CGB - Umbrella/Chair Rentals Price

[pattycake08]

We will be visiting Tortola in August 2023 & going to Cane Garden Beach.  Does anyone know that cost for an Umbrella & 2 Chairs?

[PORT ROYAL]

19 hours ago, pattycake08 said:

We will be visiting Tortola in August 2023 & going to Cane Garden Beach.  Does anyone know that cost for an Umbrella & 2 Chairs?

Early this year friends confirmed $10 per set 2/1…. But, their vendor talked of a possible increase to $15 per set….

Additional 

CGB is “Sardine Central”…. Better beach experience is to be found at Brewer’s, or Smuggler’s.  Bed prices about $10 per set.

Personal preference is Brewers, very long sandy beach, plenty of space for all, good snorkelling around rocks in front of bar, fabulous views out to sea.

 

Link for photographs 

https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo/brewers-bay.html?sortBy=relevant

 

 

Edited July 23, 2023 by PORT ROYAL
Additional

[blue_water]

Yes typical prices have been $10/set but as mentioned prices are up everywhere.

 

I’m told that the 2010 published taxi fares have not changed for land-based visitors, but new higher rates are in place for cruise ship passengers. Not yet sure if that is just for hourly tours, or for trips to the beaches too…The fare to CGB and Brewers Bay has been $8/pp in a shared taxi, folks will have to let us know if that has changed…

 

CGB is actually a beautiful bay, with some of the best beach bars and restaurants, along with public restrooms. That’s why it is so popular…

Our favorite beach is Smuggler’s Cove, but it’s a bit harder to get to (and from) by taxi, and it is getting busier as all beaches are. Long Bay, Beef Island has gone the way of the cruise line excursions as well and that was one of the last nice beaches we had as an escape when ships were in…

 

But Brewers is also our preference, we can get by with more “rustic” amenities to enjoy that “old Caribbean beach” vibe, and avoid the biggest crowds…

[Perky1]

@pattycake08will you report when you get back the cost of cab and rentals for chairs at current day prices.  Thank you

[pattycake08]

Perky:

 

Just got back yesterday from our trip on RCCL Adventure of the seas.  We visited Rainbow Beach in St Croix, Beach was just ok. We took a large van that was waiting for you at the port.  The cost was  $5.00 per person each way. The rental for an umbrella and 2 lounge chairs was $40.00. It was this person's stand no room for negotiation. 

 

Next Day headed off to Tortola and Cane Garden Bay, what a beautiful majestic site, the scenery to die for, we felt the nicest beach in all of carrbbean (tie with Eagle beach on Aruba), and we've been everywhere. We took a Safari Taxi the cost was $12.00 per person each way.  The rental for an Umbrella & 2 lounge Chairs was $20.00. Didn't try to negotiate since I thought $20.00 was a bargain. They also had a bucket of beer 6 for $20.00 as well as a restaurant. We did have the beer, but did not eat anything.  Any other ? let me know.

[Perky1]

7 minutes ago, pattycake08 said:

@pattycake08thank you!  Sounds like this may be what we are doing!

[blue_water]

1 hour ago, pattycake08 said:

Perky:

 

Just got back yesterday from our trip on RCCL Adventure of the seas.  We visited Rainbow Beach in St Croix, Beach was just ok. We took a large van that was waiting for you at the port.  The cost was  $5.00 per person each way. The rental for an umbrella and 2 lounge chairs was $40.00. It was this person's stand no room for negotiation. 

 

Next Day headed off to Tortola and Cane Garden Bay, what a beautiful majestic site, the scenery to die for, we felt the nicest beach in all of carrbbean (tie with Eagle beach on Aruba), and we've been everywhere. We took a Safari Taxi the cost was $12.00 per person each way.  The rental for an Umbrella & 2 lounge Chairs was $20.00. Didn't try to negotiate since I thought $20.00 was a bargain. They also had a bucket of beer 6 for $20.00 as well as a restaurant. We did have the beer, but did not eat anything.  Any other ? let me know.

Thanks for your recent feedback.

So the shared safari taxi fare is now &12/pp, good to know. It was $8/pp since 2014 and it had to go up sometime, just as in the USVI…
What bar/restaurant did you choose for your spot? We’ve stayed at Myett’s on land vacations which is a little further from the main crowds and has great food. But there are many options…Quito Rymers is a great spot as well…We’ve lost some of our favorite spots like Stanley’s Welcome Bar where Jimmy Buffet got his “Cheeseburger in Paradise” idea from…

 

Just our comment to first-time visitors looking for a gorgeous beach on Tortola -

CGB is a large bay and a very nice beach, but we don’t compare it to the nicer beaches we’ve enjoyed throughout the Carib. It is a popular spot for evening dinners and live music though.

But if looking for a gorgeous beach with fewer fellow passengers, look at reviews from visitors to Brewers Bay, and if a bit more “adventurous Smuggler’s Cove…Paradise Found!

