Taxi availability

[Winston Wolf]

Hi everyone,

 

Trying to plan out a day in Tortola for January and am thinking about taking the family to the Dolphin Discovery and perhaps a few hours at a beach. Thinking about Brandywine Bay as it's pretty close to Road Town and the cruise ship pier. How available are Taxis? I'm sure there will be a ton at the pier, but if I needed one to take us from the dophins to the beach, then the beach back to the ship, are they available?

[blue_water]

Taxis are available at DD and can also be called. I don't think there wil be any taxis at BB since it's not a destination for tourists other than the restaurant for dinner. So you'd want to have the driver return for you. It is along the main road so if the driver was detained for some reason you could possibly flag a taxi. But there are very few taxis coming from the east end back into Road Town as most are picking up folks at CGB and Brewers.

 

For a less risky beach option you could also consider Long Bay (Tortola). DD is to the west of Road Town (Brandywine is to the east) so you are not that much farther from LB, and you can call a taxi from there if need be. Beautiful beach on the prettier north side and there are facilities there.just a thought...

Edited August 19, 2015 by blue_water

[Winston Wolf]

Taxis are available at DD and can also be called. I don't think there wil be any taxis at BB since it's not a destination for tourists other than the restaurant for dinner. So you'd want to have the driver return for you. It is along the main road so if the driver was detained for some reason you could possibly flag a taxi. But there are very few taxis coming from the east end back into Road Town as most are picking up folks at CGB and Brewers.

 

For a less risky beach option you could also consider Long Bay (Tortola). DD is to the west of Road Town (Brandywine is to the east) so you are not that much farther from LB, and you can call a taxi from there if need be. Beautiful beach on the prettier north side and there are facilities there.just a thought...

 

Thanks! Great advice! Long Bay looks fantastic. Do taxis regularly wait there or would I have to call?

[blue_water]

I've seen one or two taxis park there looking for fares but that was back when the resort was bigger so you may have to call. (The Long Bay Resort was once bigger and included the villas on the hill but the villas are now separate and the resort consists only of beachfront rooms and cabanas, a restaurant and bar, and a small pool). The folks at the restaurant/bar will be able to call a taxi if none are there and also give you an idea how much time to allow. Or the driver may return, if you work that out, they often don't charge you until they return you to the dock.

The restaurant, bar and restrooms are open to the public and the beach is public as are all beaches in the BVI. The LB Club charges $5pp for chair rentals but they're often just sitting there empty. Nice beach for walking and watching pelicans dive. The north end (to the right as you're facing the water) is less rocky and great for wading. Not sure if the pool is open to the public...

Just beyond Long Bay is Nature's Boy, a small place on the beach with cold beers. The road is unpaved beyond that and takes you to Smuggler's Cove, arguably the nicest beach we've ever seen. We go there when the cruisers take over Cane Garden Bay but there are no amenities there other than a portapotty. So Long Bay is a good choice. :)

[Winston Wolf]

I've seen one or two taxis park there looking for fares but that was back when the resort was bigger so you may have to call. (The Long Bay Resort was once bigger and included the villas on the hill but the villas are now separate and the resort consists only of beachfront rooms and cabanas, a restaurant and bar, and a small pool). The folks at the restaurant/bar will be able to call a taxi if none are there and also give you an idea how much time to allow. Or the driver may return, if you work that out, they often don't charge you until they return you to the dock.

The restaurant, bar and restrooms are open to the public and the beach is public as are all beaches in the BVI. The LB Club charges $5pp for chair rentals but they're often just sitting there empty. Nice beach for walking and watching pelicans dive. The north end (to the right as you're facing the water) is less rocky and great for wading. Not sure if the pool is open to the public...

Just beyond Long Bay is Nature's Boy, a small place on the beach with cold beers. The road is unpaved beyond that and takes you to Smuggler's Cove, arguably the nicest beach we've ever seen. We go there when the cruisers take over Cane Garden Bay but there are no amenities there other than a portapotty. So Long Bay is a good choice. :)

 

Fantastic. How long of a walk is it from Long Bay to Smugglers Cove?

[blue_water]

I've only driven it but others have walked it, I'm guessing no more than 1 - 1.5 miles of rough road...maybe shorter than that, just can't remember...

 

Here's a map -

http://www.skyviews.com/bviold/tortola/map.html

Edited August 19, 2015 by blue_water
add map

[Winston Wolf]

I've only driven it but others have walked it, I'm guessing no more than 1 - 1.5 miles of rough road...maybe shorter than that, just can't remember...

 

Here's a map -

http://www.skyviews.com/bviold/tortola/map.html

 

Thanks! More than I'd want to do on foot with two kids in tow! Thanks for all the help!

[blue_water]

No problem - hope you are able to enjoy Long Bay! :)