Renting a car/truck on VG

Another idea just came to me. Our original plan was to sail from Cooper Island to the Baths and then on to North Sound (Bitter End, Levericks, Saba Rock). Problem with that is getting all of that done and then securing a mooring ball on New Year's week.

Here is another idea that is a little different but can lend itself to a pretty cool adventure: From Cooper Island, we sail straight to North Sound and pick up a mooring ball. Then, we rent a tour pickup truck and drive to the Baths. And then we can also explore the rest of the island. And return to North Sound and already have a nice mooring locked down. Has anyone done this before?

We would ideally love to moor our Catamaran at the Bitter End but I don't think the road goes there, does it? I know that Speedys is at Levericks but I am not a big fan of Levericks. Is there a shuttle or ferry from Bitter End to Levericks?

Yes we did that last time down. Great way to see the island and baths. We were are party of 10 - so rented a safari truck for 24 hours. Dinner / drinks at hog heaven in the evening, then early morning at the baths ahead of crowds. Great way to go. You can also top of provisions along the way.

You can get a slip at Leverick for same price as a ball.

And that's exactly what we have done previously and will do again in January ... booked a slip at Leverick thru Nick, and a safari jeep (again thru Nick) and will explore VG for the day ... including Baths (from the top). Replenish in Spanishtown and happy campers (party of 8).

Renting at Leverick and driving VG is great fun. Walking down to the Baths from the top is also fun. Don't forget your ship's paper's, though, or you will have to pay the entrance fee at the ranger station at the top of the Baths. Have fun!

I wonder if a photo on your cell phone would be adequate to demonstrate that you paid for the parks permit?

All good information. Thanks!!!

Seeing as we love the Bitter End and Saba Rock, is there a solution to get from that Marina to Levericks to pick up a car? Some sort of taxi or something? I seem to recall it being WAY too long of a dinghy ride.

in decent sea conditions, it's an easy dinghy ride. We did the dinghy poker run several times, which circled Leverick Bay

Free shuttle by launch from Bitter End to Gun Creek, and with some polite consideration offered, probably with a smile right to Leverick's dock. Leaves Bitter End on the hour and Gun Creek on the half hour. Service also offered to Saba Rock.

We tried to do it once in the middle of the night and were convinced that we would never be heard from again, so we didn't do it <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />

Looking at a map, it appears to be a 2 mile trip, as the crow flies. That's not short <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" />

I think you are on the right track....easy enough to rent the car/truck on VG and cheaper than cabs. Nick of Leverick was kind enough to book for us. We used L&S and truck was delivered to us at Leverick shortly after our afternoon arrival at the dock, on time, but I see no reason car could not be delivered to Gun Creek...not sure where you'd park the vehicle overnight though, surely someone has done that before...maybe just talk to your way to Leverick as mentioned above if you plan to have vehicle overnight.

(After re-reading this post a couple times I thought I would mention, depending how adventurous you/your wife is/wants to be, you might consider thumbing it from Gun Creek. I did this in on my last visit while traveling alone, and ended up in the back of Blondies's truck who had no problem delivering me to Hog Heaven...after a few beers, caught a ride with some other folks to Spanish Town without a problem...if you got tired of thumbing it from here, you could easily take a much cheaper taxi to Baths....and then try your luck thumbing your way back, or just pay the fare back knowing you saved half already...just a thought)

Dinghy rides are doable from just about any North Sound destination in my opinion if weather and North Sound are calm, but any real wind and one way of that trip is wet wet wet...Doesn't bother me, but it sure does my wife....

Hog Heaven is a must do stop - if you rent the vehicle, you must stop...you may consider staying for just a beer/cocktail, but the view is worth an hour or more in my opinion.

For many years we skipped the Baths because we didn't like the day mooring options, swim in/out, etc...and then I read posts on this board that said to do the excursion by car. We could not have been more pleased. That being said, I would like to mention two things.

1- Arrive at the Baths in the Early AM if possible - we arrived before park even officially opened and it made all the difference - there are no gates. We had the place to ourselves for just over an hour or so...taking our time walking through the pools and then over to Devils bay. I elected to take the hike back to parking lot from Devils, and I am glad I did because the crowds had arrived. Saw a few blue lizards of some variety on that hike too fyi. (Bring your park pass as mentioned above in case someone asks)

2- Looks like you are from San Francisco. If you can handle Lombard street, you no doubt can handle elevation while driving. Anytime someone mentions driving on VG, I tend to toss in these comments. The roads are great, but some are very steep. The roads have quality beefy looking guard rails too. However, I live in Texas, so even though I knew what I was getting in to by driving, it's a little more stressful when 8 other lives are in your hands....I'd planned to have a few cocktails at dinner (Coco Mayo) but was too concerned about getting everyone back safely to have a single drop of alcohol at dinner - probably would have helped a little...driving in the daylight the next day (on our trip to Baths) seemed much better, but I was not driving then :), another crew member stepped up allowing me to white-knuckle the Oh S bar over the pass instead (twice).

So, good luck to ya!

Respect

If you have a crowd and rent a truck, make sure you have someone who can drive a stick shift.

Just curious about what it would cost to do a day trip by cab from Leverick. Going to the baths and hog heaven on the way back.

$14.00 a head from ST/Valley to Leverick, each way... etc... For me always easier/cheaper to have Nick take care of that detail.
http://www.virgingordatours.com/taxis.html