Multiple Tortola questions??

[PeskyKid]

Will will be in Tortola 8-3:30 ship time. This is 9-4:30 local time. Will we have time to visit the Baths on our own or should we book the excursion which is about $150.00 more with a family of 4. Will the baths be too crowded with 2 ships in port in March? If we book through the ship does the ferry pick us up at the ship or do we walk to the ferry terminal?

[blue_water]

Hi,

Yes you can do the Baths on your own, you would be taking the same transportation (ferry to Virgin Gorda and taxi to the Top of the Baths) but you may be able to get there a little before the main crowd with any luck if you can get your own taxi when you arrive on VG. You could also make a stop at Savannah or Spring Bay to see a beach first then head for the Baths to allow your fellow cruisemates some time to get through the Baths. The driver can be very helpful with that decision.

 

You need to walk to the ferry terminal in Road Town to get the ferry but you have plenty of time. There are 2 ferry services, Speedy's and Smith's. If you take the 10AM Speedy's ferry they have a 3:30 return ferry that will get you back to Road Town around 4PM if all goes well. That will give you about 4.5 hrs on VG but that return is cutting it a little close (no room for delays). Smith's has the 10:30AM ferry with a return at 2:15PM. Less time on VG (about 3 hrs) but a safer return time if you're concerned about that.

 

To be honest, on a 2 ship day I would expect there to be enough people at the Baths to make it much less enjoyable so if going I would opt for the self-excursion and try to avoid the crowd as best you can with the drivers help...we may even go to the Mineshaft Cafe first for lunch then to the Baths...But if a driver can get you to the Baths even a little before the crowd you will be fine. then you could taxi to the Mineshaft by the old mine for a lunch and their spectacular view.

 

Note that if you take the same ferry both ways you can get a roundtrip ticket for $30/adult, $20/senior, $20/child (5-11). If you take the Speedy's 10AM and the Smith's 2:15PM to get an extra 1/2 hr you'll have to buy one-way tickets and you'll pay $20/adult, $10/senior, $15/child (5-11).

[PeskyKid]

Thanks for the great info.