The Baths vs Jost van Dyke

[Betsyp]

Both sound incredible…I’d be more inclined towards the Baths because it sounds spectacular - and there’s also time to swim/relax. My concern is - do you have to be in great shape to do this? I’m overweight and generally - unfortunately- a lazy person, so I’m not used to clambering over and through rocks. Also, can you relax in the sea pools or is the swim time confined to the beach (which is fine)?

JVD - I’d do all day- sounds wonderful, but I generally don’t ever just lie out on the beach for more than an hour or so …I do love the beach, I love swimming….I know I’d have a wonderful time, too.

Given the above, if I have a choice (I may not), which would you recommend?

Thank you!

 

[racinghank]

Both sound incredible…I’d be more inclined towards the Baths because it sounds spectacular - and there’s also time to swim/relax. My concern is - do you have to be in great shape to do this? I’m overweight and generally - unfortunately- a lazy person, so I’m not used to clambering over and through rocks. Also, can you relax in the sea pools or is the swim time confined to the beach (which is fine)?

JVD - I’d do all day- sounds wonderful, but I generally don’t ever just lie out on the beach for more than an hour or so …I do love the beach, I love swimming….I know I’d have a wonderful time, too.

Given the above, if I have a choice (I may not), which would you recommend?

Thank you!

We did The Baths last year. Once we arrived at the Baths there was a bit of a hike into the park where we stopped at our first beach to swim. When it was time to do the part of the tour where we went through the sea caves, a guide came and took everyone who didn't want go through the caves to the next beach. I don't know if they do this on every tour but I assume they would.

The beaches were great. When going through the caves there were a few spots that were either very tight or difficult to pass through.

 

[Betsyp]

We did The Baths last year. Once we arrived at the Baths there was a bit of a hike into the park where we stopped at our first beach to swim. When it was time to do the part of the tour where we went through the sea caves, a guide came and took everyone who didn't want go through the caves to the next beach. I don't know if they do this on every tour but I assume they would.

The beaches were great. When going through the caves there were a few spots that were either very tight or difficult to pass through.

This is a big help, thanks! I’m probably going to go back and forth on this until my booking window opens, lol

 

[auntlynne]

Haha - just mentioned The Baths in the thread about St John.

We did JVD on the cruise. And we talk about it.

My sister previously did The Baths with her adult kids. I have questionable mobility, but she does think I could do the excursion - possibly by doing the trail access, not through the rocky passage.

She did the Disney excursion but would say do it on your own. I have read this and seen videos showing how it’s done. Search this forum and you will find a very nice write-up with the steps to follow: what time to catch the ferry, the included shuttle that gets you to the Top of The Baths… and it doesn’t rely on the Disney excursion still being available.

Look at various YouTube videos to see what you it Is like. Ladders, tight spaces. But again, if you can circumvent that by going down (and back up) the trail…

As for JVD: if we were to opt for that again, we would do the shorter version and use it for the transport. When we got to the beach, we would have turned left instead of right (to our excursion area) and gone to Soggy Dollar Bar. And not because they are the inventors of the Pain Killer drink, but because the water was beautiful there.

Our area was probably within 100 feet of that beautiful beach, but was near a curved area which must not have allowed for a good tidal flow in and out. That water was not attractive. The lunch and one free drink (water or Coke) was not worth the time nor extra cost. … (And we are not what I call drinkers. We might or might not have a drink on a cruise.)

We have now done JVD. Unlike Trunk Bay, in no rush to go back. Next time in BVI, we are going to give Cane Garden Beach a try for some warm VI water.

 

[Betsyp]

Haha - just mentioned The Baths in the thread about St John.

We did JVD on the cruise. And we talk about it.

My sister previously did The Baths with her adult kids. I have questionable mobility, but she does think I could do the excursion - possibly by doing the trail access, not through the rocky passage.

