ryansmom

Thanks so much! Got it and I really appreciate it. :)

Great!

super slow and lazy works for me!

Hopefully more folks let you know they appreciate your efforts!

:) I don't need appreciation....just you regulars to help & direct those looking for help to the photos!

Different computers and servers, you may want to check the config requirements for that program...

 

Again, great post Ryansmom, pictures can better help those who have concerns about mobility issues, young kids, or are just obsessive planners. I also research destinations to prevent disappointment or surprises, but I like to wait to see the sights when we experience them, so I don't Look at the many youtube videos and pictures posted in reports here for that reason. But many folks want that level of detail, and we've shared your posts with others who want that on the Tortola forum (with credit to you, of course). :)

I am like you....I research and look forward to seeing for myself.

With this particular subject though, I always saw MANY people inquiring about this. I too was curious and thought how much more helpful it would be to have photos.

When we were sailing the BVI this past summer, I HAD planned to actually take video of this trail. Sadly our bunch was in super slow, lazy vacation mode and we didn't have enough time to visit the Baths this year (hence the apps & drinks @ Jumbies instead). Whenever we make it there again, I will try to remember to up the ante and take video instead of just pictures. But for those who ARE concerned I am very glad you are all directing them to my photos....my EXACT intention!

These boards do not have a PM function. ;) But it's mitsubishigirl19 hotmail

Just sent to you....if not in inbox, check spam :)

'Thanks for all your information. Yep, no tender feet here (well, at least for my and my youngest daughter...who knows about the adult kids lol, they're on their own with this one). Heck, I grew up running on rocks behind our house (down the alley) when I was late coming home from a friends house...didn't want momma to pull a switch off the tree. :p

 

I did look up the menu on their website, but I'm sorry, what they have listed on there (the lunch) doesn't sound much like "lunch" to me...steak and stuff and the prices :eek:. But I can "kinda" see yours and it looks like it might say hamburgers or something?

 

The problem is, you hosted these on photobucket and it will not allow you to save them. There's no right clicking to save or a download button. :( (Trust me, I tried before asking lol...no workie unless you can tell me a way). :)

Let's make this easy....PM me your email address and I'll email them to you after dinner :)

I just tried again and they are working now. I'm not sure what was going on this morning. Maybe it was my computer (since others said it worked for them, but then again if they previously viewed them and it's in their cache that might be why). I would say maybe 1/4 of them worked and no matter how many times I closed it out and went back in, it was the same pictures that didn't work the first time that didn't work the next time. Oh well.

 

Thanks so much for the link. Awesome pictures. I do have a few questions though.

 

Everyone states to make sure not to wear flip flops and take water shoes but yet the guys in the pictures have on flip flops. :p I did notice some at the end where they had water shoes on and then the ending picture with no shoes and carrying their water shoes. I think I'm probably the only one in the family that might still have their water shoes and I honestly don't want to go out and buy shoes for everyone just for this one trip. My thoughts (even with myself walking) was to take off or shoes and walk. I rather walk barefooted in sand and climbing than with shoes on. Just a thought unless someone can tell me why this wouldn't work? :confused:

 

Also, the menu picture at the restaurant...do you have a bigger picture size so that I can read it and see the pricing? I'm a planner and like to budget things as close as possible. Is this place right at the top of the hill by the baths? Or do you need to walk somewhere to go to it?

 

The pool at this restaurant, is this for anyone to use?

 

Thanks in advance. :)

I'm glad you were able to see some of them.

Since it's been over 2 years since I was last there, let me try and remember.

The guys in the pictures in flip flops....TEENAGERS!!! That should explain that!! The tanner boy (my nephew) he lives in Florida. He didn't even BRING flip flops on our boat trip this summer there :rolleyes: ...typical!

I think flip flops are okay; it IS walkable in flip flops if you are pretty sturdy on your feet. If you could walk a trail at home in them, you should be okay there. Worst case, wear flip flops and if it's not working for you, take them off! If you have soft (or a recently really good scrubbing on your feet from pre-vacation pedi) or tender/sensitive feet, I don't know that I would like walking barefoot, but I would say flip flops are okay. I personally wouldn't go out and buy water shoes just to walk that trail (it's only 350 yards). Remember, the boys climbing are boys and (were) teenage boys....they do everything in flip flops!

After consulting with my son (the kid with the long blonde hair), the restaurant is at the top. There is also a Poor Man's restaurant down at the beach. The pool is at the restaurant at the top and yes, anyone can use it. Order your food and swim while you wait. (You don't need to wear shoes into the restaurant either ;) )

As for the menu....You can save the picture to your computer and then you can zoom in to see the prices. I didn't take closer pictures because I knew I could do that.

Enjoy your time!

I was directed here by someone else because I was asking about info on the Baths, It's too bad a majority of the pictures you linked are bad in both of the postings. :( Is there another way to get to them?

Thanks for letting me know you are having problems.

I looked into it and there is something weird going on. I did try a couple things, but they didn't work.

I will have my husband take a peek at it because he usually can figure out what's wrong.....

