Tortola Expertise-Anyone Been to Long Bay-West End?

[HeatherInFlorida]

Trying to decide what to do in Tortola on our upcoming cruise and I found a video of a beach at Long Bay-West End. Has anyone been there? If so, do you know if it's easy to get taxis back to the pier from the beach? Here's a link to the video: http://display.maxvr.com/mapviewer/panoviewer1.asp?pic=442&imagefileid=269&ident=NLAFV-XMKNFK

Has anyone taken any of the HAL tours and can recommend one? (other than going to the Baths where we've been many times when we stayed on Virgin Gorda)

Really could use some hints:cool: !!! Thanks.

[gliles]

Has anyone taken any of the HAL tours and can recommend one? (other than going to the Baths where we've been many times when we stayed on Virgin Gorda)
Heather, can't help you since we have never been to Tortola but we were thinking of doing the baths, what can you tell me about that? Worth it? It will be myself, DH, me sister, her partner and my 18 yo daughter. What is the best way to go, how much, etc. Thanks!

[HeatherInFlorida]

Heather, can't help you since we have never been to Tortola but we were thinking of doing the baths, what can you tell me about that? Worth it? It will be myself, DH, me sister, her partner and my 18 yo daughter. What is the best way to go, how much, etc. Thanks!
We didn't go to the Baths from Tortola ... we were staying at Little Dix Bay on Virgin Gorda (which is the island where the Baths are) and went from there. See if you can find Superstein's thread about his recent cruise because he goes into quite a bit of detail about how he did it with his family on their own. Alternatively you can take the tour, but it's a lot cheaper to take the ferry trip over on your own.

Do you like to snorkel? If so, this is a fabulous place to do it. It's been many years since we went, but it can't be all that different ... just more crowded. I definitely recommend you go.

[gliles]

We didn't go to the Baths from Tortola ... we were staying at Little Dix Bay on Virgin Gorda (which is the island where the Baths are) and went from there. See if you can find Superstein's thread about his recent cruise because he goes into quite a bit of detail about how he did it with his family on their own. Alternatively you can take the tour, but it's a lot cheaper to take the ferry trip over on your own.

Do you like to snorkel? If so, this is a fabulous place to do it. It's been many years since we went, but it can't be all that different ... just more crowded. I definitely recommend you go.
Thanks, we love to snorkel so we were planning on going to VG. I think I did read Superstein's report and when I added it all up, it seemed almost as much as the ship's excursion but the ship's trip isn't there that long.

[HeatherInFlorida]

Gretchen, you might be better off with the tour since if you go on your own you have to be very careful to get back on time.

[imsulin]

I've been to West End a number of times (great Pusser's bar!), but it is quite a way from Roadtown. Tortola is a long, skinny island, and Roadtown is right in the middle. West End is way at the "west end" of the island. (!) We sailed on a tall ship that did the BVI for many years, and West End (and Roadtown) were frequent stops. I've also been to Cane Garden Bay and the Baths before the "invasion" of the large cruise ships. I'm on the Zui Eastern next April, and am also looking for a good local beach near Roadtown. Can you get a day pass to Cane Garden Bay?

[HeatherInFlorida]

imsulin, just a word of caution about Cane Garden Bay. I guess it's another thread we were talking about the problems there with "dumping" from the boats moored just offshore? I read about it here on the boards under "Ports". Evidently it's been really bad and you'll notice on HAL's website they mark the Cane Garden tour as "cancelled". So you might want to consider that in your plans.

Too bad it's so far to Long Bay because it looks wonderful. I'm thinking of signing up for the "Virgin Islands Sailaway" or the "Sea and See". Anyone done either of these?

[imsulin]

Thanks, Heather! We stayed there back in the mid-90's, and it was really beautiful. At the risk of being "politically-incorrect", I think that the BVI's "invasion" of large cruise ships has done some real damage to those beautiful islands. I remember our first trip to the Baths (on the tall ship...not Windjammer), and we were the only people there! We hiked up to Mad Dog's and enjoyed some great Painkillers. We went to JVD, Norman Island, Salt Cay, and I actually have the "Pusser's Triangle Flag"....meaning I've been to all the Pusser's bars in the BVI. Very sad about Cane Garden Bay.

[OCruisers]

Heather .... Certainly "hear what you're saying" on The Baths! We've been on land trips to Tortola (two Baths trips each time) and also have had Tortola as a port stop (back to The Baths) multi times. Like you -- loved the baths and hope all who haven't been will go -- BUT wanted to do something different on our last port stop there.

You were asking about "The Island Sailaway". That's what we did on our last time and are very likely to do again on our upcoming cruise in January on Veendam:

Brief Review of "The Island Sailaway": The catamaran was HUGE with tons of space ... especially since there were only 16 cruisers on ours. The first snorkel stop was at Norman Island close to the caves. The water was very warm, clear, and calm. Everyone saw fish and seemed very happy with this stop. The other stop was at "Pirates Bight" ... clean WARM beach with such a FUN Beach Bar! The sail itself (about a hour each way) made this tour worthwhile. The water was blue-blue and the scenery beautiful!

Heather, we really did enjoy this excursion. Do let me know if you have any other questions.

gliles .... We've been from Tortola to The Baths three different ways: Ferry (OnOurOwn), Ship's Tour, and Patouche (OnOurOwn). By far, Patouche was best! Totally by water ... their dinghy takes you to the beach ... no walking. Problem is as a cruiser our port time never seem to be on their excursion schedule. Doing a ferry is fine but note really worth it unless you are in port for longer that six hours. Agree with Heather -- the ship's excursion is the easy way and you won't "miss the boat".

