blue_water

The drive to SC is not bad. You will definitely want a 4x4, not for traction, but for ground clearance as the “road” between the Long Bay Resort and SC is unpaved. The best route is the North Shore road (Sir Francis Drake Highway) to Zion Hill Road. Then a left on the South Shore road (Rte 1) to Belmont. You will pass Sebastian’s restaurant and hotel, go over a small hill into Long Bay, and continue on to Smuggler’s. You don’t have to deal with the steepest roads that way and you will find it very similar to driving STT… A very nice day! 👍 https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Tortola+Cruise+Ship+Pier,+De+Castro+Street,+Road+Town,+British+Virgin+Islands/Smuggler's+Cove,+British+Virgin+Islands/@18.3942168,-64.7027263,14.95z/data=!4m19!4m18!1m10!1m1!1s0x8c0576acfe77f291:0x115ffa1119c98d05!2m2!1d-64.6139924!2d18.4229083!3m4!1m2!1d-64.6816006!2d18.395356!3s0x8c05731ac0880a45:0xe5752623501ec641!1m5!1m1!1s0x8c057325c1b1fd99:0xd40509ac03d8b138!2m2!1d-64.7006379!2d18.3954232!3e0?entry=ttu

Not sure what you are asking…? 🤷🏼 The New Horizon ferry is the primary ferry service between Soper’s Hole (West End) and Great Harbor, JVD, and has a regular and reliable schedule. Both locals and visitors alike rely on this ferry service. There are other options of course, including charters through New Horizon and other outfits. We’ve never used the Sebastian Transport service (ground transportation) so cannot comment. A.C.’s Taxi service is a highly recommended private ground transport or tour option for Tortola… The taxi to West End, ferry, and taxi to White Bay is sometimes the best option, just depends on your cruise line options and your time in port…

Sorry can’t help with that question! 😟 There should be someone who can though with so many going there everyday…

Our favorite spot is Woody’s, Benito Juarez & Ave 5 Nte…(straight back from the Ultramar ferry terminal

You can also stop by the Tropical Fusion in Long Bay for hydration, they open at 11 (closed on Sunday). Long Bay is a “picture postcard” beach, rockier on the west end, we’ve never snorkeled there but you can ask while there. We’ll sit there admiring the view and watching the pelicans dive after leaving Smuggler’s…

Gotchya! Yes you can usually find good surf there… We haven’t stayed at Sebastian’s but we love the restaurant there. We’ve always stayed in CGB or at Heritage Inn up the hill… I can’t say about the taxi picking you up at Smuggler’s as we’ve always driven there. But I think taxis can be relied on there, I’d ask the drivers when you get off the ship. Or a driver may commit to returning to Smuggler’s. A return from Sebastian’s would be assured…

Sure, it’s ~3km from Sugar Mill to Smuggler’s. There is a hill between Cappoon’s Bay and Long Bay, and the road from Long Bay to Smuggler’s is rougher… I can’t comment on the snorkeling there, but ask that question on the Tortola forum on TripAdvisor, or the BVI forum on TTOL (www.traveltalkonline.com) Why from Apple Bay, may I ask?

She can go back up the path and take the other path down and meet you in Devil’s Bay…

For a shared safari taxi (3 or more people) from the Tortola cruise pier - Brewers Bay $12/pp each way Cane Garden Bay $12/pp each way Long Bay, Beef Island $12/pp each way Long Bay, West End $12/pp each way Nanny Cay $10/pp each way Smuggler’s Cove $15/pp each way West End ferry terminal (Horizons JVD ferry) $16/pp each way 15 - 25 minutes each way Taxi fares for Virgin Gorda, Jost Van Dyke, and Anegada are in the link below…

Oops - Nanny Cay is $10/pp each way

For a shared safari taxi (3 or more people) - Brewers Bay $12/pp each way Cane Garden Bay $12/pp each way Long Bay, Beef Island $12/pp each way Long Bay, West End $12/pp each way Nanny Cay $12/pp each way Smuggler’s Cove $15/pp each way 15 - 25 minutes each way

Unfortunately even the beaches like Playa Palancar and Nachi Cocom that were once a longer taxi from the cruise ports and so devoid of day visitors, are no longer too far from the cruise ports… Not sure how it works at PP today, years (two decades+) ago there was no AI charge, there were just a few lounges, and the food was very good 👍

