Tortola / St John with a toddler

[steveyjc81]

Hi all,

Any ideas how to spend the day in Tortola or St John with a toddler (18 months)?

• Are the port areas suitable for pushing a buggy and looking at shops?
• Most excursions are not available for kids of that age
• DIY excursions could be problematic with transport for the little one?

Any thoughts? I don't fancy leaving her on board when we are off the ship.

Thanks

 

[Kritn4]

The port areas in Tortola are not good for strollers. Uneven sidewalks if there even are sidewalks. At one point we realized we were walking over their sewer system.

The area right around the port is lackluster. There were a few tents with souvineers within walking distance, a "downtown" area with banks and a few local stores and a park with benches and open grass.

If you want to see the island you are going to have to take a taxi.

 

[steveyjc81]

Thanks for the info. A taxi with a toddler makes things even more difficult (child seats etc)

 

[PackYourPixieDust]

So the port in Tortola has some little shops now. (We were there in May.) And there was a bit of cobblestone and other stone areas but we still used our stroller. They now have the open air cabs now like in St Thomas so you just hold your toddler. We took the cab to Cane Garden Bay. My biggest issue was we had to wait until the cab filled up to leave and I on the way back that took 45 minutes.

 

[steveyjc81]

Thank you. Perhaps we'll try something like that. Does it feel reasonably safe on the safari taxis? Are you usually able to get one back (even with a bit of a wait)?

 

[PackYourPixieDust]

Thank you. Perhaps we'll try something like that. Does it feel reasonably safe on the safari taxis? Are you usually able to get one back (even with a bit of a wait)?

Yes. They bring you both ways.

 

[steveyjc81]

Thanks. Would they allow a folded buggy on the safari taxis?

Also, is there anything to do like walking along a promenade etc at the beach?

 

[PackYourPixieDust]

Thanks. Would they allow a folded buggy on the safari taxis?

Also, is there anything to do like walking along a promenade etc at the beach?

There isn't a prominade. There are some places to dine, including Myetts which was good sized and had good food.

We brought our stroller and put it next to us in our row of the taxi. Another family had a long umbrella stroller and put theirs under the seat. The tried to have us put the stroller in this little trunk and they were going to tie it down but I said no to that.

 

[steveyjc81]

Thank you - the place looks wonderful. D you remember how to pay for the beach loungers/ how much etc?

 

[PackYourPixieDust]

Thank you - the place looks wonderful. D you remember how to pay for the beach loungers/ how much etc?

There's guys that basically work certain chairs. We paid $10 for 2 chairs and an umbrella in front of Myett's grill in early May. In January people on our cruise paid $15. We paid cash.

The taxi was $8 an adult and half priced for kids. Not sure what age kids counted but our son was not quite 3 and we just paid the half price for him.

 

[steveyjc81]

Thank you - that seems reasonable. Thinking it DIY option is better than an organised Disney trip, as if we need to get back for whatever reason (child playing up etc) we can just get a safari taxi back to port. Presumably they run all day (albeit with a small wait)

 

[PackYourPixieDust]

Thank you - that seems reasonable. Thinking it DIY option is better than an organised Disney trip, as if we need to get back for whatever reason (child playing up etc) we can just get a safari taxi back to port. Presumably they run all day (albeit with a small wait)

Yep. They run all day!

 

[steves100]

Don't do Baths w a toddler.....

 

[steveyjc81]

Thanks for the tips. I think it will all depend on the mood the little lady wakes up in that morning.