She did the Disney excursion but would say do it on your own. I have read this and seen videos showing how it’s done. Search this forum and you will find a very nice write-up with the steps to follow: what time to catch the ferry, the included shuttle that gets you to the Top of The Baths… and it doesn’t rely on the Disney excursion still being available.

Look at various YouTube videos to see what you it Is like. Ladders, tight spaces. But again, if you can circumvent that by going down (and back up) the trail…

As for JVD: if we were to opt for that again, we would do the shorter version and use it for the transport. When we got to the beach, we would have turned left instead of right (to our excursion area) and gone to Soggy Dollar Bar. And not because they are the inventors of the Pain Killer drink, but because the water was beautiful there.

Our area was probably within 100 feet of that beautiful beach, but was near a curved area which must not have allowed for a good tidal flow in and out. That water was not attractive. The lunch and one free drink (water or Coke) was not worth the time nor extra cost. … (And we are not what I call drinkers. We might or might not have a drink on a cruise.)

We have now done JVD. Unlike Trunk Bay, in no rush to go back. Next time in BVI, we are going to give Cane Garden Beach a try for some warm VI water.

I will do more research and watch videos, which I haven’t done..,those will be a big help.

I would head to Soggy Dollar, too....and I don’t drink at all; I just like that I can grab a bite to eat with locals. I hadn’t heard that about the water at the excursion area...maybe just a bad day?

Thank you! i love planning a trip..can’t wait to watch videos !

 

[tidefan]

You can't go wrong either way. JVD was one of our favorites and the water there is amazing.

 

[Betsyp]

You can't go wrong either way. JVD was one of our favorites and the water there is amazing.

Did you go on your own or on a DCL excursion?

I see many raves about Cane Garden as well, but I’m going to try not to do too deep a dive on that because then I’ll really be torn


**I just read an article about JVD that spends some on a place called the bubbly pools, which is apparently on the East side.. I assume they have taxis going there ? Worth it? She also mentioned some seafood shacks that sound yummy, although I was planning on getting a bite at Soggy Dollar. ...Has anyone been?

Thanks!

 

[auntlynne]

If you want more time in the water/ at the beach, you would go to Cane Garden. It is on the same island as your port stop, Tortola. You could just take a taxi there.

JVD is a fairly long catamaran ferry ride. Then there is a safari taxi ride on a steep road. If I were to do it again, I would turn left and check out the water at Soggy Dollar Bar. The water there was that brilliant turquoise you expect for the VIs. You shouldn’t even have to get to the bar to see it. (The bar is nothing special, as far as looks go. It’s a concrete block building, but does gave tables, Adirondack chairs, shade and WiFi.

Then go to your assigned area (it’s at the end of the stuff on the right when facing the beach. This entire strip of beach is not very big, nor developed. The excursion area has a couple of rows of loungers, a concrete building with a serving window, and a covered picnic pavilion.

I would love to think our water was murky just because of the day, rather than a normal state that I assume It may be due to shape if the shoreline.

The Baths have been in my list for years, but I have put it off due to the hill and tight areas. With limited time, I would rather just get to a beach and into the warm water.

 

[auntlynne]

I just watched this YT video. She arrived at Virgin Gorda (the island for The Baths) by small boat and them swam to shore - not what you would be doing. You would start at the top and go down. But it was a Disney excursion day, with the crowds it brings. I think this might be a fair representation of the challenges it presents for those who are not so fit and nimble.

I think it looks like a spectacular place for the right people.

 

[auntlynne]

Definitely evaluate it for your wants and abilities! Experiences will vary.

 

[auntlynne]

Here was our excursion area:



And at the Soggy Dollar Bar:



I don’t know exactly why I have such a sad attitude toward the first part (of the same beach!)

 

[Betsyp]

If you want more time in the water/ at the beach, you would go to Cane Garden. It is on the same island as your port stop, Tortola. You could just take a taxi there.

