Best way to visit the Baths..

We are traveling to the BVI over Thanksgiving. We have visited the Baths from the water as well as taking a taxi from Leverick Bay. What does everyone recommend?

After many years of visiting via the boat, now we always do the taxi from Leverick. You're "parked" in a great place for overnight meals, laundry, provisions, etc., have better control over when you want to visit The Baths, and don't have the long swim in from the dinghy. Taxi isn't cheap but the views along the way are incredible.

If you are chartering and decide to visit by land, be sure to take your NPS permits. Otherwise they will charge your party admission again.

Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbour does not seem to be very popular on this board. But we always enjoyed taking a slip there for the night, and hopping into a short taxi ride to the Baths. Unfortunately, both Buck's Market and the Bath and Turtle restaurant have moved out of the marina since our last trip, which would make it (to me) a slightly less attractive place.

Dan

Arawak was a nice addition last year. I am hoping they kick off the revival of the market. It's the first impression for so many day trippers and has a lot of potential for businesses.

Bath and Turtle/ Chez Bamboo are practically across the road from the Yacht Harbor. No waterfront bar, but they were open after Irma in February 2018 when we were there. The inside of Chez Bamboo was still a wreck then but they had the outside open. They YH is also much closer to Coco Maya. I’m looking forward to trying the newly reopened Island Pot, also not too far from YH. They were still under construction when we visited last March but we used to enjoy getting takeout from them pre-Irma. Note we are regular land based visitors so YMMV.

Bath and Turtle/Chez Bamboo fully opened and they are even doing coffee and baked goods early in the day.

We do taxi (Sweet Ice Willy) from Leverick, hit baths in the afternoon, and then Coco Maya for dinner and sometimes provision in between baths and dinner with non perishables

IMHO VGYH not back enough yet

Rent a Suzuki

the walk from VGYH to the baths is a bit long but enjoyable if you like to stretch your legs. I would also second Rick and say rent a car for the day.

IF you go via NPS mooring, I suggest you grab a ball closer to Devils Bay and swim there first. Have someone stay back on a dinghy and take it over the tie up at Poor Man's bar side and meet the rest of the crew there after going through the Baths. They are enforcing a one way passage. If you swim to shore at Poor Man's, you will then have to walk back up to the top, then hike down to Devils Bay, then go through the caves - don't make that mistake as we did. I also strongly suggest not going if you get there behind a cruise ship excursion boat - takes forever (another mistake we made).

What is VGYH?

I believe they are referring to the marina at Spanish Town.

Im biased, becasue I am in the North Sound, but there is alot to be said for leaving the boat in North Sound and driving over the mountain. You can rent a jeep, or a mini-moke, and drive over one of the most scenic roads in the Caribbean to the Baths, do your thing there, stop at Savanna on the way back and have a dip, drive the western road past Sugarcane and Hog Heaven, where you stop to check the most spectacular view on the world. From there back to Leverick is easy, a dn the day is complete. It really is a nice drive, thoroughly worth doing for the drive alone. Start early, becasue the Baths on a busy day are like riding a crowded escalator.

"VGYH" is the Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbour in Spanish Town.

I echo Capttom-North Sound is a unique and special place. I would hit the Baths early and then as he said, take a leisurely time getting back to Leverick. Try to time it for sunset drinks at Sugarcane.

if you get NPS ball note 1.5 hour limit...and check the cruise schedule and pick time no ships there. Early morning or late afternoon is rarely crowded.

Great sunset view at Coco Maya and make sure they are open the day you are there

How does one check the cruise schedule to avoid baths traffic

https://bviports.org/cruise-schedul...WJ09jSJYR_fniwdCCJ5Ns8NaIHQJktWtOVl3cbC0

From here you can see when cruise ships are in Road Town. On days they are not, you should be free from cruise groups. On days they are in port, I expect it is about timing. It seems cruise ships dock in the morning and then leave in the afternoon or early evening. I would assume it takes them a couple of hours before they’d hit The Baths and they’ll come all around the same period.

If anyone can actually confirm what that typically means in terms of timing that would be useful - I.e. before 10:30 and after 14:00 tends to avoid the groups?

Before 10 and after 3. Also some small lines anchor off Spanish Town so look for those schedules as well.

And some in North Sound.