Tortola Excursions - The Baths vs. White Bay Jost Van Dyke

[iadizfans]

Thank you for the info! We are early risers, so maybe we will try and head over there early. We have heard so many people rave about JVD.

I am also branching out to local tours to explore our options. I am just really looking forward to the white sand beaches and clear water I am seeing in everyone's trip report photos!

If you go to White Bay, you will love it!! Enjoy!

 

[tidefan]

We have done both. We did the Baths on our own (and ended up hanging out mostly at Devil's Bay) and did the DCL excursion to JVD. Quite honestly, you can't go wrong either way. Both are spectacular.

JVD has the Soggy Dollar bar, so if you want "refreshments" you may be better off there. I think that the Baths are easier to do on your own as the ferry terminal for Virgin Gorda is walkable in Tortola whereas you'd have to take a cab to the west end of the island to get to the ferry port that serves Jost Van Dyke.

 

[Jillpie]

If we did White Bay on our own, what time is the first ferry? Do they serve lunch there too?

 

[RedStars]

If you did the longer JVD trip, how long were you gone?
I booked it but the time starts at 1015 and says we don't get back until 515. That seems awfully long.

 

[iadizfans]

If you did the longer JVD trip, how long were you gone?
I booked it but the time starts at 1015 and says we don't get back until 515. That seems awfully long.

It's about an hour each way on the transfer ferry. Then it will take another 15 minutes or so to tender into the beach. The rest of it is beach time. Its a full day commitment to be sure, but if you like crystal clear water and white sand, it's worth it

 

[RedStars]

It's about an hour each way on the transfer ferry. Then it will take another 15 minutes or so to tender into the beach. The rest of it is beach time. Its a full day commitment to be sure, but if you like crystal clear water and white sand, it's worth it

Add in a cold beverage and that's my idea of heaven

 

[Jillpie]

I saw some videos on youtube of the beach, did all those boats bother you at all, I mean they're really close to the shoreline?

 

[iadizfans]

I saw some videos on youtube of the beach, did all those boats bother you at all, I mean they're really close to the shoreline?[/QU

The boats are part of the scenery. It would be nice if they weren't there, but that's never going to happen.

The pictures and videos make them look closer to the shoreline than they actually are. The day I was there, all the boats were at least 100 yards off shore.

In short, its a very beautiful and very popular place. If you want to visit, you will have to tolerate the others.

 

[iadizfans]

I saw some videos on youtube of the beach, did all those boats bother you at all, I mean they're really close to the shoreline?

Checked YouTube... I see what you mean about the boats. There were nowhere near that many pulled up to shore when we were there. On our visit, there were mostly just catamarans anchored in the bay. Not all those smaller boats.

 

[ktate82]

So if we wanted to go to JVD on our own, how would we do this? Where do we find the ferry schedule and such? We have done other excursions on our own (and the Disney excursions are full), so as long as we have a plan, we are good. Otherwise, is there a good beach at Tortola that doesn't require a ferry to not cut it as close?

 

[disneymagicgirl]

My family and I were in Tortola on the Fantasy last Tuesday. It was my 5th Disney cruise, 3rd Eastern Caribbean, but 1st time stopping in Tortola. I just wanted to throw this out there...
We did the baths on our own and it was by far and away the highlight of the entire cruise. The ship docks between 7-7:30am. We were off the ship right at 7:25am (Cabanas is open early that day approx 6:30am). The 1st Ferry to Virgin Gorda is 7:45. My wife and 2 sons (9,11) easily made the walk from the ship to the ferry with time to spare (one family took a cab and it cost him $20). The next ferry after this one was about an hour and a half later. There were only 3 families from the Disney cruise on my ferry (we were the only ship in port that day)...the rest were locals. The Ferry cost $30 for adults and $20 for kids if I remember correctly (roundtrip). 30 mins later we are in Virgin Gorda and a 10 minute cab ride later we are at the baths and we are alone. And when I say alone I mean the employees were just showing up.
We walked down the rock step path to the beach. Again, completely alone and amazingly beautiful. Aside from the docked yachts and sailboats we the only ones there. Then we found the baths and we explored the different areas /rooms / rocks. There are yellow arrows painted on the walls to help you understand where to go, but exploring was half the fun. Room after room, all to ourselves. After about an hour or so, we started to make our way out of the baths when the excursions started coming through. One after another after another including the Disney one that had 150 people in it, The excursions reminded me of Dunns Falls in Jamaica, just a line of people filing through the caves. While I'm sure the people had a decent time walking through as a group, nothing will compare to exploring the caves on our own taking tons of pictures with barely another soul in sight. by 11:00am we had finsihed the baths and spent a decent amount of time at Devil's Bay (the other beach there) and had seen all there was to see and made our way back on the top where my morning cab driver was waiting for us (we prearranged an 11:00am pickup). He had us back to the ferry port with plenty of time to catch the 11:30 ferry back to Tortola.
Back in Tortola by noon and back on the ship by 12:15. Lunch on Deck 11 and the kids enjoyed an empty ship / pool / Oceaneer club for the rest of the afternoon, while the wife and I enjoyed an empty rainforest room.

