What to do in Tortola?

[anneliesemt3]

My parents, fiancé and I are sailing on the January 2nd Eastern Caribbean cruise on the Fantasy in just a little over a week (hooray!). We have never been to Tortola and I was wondering if anyone has any beaches they would recommend that are easily accessible by taxi? Thanks!

 

[JJsmama]

I think the Tortola cruises just started. I am waiting to hear when they get back too. You report back too please. There is very little on Tortola here. Happy Cruising!

 

[Lady Marie]

If you're stopping in Tortola, I would highly recommend either on your own or through the ship, booking a ferry to Virgin Gorda to visit the baths rather than staying on Tortola. If you google the baths of Virgin Gorda, you will see. It was amazing! At the end of the trail there is a beautiful beach with wonderful snorkeling and not very crowded when we were there in Sept.

 

[JJsmama]

If you're stopping in Tortola, I would highly recommend either on your own or through the ship, booking a ferry to Virgin Gorda to visit the baths rather than staying on Tortola. If you google the baths of Virgin Gorda, you will see. It was amazing! At the end of the trail there is a beautiful beach with wonderful snorkeling and not very crowded when we were there in Sept.

How would you describe the day there and the activity? I have seen the pictures and it looks beautiful. Do you have to climb over all the rocks and caves, etc to get to beach water? (Like they are on the way to the beach) Or is it a choice to do that? And alternately you can just lie on the beach? I ask because I have Rheumatoid arthritis and cannot know ahead of time if it will be flared up (no climbing) or not (climbing ok). Thanks

Also, how long is the boat ride out there?
Also, are there any restroom facilties out there? seems unlikely

 

[Lady Marie]

How would you describe the day there and the activity? I have seen the pictures and it looks beautiful. Do you have to climb over all the rocks and caves, etc to get to beach water? (Like they are on the way to the beach) Or is it a choice to do that? And alternately you can just lie on the beach? I ask because I have Rheumatoid arthritis and cannot know ahead of time if it will be flared up (no climbing) or not (climbing ok). Thanks

Also, how long is the boat ride out there?
Also, are there any restroom facilties out there? seems unlikely

I would say it was more having to bend over to squeeze through low holes at a few points, and if I remember correctly there were two sets of built in wooden stairs (half a flight each) to get over and out of some of the trickier areas. There wasn't much actual climbing other than where the rocks formed natural stairs so to speak. You are wading through the water throughout as well depending on the tide.

There is an alternative trail to the secluded beach that does not go through the caves though and puts you out at the secluded beach area.

I think I remember there being restrooms and a restaurant at the place where the van drops you off. This is where you enter the caves or take the trail to the other beach. Its about a 15/20 minute walk via the trail back to this place from the secluded beach (that beach has a name but I can't remember it! haha!)

The boat ride was about 30 minutes over and could be choppy at times. I'm prone to getting seasick so I sat in the back out where there was fresh air and I was fine.

It was a little bit of a hike getting down to the first beach (where you enter the caves) area now that I am thinking about it. It wasn't steep, but you had to watch your step as the rocks/earth made natural downward stairs at some points.

I don't remember if there were chairs to rent at the first beach. Definitely not at the second beach. But there is a large sandy beach area at the secluded beach and you can sit or lay out there or swim. We had our best snorkeling of the cruise in that area.

Hope that helps!

 

[anneliesemt3]

If you're stopping in Tortola, I would highly recommend either on your own or through the ship, booking a ferry to Virgin Gorda to visit the baths rather than staying on Tortola. If you google the baths of Virgin Gorda, you will see. It was amazing! At the end of the trail there is a beautiful beach with wonderful snorkeling and not very crowded when we were there in Sept.

Thank you so much for the recommendation! I ended up booking the excursion to the baths for my fiancé and myself.

 

[Lady Marie]

Have fun!!!