Costa Luminosa Transatlantic crossing in Tortola

Hi.

I am travelling next spring with my five year old to Tortola. I don't do cruise excursions at far too expensive. Am in need of ideas though please. I don't drive so either walkable places or local transport really.

Hi.

 

I am travelling next spring with my five year old to Tortola. I don't do cruise excursions at far too expensive. Am in need of ideas though please. I don't drive so either walkable places or local transport really.

Brewers Beach

Not commercialised like Cane Garden (let's play sardines and enjoy the NOISE)

Long empty stretch of sand with a nice little bar

Watch Pelicans dive for fish

Kids can run for miles

Loungers if you want on, plenty of natural shade.

Regular shared taxis there and back.

Or the excursion with the ferry to Virgin Gorda, the drive with the ferry is already great fun for kids and the place is amazing.

Hi.

 

I am travelling next spring with my five year old to Tortola. I don't do cruise excursions at far too expensive. Am in need of ideas though please. I don't drive so either walkable places or local transport really.

It's helpful if you can at least provide some basic information on what experiences you may be interested in. There are several threads right below this one with tons of info on beaches and island tours, as well as the ferry to Virgin Gorda and Jost Van Dyke. You're in port on Tuesday, March 31 for 10 hours which is a nice, long day in port as compared to other ships. You're also in port alone, so spending time on Tortola would be a hreat way to enjoy your day since the ship isn;t that large either.

Here's a link to a discussion on beaches, if you're interested in that see if anything peaks your interest. Cane Garden Bay is the busiest beach because it's a large bay that is home to several beach bars and water rentals. Brewers Bay is less busy and has 1 beach bar (Nicole's), and Smuggler's Bay and Long Bay are even less busy and more beautiful.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1877491

The taxi drivers right at the dock provide excellent tours for very reasonable prices. Great views and photo ops from the hilltops overlooking the bays and the other islands.

You can ferry on your own to Virgin Gorda and visit the Baths (google them), 30 min ferry each way and a short taxi, you can then have a nice lunch on VG or return to Tortola earlier and shop the small stores at the dock and have lunch at Pusser's Pub.

ANd a great day can be spent on one of the exceptional catamarans operated out of Road Town and West End.

Any specific interests?

Wow thank you for the replies. We like beaches, walking, swimming and snorkeling. My son is very active and enjoys things as long as he isn't just sitting down. He hasn't seen fish much in the sea and first time in the Caribbean so I can't wait to see his face. It's as much a trip for him as me.

We will be in Tortola 8am till 6pm 31st March so a good amount if time definitely

We like beaches, walking, swimming and snorkeling. My son is very active and enjoys things as long as he isn't just sitting down. He hasn't seen fish much in the sea and first time in the Caribbean so I can't wait to see his face. It's as much a trip for him as me.

Brewer's Beach is nice, with one eatery and snorkeling to the left side (sea conditions permitting).

Cane Garden as made by Nature is actually as pretty as any beach anywhere. In my opinion it's nauseatingly overbuilt. Both it and Brewer's are easy and cheap to get to.

Long Bay Beach is indeed long and uncrowded. It has at least one eatery (and drinkery). It's further away and a bit more expensive to get to.

Whatever you do, see if your driver will stop at one of the lookouts up top. There's a national park up there as well. Tortola is a very attractive mix of green hills, blue sky, blue sea, white sands.

Wow thank you for the replies. We like beaches, walking, swimming and snorkeling. My son is very active and enjoys things as long as he isn't just sitting down. He hasn't seen fish much in the sea and first time in the Caribbean so I can't wait to see his face. It's as much a trip for him as me.

Then you have a couple good choices - Brewers Bay as mentioned, or the Baths on VG.

I'd recommend the Baths because they're a unique experience and I think your son would enjoy them. There's a beach there, you walk a natural path down to the shore, meander through the boulders, end up at another beach (Devils Bay) and head back up another path. There's a restaurant at the top (Top of the Baths). Snorkeling is away from the boulders, or you can walk to nearby Spring Bay to snorkel if you have gear. You can taxi to the Mineshaft Cafe by themine for lunch or stop in Spanishtown for lunch at the Bath & Turtle within walking distance of the ferry. You walk from the ship to the ferry terminal, the next ferry leaves RT at 9, you can google the return times at Speedy's ferry and Smith's ferry, you'll probably use Speedy's.

A great option is taking the Patouche cat, you get a nice day on the water with Captain Joe along with exploring the Baths. Your son would certainly learn of the pirate history surrounding these islands during the sail there andbavk, and could probably steer the boat. Something your son would definitely remember!

Otherwise Brewers is a nice beach with good snorkeling and has enough amenities to be comfortable, and you can add an island tour as mentioned. Taxi to Brewers and CGB in a safari taxi with 20 others is $12 each way ($8 for you, 1/2 price for your son). Taxi to Long Bay and Smuggler's Cove is $18 but limited amenities at both. CGB is actually just home to 5 beach bars and 4 beach hotels (small). We've stayed there and it does get crowded on cruise ship days but many folks like that vibe and all of the food and water toy choices.

Good luck and enjoy!