I have tons of pictures of the baths if anyone is interested.

All in all I spent under $140 total for all 4 of us to experience the baths, and with no crowds and in probably half the time, when compared to a line of people.

Would this be a good option with a toddler? One parent stays with the baby on the beach while the other parent takes the older kids (7,9) exploring the caves and then switch?

 

[iadizfans]

So if we wanted to go to JVD on our own, how would we do this? Where do we find the ferry schedule and such? We have done other excursions on our own (and the Disney excursions are full), so as long as we have a plan, we are good. Otherwise, is there a good beach at Tortola that doesn't require a ferry to not cut it as close?

Here's a web site >> http://www.bestofbvi.com/info/bviferry_tortola_jost.htm << If you're going on your own be sure to schedule enough time for the return trip. Don't want to be late for "all aboard"
The ferry terminal on Tortola is pretty close to the cruise dock. May be walking distance??

 

[tidefan]

Here's a web site >> http://www.bestofbvi.com/info/bviferry_tortola_jost.htm << If you're going on your own be sure to schedule enough time for the return trip. Don't want to be late for "all aboard"
The ferry terminal on Tortola is pretty close to the cruise dock. May be walking distance??

Of note: the JVD ferries mainly go in and out of the WEST END ferry terminal, not the one in ROAD TOWN, which is the one by the ship. You will need to alllot for taxi service and time to and from the ship to West End....

 

[Jillpie]

Checked YouTube... I see what you mean about the boats. There were nowhere near that many pulled up to shore when we were there. On our visit, there were mostly just catamarans anchored in the bay. Not all those smaller boats.

Thank you, great to know. For those that have done this on their own, was it risky time wise? Were you nervous about getting back in time?

 

[greekboy32]

Would this be a good option with a toddler? One parent stays with the baby on the beach while the other parent takes the older kids (7,9) exploring the caves and then switch?

Well The caves start at one beach and end at another-Both beaches have a rock path up, both meeting up at the top of the hill. The path is not short, at least a 5-10 min walk depending on which side you are going down.
This is what I would recommend. If you want to hang out at the beach with your toddler and then switch (oh and don't forget the taxi's there are basically sitting in the back of a pickup truck-so please consider that with your toddler). Anyway I digress, to successfully do the switch you have to get there before the tours and you should go down to the beach where the caves exit (NOT the devil's bay beach). There is a restaurant and lockers down there. The best part of the caves is towards that beach. Spend some time at the end of the caves then switch. That's how I would do it, but only if you can make it there on the 1st ferry out.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

Well The caves start at one beach and end at another-Both beaches have a rock path up, both meeting up at the top of the hill. The path is not short, at least a 5-10 min walk depending on which side you are going down.
This is what I would recommend. If you want to hang out at the beach with your toddler and then switch (oh and don't forget the taxi's there are basically sitting in the back of a pickup truck-so please consider that with your toddler). Anyway I digress, to successfully do the switch you have to get there before the tours and you should go down to the beach where the caves exit (NOT the devil's bay beach). There is a restaurant and lockers down there. The best part of the caves is towards that beach. Spend some time at the end of the caves then switch. That's how I would do it, but only if you can make it there on the 1st ferry out.

Thanks! I have to chuckle because I asked this question last august for our oct 2017 cruise and just found it again while researching our upcoming dec 2018 cruise. hahaha! We didn't make it last year due to the hurricanes and fantasy having to do all westerns, so trying for eastern again this year. fingers crossed. The toddler will be turning 3 on the trip so it will at least be a bit easier this year than last would have been.

 

[gergy9]

We used Patouche for a snorkeling trip with The Baths as our after lunch stop. It was not a private charter and we ended up being with 2 other DCL families. It was a great day - swam with a sea turtle at Cooper Island. Great boat trip with engaging guides who helped us tour the Baths after the crowd departed. We swam from the boat to the Beach, but even my 6 year old and water averse DH were comfortable with it.

I would book it again - wish I could help with the White Bay option, but I have heard it is a great stop!

We also used Patouche. It was by and far the best day of vacation ever! The fried fish we had for lunch on beef island was amazing! Also, while at the baths we saw Heidi Klum doing a photo shoot. she gave me a dirty look

 

[CJWMW]

How did you contact Patouche ? I have not gotten a response to my email and the USA phone number on the website is incorrect.
Thanks

 

[gergy9]

Here is what I have from 2016:

Joe Standish Patouche Charters (284)494-6300 www.patouche.com
Joe Standish [patouche2@yahoo.com]

Communication was not his strong point. I think he sails a lot and does not have regular internet access.

 

[CJWMW]

Thanks. This is different contact info from what I had. I'll give it a try.