Water shoe/sandal recommendation for baths excursion

[Kay2397]

i need to get some water shoes for our April Eastern Carribean cruise. I want something that will work well for the walk down to the baths. Anyone have a pair that they love?

 

[MsJiminyCricket]

OMG - I am - as I write - on the internet shopping for some! I do not like traditional water shoes or anything that goes around the ankle as they can be very uncomfortable on a hot day. I am a fan of hiking flip flops and my favorites are not being sold any longer. My requirements is that they are comfortable without being too tight or too loose and have the traction of a truck tire. I'm hoping those will work out. From various reports I've read, it can be anywhere from a trail to rock-scaling and some places are better bare foot. We shall see.

 

[Kay2397]

I think we are looking for the same sort of shoe. I would love to hear from people who have done the Bath excursion --curious about what they wore

 

[Mrs.Ed]

We were just at the Baths in Virgin Gorda on Saturday. Quite honestly you'll be fine in flip flops or even bare feet. My entire family wore tennis shoes b/c we were worried about the "hike" down to the Baths. We hiked back up, then down again after lunch and up again in our bare feet and we were fine. Honestly - take as little as possible b/c you'll either have to leave it on the beach as you explore the baths or take it with you. We brought WAY too much stuff. A towel and sunscreen (and money for food and souvenirs) are really all you need. If you have snorkeling masks and waterproof cameras you'll want to bring those, too. They have snorkeling gear for rent at the Top of the Baths, but my husband and son got by just fine with goggles. Have fun! It was definitely a highlight of our trip.

 

[KerryCruise]

We are on Fantasy leaving on Saturday. We have scheduled The Day at the Baths for Tuesday! I am very excited to hear it was a good time! A few questions if you have time to reply: Do you think I can bring my regular camera? It looks so beautiful I'd love to get good pictures. And are there lounge chairs or trees on the beach? I ask because I have a KYSS tote bag, which is one that I can lock to a chair/tree/etc. if we all want to go into water or a little hike together. Thanks!

 

[Mrs.Ed]

There are no lounge chairs, but plenty of trees. You can bring a regular camera, but you risk leaving it unattended if you're going to spend some time in the water. Also, depending on how big your camera is, you risk it getting knocked around while you're exploring the baths - there are some tight spaces to crawl through (my 6'3" husband managed just fine). That being said, we left all our stuff on the beach while we swam and explored and it was fine. They do have lockers for rent, but I don't know how much the rental was.

 

[MsJiminyCricket]

There are no lounge chairs, but plenty of trees. You can bring a regular camera, but you risk leaving it unattended if you're going to spend some time in the water. Also, depending on how big your camera is, you risk it getting knocked around while you're exploring the baths - there are some tight spaces to crawl through (my 6'3" husband managed just fine). That being said, we left all our stuff on the beach while we swam and explored and it was fine. They do have lockers for rent, but I don't know how much the rental was.

I have read many people's accounts of this being physically strenuous and lots of crouching and having very tight spaces. Can you enlighten us on your experience? Did you go to Devils' Bay? Was there a path? Were you holding your things above your head so they didn't get wet? Thanks in advance!

 

[Foxes Den]

We always wear water shoes, and bring other shoes in our bag. I think my husband and daughter had Tevas once?

 

[Mrs.Ed]

I have read many people's accounts of this being physically strenuous and lots of crouching and having very tight spaces. Can you enlighten us on your experience? Did you go to Devils' Bay? Was there a path? Were you holding your things above your head so they didn't get wet? Thanks in advance!

