Tortola help - one day off cruise ship in Nov

Hi all. We opted for a cruise instead of one island as the accommodations on each island were SO expensive...maybe next year..
Anyway, we will be stopping in Tortola and are not really into the cruise line shore excursions. Any thoughts on options? Or is just best to be herded to a beach with all the others? (yeah, I'm going to be one of 'those' people I used to feel sorry for while sitting on a beach!)
Looking to snorkel, sit on a beach without tons of people, maybe have access to walk to bar for lunch...that sort of thing.
We will also be stopping in Antigua and St Kitt's so I guess I will post on those areas as well.
Thanks!

Contact AC..sponsor here..he can give you a brief tour away from the others..take you to a lovely beach..Brewer's maybe, snokel, luch at Nicole's..or jump a cab to Smuggler's or "our" Little Apple Bay..camp out in front of Sebastian's with a cold one..and a casual lunch..check out Bomba's..

We did this we Eli some years ago. It was a great day.

http://www.adventureantigua.com/the-eco-tour/

Thanks!! Both sound like great options!!

I second Mal's suggestion - AC rocks - you will have an amazing day!

The only ship's tour worth taking is to the baths on virgin gorda....they can be done privately and would be a better choice...do some resesrch...are you on cruise critic?...they have a ports of call forum with lots of info....please don't let a taxi take you to the cruise ship beach....it is not tortola on those days...

Sure a villa is so expensive BUT you're not sharing it with 3,000 other people.

The suggestion to contact AC and have a tour of Tortola was NOT a suggestion to go to the "cruise ship beach" via taxi - neither Brewers nor Smugglers is a "cruise ship beach". Yes, the Baths are lovely...when you visit early in the morning or later in the afternoon when the cruise ship excursions are not there....Cruise Critic is not going to provide better info than the OP will get from those of us who have spent many years visiting the BVI....and in Mal's (Manpot) case....LIVING there.

Thank you --- when we were in STJ a few years ago we did a boat and snorkel tour to the BVI's and did the Baths without too many people and it was fantastic!!
I have started to reach out to AC and hope to hear back again soon with more detail.
yes, we do love renting villas and not sharing with 3000 other people but at 900-1000 per night w/o food or drink or car... kinda getting out of reach for us!
Any other tips would also be great on how to get to and from a beach where the ship doesn't take folks!
thx!

Wow - that's pricey! We're spending 5 nights on JVD in October for a LOT less than that in a lovely cottage with amazing views, a/c, full kitchen...and steps to White Bay.....

Are you a big group?

You'll really enjoy AC - he's a great guy!

Where on earth are you getting these outrageous prices???? Go to VRBO..the BVI Tourism website and see what you can find..that is nuts..

That pricing would put you in a 5 br beachside! Need to check your pricing again. We stay in a 3 br, 2 bath,w/pool, a/c, gourmet kitchen for less than $250/nt. Jeep is only another $45/day.

Wow! I did go to VRBO. Needed 4 bdrms and yes, we wanted a pool and nice views. But honestly, we did not find anything for less than that. VG was about that and Antigua and Anguilla were the same or higher. Even going in May/June!! And I did find some that were $700 a night, but still..

So, we gave up and booked a cruise.

RickinAtlanta, I'd love to know where you stayed. Maybe you could PM me?

I did hear back from AC once and emailed another question and have not heard back. Does it usually take several days to hear back?

And any other suggestions would be great!

I am also coming on a cruise in March and this was recommended to us by someone on TTOL. We have booked it for our trip and and sounds like a really fun day. Aristocat Charters is the name and they have really good Trip Advisor reviews.
--------------
Arriving by Cruise Ship? Aristocat Charters can arrange a Day Sail to Match Your Ship's Arrival and Departure Times!
Email Us at aristocat@surfbvi.com to Receive Full Details of Availability, Itineraries and Prices.

I recommended considering Aristocat to you on the BVI PeopleTalk thread.Glad it will work for you! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

Thanks again.

Well, I am back with more detailed questions.
AC has not emailed back and private charters are not really in the 'must do' here as we did that when in STJ and snorkeled some of the BVI's.
So, since I did not hear back from AC, my options are cruise excursions to either Cane Garden Bay or take boat and do JVD for the day. Which do you guys suggest for November? I've read that Cane Garden beach can get a bit rough in mid November. Since we will be stuck with bunches of other cruisers, need to pick between the better of the experiences/beaches. Want to have a nice chair, umbrella, easy in/out swimming and drinks. The thought of the original Painkiller sounds wonderful, but not if you folks tell me the beach and water is better on Cane Garden Bay. Thanks!

JVD, hands down...

First..give AC a phone call..JVD is a good choice but means more cab/ferry hopping on a short day.

You want "nice chair, umbrella, easy in/out swimming and drinks." All that with no huge crowd? I'd go to Apple Bay and Sebastian's.