Norman Island: Some Input Please

[Diesel Dog]

I understand that Virgin Gorda is great for snorkeling, and look forward to going there on a NCL excursion. However, my DW does not like snorkeling, nor long swims, but does love the beach. Me and my two boys, 15 & 14 love snorkeling. What should we do in Tortola to please all?

 

Does Norman Island have a nice beach, easy access and how is the snorkeling there?

 

Diesel

[zydecocruiser]

Most Norman Island trips are pure snorkeling in the area of the Caves. No beaches at that location. Nearby Norman Island are the Indians - GREAT snorkeling, but no beach. In the Bight is an excellent floating bar!

 

Norman Island is an island, true, and there is certainly a beach or so, but no tours that I know of include.

 

http://www.normanisland.com/

 

The floating bar (again, no tour I know of includes):

http://www.williamthornton.com/

 

I thought Pirates Bight was kicked out, but maybe the lease was renewed or new management or something.

 

I'll have to look for some pics.

 

 

 

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Oh yeah, Virgin Gorda has some great beaches.

[Diesel Dog]

Thank you Zydecocruiser. It appears that Norman Island is great for snorkeling but not for beach bums.

 

Diesel

[RONNIENJ4]

Brewer's Beach is good for snorkeling and for sunning and beaching.

[vincenzo0506]

Most Norman Island trips are pure snorkeling in the area of the Caves. No beaches at that location. Nearby Norman Island are the Indians - GREAT snorkeling, but no beach. In the Bight is an excellent floating bar!

 

Norman Island is an island, true, and there is certainly a beach or so, but no tours that I know of include.

 

http://www.normanisland.com/

 

The floating bar (again, no tour I know of includes):

http://www.williamthornton.com/

 

I thought Pirates Bight was kicked out, but maybe the lease was renewed or new management or something.

 

I'll have to look for some pics.

 

 

 

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Oh yeah, Virgin Gorda has some great beaches.

 

You should know that the Willy T (William Thornton) is usually an adults only venture, especially in the evenings.

 

body shots on the bar.

 

nuff said

 

vincenzo

[nybumpkin]

I don't know if NCL's excursion is similar, but we did an excursion to Norman Island on Carnival. The first stop is purely snorkeling at an inlet near the caves, but the second is at Pirate's, which has a great beach. The swimming's not difficult, and the beach gives you the chance to be a beach bum or do some shallow-water snorkeling. If you're primarily interested in beach time, this isn't the excursion for you - it's an hour sail to Norman Island, then snorkeling at the inlet/caves, then beach (about 45 minutes), then 1 hour back to Tortola. We had a great time on this trip.

[zydecocruiser]

I knew I wasn't nuts... (yet).

 

This is the bar that got booted. I guess the cruise lines have started including a beach again...

http://www.billybones.net/

NCL's trip looks like it includes.

 

As for the Willy T, it can get a little naughty but I have seen kids there at night and things remain under control until the wee ones have departed. The real show is when the wenches get nekkid and jump from the upper deck for tshirts. ;)

 

The Bight is a popular anchorage for sailboats and others.

[vincenzo0506]

I knew I wasn't nuts... (yet).

 

This is the bar that got booted. I guess the cruise lines have started including a beach again...

http://www.billybones.net/

NCL's trip looks like it includes.

 

As for the Willy T, it can get a little naughty but I have seen kids there at night and things remain under control until the wee ones have departed. The real show is when the wenches get nekkid and jump from the upper deck for tshirts. ;)

 

The Bight is a popular anchorage for sailboats and others.

 

When I was younger, and single, I used to charter sailboats in the Caribbean. I have sailed the BVI 7 times. Our first stop out of Road Town was always the Bight. We would swim and snorkle all day, then dinner on board and then off to the Willy T till they turned out the lights. This all happened on the original Willy T, now sitting at the bottom of the Bight. It was a sad day when I heard that she had sunk.

vincenzo:)