blue_water

Taxis will return for you, there is natural shade and lounges, as well as Nicole’s, a beach bar/restaurant. What type of excursion were you considering if available? There are some that are easily done on your own, depending on your time in port. A self-excursion to the Baths on Virgin Gorda, if time allows, a nice catamaran sail to the Indians, Norman Caves, or Cooper Island, or even an island tour of Tortola with a stop at a distillery and beach are all very possible… Brewers is a great choice though if a beach day sounds good! 😄

Be aware, the NBC news statement in this link is INACCURATE. The advisory level was NOT raised, it was already at Level 2. The US Embassy Security Alert was simply reiterated based on the new information.

Yes there are shared safari taxi tours that will drop you at Cane Garden Bay. Just ask the taxi “coordinator” or at the information booth when you arrive…

Personally we’d take one of the shared island tours, and depending on our time in port either take a tour that drops you at Cane Garden Bay or Brewers Bay, or have a bite at Pusser ‘s Road Town Pub and shop. There is not a lot to experience in Road Town as it is a busy financial district. Of course there are other more “adventurous” excursions you can do on your own or through the cruise line. The Baths on Virgin Gorda is very popular….

We spent two weeks on NPI, going into Nassau a few times, and it felt the same as the other biggest cruise ports of Philipsburg on St Maarten, Charlotte Amalie on St Thomas, and San Miguel, on Cozumel. We’ve cruised to these ports multiple times, and have stayed there multiple times. When going into town while cruise ships are in port it’s just sooo busy, and that is when the pickpocketing and other scams are so prevalent. You really need to secure your wallet or purse to avoid these easiest thefts. That crime (theft and scams) is reportedly the worst on SXM, but it does happen everywhere. Tourists are very vulnerable as targets, but just using common sense helps so much in preventing problems. Often we see couples and multiple couples together in the port, and they should have no problem. Solo travelers are easier targets, so staying in the main tourist area is probably most important for them. The warnings about avoiding certain areas are important, although some are the most popular spots at night for visitors and residents alike. We’re more concerned about violent crimes in these ports at night, but as noted a shooting or assault can take place in broad daylight in a busy tourist area. We see this in the Riviera Maya more than these other ports though…

Yes we had used the water taxi between CGB and Jost in years past while staying on Tortola. The outfit was based in CGB then, they would drop us in White Bay or Great Harbor and return when and where we requested. For several years after there was no option, except for a brief period when one outfit provided it. There have been several questions in this forum since over the years about this, and I probably answered your question… You’re right, they do not advertise the CGB/Jost transfer option, and I never thought to ask them. I finally contacted Foxy’s and specifically asked if they provided this transfer, and that was their response. We’ve not used their transfer, but if we were going to Jost for the day we would definitely get a quote since it gives us the utmost flexibility…

I’ve never seen an excursion through the cruise lines that actually give you more than a couple hours in White Bay (other than longer port times and the self-excursion option) so yes, please report back with more details if that is indeed a “thing”! Departure point (RT vs WE, transport type, and time on Jost and in White Bay). Also, curious what the prices are that you are seeing for these excursions as compared to Foxy’s from CGB (if anyone contacted them?) TIA!

Hendos is just 1 of several beach bars/restaurants in White Bay. Soggy $ Bar is the most popular, Gertrude’s is another. There is a new vendor at Gertrude’s now, see link below. Seddie’s One Love (Foxy’s son) was our favorite spot, unfortunately he passed. Ivan’s Stress Free Beach Bar is now our favorite because it’s away from the biggest day tripper crowds on the east end of the bay…

You may want to just walk by the Watering hole and Village Cay near the marina, then you could always then walk over to Pusser’s and check that out! The reason I mentioned Stanley’s Welcome Bar in Cane Garden Bay is that is where Jimmy Buffet said he had that cheeseburger in paradise. But according to other sources who spoke with Jimmy he said it was actually the Village Cay restaurant by the marina… Stanley’s was the home of the famous palm tree swing that was destroyed by hurricane in the ‘90’s if I recall, and his cousin took over the restaurant in CGB back in 2004 or so, and that became another business years later…So we all miss Stanley’s… So just a tidbit if interested, you may get a different story while there!

For anyone who hasn’t seen this option, if interested -

You can ask the taxi coordinator or at the information center at the port too, a driver may be willing to drop you at Smuggler’s after transporting others to the West End ferry or CGB. I’m thinking you might make out well, hoping you are able to enjoy beautiful Tortola 😄. In my opinion, an island tour followed by time in Smuggle’s Cove is paradise on earth…Not much else can beat that!

