blue_water

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

Nothing I’m aware of today…There was a watersports outfit that Glen operated years ago and he provided that transfer. I’ve read of a “MC Watersports”, maybe that is a current outfit, not sure…?

Declining the collision coverage is a risk if you are not a savvy renter. And you must choose Mexican liability coverage. But you can use CDW through your credit card if you choose to. You need to understand the coverage, carry the letter from your cc company, and most important of all, have access to several thousand $$$ USD in the event of an accident. We’ve been renting and driving the mainland and Coz for years and have been fortunate in regards to accidents compared to neighbors… But we always use their insurance…

The one concern, or important consideration, is getting the taxi back to pick you up. No driver wants to drive all the way there and not get a fare back. So you need a trusting driver, or in the event he/she does not return one of the vendors may call for you. Worst case, it’s a 1km, 15 minute walk, on an uneven, unpaved road back to Long Bay Resort or Tropical Fusion beach bar to call or hail a taxi…

@Mum2Mercury chose the cruise line excursion, and as mentioned most folks will indeed want the security of the cruise line excursion, and that is certainly understandable since this is a multi-transfer excursion from the island to the mainland. Others will certainly opt for a non-cruise line option, either through a respected independent outfit, or if more seasoned, on their own. We are very familiar with both Cozumel and the Riviera Maya and getting around so we are obviously more comfortable with a DIY excursion and can share tips to help with that… Actually, for anyone really wanting to avoid the cruise line option, the Mayan ruins of Tulum - and other options - are really a very easy and safe DIY option. We have shared our favorite taxi driver with many others visiting the area looking for day trips and excursions, including those coming over from Coz while on land vacations or cruises. Just a wonderful gentleman who everyone loves and leaves great remarks on. He would personally meet you when you arrive at the PDC ferry terminal, and be with you until your return to the terminal. Just a thought for someone desiring that option…Not for everyone, but for some…😄

Yes the ferry terminal is a 10 - 15 minute walk from the dock. The ferry is about 30 minutes each way and we would be fine with the 3:30 return for your 4:30 BOB. If that seems too aggressive, Sensations ferry offers a 1:45PM return. With the 9AM Speedy’s ferry to VG and the Sensations 1:45PM return you’d have less time, and you’d be paying the $20 one way fare for each ferry rather than the $30 roundtrip…But it’s nice to have options!

It looks like you are the only ship in port with 3,900 guests, or possibly one other ship with 112 passengers. So a very good day for you to be there! Being a Monday the ferries should be running regular routes. So going to the Baths on your own could be a great choice. If you read some other threads in the forum you can read about possibly hooking up with a driver on VG to help you avoid the bigger crowds at the Baths from your ship. Stopping at Savannah Bay or another spot… If you want to check out private independents, try https://sunshinepowerboats.com/ and if the cost is a bit high look for fellow passengers on your Roll Call to share the costs. You could include a stop at the Indians or Norman Caves for snorkeling, lunch at Cooper Island, or a fun end of your day on the Willy T…

The typical options include the cruise line excursions as you noted, going on your own via ferry and taxi, and a private charter for the utmost pleasure. Are you interested in comparing the first two more than the more expensive private charter option? What are your Port times and date please?

We missed the convenience of the Cinco Del Soles shop in Playacar outside Playa Del Carmen, they had beautiful stuff there… I’m afraid to take my wife to the shop on Coz ☺️ We’ve made many baker and chef friends at home very happy over the years…Now we make them order online!