[Perky1]

 @pattycake08 what restaurant did you book the chairs at that the beer was 6/$20?  Did you stay close to the entrance or go further away?  Sorry for all the questions.

[pattycake08]

When the Safari Taxi lets you off at Cane Bay beach. You just stroll down to the chairs & Umbrellas already set up & someone comes by to ask if you want to rent.  As far as the drinks/restaurant. It's not the type of restaurant in the US where you sit down at a table & chairs with a server. Its broken up into 2 parts, I believe the locals run it. You literally walk up to a person at a stand and tell them what type of drink or bottle of beers you want, they pull it out of a cooler & put it into a bucket with ice, and you walk to to your chairs.  As far as the restaurant or food portion from what I could see.  There was a sign in the sand that said the specials they serve, BBQ ribs, curried goat, etc. I do not believe they had tables and chairs, I think you would order then bring it back to your umbrella/chairs & eat. I could be wrong, we didn't order any food as we had a lot on the ship.  We went to Cane Garden Based on all the CC reviews as I wanted someplace that had restrooms & chairs/umbrellas.  The other beaches mentioned did not appear to have restrooms & Chairs/Umbrellas which was a must for me. My only disappointment was that we should have left the ship a little earlier to spend more time there.  We were there for 2 hours, wish it would have been more like 3. You could have floated away in that bay without a care in the world, no waves, and the water so clear you can see your toes and color of polish you are wearing.

[Perky1]

@pattycake08 thank you so much for all the information.  We are not going until February but I am trying to get our excursion all planned.

[blue_water]

Good details pattycake! There are actually several different beach restaurants/bars in CGB, some including Quito’s, Big Banana and Myett’s with regular dining areas and very good food! They also rent lounges/umbrellas at these different spots…

One note on amenities at other beaches for anyone still deciding between CGB and other options -
Brewers has natural shade, lounges, a restroom, and one beach bar/restaurant, but is more “rustic” than CGB. So it is a favorite of visitors looking for a more laid back vibe than the busier CGB…

Smuggler’s Cove has older, free lounges and vendors serving delicious food and ice cold beverages and cocktails. But portapotties for restrooms. 

Long Bay (Beef Island) is now a cruise line excursion beach where lounges/umbrellas, drinks and restrooms are available to guests.

Not sure about visitors who go there on their own, perhaps someone can answer that?
 

When we’ve stayed on CGB we’ve had such rough water that we couldn’t get in the water. Other times we’ve been there the water is like glass…So it just depends on the sea conditions and the wind direction that day…

[Cruising to Retirement]

How easy is transportation from the pier to CGB?  Cost, Type of vehicle, Time wise, Amenities, cost of umbrella and chairs- Any info is appreciated.  Going on the Viva in January... 

[blue_water]

23 hours ago, Cruising to Retirement said:

How easy is transportation from the pier to CGB?  Cost, Type of vehicle, Time wise, Amenities, cost of umbrella and chairs- Any info is appreciated.  Going on the Viva in January... 

You will find several 20+ passenger open-sided safari-type vehicles lined up to take visitors to beaches and on island tours. The majority of first-time visitors just choose to go to CGB because it’s easy - there are several restaurant/bars as well as water toy rentals and public restrooms. All the amenities you could want! So you will be part of a large crowd, depending on the number of cruise ship passengers in port that day.

 

20 - 30 minutes up over the hill and down into CGB. As pattycake shared above, taxi fare is now $12/pp in a shared safari (I’m guessing that is the “3-person” fare but not sure), an umbrella + 2 lounges $20.

 

CGB is a large bay with a nice beach, and home to Quito’s Gazebo, Rymer’s, Myett’s and other hotels/bars, but we don’t consider it to be the nicest beach in the Carib, or even on Tortola. But if you are looking for the typical beach that most day visitors head for, CGB is that…

[Cruising to Retirement]

44 minutes ago, blue_water said:

You will find several 20+ passenger open-sided safari-type vehicles lined up to take visitors to beaches and on island tours. The majority of first-time visitors just choose to go to CGB because it’s easy - there are several restaurant/bars as well as water toy rentals and public restrooms. All the amenities you could want! So you will be part of a large crowd, depending on the number of cruise ship passengers in port that day.

 

20 - 30 minutes up over the hill and down into CGB. As pattycake shared above, taxi fare is now $12/pp in a shared safari (I’m guessing that is the “3-person” fare but not sure), an umbrella + 2 lounges $20.

 

CGB is a large bay with a nice beach, and home to Quito’s Gazebo, Rymer’s, Myett’s and other hotels/bars, but we don’t consider it to be the nicest beach in the Carib, or even on Tortola. But if you are looking for the typical beach that most day visitors head for, CGB is that…

Any other suggestions that are accessible and reliable by Taxi?  Thanks.. 

[PORT ROYAL]

1 minute ago, Cruising to Retirement said:

Any other suggestions that are accessible and reliable by Taxi?  Thanks.. 