We like Pusser’s Pub, we haven’t tried the Watering Hole… https://pussers.com/our-locations/pussers-road-town-pub/ https://www.facebook.com/wateringholebvi Village Cay Marina is where Jimmy said was the real Cheeseburger in Paradise spot, not Stanley’s in CGB….

There are shared safari taxi tours, if you have time you could do that, then taxi from the port to Smuggler’s. The tours were running $25 - $30/pp for 2 or 3 hrs last I knew… Taxi fare from port to SC is $32 for 1 person, $18/pp for 2, and $15/pp for 3 or more (each way).

One of our favorite daysails is with the Golden Eagle on SXM. We toured SXM in the morning and enjoyed the daysail from 11 on. The highlight was a stop at the island of Tintamarre. We also took the full-day sail while staying on the island. Unfortunately the snorkeling is not the best around SXM. Otherwise we would head to Friar’s Bay or Happy Bay to enjoy a nice lunch, great beach, and few fellow cruisers. For the daysail snorkeling, hands down one of the daysail outfits that go to the cays off St John from St Thomas. There are some favorites, mostly monohulls. We’ve only taken the New Horizons out of Sapphire Marina while staying at the property. You can ask for recs on the STT forum on TripAdvisor, and find listings on the VINow site. There are even better daysail and adventure options, but these depend on your time in each port…?

I see Google maps highlights the route up Joe’s Hill Road and along Ridge Road. That is the steeper option and not as scenic as the south shore route IMHO… But if you have time you could drive the north shore road past Zion Hill, past the Sugar Mill Resort, up Windy Hill Road and stop at the Bananakeet bar halfway up for their signature drink the “Bananakeet”. Or Stoutt’s for a drink. Or continue down into Cane Garden Bay to see how the rest of your cruise mates live ☺️…

Taxi fares are posted in other threads, Brewers is $12/pp each way by shared safari (3 or more ppl), $16/pp for two passengers. Your driver will likely advise you of a time he/she will return, or a taxi will return…No worries about a return… Smuggler’s is a bit more isolated. I don’t think you’d have a problem, but it’s your comfort level of course…Taxi is $15/pp each way for 3 or more ppl, $18/pp for two passengers…

We don’t snorkel a lot, but have read reports from both. Not sure if you can get better feedback from the TripAdvisor Tortola forum?

Both? 😆

https://sunshinepowerboats.com/ Joe at https://patouche.com/ https://foxyscharters.com/

For those interested in a transportation option between Tortola and White Bay, JVD, other than the cruise line excursion or West End ferry - This outfit did provide a water taxi option between Cane Garden Bay and White Bay, JVD. The last price I had (pre-pandemic) was $120/pp and a 4-person mimimum…or $480 minimum. The price is probably higher today. Contact info - David Dietrich Foxy's Charters & Water Taxi Great Harbour, Jost Van Dyke British Virgin Islands 284-441-1905 Email: info@foxyscharters.com website: www.foxyscharters.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/foxyscharters

Vendors and taxi drivers - in the tourist areas and cruise ports at least - LOVE, ❤️, LOVE your $USD! They make a nicer profit from $USD and $CAD because they set their own, lower exchange rate than they receive when they exchange them for $pesos. So very few vendors or taxi drivers in tourist areas will decline your currency… “(or anywhere in Mexico)” - You will definitely need to use the local currency in non-tourist areas if you decide to travel to the interior of Mexico, or even a small town away from the tourist regions…Just like foreigners coming to your home town. And even in the tourist areas, when it comes to paying our utility bills, plumber, electrician, gardner and handy man, we would just be laughed at if we tried to pay them in $USD! 😄

No worries! 😉

Really Road Town is made up of a busy financial district and not like some of the other ports such as St Kitts, St Thomas, or San Juan… There is a marina area there as well… An island tour in a shared safari taxi would be a nice option, I believe drivers offer 2 - 4 hour tours that are inexpensive… Sorry if not much help!

Driving the North Shore is also very scenic with the nearby islands. Nigel and other vendors should be there, hopefully. And I hope that Miss Patricia is back there with her delicious daiquiris and cheeseburgers!

Lindqvist Beach (Smith Bay Park) is on the east end of St Thomas…