Baleine Tour St.Vincent question

[brubren]

Does anyone have any info on Baleine Tours in St. Vincent? Thanks.

[Toto2Kansas]

We have used Wayne with Baleine Tours for several years now. We took our third tour with him this past December.

 

He now has a great new 28-30 passenger, 3 engine speed boat. It is fast enough to take you half way around the entire island, past the volcano, along with other sites in the time allowed on the island.

 

The tour begins when Wayne picks up the group at the end of the pier, right where the ship will dock.

Then after a brief orientation, off you go along the coast line as he narrates the places you pass by.

 

You make a quick stop at the Pirates of the Caribbean movie set to submit lunch orders (chicken or fresh fish and all the trimmings). Then it is on to the latest volcano flow to search for volcanic diamonds.

Keep in mind the only pier available is at the restaurant so all trips ashore are either floats or swims. Not far, but if you don't enjoy the water, this tour would not be for you.

 

Afterwards it is back along the coast in search of dolphins (we have gotten very very lucky on one tour and they were everywhere, the other two times, not a one to be found). Then on to lunch and to explore the movie set of the Pirates of the Caribbean. Last tour, there was even a real live (?) pirate there to pose for pictures with everyone.

 

After lunch, and time to explore the movie set, it is off to the Black Sand beach for swimming and/or snorkeling. There is a pretty good snorkeling area with a reef to the right of the beach.

 

Rum punch, as well as other drinks are readily available on the boat, included with the tour. Drinks with lunch are opitional and at your expense.

 

After about an hour or two of swimming (this depends solely on the time it took for lunch) then it is a quick boat ride back to the pier and you are dropped off exactly where you were picked up, right down from where the ship docks.

 

Just a reminder, this is by large speed boat, not a catamaran. So anyone having trouble walking, climbing in our out of a boat or needing rest room facilities close at hand would not be comfortable on this tour.

But those who enjoy something besides a catamaran and would love to see the coast line, the movie set and swim at the black sand beach will really enjoy it.

 

The cost usually runs about $70 pp (no discount for children I have ever seen) but can vary depending on fuel costs at the time and availability.

 

Contact info for Wayne is:

prosec@caribsurf.com

You can send a message to him via email with your name, arrival and ship date and your telephone number.

Wayne does not respond by email, but will call if he has availability on the phone.

 

Complete contact info:

Phone: (784) 457-4089

Cell: (784) 593-9398

Fax: (784) 457-2432

 

This is a tour we will repeat each time we visit St. Vincent. Lots of fun for those who enjoy the water, sites along the coast line and a full day of water activiites.

 

If I can answer any other question, please feel free to ask and I will try.

[brubren]

Thanks for the great info, any waterfalls on the tour?

[Toto2Kansas]

Sad to say, not anymore. :( The first two times we took this tour it included a hike up to the Falls of Baleine instead of the lava flow. The last time we made the climb, the landslides had made it very very difficult. The Falls of Baleine were a big tourist attraction for St. Vincent. But the government refuses to do anything about cleaning up the landslides (from what I have been told). The tour operators used to do it themselves, and it was a huge job and they couldn't keep up with it. The landslides really cause boulders half the size of VW's to come down blocking the path.

 

From what I was told by Wayne, the tour operators insurance carriers have informed them that if a passenger become injured on one of the climbs to the falls, their insurance will be then cancelled and they are out of business. :(

Such a shame as the Falls of Baleine were very nice and a fun climb to reach them. Hopefully, they will again be included someday in the tours, but as of right now they are not.

 

I have heard about a ships tour that takes you to a waterfall though, but I think that was an inland tour by bus.

 

Hope you have a great time in St. Vincent.

[burm]

.

 

After lunch, and time to explore the movie set, it is off to the Black Sand beach for swimming and/or snorkeling. There is a pretty good snorkeling area with a reef to the right of the beach.

 

 

Does Wayne provide full snorkelling gear?

[Toto2Kansas]

Does Wayne provide full snorkelling gear?

 

Yes!

[burm]

Yes!

 

Thanks. We have booked with Wayne on your high recommendation. It sounds like a wonderful day.

[Toto2Kansas]

Thanks. We have booked with Wayne on your high recommendation. It sounds like a wonderful day.

 

I am sure you will have a great time. In January, we will be touring with Captain Wayne for the 4th time, and I can't wait. Just a really nice tour, good food, and lots of water to swim, snorkel or just relax in. Perfect!

[hansolo]

Toto,

We have a 4 yr old, but the Wayne tour is catered more to older kids, is there any other tour that will go to Pirates of the caribbean movie set without going on a boat? We're a big fan of the movie and DD loves pirates. Have been searching online but nothing comes up of any tours besides waynes or fantasea. Have asked Hazeco of the same question but no response yet.

[GSDsky]

When we made the stop on waynes tour there at the site were people from the ship.

They had taken a cab.

[vickie_bernie]

Toto,

We have a 4 yr old, but the Wayne tour is catered more to older kids, is there any other tour that will go to Pirates of the caribbean movie set without going on a boat? We're a big fan of the movie and DD loves pirates. Have been searching online but nothing comes up of any tours besides waynes or fantasea. Have asked Hazeco of the same question but no response yet.

 

I bet you she would be okay on this tour, plus we could all help out

[hansolo]

Dive Lady,

 

Thanks for the infos, will check them out. Much appreciated.