Ironically, while there this summer, I never got the video I planned to take. We never made it to the Baths! Ended up having apps and drinks at Jumbies instead, lol! Oh well!

Life has been busy but a good busy.

ikwym :p

Imagine my surprise when I see you here when doing research on Tortola! Haven't read yet, but I know you will have some of the best pictures!!!

Hope all is well with you..

Jen

Hey girl!!

Yes, I remembered so many people asking how the walk was, so I took pictures to SHOW people...you know me ;) IF we go that route again this summer, *maybe* I'll remember to take video?! :rolleyes:

Actually planning sailing back in the BVI....leaving 7/6 for 10 days. Looking forward to it!

I'm sorry I'm not much help on Tortola for ya...we only visit the marina there to pick up our sailboat. But, by now, I'm sure you have some research done!

Have a fabulous trip!!

I don't think that Blue Safaris in St Maarten is the same company but would love to get more info about your BS in St Kitts. We usually go to the beach Camambola. How many people do the take at once, how much $, what's included, etc??? Thanks

I think the website is bluewatersafaris dot com. We did this in July of 2013, so it was time ago. Shauna was the gal in charge and doing the emailing back then.

I don't remember too much, but catamaran was NOT crowded; they don't take too many. Drinks on the cat and some light lunch. Took you to Sh!tten Bay to snorkel, which was really nice. Saw momma and baby ray :) Off to the left of the cat was the fish (a lot of different ones) and wrecked barge or fishing vessel or whatever it was (I was looking for my review online and can't seem to find it, but I will keep looking and post if I find it). Off to the right of the cat was more corals and not really much fish; more rocks and such.

It's a nice sail out there and they play music and are all super nice and friendly! We did half a day (10-2) and it was $142.50 for the 3 of us according to my email (from 2013)...might be more now. They did a full day to Nevis also (9-4), not sure of cost with that one.

My best advice is to check out their site. I booked with them based on CC reviews and was not disappointed. We had a great day!

FAB was our captain and was the absolute BEST! He now owns his own business BlueSafaris.......

Relation to Blue Safaris on St. Kitts?

We did cat/snorkel excursion with BS on St. Kitts after we were at St. Martin on our last cruise.....

Nice! Not bad at all! Thanks for the info!

No problem! It's not a hard or long walk at all. Enjoy your trip :)

About how long would you say the whole walk up is? I'm reading a couple post and it's a little hard to picture? Just want to plan out my timing on when to go back to ship!

According to the time stamps I have on the first picture at the beginning, and the last picture at the bottom, I would say about 10-15 minutes.

This included stops for pictures along the way and very possibly a potty stop at the bottom. It's not far....if you leave 15-20 minutes, you should have more than enough time.

This was also just us....not a mass of cruise ship people either. It may be a bit slower going if you're with a large group of ship people walking their way down/up also.

These pictures were so helpful! Thank you. I will be in Tortola in a few weeks and almost decided not to see the baths because i thought the trails would be to much for my 3 year old. But he can handle these with no problem, as long as there is a hand being held.

 

Thank You!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

For kids....absolutely! It's usually the older folks with mobility issues that might have a problem. I think if you have good balance walking this walk is not a problem.

For kids....no problem :D

Glad I could help.

Enjoy!

Thank you for all of your info! You are right, so many of the reviews do scare me. But, your post really helps!

You're welcome. It's the reason I took & posted the pictures. Seeing it and hearing about it can be very different. I look to others' reviews for what to expect. I figured I'd take the pictures so people can SEE what to expect. :)

Hey warmwinds....... didja go? What did you think? How was the water?

 

Ya know, I really want to go here, it's on my bucket list, so if I have to crawl on my hands and knees so be it.

That other pic of the water was on a cloudy day...and a little churned up. We had never seen it like that before, was always so clear and much calmer, that was very unusual for there...

lol....you won't have to crawl on your hands and knees...absolutely go and enjoy it for everything it is. It truly is amazing....you won't be disappointed.

I think all the reviews of walking down the path and 'crouching' down scares people. It really isn't all as difficult as some people make it seem.

Bottom line: if you can walk and are steady on your feet, you will be able to walk down to the beach and through the caves absolutely NO problem.

Enjoy it and have fun! :)

Is the crouching down to get through that narrow crevice the way you HAVE to go to get to the beach? I'm not sure I could do that!

 

Your picture of the water is unbelievable - doesn't even look real!

Funny how beautiful you think that water is! That is nothing compared to the water in Anegada (which most cruisers don't get to because of it's distance). Here is a pic of that water:

That is at the entrance to the Caves....you can crawl on your hands and knees if you have too, but my husband (in the picture) is 5' 10" and he did just fine crouching down (I'm 5' 9" and did the same and so did our son who is 6' 2"). You'll be fine.

Here's a picture of the entrance without my husband in it:

Don't worry....it's VACATION!! Everything will be fine :D

.....we will have our young kids with us and I was concerned they might not be able to handle the path down. But after seeing your post, I think they can handle it. They are 5 & 8 and with water shoes or similar all trek water/land shoes it should be fine for them.