Which ever way you go, here's a thread on the ports of call board with a GREAT Map and other info on THE BATHS (click here) (http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=55426)

Happy Sailing! OCruisers :)

[HeatherInFlorida]

OCruisers, thank you, thank you!!! You've sold me! It sounds wonderful. I'm going to book that excursion this very second. Thanks for taking the time:) to share your experience!

[jollycruiser]

We are considering renting a car and going on our own island discovery adventure. Anyone have comments about renting a car in Tortola?

[HeatherInFlorida]

We are considering renting a car and going on our own island discovery adventure. Anyone have comments about renting a car in Tortola?Somewhere I read it's not as wise as on St. Maarten because the roads are so bad. Why don't you check the Tortola website? I think I looked there about renting and I saw you have to get an additional permit but don't hold me to that. Also, unlike St. Maarten, I'm sure you have to drive on the left.

Here's a couple of sites you might want to look at:
Caribbean Islands: Tortola, BVI - The British Virgin Islands Tourist Board (http://www.bvitouristboard.com/tortola/index.htm)
The B-V-I Guide: Online Travel Guide for the British Virgin Islands (http://www.b-v-i.com/)

[imsulin]

Yep - all driving is on the left-hand side in the BVI. Stick shift is laft-handed, too.

[OCruisers]

OCruisers, thank you, thank you!!! You've sold me! It sounds wonderful. I'm going to book that excursion this very second. Thanks for taking the time:) to share your experience!

Heather .... Just glad it helped and will be as good for you as it was for us! My DH absolutely loved this excursion -- relaxing, no-pressure, bit of snorkeling ... and to top it off :D -- a great beach stop at a very FUN beach bar. (Take extra money! Drinks at this beach bar are NOT included.)

You'll be doing this one before we go again in January ... so PLEASE, PLEASE do let us know how you liked it! Can't wait to read a review/comments on your whole cruise! Don't forget about all of us "back home"! :p

Happy Sailing! OCruisers :)

[HeatherInFlorida]

Heather .... Just glad it helped and will be as good for you as it was for us! My DH absolutely loved this excursion -- relaxing, no-pressure, bit of snorkeling ... and to top it off :D -- a great beach stop at a very FUN beach bar. (Take extra money! Drinks at this beach bar are NOT included.)

You'll be doing this one before we go again in January ... so PLEASE, PLEASE do let us know how you liked it! Can't wait to read a review/comments on your whole cruise! Don't forget about all of us "back home"! :p

Happy Sailing! OCruisers :) I will definitely post when we return. I booked the excursion right after I posted! So I'll let you know. We'll be back on 11/14. I just hope I can remember everything!!! Because I am not going to be doing anything internet while we're on our cruise. Others may like to do it, but I like to just "get away from it all!!!":D

And thanks again for telling me how much you liked this tour. Someone else posted they loved it as well so I feel really good about it. We're renting a jeep in St. Maarten so we can explore for ourselves. So I wanted "someone else to do the driving" on Tortola;) .

[OCruisers]

Heather .... Very nice of you! Anytime a week or so after you return would be great! (We aren't leaving until January 15th.)

Like you, the LAST thing I want to do on a cruise is "even look at" a computer!!!! :D

Happy Sailing! OCruisers :)

[Little Feet]

The beach at Long Bay is beautiful...but I have not used it. Just had lunch and dinner there. I think the snorkeling at Smuggler's Bay is much better. I don't think there is any coral at Long Bay, but it is beautiful to view. A beach we found almost perfect was Brewers Bay. I hung my clothes up in a tree and swam around at leisure. There was only a boat or two anchored in the bay and no one else in sight all afternoon. The sand at Brewers Bay was soft powder and the water was clear and clean. This was before the daily cruise ship arrivals...so all may be different now.

[HeatherInFlorida]

The beach at Long Bay is beautiful...but I have not used it. Just had lunch and dinner there. I think the snorkeling at Smuggler's Bay is much better. I don't think there is any coral at Long Bay, but it is beautiful to view. A beach we found almost perfect was Brewers Bay. I hung my clothes up in a tree and swam around at leisure. There was only a boat or two anchored in the bay and no one else in sight all afternoon. The sand at Brewers Bay was soft powder and the water was clear and clean. This was before the daily cruise ship arrivals...so all may be different now.
Sounds wonderful! Thanks so much for the info, but we've decided to do the Virgin Islands Sailaway. Several people have recommended it so I think it should be nice. But DH and I have decided that a vacation at Long Bay just might be wonderful. I looked at the website and it looks absolutely perfect for us. Then we could run over and snorkel at Smugglers.:)

[Little Feet]

Long Bay is a nice resort. Do lock your doors at night....you are not gated in there. I have stayed twice at Fort Recovery....the beach is not like Long Bay...in fact very small, but there is a reef 8 - 10 feet off shore and it extends all along the island for as far as we could swim. There is a curious barracuda (God....he must be dead by now...what am I thinking)....anyway the reef will be there. We have seen rays there too. You are gated in and the property is very safe. I did want to stay at Long Bay once, having frequented their restaurants at various times ....I do have a photo standing in front of Long Bay beach from 10 years ago...and I don't think it has changed much. Probably more villas in the hills. I priced them for winter and the stilted houses on the beach were way out of my price range. We are trying a newer villa on the water edge at Little Apple Bay. Enjoy your visit! We will be hopping off there for the day in December from the Westerdam, and then a week later on in the season.

[HeatherInFlorida]

Little Feet, thanks so much for telling me about Fort Recovery! I took a look at their website. I marked that along with their villas on Bequia. Both look wonderful.