blue_water

Yes that was already shared here welter. Capt. Malcolm had worked with Ocean Magic but has his own business and that is one of the charters Caribbiana is looking into.

Chrislo is just looking for the taxi fare to Red Hook…

$10/pp each way…Just hop one of the shared safari taxis going that way to get that “group rate”. The taxi coordinators and drivers will direct you…

Nice day that, maybe you can also stop for drinks at the Willy T or Pirate’s Bight! 😉

This is the contact info I was given back in 2019, but it may not still be valid based on Eaton’s May 25 post. OMMitch@hotmail.com 303-725-6696 This looks like Captain Malcolm’s new outfit - https://sunshinepowerboats.com/

You’d need a private charter to hit both areas. See the link above in regards to a Capt. Malcolm. You can also look for feedback on the BVI TT forum - http://www.traveltalkonline.com/ubbthreads.php/forums/7/1/british-virgin-islands.html

Yes…You want to take advantage of the credit so hopefully you can get quick feedback from regulars on those snorkel spots…

We’ve not taken this particular excursion, nor have we snorkeled at the spots you hit - Turtle Cove (Buck Island), and HB on Water Island. Honeymoon Beach has been pretty calm when we’ve been there, it just tends to get crowded if there are already folks there who ferried over. I’m sure others can share more useful feedback. If nothing soon, try posing this question on the TripAdvisor STT forum as that is an active forum…

there is no reason anyone would go through your bags when out and about. But if you are seen using it at a beach then yes, it could be a problem since protecting the coral is all-important, especially on the busiest cruise ports…

It’s always been first come, first in…That could be another queue but you may want to try it, especially if you have time before or after an excursion. Years ago when I surprised my wife with a vow renewal at the gazebo at Paradise Point we taxied up to PP to avoid the line and bought one-way passes back, but I don’t want to suggest that as they may now charge full price…unless you can contact them? Your ship excursions desk may also be selling refundable tram passes at a slight discount. So you could avoid the ticket line, and if you decided not to go you would not be out the $$…

Yes it is not a great situation for you unfortunately… One way to avoid the popular beaches is a daysail. Perhaps the Champagne Cat Sail to STJ offered through the ship? Or another ship-sponsored activity that does not just take you to a beach or other crowded area. There are independent daysails listed on the VINow site if you are comfortable with a self-excursion? But yes, we would avoid Magens Bay, Coki, Sapphire, and Secret Harbor. Lindbergh Bay (aka Emerald Beach) May e an option, depending on the number of cruise passengers in Crown Bay. I would definitely avoid Honeymoon Beach on Water Island. Going to STJ on your own is probably not worth the added time it takes either, as Trunk and Cinnamon Bays are also popular…Even Maho is getting crowded now, what a shame…😞 But check to see if the Champagne Cat is an option or something similar? That is a very nice day! 😉

Well at least you wouldn’t have to worry about a parking spot at Trunk! ☺️👏

Actually, reading current trip reports Trunk, Cinnamon, and even other bays like Maho are crazy busy and land visitors can’t even find parking space some days. Some reports contain more details on the amenities…food truck at Cinnamon, for example… The changes to Maho are particularly sad to read…

Yes you can find a ton of info as well as current feedback on the STJ forum on CC’s sister site TripAdvisor. TT, be careful what you wish for! 🙈🙉🙊🤨

Check with your excursions desk on the ship, often they sell refundable tram passes for a few $$ less than you pay at the tram station. If not yes, just taxi there and get your passes as you board.

We’ve not been since Irma and Maria of 2017, but I did follow the clean-up progress and the rehabilitation of the coral and vegetation following and it’s been amazing…Very destructive indeed, but almost a natural cleansing, especially since the beaches and coral were closed to visitors…

Until cdaniel gets back to you, yes - there are safari taxis that are dedicated to providing 3 - 4 island tours, some including a beach stop. Price is ~$25/pp and up… You will see the drivers holding signs, or you can ask the nice ladies at the info booth… Nice way to see gorgeous Tortola with amazing photo ops of the bays and other islands from the mountain top!

Although you cannot rent a car, I would still just take the Red Hook ferry over and take advantage of the taxi tour of the north shore. How it works is this - You ferry into Cruz Bay (from Red Hook), and safari (shared) taxis are waiting to transport visitors to the beaches. On the way they will let you know you can stay on the taxi got a nice north shore and historic tour for ~$25. If you want a private your there is that option too, or there was pre-Covid. I’d have to look and see if they are still in business…

Yes, taxis are available when ferries arrive. There could be a short wait time if there are several fellow passengers with the same plans, but the taxi drivers know how many cruise passengers they delivered to the ferry too… I’d allow 30 minutes each way for the taxi…

How long are you in port?

😄🥴… From Ralph’s more recent report it sounds like the tokens are no more. Tokens eliminate any concern about $$ being pocketed, but they probably found another way to control that. We haven’t cruised to STT in a few (10!) years and we just stay on the island. I had always assumed the CB cruise ship excursion desks provided tokens but I never got that confirmation from anyone! Anyway I’m sure Ralph’s current info is right on!

Hi Nancy, Yes, many operations, restaurants, etc are closed on low season simply for economic reasons… PP is an easy self-excursion (when open)! 😄

Wow, that is a nice day! I’ve not read a report on HB in years! HB is usually so jam-packed with just one ship at Crown Bay that it is just not a nice day…So you weren’t even bothered by several excursion boats anchoring next to the swimming beach when they dropped folks at Dinghy’s? It’s also nice that they are now accepting $$ for the ferry, much easier for those without the tokens... The last time we ventured over we missed the ferry we had waited for because we had to go to the office across the parking lot to get tokens since cash was not allowed… So to clarify, Dinghy’s is now renting lounges and umbrellas and they are no longer first come/first serve (free)? Thanks for your report! Just so different from most experiences!

Yes the noon return from JVD would definitely not work for your 1PM departure. There are no other ferries. However I would suggest contacting New Horizons and inquiring about the “beach drop-off” they are advertising on their site. That sounds like a new charter option they may be offering which may offer custom times. https://newhorizonferry.com/ You can also hire a private charter if interested, or look at one of the shared, independent cats like Kuralu, Aristocat, and Patouche to see if they are sailing to Jost that day… As far as another island, Speedy’s has a ferry departing Tortola (near the cruise dock) for Virgin Gorda at 7:45 with a return at 11:30. That would give you ~2.5 hours of free time there. Not much time, and the Baths will probably be overrun with your fellow passengers looking at the same limited scheduling… https://www.bviferries.com/speedys-bvi-ferry-schedule May I ask why you are so keen on going to another island? Or have you already experienced all of the beauty that Tortola offers? If not, Tortola would be a great choice on a short port day. Perhaps an island tour followed by a nice beach, or the botanical gardens and lunch at Pusser’s Road Town Pub? Just a thought…Many visitors never experience the beauty that Tortola offers because they want to head to White Bay and the Soggy $, or the Baths of Virgin Gorda. They are both great excursions, but with limited time Tortola has a lot to offer! 😄

What is your BOB time? 1PM? With the ~25 minute ferry and ~20 minute taxi you should be fine with an hour…As long as your ship doesn’t leave at 1PM? 😮 Of course any delays with the ferry could be a problem…