5 & 8 will be just fine on the paths. Not flipflops and the right water shoes and they will be fine. There are only a couple areas where there is sand on the rocks that can be slippery....the rest of the way is easy. I think folks who are looking for a handrail the way down are the ones that are thinking the path down is tricky. They have steps built in...a very gradual walk down. Just take your time and watch where you're going. If you can walk on your feet "steadily", you will be fine. And, to those looking to bring a stroller, um, yeah...you are going to carry that AND the child! ;)

I have the majority of the pictures of the path down in the original post, but here are a few from a couple weeks ago: (not sure why, but I had to refresh some of the pictures?)

Kids won't have to crouch down as far as adults ;)

Beautiful sights

Steps that do have handrails

Waiting on the rest of us, but you can see the path we are walking

Nature is awesome!

Devil's Bay...now roped off so dinghys cannot come ashore (like we did in 2012)

Relatively calm waters

You can see the bottom is sandy....except for the occasional smaller rocks near the larger ones.

Another pic of the path

We are walking

Well, we are back.

We were at the Baths Jan. 9th (my husband's birthday :D )

I thought the water was definitely more chilly than it is in July. We WERE in and it was the type of temperature that was a bit chilly going in, but once you were in, you were okay.

I am sad to report, we did not snorkel. Current was just too strong. First time I've been there and couldn't.

Beach was beautiful...no small rocks under foot or anything. If you want to walk the path or the boulder path to Devil's Bay, water shoes are recommended (flip flops aren't a good idea walking on and over the boulders).

I will try to remember to post some pictures...just got home Tuesday night late and it's been a whirlwind of the typical post-vacation routine.

We will be home the 13th....so I will report back on the water conditions.

The water is clear of rocks....I don't know if you've ever snorkeled in St. Lucia between the Pitons, but it's not like St. Lucia at all! It's all just very sandy, and you would think with the boulders it'd be rocky...but the water is not. You don't need water shoes in the water there. I like to wear water shoes walking through the caves and down by Devil's Bay (because that's more of a trail through "woods"). At this beach, I don't think water shoes are necessary....especially if you're going snorkeling. You'll be fine without.... It has a lot of boulders, but rocks in the water/beach, no. I know...weird, huh?

IF we stop here next week, we will probably dinghy ashore down near Devils Bay and snorkel and then walk the trail. But, I can still gauge the water. I, personally, don't feel the snorkeling is the best here because it IS more boulders than coral and reef. But, there IS some fish and things to see....just not as much as other places as I've been. But, I do love the Baths and Virgin Gorda :)

How about that? I just happened to pop in to check email, & you had JUST posted!

I think the water depends on the time of year you are going to be there. In the summer, it's relatively calm. In the off season of winter months, it tends to kick up a bit more.

These are some pictures from when we were there in mid July:

The group that went snorkeling said they didn't have any problems with rough water or the current. We have only been here in July...however, we are going sailing the BVI again next week. If we stop at the Baths, I'd be happy to report back....IF you haven't left yet?

Hope this helps!

:)

No problem...You are very welcome.

I try to remember to be helpful because I am always appreciative when I find the help I am looking for.

Have a good trip!

As long as you have shoes with a good tread on them, you should be okay. Niece wanted to wear flipflops with no tread on them, she was glad we talked her out of it. The worst parts are the rocks with sand on them; but if you have good tread, and be careful, you'll be okay. Otherwise, trail itself is relatively easy. :)

Glad I could help someone!

I see a lot of people asking about the walk from the Top of the Baths to the beach. Well, I remembered this and while there this year, I took pictures along the way. (The last time we were here, we dinghyed in from our boat to Devil's Bay and snorkeled and walked toward the beach on the trail. This year, we took a taxi to the top of Virgin Gorda [the touristy way] and to the Top of the Baths.)

So, here are pictures of the walk down to the beach. Most of it was an easy walk, I tried to take pictures of the more difficult spots:

I wanted to include all the photos in one post, so just click on the word to see the picture.

Here we are at the top/beginning. This is where the restaurant is (which, was good!)

Stepping down.

A few more steps down.

More steps before leveling out.

More flattened path.

Steps with a handrail!

Walking down.

Narrow walkway.

Funky rock near the bottom and restrooms.

Easy stairs/pathway.

We made it!

And, I didn't notice the lockers until we were on our way out.

Top of the Baths restaurant.

Lunch menu.

The pool and restaurant.

Hope this is helpful and answers some of those questions! :)

What did you find at St. Kitts? I sail Sunday and that is the one spot I have not found a good snorkel excursion

Not sure if you were asking me, but we used Blue Water Safaris for the 1/2 day light lunch snorkel. They take you to Sh!tten Bay to snorkel. There's a wrecked barge at the shoreline there and lots of coral. There were tons of trumpet fish there too. IF you go, when you get off the catamaran, snorkel off to the left first (toward the wreck). Off to the right the water is deeper and has nice coral, but no where the amount of fish off to the left has.

There aren't many snorkeling spots good in St. Kitts, but this one seems to be the recommended one. We enjoyed it and we're somewhat of snorkel snobs.

Here's a clip of our day: