Read the original post again. You need to know where to go when you dock in Tortola. I was very frustrated by this because I couldn't get a solid blow-by-blow from anyone on the Cruise Critic boards. Not like Dis'ers do. Nobody does it like a Diser.
That should be a tshirt, huh???
Okay. So you'll get off the ship in (hopefully) sunny gorgeous Tortola. Yay! You're here!
Walk towards the buildings. They're new. Crop of little shops. When I was there in September you walked through the walkway where these shops were an hung a left. There's a parking lot with a fence around it in front of you. Walk across that to the other side. Basically you're following along the shoreline to the left of where the cruise pier is. If you look at it on Google Maps follow the shoreline to the left. The ferry pier is a smaller pier not far away at all. You just have to sorta walk around things to get to it. I can't remember if they had restrooms at the group of shops. I think so.
When we came out of the parking area we walked past some restroom portables (not port-a-potty type, they were like mini-trailers sorta). Those were on our right. Walk past those and make your way towards the front of the hotel that's there. You'll see it. It's tall and it's on the left backing up to the water.
Walk past the hotel, pretty sure there's sidewalks here.
As you're following sidewalks there's a point where you'll turn a corner. That's about where we met Egbert. That's my destination.
If continuing to the ferry, keep following that sidewalk. You'll come upon a little shopping village area. It's cute. Keep going past that. You'll see a busy, bustling road on your right now. Then you'll see the Pusser's Rum on the other side of the road. The ferry is on the same side of the road you're on across from the rum place maybe a little further down. Just hang out by the window in front of that ferry building. They'll open and that's where you buy the ferry tickets. The guy kept telling people "Cash" but a lady behind us almost lost her sh** because she had planned to use a credit card for their large group. They do take credit cards. I think they just avoid it because of the fees. And cash is faster. They try to move that line fast to get the show on the road. Or water? LOL! There are restrooms and little indoor waiting area like a miniature airport waiting area on the back of that building. We didn't sit inside because it was a bit warm and the air didn't move. At least outside there was air movement.
Once you get over to Virgin Gorda and you walk off the little ferry pier there's a building on your right. That's the ferry office and restrooms. To get to the shuttles to the Baths you need to sorta hang a left into the parking area. It's dirt. The shuttles are there. They pack you in like cattle but that's the way of it.
The ride to the top of the Baths was maybe like 10 minutes? Not far. A little bumpy.
The shuttles will drop you in a dirt parking circle at the top of the Baths. Nobody mentioned it but there was a booth where we had to pay $3 each for entry. I don't think this is consistently manned. You know, stuff in the islands can be so inconsistent. So we ponied-up our $3 each and headed down the path. Note! At the top by the parking area if you're facing the path entrance where that booth is look to the right. That building is a restaurant and shop. At this restaurant they have a pool for their guests to use. Prices here are reasonable to my knowledge.
Walk down the path. It's not terrible. Place your feet carefully. Don't get rushed. Take your time. It's not far. I promise. When you get to the bottom you'll see a little restroom structure on the right. There's an outside shower, too. You have to pay to use the restroom at least that's what a lady coming out informed me. I didn't go in. There are lockers really close by. Also, a beach bar and I think they do bbq type stuff there. We didn't go there so I'm not sure. I do recall smelling burgers on the grill outside. We brought M&M's, granola, and bottled water with us from the ship.
We set our backpack in some brush out of the way here at this beach then walked into the cave entrance. We didn't know what else to do. I was thinking going through the cave we'd be in more water. What I'll do next time is slip off my flops & coverup, place them inside my water-tight drawstring pack, and carry it. I'm not a tenderfoot, though.
We'll navigate the caves (there's markings on the boulders) through to Devil's Bay and that's where you'll find us.
Now, when we go next we'll have my inlaws with us. I'm a little worried about them navigating the full cave path. I know they'll want to try. We can always turn back. There's a point on the path that comes down to the Baths where it splits off. You'll see it. If you take the split it comes out on a path on the other side of the caves. There they can still access Devil's Bay without the full cave traverse. Just keep that in mind. I remember when we were coming back through the cave path to fetch our things prior to leaving there was an older lady about halfway through who asked us if it was going to get harder or if it was much further to go. We told her it wasn't going to be harder and she was a little more than halfway. We told her to take her time. She still looked a little worried. I looked her dead in the eye and said, "Don't not try and wonder if you could've. If it gets hard you know what's behind you to just go back. Stop and rest if you need to. I think no matter what you'll never regret being in here." And we told her about the path option to Devil's Bay just in case she turned back or in case she didn't want to traverse the caves to return later.
On the return we were hurrying because we are always so afraid of missing the boat. Now that I know better what to expect this is what I plan to do. I'm going to make my way (slowly) back up the path. I'm going to leave a solid hour prior to the time I plan for the return transit to spend at the restaurant/bar at the top. I'll take a dip in the pool to rinse the sand off. I'll have a drink and maybe a snack to cool down and regroup so I can avoid being miserable for the ride back. And, I'll use their restroom before we leave.
Just go back to where the shuttle dropped you off and there will be more shuttles coming/going that will pick you up to take you back. No worries.
Hope that helps!
- and yes, it has it's own thread - now I hear /Zika Virus warning for traveling to the US Virgin Islands 