[Toto2Kansas]

I also operate a water based business, however due to the rules of the forum I am not allowed to 'push' my services (and I am not fortunate enough to have a good friend like Toto to do my PR for me ;)

 

Kay

St. Vincent

 

It's funny, but I seem to recommend the tours that we have taken and always had the most fun on.

We actually found Wayne when booking through a large agency and our tour was subcontracted out to him, many years ago (and I might add it was, at the time, a very expensive experience when we had to book through a large agency first). :eek: On that tour he gave me his card, as we had such a wonderful time we knew we would return again someday.

Since then, each time we visit St. Vincent, we return to Wayne.......and never once have we been disappointed (with the direct booking, or the price).

I admit, when they closed the falls, I was so disappointed, and hopefully someday they will re-open. It has been many years since we were able to make the climb to that lovely waterfall. But searching for volcanic crystals has also been a great substitute to take it's place. Last time I found quite a few right on the shoreline that had washed back into shore by the waves.

I can't say I actually know Wayne personally, just through his tours. I can though say that out of all the tours our roll calls have done in the past, Wayne's Tour always seems to be the hit of the cruise with 99.99% of everyone that joins us. It is always new and refreshing, time and time again.

So, no actual PR going on here really. Just someone making a suggestion of a tour that everyone seems to always enjoy! I have to admit though, it is one tour I have looked forward to with each visit to the Southern Caribbean, and it just never seems to get old. ;)

 

Kay, I hope you find someone that enjoys your tour so much, they can recommend it here on CC for others interested in joining you for the day. It is the best way I have found, word of mouth advertising. One person has a great time, they tell two more people who tell six more. It's free, doesn't cost a dime, it is just cruise passengers hoping to share a great experience with those future cruise passengers that are looking for the same experience and a wonderful day in port. :)

[GSDsky]

I think we met you at lunch recently during Waynes Tour. I also found Waynes excursion through CC 3 years ago and have had the pleasure of enjoying it yet again Jan 10th. I don`t dive or snorkle but I truly enjoy the island of St Vincent. NOT spoiled like the rest. A BIG plus for Wayne is his first mate EMMA. Can`t believe he remembered my wife and I and was upset as he had not known it was us coming on board. He wanted to make her a gift. BUT he did venture into the trees and came back with fresh coconuts for her and yes we shared with the rest on board. May not seem like much but it meant the world to her.

Wayne if you read this thank him for us...

PS: see you in Feb 2010...

So Kay the best bet is to do as TOTO says and spoil your guests and hope they take the time to review your tour. You have a wonderful island there and that alone is a bonus....

[Toto2Kansas]

Kay, Now I know who you are, we also met at the restaurant just over a week ago. I was kind of shocked when you knew my name when we arrived. :confused::)

OMG, you mean there are tour operators still taking visitors to the falls? That is dangerous, and taking a huge risk on their part.

As I said, it has been years since we have been there, but the last time was pretty difficult (I am guessing it was 5 or 6 years ago when we were there last), I can only imagine if there was another landslide what it looks like now.

 

I am sure cleaning/clearing the path up would be very costly, but it's a shame that the falls have been closed for this long.

 

Thankfully, since we have done so many tours with Wayne in the past that we were able to see them a couple of times before they were closed, it was well worth the climb up the path to get there.

Hopefully, sometime in the future, there will be a way to re-open them, as they are so beauitful.

 

Best of luck to you and your tour business!

[GSDsky]

I can remember falls coming out of casino in St Kitts with no major damage done.

TOTO why would a tour operator take someone to an unsafe destination? Seems crazy and not worth it. You know how this world has shrunk by way of the electronic media we all use so one bad word gets multiplied 1000 fold.

While on board Emma gave me a brochure on the outer islands and they look fantastic. I may send wayne an e-mail once we get final payment in and ask him for suggestions or if he does another type of trip to those ones.:confused:

[momfen]

Dive Lady - We will be arriving at St Vincents on 3-7-09 on the Grand Princess. We are interested in taking a tour. Can you e-mail at williamfen@msn.com your info?

Thank You, Bill

[curiousx]

Folks, just want to set the record straight with regards to the Belaine Falls.

 

Following Hurricane Ivan (approx 4 years ago) the falls experience a massive land slide, which blocked the main path to the falls.

 

Since the land slide numerous experts have visited the location, which can only be accessed from the ocean. It is my understanding the the area around the falls is still very unstable, and requires massive investment to secure the falls to ensure that no further landslides occur. A path over the land slide also needs to be constructed, as does a dock to enable visitors access without having to land on the beach.

 

It is not that there is an unwillingness to manage this site, it is the shear cost and civil works that need to be undertaken as the site cannot be accessed from the land.

 

Whilst the falls are stunning it is inadvisable to visit even if you find an operator willing to take you, should you have an accident we do not have a mountain rescue team, the nearest helicopter is based in St. Lucia, and your travel insurance will not cover you as the site officially closed.

 

Please remember St. Vincent is a developing nation, and with a population of approx 110,000. There is only a finite amount of funding available to manage tourism sites etc... and the government has a lot of work to do, but things are improving, and our visitor sites are receiving investment and rehabilitation.

 

Locals also tell me that ganja 'farmers', not Ivan, caused the erosion that precipitated the landslide when they cleared trees and root systems to make way for their crop.

[Toto2Kansas]

Does anyone have any info on Baleine Tours in St. Vincent? Thanks.

 

Brubren (or anyone else), I just received word that Baleine Tours has a new telephone number for contact (on top of the one posted here and on the website). It is 315-608-7118 for those interested.