Brewers Beach… More genteel…. Beautiful views….. Long, long beach…Plenty of space to spread out…. Some natural shade…...

Good snorkelling around rocks in front of bar…. Possibility to sight Tarpon ….Watch Pelicans dive towards end of day…..

[Cruising to Retirement]

1 minute ago, PORT ROYAL said:

Brewers Beach… More genteel…. Beautiful views….. Long, long beach…Plenty of space to spread out…. Some natural shade…...

Good snorkelling around rocks in front of bar…. Possibility to sight Tarpon ….Watch Pelicans dive towards end of day…..

Is there a bar and food around-  Reliable Tax service Bathrooms.. ?  Thanks

[blue_water]

Agree with Brewers Bay. Unlike CGB, one restroom, one beach bar (Nicole’s), some lounges and natural shade. More that “old Caribbean” vibe than a busy beach shared with many of your fellow cruisers…
Taxis will return, same price and distance as CGB…
A bit more rustic, just depends on what you are looking for?

 

Once a quiet beach even with mega cruise ships in port, Long Bay, Beef Island now has lounges and other amenities through the cruise line. Not sure if you can rent the amenities going on your own?

Smuggler’s Cove would be our choice, but we would rent a Jeep because it’s a bit more isolated…

 

Do look at Brewers and CGB for reviews in past threads here, and on the cruise line website…

Edited September 17, 2023 by blue_water

[PORT ROYAL]

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g147354-d147984-Reviews-Brewers_Bay-Tortola_British_Virgin_Islands.html
 

[blue_water]

On 9/16/2023 at 12:13 PM, Cruising to Retirement said:

How easy is transportation from the pier to CGB?  Cost, Type of vehicle, Time wise, Amenities, cost of umbrella and chairs- Any info is appreciated.  Going on the Viva in January... 

cruising - what is your port date? You are in port 8AM - 5PM along with another ship. But depending on your date, you may be in port with a smaller ship (2,500 pax), or a larger ship (5,200 pax). That can mean the difference between CGB and another beach…

[Cruising to Retirement]

14 hours ago, blue_water said:

cruising - what is your port date? You are in port 8AM - 5PM along with another ship. But depending on your date, you may be in port with a smaller ship (2,500 pax), or a larger ship (5,200 pax). That can mean the difference between CGB and another beach…

We are in port with one ship-  P&O Arvia- Capacity  5200.... 

[blue_water]

2 hours ago, Cruising to Retirement said:

We are in port with one ship-  P&O Arvia- Capacity  5200.... 

I was afraid of that…Many day visitors will be wanting the typical beach with amenities, and will head for CGB. Others will have the same requirements, but with no other cruisers there, and that animal just doesn’t exist! But they will be directed to Brewers Bay by the taxi drivers…

CGB is a large bay, but all of the bars/restaurants are in one section so it will be crowded that day for sure.

So I would definitely choose Brewers Bay because it can be hard to rely on a taxi returning to Smuggler’s…

 

Another great option for a busy cruise ship day (or any day) in the BVI is a catamaran sail between the islands. That is the ultimate excursion choice for avoiding the crowds, and an inexpensive way to be pampered by the crew on a nice cat!

If interested, there are some excellent independent catamaran sails that cater to day visitors like Aristocat, Kuralu, and Patouche. They generally offer two shared sailing options - One that is primarily snorkeling the east area, stopping at the Indians, Norman Caves, and either Island Bight or Cooper Island for beach/lunch time. The other is to the west, including a stop in White Bay, Jost for beach time with beach bars (e.g. Soggy $ Bar) and perhaps Diamond Cay or Sandy Spit.

 

https://aristocatdaysails.com/cruise-ship/

https://kuralu.com/destinations/

https://patouche.com/

Edited September 18, 2023 by blue_water

[Cruising to Retirement]

On 8/20/2023 at 10:15 AM, pattycake08 said:

Perky:

 

Just got back yesterday from our trip on RCCL Adventure of the seas.  We visited Rainbow Beach in St Croix, Beach was just ok. We took a large van that was waiting for you at the port.  The cost was  $5.00 per person each way. The rental for an umbrella and 2 lounge chairs was $40.00. It was this person's stand no room for negotiation. 

 

Next Day headed off to Tortola and Cane Garden Bay, what a beautiful majestic site, the scenery to die for, we felt the nicest beach in all of carrbbean (tie with Eagle beach on Aruba), and we've been everywhere. We took a Safari Taxi the cost was $12.00 per person each way.  The rental for an Umbrella & 2 lounge Chairs was $20.00. Didn't try to negotiate since I thought $20.00 was a bargain. They also had a bucket of beer 6 for $20.00 as well as a restaurant. We did have the beer, but did not eat anything.  Any other ? let me know.

Did the Bar take Credit Cards or All just Cash?

[blue_water]

The bars and restaurants take credit cards, debit cards, or cash. Be aware that many businesses today add another 3% - 5% for paying with a credit card…

If renting through a vendor use cash…