BVI
 
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