Tortola and the Baths

[dreadpiraterose]

Hi all! I'm doing the Feb 11 2017 sailing on the Fantasy that goes to Tortola. As I understand it, this is a relatively new port. When I see people talk about it, the conversation seems to be about going to "the Baths." But I also see that apparently it can be difficult to get to, at least the way the Disney excursions go. I've also seen mentions of private charters boating in, and people swimming in.

So... what ARE the Baths? And how do you get there? And how much physicality via land vs swimming by water is it to get there?

My mom is probably coming with us, celebrating her 60th. She's not a great swimmer (she's CAN swim, she doesn't can do it for a long time and doesn't like open ocean). She can do some light hiking, but anything prolonged or really strenuous might be too much. Help me figure out the best option?

 

[jennifermcb]

The Baths are located on a sister Island, Virgin Gorda. You will take a charter boat ( We rented from Speedys, I believe) to take you to the Island. Once there a cab will take you to the baths. Your mom should be able to hike the short trail to the baths if she wears sturdy shoes. The Baths are truly beautiful. There are several threads here about the excursions to the Baths. If you prefer to stay on Tortola, take a cab to Cane Garden Bay. It's a beautiful part of the coast and has the best Restaurant, Myetts.

 

[steves100]

Will be going there next month. Was going to do it via Disney, I cancelled to save money

 

[MissDaisyofTexas]

I have some photos and a review of the Baths here: http://www.savingforadream.blogspot.com/2016/01/dcl-port-adventure-review-tour-to.html

The walk down to the Baths wasn't too bad, but walking in the caves might be difficult for your mom. There seemed to be a lot of people on our excursion who didn't walk through the caves but just enjoyed the lovely scenery on the first beach. I think it's a lovely area regardless of whether or not you walk through the caves.

We didn't do a charter boat because I didn't think my youngest daughter could handle the swimming.

 

[professorandmom]

I have some photos and a review of the Baths here: http://www.savingforadream.blogspot.com/2016/01/dcl-port-adventure-review-tour-to.html

MissDaisy, thanks so very much for posting this...great review - so incredibly helpful!!!

 

[tm2924]

We spent the day in Tortola when Disney went there for the first time years ago. We did a day sail to the Baths with Patouche Charters. We had a great time at the Baths. On this charter, we anchored a short distance from the shore and swam in, but they also had a dingy for those that didn't want to swim. I think there are a number of companies that have day sails to the Baths for cruise passengers. The BVI is a great stop. We can't wait to go back!

 

[Muskegon78]

We just did this on our own, because of our 4 year old, this Tuesday. We waked to Speedy's and took the ferry and cabs. The walk down was no problem and the cave area was a lot shorter than what I imagined. We loved it

 

[Wish I lived in Fl]

I thought trying to go to "The Baths" would be too hard for my Mom who can suffer from seasickness and who has mobility issues. Below is pasted from Cruise Critic .

"
We needed a private tour so we could modify as necessary for my 84 yr old Mom.

We hired a Taxi company from an earlier posting by Blue Water(Thank you!). Having flexibility was very nice though more expensive than the open air tour buses.

The Callwood Rum Distillery does not have much to look at though we did enjoy the rum tasting and bought a couple of bottles. We didn't use the beach right there, Cane Garden Bay, because my Mom didn't want to swim.

Our plan was Old Government house, The Folk Museum,1780 Lower Estate Sugar Works Museum, J.R. O'Neal Botanic Garden, The French Deli to buy a picnic lunch and Callwood Distillery.


The only place we didn't get to was the Old Government house."

 

[Jesslm80]

I have some photos and a review of the Baths here: http://www.savingforadream.blogspot.com/2016/01/dcl-port-adventure-review-tour-to.html

The walk down to the Baths wasn't too bad, but walking in the caves might be difficult for your mom. There seemed to be a lot of people on our excursion who didn't walk through the caves but just enjoyed the lovely scenery on the first beach. I think it's a lovely area regardless of whether or not you walk through the caves.