JVD is a fairly long catamaran ferry ride. Then there is a safari taxi ride on a steep road. If I were to do it again, I would turn left and check out the water at Soggy Dollar Bar. The water there was that brilliant turquoise you expect for the VIs. You shouldn’t even have to get to the bar to see it. (The bar is nothing special, as far as looks go. It’s a concrete block building, but does gave tables, Adirondack chairs, shade and WiFi.

Then go to your assigned area (it’s at the end of the stuff on the right when facing the beach. This entire strip of beach is not very big, nor developed. The excursion area has a couple of rows of loungers, a concrete building with a serving window, and a covered picnic pavilion.

I would love to think our water was murky just because of the day, rather than a normal state that I assume It may be due to shape if the shoreline.

The Baths have been in my list for years, but I have put it off due to the hill and tight areas. With limited time, I would rather just get to a beach and into the warm water.

I’ll probably be going back and forth between now and when my window opens

At least on JVD we get a solid block of beach/water time - I’ll probably end up there because I honestly don’t need more than a few hours

Thank you so much for the tips! I think for now the Baths is off my list - I’m rather a klutz, and it’s a bit more active than I need at this time

 

[Betsyp]

I just watched this YT video. She arrived at Virgin Gorda (the island for The Baths) by small boat and them swam to shore - not what you would be doing. You would start at the top and go down. But it was a Disney excursion day, with the crowds it brings. I think this might be a fair representation of the challenges it presents for those who are not so fit and nimble.

I think it looks like a spectacular place for the right people.

View attachment 810434

It really does…one day in the future, I’d love to visit

 

[Betsyp]

Here was our excursion area:

View attachment 810435View attachment 810436View attachment 810437

And at the Soggy Dollar Bar:

View attachment 810438View attachment 810439

I don’t know exactly why I have such a sad attitude toward the first part (of the same beach!)

The water is gorgeous!!!

 

[Intr3pid]

JVD is the quintessential Caribbeans you see in postcard pictures.

Megan Bay, Baths, etc. for us are tourist spots. JVD - because of the hoops you have to take to get to it - is the true escape.

 

[Betsyp]

JVD is the quintessential Caribbeans you see in postcard pictures.

Megan Bay, Baths, etc. for us are tourist spots. JVD - because of the hoops you have to take to get to it - is the true escape.

That makes sense!

Even touristy spots can be wonderful, but I’m going for the quintessential with such a short amount of time…

 

[ladyofthetramp]

JVD for sure. Soggy is my favorite place to visit. I have only had the painkillers, not food, but there are a few places to grab a bite. I just love the whole vibe there. I wish I had brought my snorkel, we had sea turtles the day we were there. I did the disney excursion with lunch.

 

[Betsyp]

JVD for sure. Soggy is my favorite place to visit. I have only had the painkillers, not food, but there are a few places to grab a bite. I just love the whole vibe there. I wish I had brought my snorkel, we had sea turtles the day we were there. I did the disney excursion with lunch.

Sounds perfect - it’s JVD for sure !

I’d give anything to see sea turtles, but the one time I snorkeled - on a cruise- it was a disaster, I couldn’t wear my glasses, so I couldn’t see, and the mouthpiece kept slipping out of my mouth

 

[ladyofthetramp]

Sounds perfect - it’s JVD for sure !

I’d give anything to see sea turtles, but the one time I snorkeled - on a cruise- it was a disaster, I couldn’t wear my glasses, so I couldn’t see, and the mouthpiece kept slipping out of my mouth

I wear glasses as well. I ordered a prescription mask and a good snorkel. They aren't terrible expensive and it was well worth it to snorkel comfortable and to see!!! Here is my turtle friend

 

[Betsyp]

I wear glasses as well. I ordered a prescription mask and a good snorkel. They aren't terrible expensive and it was well worth it to snorkel comfortable and to see!!! Here is my turtle friend

awww...so beautiful!

was it expensive? I don’t think I’d use it much at all, so it would have to not be in order for me to justify using it. Of course if I buy one, I would make sure to use it, lol