best beach in Tortola

What's the best beach to hit up on Tortola? Trying to do our own excursion. The Baths aren't an option as my mother has bad knees and her back was carved up last spring and isn't 100%. Any tips are appreciated.

Thanks!

I am interested in this topic too because there is very little to do in Tortola.

Jost Van Dyke was amazing

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There are actually a lot of options for your day on Tortola, gorgeous island with beautiful beaches for snorkeling or just limin', excellent catamaran daysails, interesting sights on both Tortola and Virgin Gorda, etc. for someone not interested in watersports or a beach day a reasonably priced island tour is a great option.

Mandy, what are you looking for in a beach? The nicest beach with nice island views and few amenities like Smuggler's Cove? A large beach with one restaurant and $5 lounges like Long Bay (West End), or one with several beach bars and a huge crowd from the ship like Cane Garden Bay? Something in between with good snorkeling and one beach bar like Brewers Bay? Or maybe a beach for surfing like Josiah's?

Taxi is $8pp - $12pp each way depending on your choice.

We went to Brewers Bay.

Be forewarned, the trip there is not for the faint of heart! It is located across the mountain (big hill, really) and it is an interesting trip there but well worth it! As long as you aren't looking for crowds, food trucks, loud music and water toys! What it is though, is a most relaxing beach. The beach entry is smooth and very long and shallow. Snorkeling is very good on the left hand side against the rocks. The beers are cold and there is good shade. Chairs and umbrellas are available. The water is very calm.

Martha, thanks so much for the great pictures of Brewer's Bay. Brings back fond memories! :)

Agree with you ... the drive there isn't for the faint of heart ... but so worth it!

It feels as if you have stepped back in time to the Caribbean the way it use to be. :)

LuLu

There are actually a lot of options for your day on Tortola, gorgeous island with beautiful beaches for snorkeling or just limin', excellent catamaran daysails, interesting sights on both Tortola and Virgin Gorda, etc. for someone not interested in watersports or a beach day a reasonably priced island tour is a great option.

 

Mandy, what are you looking for in a beach? The nicest beach with nice island views and few amenities like Smuggler's Cove? A large beach with one restaurant and $5 lounges like Long Bay (West End), or one with several beach bars and a huge crowd from the ship like Cane Garden Bay? Something in between with good snorkeling and one beach bar like Brewers Bay? Or maybe a beach for surfing like Josiah's?

 

Taxi is $8pp - $12pp each way depending on your choice.

We are looking for a low key day just laying in the sun and playing in the water. Would like something beautiful, we don't mind crowds so long as we can find a spot. Each beach looks more beautiful than the next. Seems like we can't go wrong with any of them.

We are looking for a low key day just laying in the sun and playing in the water. Would like something beautiful, we don't mind crowds so long as we can find a spot. Each beach looks more beautiful than the next. Seems like we can't go wrong with any of them.

The most crowded beach is Cane Garden, but even that should have space if you go to the left, away from the bars and wall-to-wall loungers. Brewer's is to the east, less crowded, scenic. Long Bay to west of Cane Garden should be less crowded still. These are probably the three easiest to get to. They're all white sand beaches surrounded by green hills.

Brewers Bay was a great day. The ride over there is scenic as well. I recommend it.

Question about the taxis to Brewers Beach. If we take the taxi over there do we just tell the driver to come back at a certain time or are taxis always around.

Yes ask the driver to return, they will generally let you know when they will be back anyway. As mentioned Brewers and CGB are the more popular beaches for day visitors, Brewers may or may not be crowded depending on how many from the ship go there. Long Bay (West End) is a long, picture postcard walking beach with a restaurant as well and fewer day visitors.

Question about the taxis to Brewers Beach. If we take the taxi over there do we just tell the driver to come back at a certain time or are taxis always around.

Deladypilot ( Kathy)

I think we are the only ship in port at Tortola so shouldn't be that busy.

Deladypilot ( Kathy)

 

I think we are the only ship in port at Tortola so shouldn't be that busy.

That will be wonderful and make for easy moving about. Thanks

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Yes ask the driver to return, they will generally let you know when they will be back anyway. As mentioned Brewers and CGB are the more popular beaches for day visitors, Brewers may or may not be crowded depending on how many from the ship go there. Long Bay (West End) is a long, picture postcard walking beach with a restaurant as well and fewer day visitors.

Thanks. That works perfectly

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Deladypilot ( Kathy)

 

I think we are the only ship in port at Tortola so shouldn't be that busy.

Yes the NCL Escape is the only ship in port on both June 1 and Oct 5. However I've seen large groups on cruisecritic planning to go to Brewers, and that can change the experience drastically. For that reason we like Long Bay (West End) when there's a large ship in port.

However if you want to include snorkeling Brewers Bay is a better option. Just check your ship roll call so you'll know if there are any larger groups planning on BB so you're not surprised and waste precious time going to another beach from there.

We went to Brewers Bay.

 

 

Be forewarned, the trip there is not for the faint of heart! It is located across the mountain (big hill, really) and it is an interesting trip there but well worth it! As long as you aren't looking for crowds, food trucks, loud music and water toys! What it is though, is a most relaxing beach. The beach entry is smooth and very long and shallow. Snorkeling is very good on the left hand side against the rocks. The beers are cold and there is good shade. Chairs and umbrellas are available. The water is very calm.

 

 

 

Thanks for the beautiful pics!

How do you find out how many ships are at port when you are?

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How do you find out how many ships are at port when you are?

 

 

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http://www.cruisett.com is pretty accurate for most ports. For Tortola the preferred site is

http://bviports.org/cruise-schedule/

For St Thomas vinow dot com shows which dock you are at.

http://www.cruisett.com is pretty accurate for most ports. For Tortola the preferred site is

http://bviports.org/cruise-schedule/

 

For St Thomas vinow dot com shows which dock you are at.

This is very helpful! I was wondering how crowded the ports and sites would be. Thank you.

Yes they're very helpful in planning your day. You can have 5 ships on St Thomas and still find an uncrowned beach if you want that. On Tortola 1 ship can have more of an impact, but there are still a couple options away from the larger crowds. But it's nice to have an idea what you are dealing with.

Have a great cruise, Tortola is gorgeous!

Martha, thanks so much for the great pictures of Brewer's Bay. Brings back fond memories! :)

 

Agree with you ... the drive there isn't for the faint of heart ... but so worth it!

It feels as if you have stepped back in time to the Caribbean the way it use to be. :)

 

LuLu

This looks ideal for us, how long is the taxi ride to get here, and do the come back to get you at an agreed time? :)

http://www.cruisett.com is pretty accurate for most ports. For Tortola the preferred site is

 

http://bviports.org/cruise-schedule/

 

 

 

For St Thomas vinow dot com shows which dock you are at.

Thank you. I can't wait to check back when our cruise gets closer. [emoji177]

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This looks ideal for us, how long is the taxi ride to get here, and do the come back to get you at an agreed time? :)

Taxi to Brewers or CGB is about 20 minutes and ~$8pp each way, drivers that drop folks there will arrange for a pick-up at a predetermined time.

So no worries! There's a youtube video of the ride all the way there if you want to check it out.

does anyone know how long the ride to long bay is from the cruise pier?

20 - 25 minutes