We visited the BVI on several land vacations prior to cruising there. Being a musician I was fortunate to have a friend who retired from teaching and spent his winters on Tortola playing at Val’s in CGB and became quite popular. He turned us onto the BVI and we are forever grateful. It was much less busy then. Sure CGB got crowded on some days we stayed there, but we could always go to Long Bay, East, West, or Smuggler’s Cove and be literally alone. That was before the new cruise line docks and NCL contracts. There was a “rumor” several years ago, or more of a standing joke, that the cruise lines were planning to build an aerial tram to deliver cruise passengers down into Smuggler’s Cove to minimize traffic on Belmont. That hasn’t happened- yet - but I see they now offer a Jeep tour that includes time at Smuggler’s… We lost Long Bay, East, Long Bay, West is home to a resort property again, White Bay, JVD has a new rental/entertainment business, and now cruise lines are offering excursions to Smuggler’s. Similar to other major ports like Cozumel where the furthest beaches from the cruise docks are now packed… It’s getting harder even for the more adventurous cruise passengers to find that ideal 🏝️…

Order the Los Cinco Soles vanilla on their website for you and for your favorite bakers! Free shipping to the US at least and no need to carry it back home with you 😉

Los Cinco Soles? The results! Just a wonderful flavor and no coumarin to boot…

When using a popular return ferry just get in line early. We’ve seen multiple ferries on busy ship excursion days…

Allow 30 minutes for the ride, 45 for any delays. Yes for sure there are taxis available for independent DIYers. You can also work with a driver to be dropped and picked up and hit the Baths at a less congestive time. Taxi fares are inexpensive in the Valley area, and a stop at Savannah Bay would be nice!

I know it’s tough…We’ve taken two different ferries in the past and paid $19 more but it worked for us. But Sensations is a new company. I understand it’s hard to go out of the box when having to count on both companies… I’m sure you will enjoy your day..,

Check with Sensations, they may have a 1:45 on Mon - Sat https://www.sensationferries.com/ferry-schedules.php

No guarantee at Smuggler’s. There are lounges/umbrellas at Long Bay, Beef, not sure if they are available to rent or only for folks on the ship excursion there. Multiple vendors/beach restaurants rent lounges/umbrellas at CGB. If you’re going on your own I’d suggest CGB to be safe…It can be busier, but it is still a nice beach with typically calm water and public restrooms…

We spent a couple weeks on Cable Beach and took the #10 jitney into town a few times. We also took other jitney routes that went primarily through residential neighborhoods and that was a nice experience. The people are just so nice and very welcoming toward visitors…

Lindbergh Bay is very close to your port with the shortest taxi ride and more amenities, but Lindqvist Beach is gorgeous. Enjoy your trip! ☺️

Yes that works for someone who isn’t comfortable hopping a taxi to spend more time there… Arguably the nicest beach and water on the island!

The buses on New Providence Island (where Nassau is) run regularly. Where are you planning on going? There are different bus #’s for different routes. If you just want to go to Saunders Beach, Goodman’s Bay, Cable Beach, Baha Bay, etc you want the #10. The nearest bus stop is on Frederick St just after you cross Bay St. The different bus routes are published, the link is below… Just tell the driver where you are going (if you have a specific destination) before getting in. The fare is $1.25 ($USD or $BSD), exact change is appreciated.

Yes well stated KarlK. We first cruised in ‘01, and over our 9 cruises, the many ensuing land vacations to those places we had to cruised to, along with others, and wintering in Mexico the last 8, the wonderful people of these places are what meant so much to us… Belize, Central America and Mexico - the people are just so genuine and caring, and welcoming to us in so many ways. Just walking the streets of Belize we met these people…

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…

A chill beach day with amenities on a typically busy day is a popular request… There are several great beach choices with the amenities you’d want, including Coki, Sapphire, Secret Harbor and Lindbergh Bay (and Magens of course). Honeymoon Beach on Water Island is another, but getting there and back could be more than you want. Avoiding a madhouse is the problem… With a toddler we’d choose Lindbergh Bay and the Emerald Resort…not as crazy as Magens, Coki, SH, but a nice spot with nicer restrooms and a restaurant…

You can see the schedule/fares here - https://belizewatertaxi.com/book-now/?wg=1&t=2&as=3&ds=4&dd=01%2F11%2F2024&rd=01%2F11%2F2024&tfa=1&tfc=0 We didn’t rent a golf cart, just took a cart taxi to the Split and back, cost is negligible. you can google other options for CC…