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Re: Timing for exploring the Baths?
[Re: Cleobeach]
#182855
02/03/2019 11:09 AM
02/03/2019 11:09 AM
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Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 216 Dana Point
captdennyj
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Traveler
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 216
Dana Point
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Good plan to avoid the cruise shippers. Actually, very necessary, since we witnessed hoards of cruise ship passengers at the baths . We also check out the cruise ship skeds, and when they will be a Canegarden Bay....we avoid that time also
Day trippers : Maybe you can check out the skeds when the day trippers boats leave their ports, and figure when they will arrive at the Baths. They have pretty well inundated the SOGGY DOLLAR , at Whie Bay on Jost van dyke. Our plan this next trip is to moor at great harbor and walk over to White Bay. Check out hendos, and then catch the soggy after about 3:30 pm.
Our last trip to the Baths, we could not even get into the baths, due to the hundreds of cruise shippers. We had our snorkel gear, and had planned on going thru the baths boulders to Devil Bay, relax there a bit, and snorkel outside the baths back to the baths beach. We could not get in to the baths, so we just snorkeled over to devils bay, got some sun, and snorkeled back.
Early might work at the baths, not sure. Non cruise ship days would be best.
We really liked the Top of the Baths, and you can have lunch, swim in the pool, have a pain killer, and enjoy a fabulous view of the islands .
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Re: Timing for exploring the Baths?
[Re: Cleobeach]
#182929
02/03/2019 05:12 PM
02/03/2019 05:12 PM
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Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 88 Tampa Bay, Florida
SonOfTheSea
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Posts: 88
Tampa Bay, Florida
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[quote=captdennyj]Good plan to avoid the cruise shippers. Actually, very necessary, since we witnessed hoards of cruise ship passengers at the baths . We also check out the cruise ship skeds, and when they will be a Canegarden Bay....we avoid that time [quote=captdennyj]
The last time we were there, it was a sh!t show, there is no other way to say it. Boards of people, most of which were not physically able to navigate the terrain and heat. VISAR fished a large, elderly man out of the water, appeared to be a near drowning, a larger but younger man seemed to be having a heart attack or heat stroke in the Baths and the guide was freaking out and a few ladies were cut and bloody from falling on the way down. The lady at the gift shop said it’s becoming a real problem.
Cleobeach, very curious when you were there? My group experienced the exact same scenario you describe a couple years ago
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Re: Timing for exploring the Baths?
[Re: Cleobeach]
#182956
02/03/2019 08:59 PM
02/03/2019 08:59 PM
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Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 273 Va Beach
Kmon
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Traveler
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 273
Va Beach
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When renting on VG, we will revisit the Baths as our first time BVI visiting friend would like to see it.
I am keeping an eye on the cruise ships schedules in the BVIs and STT.
My question relates to getting in ahead of the local excursion boats - what would be a god time in the morning to beat the day trippers?
Our plan is for a morning visit, lunch at the Top of the Baths and the afternoon at Spring Bay. If you're going during high season (Dec-Apr), go as early as possible (7:30 - 8:00) or after 4PM. This should avoid the large cruise ship crowds.
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Re: Timing for exploring the Baths?
[Re: Cleobeach]
#183011
02/04/2019 10:50 AM
02/04/2019 10:50 AM
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,557 Toronto, Ontario
gordaguy2
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Posts: 4,557
Toronto, Ontario
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I would be very careful about snorkeling to the baths from Spring Bay unless you are good to excellent swimmers. Best advice is just check the cruise ship schedule and avoid the area if they are at the Baths - There isn't enough "local" traffic to worry about on non cruise days.
GordaGuy2
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Re: Timing for exploring the Baths?
[Re: tradewinds]
#183036
02/04/2019 11:51 AM
02/04/2019 11:51 AM
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 559 Apex, NC
agrimsrud
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Posts: 559
Apex, NC
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Yes, but apparently some don't think it applies to them. I would replace "some" with "most".
Life's short - sail more!
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Re: Timing for exploring the Baths?
[Re: Cleobeach]
#183073
02/04/2019 03:58 PM
02/04/2019 03:58 PM
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Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 216 Dana Point
captdennyj
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Traveler
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 216
Dana Point
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actually, the last couple of trips, pre irma, we did not use the N.P. mooring balls. They were all filled.
1. One year we got a slip at virgin gorda yacht harbor, and took a short taxi ride to the baths. R.O.N. at VG Yacht harbor.
2. The next year, we sailed past the baths, all mooring were taken.
3. There is only Erica and I, no boat load of 8 to 12 other people on board. No one to stand anchor watch on board when we swam ashore.
4. We sailed on up to Leverick Bay, picked up a mooring for a couple of days, or so, and took a very neat taxi ride to the baths....turned out to be more of an island tour, stopping for photos, That was when, we snorkeled outside to devils bay and back, and could not even get into the baths due to the cruise shippers. We had plenty of time, and after snorkeling we went up to the Top o the Baths, had a great time, and met the taxi driver at the appointed time for the return to Leverick.
5. As others mentioned, many of us have experienced the baths over many years, and now we are going to pass since we have no passengers on board.
Last edited by captdennyj; 02/04/2019 04:00 PM.
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Re: Timing for exploring the Baths?
[Re: GettinBye]
#183105
02/04/2019 09:11 PM
02/04/2019 09:11 PM
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Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 273 Va Beach
Kmon
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Traveler
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 273
Va Beach
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I mapped out the cruise ship traffic of our week on Virgin Gorda. We don’t catch a break any day but some are worse than others. If a large cruise ship is docked in Tortola 8-5, what time would that group likely have to leave the Baths? I have no idea how long it takes to get back to Tortola ? Where did you get your schedule? If it was from the link on the top of this page, it was for 2018. We often stay near the Baths and the cruise ship people start arriving at 9 AM or earlier and leave around 2 or 3 PM. Good luck!
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