We didn't do a charter boat because I didn't think my youngest daughter could handle the swimming.

Just finished reading your whole trip. Thank you for writing it all out. Your trip sounded amazing and we are taking the same cruise in 2017. You mentioned that the other excursion to The Baths was twice as expensive and was about an hour longer with lunch. Do you think after being there it would be worth paying for? Or were you happy with the amount of Time you were there.

 

[Kay2397]

So Curious about this too. We are currently booked on the DCL A day at the Baths that includes lunch...it's more expensive hope it's worth it.

 

[Muskegon78]

We probably spent 2.5 hours at the baths last Tuesday and found that was plenty of time. We had almost 3 hours before our taxi left so we ate on the top of the baths which has a nice pool to swim in as well. We ate, had drinks, and let the kids swim there

 

[Kay2397]

What time did you get there?

 

[MissDaisyofTexas]

Just finished reading your whole trip. Thank you for writing it all out. Your trip sounded amazing and we are taking the same cruise in 2017. You mentioned that the other excursion to The Baths was twice as expensive and was about an hour longer with lunch. Do you think after being there it would be worth paying for? Or were you happy with the amount of Time you were there.

I'm under the impression (from someone else on my cruise) that the longer DCL Baths excursion did not have any additional time at the Baths, and that the extra time/money was for lunch. So I'm not sure it's worth it. But one difference was that the longer excursion left in the morning, and our excursion left in the early afternoon.

 

[Jesslm80]

I'm under the impression (from someone else on my cruise) that the longer DCL Baths excursion did not have any additional time at the Baths, and that the extra time/money was for lunch. So I'm not sure it's worth it. But one difference was that the longer excursion left in the morning, and our excursion left in the early afternoon.

Thank you so much.

 

[MsJiminyCricket]

I have some photos and a review of the Baths here: http://www.savingforadream.blogspot.com/2016/01/dcl-port-adventure-review-tour-to.html

The walk down to the Baths wasn't too bad, but walking in the caves might be difficult for your mom. There seemed to be a lot of people on our excursion who didn't walk through the caves but just enjoyed the lovely scenery on the first beach. I think it's a lovely area regardless of whether or not you walk through the caves.

We didn't do a charter boat because I didn't think my youngest daughter could handle the swimming.

really - the excursion group met at 12:45 pm? That's amazing! What time did you get back though?

 

[mom4fun]

I'm under the impression (from someone else on my cruise) that the longer DCL Baths excursion did not have any additional time at the Baths, and that the extra time/money was for lunch. So I'm not sure it's worth it. But one difference was that the longer excursion left in the morning, and our excursion left in the early afternoon.

We have the the Baths excursion booked w/o lunch. It leaves in the morning so would it be possible to stay longer and come back at a different time?

 

[MissDaisyofTexas]

really - the excursion group met at 12:45 pm? That's amazing! What time did you get back though?

We got back to the ship around 5:15 p.m.

 

[MissDaisyofTexas]

We have the the Baths excursion booked w/o lunch. It leaves in the morning so would it be possible to stay longer and come back at a different time?

I'm not sure, but I guess you could let the tour operators know you are coming back on your own and you could get your own taxi and ferry back. But in that case, I would probably just do the whole excursion on your own.

 

[MissDaisyofTexas]

What time did you get there?

I'm not sure if this question was for me or the poster above you, but our DCL excursion arrived around 1:45-2:00 p.m. (after taking the ferry over to Virgin Gorda and then the taxi ride to the top of the baths).

 

[Kay2397]

I'm not sure if this question was for me or the poster above you, but our DCL excursion arrived around 1:45-2:00 p.m. (after taking the ferry over to Virgin Gorda and then the taxi ride to the top of the baths).

Thanks for responding. I'm sorry I wasn't clear. I was actually asking Muskegon78. Your responses are helpful though.