I had a reusable type shopping bag that I wore on my shoulder as we made our way through the baths to Devil's Bay - It never even came close to touching the water. The water was never higher than mid-shin. At the entrance to the trail there is a section off to the right that will take you through deep water, but it doesn't go thru. People who wanted to explore that area just left their bags and shoes where it was dry. The trail that goes through is off to the left and as I stated before the water was never higher than mid-shin. There is some ducking and crouching that you have to do at a few points, but as long as you don't have a back or neck injury or issues or knee issues you should be okay. While we were there I saw people young and old of all ages and ability levels making their way through. If you'd like to go check out Devil's Bay and avoid maneuvering through the Baths there is another trail from the top that leads down to Devils Bay. I'm not sure this distance - I think it's probably about twice as long the trail to the beach at the Baths (it took us about 20 minutes), but it's a pretty easy hike that my entire family did in our bare feet. If you have Tevas or Chacos already they would probably be a good choice, but I don't think it's necessary to purchase new shoes just for this excursion. Flip flops and bare feet were sufficient for my family. We did wear tennis shoes initially, but it was complete overkill in my opinion (and then we just had extra stuff to carry around). My kids are 9 and 12, but I would have been completely comfortable on the trails there and exploring the baths with them if they were 4 and 7.

My husband and I are middle aged and in relatively decent shape and free from injury and exploring all the trails didn't seem strenuous at all to us. I'm sure you could do a google search and find plenty of youtube videos people have posted of the trails.

At about 1:49 in this video it shoes one of the most narrow places you'll have to crouch through at the start of the trail through the baths.

And while it's really shaky, this video shows the ladders you'll have to go up and down. My recommendation would be to turn around and climb down FACING the ladders when going down (the opposite of what these people did). That's what our tour guide recommended and it was really easy to maneuver.

Hope that's helpful.

 

[Kay2397]

We were just at the Baths in Virgin Gorda on Saturday. Quite honestly you'll be fine in flip flops or even bare feet. My entire family wore tennis shoes b/c we were worried about the "hike" down to the Baths. We hiked back up, then down again after lunch and up again in our bare feet and we were fine. Honestly - take as little as possible b/c you'll either have to leave it on the beach as you explore the baths or take it with you. We brought WAY too much stuff. A towel and sunscreen (and money for food and souvenirs) are really all you need. If you have snorkeling masks and waterproof cameras you'll want to bring those, too. They have snorkeling gear for rent at the Top of the Baths, but my husband and son got by just fine with goggles. Have fun! It was definitely a highlight of our trip.

Thank you for your replies and the videos! I feel much better. My girls are only 6 and 8 and I was wondering if this would be too difficult for them. I can't wait until April!

Did you do an excursion in St. Thomas? I was thinking of either Meagan's Bay or Coral World/coki beach.

 

[MsJiminyCricket]

I had a reusable type shopping bag that I wore on my shoulder as we made our way through the baths to Devil's Bay - It never even came close to touching the water. The water was never higher than mid-shin. At the entrance to the trail there is a section off to the right that will take you through deep water, but it doesn't go thru. People who wanted to explore that area just left their bags and shoes where it was dry. The trail that goes through is off to the left and as I stated before the water was never higher than mid-shin. There is some ducking and crouching that you have to do at a few points, but as long as you don't have a back or neck injury or issues or knee issues you should be okay. While we were there I saw people young and old of all ages and ability levels making their way through. If you'd like to go check out Devil's Bay and avoid maneuvering through the Baths there is another trail from the top that leads down to Devils Bay. I'm not sure this distance - I think it's probably about twice as long the trail to the beach at the Baths (it took us about 20 minutes), but it's a pretty easy hike that my entire family did in our bare feet. If you have Tevas or Chacos already they would probably be a good choice, but I don't think it's necessary to purchase new shoes just for this excursion. Flip flops and bare feet were sufficient for my family. We did wear tennis shoes initially, but it was complete overkill in my opinion (and then we just had extra stuff to carry around). My kids are 9 and 12, but I would have been completely comfortable on the trails there and exploring the baths with them if they were 4 and 7.

My husband and I are middle aged and in relatively decent shape and free from injury and exploring all the trails didn't seem strenuous at all to us. I'm sure you could do a google search and find plenty of youtube videos people have posted of the trails.

At about 1:49 in this video it shoes one of the most narrow places you'll have to crouch through at the start of the trail through the baths.

And while it's really shaky, this video shows the ladders you'll have to go up and down. My recommendation would be to turn around and climb down FACING the ladders when going down (the opposite of what these people did). That's what our tour guide recommended and it was really easy to maneuver.

Hope that's helpful.

very helpful - thanks!