Chedraui is our favorite supermarket, but some are much better than others. One good thing about Chedraui and other named stores like OXXO, 7-11, and Soriano is their exchange rate is decent. You may get pesos in change, but they will give you $USD if you request that, and the clerk has that. Of course it’s always recommended to obtain pesos when spending cash on taxis or shopping… While living in Mexico, and before learning of the Los Cinco Soles gourmet vanilla, we bought the basic vanilla sold at Chedraui and Soriano. It’s as good as or better than the various versions you find in the tourist shops at 1/10 the price… But the Los Cinco Soles is in a class by itself…

$110 USD is quite high for a newer sedan rental here but I’m sure it happens… Regarding walking through town, Cozumel is very mild as compared to Playa Del Carmen. The barkers in San Miguel are similar to those in STT and SXM, Those in PDC are on steroids!

We’d go to Brewers Bay on our own. The distillery is in Cane Garden Bay, but the snorkeling is not good there. Shared safari taxis are waiting to whisk your fellow passengers to CBG, and Brewers is close by… Taxis will return to CGB, your driver will return for you at BB.

Hi Hal, It depends on the boat, AND on the number of boats already there. Most multihulls can get you ankle, or worst-case knee deep. Many powerboats will drop you chest deep. But we’ve seen it so crowded that you cannot navigate close to shore and have to dinghy in… Just depends! 😄

I meant to add you could contact all 4 outfits and inquire about a private snorkel day using a powerboat. That allows you to visit a few snorkel spots including the Caves and the Indians. They are all great outfits, and I know they can accommodate the itinerary you want, as long as sea conditions allow…

I’m thinking the Caves of Norman Island? Aristocat, Kuralu and Patouche have shared and private cats and powerboats. And for a private charter - https://sunshinepowerboats.com/

>> They seem to charter a boat that will depart from the Cruise Port. ( I will def. book it early as possible. ) They must pick you up at the Cruise Port, I some kind of bus/minibus... and then drive you over to West End, where the JVD Ferry departs from. << Aristocat does have a cat based in RT and one in Soper’s Hole. But all trips to JVD are out of West End (Soper’s Hole). You will taxi 25 minutes to the ferry or cat dock. If on a cat they will rarely hoist sails for such a short run… They also have a 27’ powerboat they charter, as does Patouche. If considering sharing the cost with others from your Roll Call I’d suggest looking into one of those. You could actually get 3 - 4 hours by going straight to WB, and even choose to stop at B Line on Little Jost, Sandy Spit, or have some time to snorkel at Diamond Cay.. Just a thought! The taxi fares for two are noted in post #25 here-

That could be due to negligence or lack of care on the part of the renter, but without the details that’s just conjecture…

It probably depends on the bank card, but insurers associated with most major credit cards definitely do cover internationally, and also in Mexico. Capital One does, for example. Filing a claim - after an accident - would be the least of my concerns! First you have to cover any damage you are responsible for - or even just accused of if you are not fluent in Spanish 🙊 - before you may leave the accident scene or the police station. The insurance reps come to the scene of an accident, along with the police, and no one leaves until they say so. So yes, some folks wanting to save a few $$ use their credit card’s CDW coverage, but they are almost certainly unaware of the risks they are taking. And doing that while on the island for one day would be insane IMHO. ALWAYS accept the insurance provided by ISIS or another reputable provider..l

We went by Goodman’s Bay several times on the #10 jitney while staying on Cable Beach. There are jet ski rentals, food/drink/lounge vendors, and restrooms there. You can hop the #10 jitney (bus) at the Bay St & Frederick St stop and just say Goodman’s Bay. $1.25 each way, exact change appreciated, buses will stop for your return…

GCB and Brewers Bay no problem. Smuggler’s is a bit harfder…

Come all that way for that…🙈

Yes, you can bring your cooler with alcohol drinks and food to any of the Tortola beaches. Brewers Bay is home to one beach bar/restaurant (Nicole’s) with a restroom. Smuggler’s Cove has no real bar or restaurant, but vendors selling drinks/food, and last I knew portapotties. May be harder to get a taxi back to… We’ve not been to either recently but lounges are either free or inexpensive… [EDIT] Up/down state NY