Heading down early April for a charter with kids. All adults have been to the BVI several times so if it was up to us, would probably avoid the Baths due to crowds, but we know the kids will love the trail. Our thought was to come from Cooper and get there ASAP in the morning. Couple questions - what time should we get there to avoid potential cruise ship passengers? Alternative of course is to just head up to North Sound and rent a car and drive down, but were hoping to do it this way and get in and get out early. Also, how is the swim from the dinghy line? The kids are 6-8 years old. Can all swim and will have lifejackets but want to be sure there won't be an issue for them.. Finally - is the pool open at the top?

Thank you!

The swim in can be challenging even for adults depending on water conditions. Honestly I would head to North Sound and drive to the Baths on a trip with younger children. Target an afternoon adventure getting there around 3 and maybe an early dinner at CocoMaya (surprisingly kid friendly) on the way back. I can’t comment on Top of the Baths as we haven’t visited there recently.

Agree- I wouldn't swim in with kids that little.
Pool is open and it is a great place to relax with a cocktail from the bar or the coffee shop does good iced coffees (can get them spiked). Food is OK but slow. If you are hungry, opt for Mad Dogs. Also slow but the best conch fritters I have ever had and Jude is just a gem of a guy.

If the water conditions are good leave Cooper at 7 and you will be fine. You can drop at Devils bay and it’s a short swim in. Longer swim out at the other side but not bad for kids. You must enter from the Devils bay side now. Cruise ship people start arriving after 9. It’s a nightmare. The cruise ships refuse to screen the passengers for any minimal level of fitness and mobility.

Agree about mad dog , the best conch fritters

Bring cash for Mad Dog. I don't know if this is still the case, but they couldn't take cc the day we were there.

How exactly are the cruise ship hoardes shuttled from the mothership to the baths?

In small boats from the ship into VGYC then taxi...just remember if you are stuck at top or bottom there is the other path.

They come from North Sound too and it ain't pretty!

Rent a caat Leverick Drive to Baths anarrive about 3-3:30 Wait for cruise people to leave It will be perfect. You may get a day of no ships. It is impossible with the ship crowd.

For those of you sailing to the Baths… after 15+ years of sitting on the beach at Guavaberry Spring Bay, directing people swimming from their boats, looking for the Baths and landing on Spring Bay - you can’t walk to the Baths from Spring Bay. There is no path through the boulders, unless you are good at bouldering. At least once each day (when the red flag isn’t flying) we try to direct people from sailboats looking for the Baths. Your choices are bouldering, snorkeling/swimming around to the Baths, or walking up the private drive to the main road, to the entrance to the Baths at the Top of the Baths. Best to swim to the Baths or dinghy to the rope and tie up. Ok, I’ve gotten that off my chest. We’ve seen dinghies flip trying to land on that beach in rough surf. One guy went off on a backboard. Be safe, watch the flags.

BTW, if you swim up to our beach starting on Saturday, we’ll be sitting under the tamarind trees in the blue folding chairs or bobbing in the warm beautiful waters of Spring Bay.

You can check the cruise ship schedules to see if there will be any there on the days you will be visiting.

We do the same thing the end of April. One year we had someone tell us they must of moved the baths. Lol

We just went the other day, arrived about 10:30 and already lots of people ashore and operating one way. A cruise ship was in that day.

It just wasn’t the same as the experience on a quiet day. I wouldn’t go again on a cruise ship day or if there are many people on the beach.

BVI Cruise Ship Schedule. https://bviports.org/cruise-schedule

I can see that the red flag is up for now. Sounds like things gave calmed down from last night when we arrived. No cruise ships in port. No taxis running by, so today would be a good day to go.

Looked at the cruise ship sked via the link. Assuming that, if no departure listed for that day that they will not be visiting the Baths on that day?