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Virgin Gorda Baths
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greyhoundmom
- Posts: 978
- Joined: Mon Jul 30, 2007 3:06 pm
- Location: Columbia South Carolina
Virgin Gorda Baths
I know a lot of you have been, so give me some pointers. If we went for the day what else should we do? The caves look phenomenal, is it deep enough to snorkel in them? Better to ferry over or go with boat charter? 
We're just back from VG and from what we saw, charters provide a pretty quick trip through the caves, maybe a little beach/snorkel time, then you're off again. We find the area so captivating that I think most folks would want more time there. The ferry is a good option. Leaves STJ on Thursday and Sunday only, though. Depart STJ at 8:30, depart VG at 3:00. It'll give you a few hours to use as you wish. We also like to move around independently and on our own schedule rather than as part of a group.
Get a taxi from the ferry dock to the Baths. Also lets you see a bit of VG rather than just seeing the coast from a charter boat. Walk/climb/crawl through the caves. The caves connect to Devils Bay, which is also a spectacularly beautiful beach. Much less busy than the Baths beacha and a wonderful place to hang out for a long or short while. No snorkeling to be done in the caves themselves, but both the Baths beach and Devils Bay have pretty good snorkeling.
One advantage to going on your own is that you'll have a better chance of having time in the caves when there aren't large groups of people in there. The excursions seem to come in waves and there's usually a lull now and then. We got there early (before 9:00), but unless you stay on the island, that's not an option. It's a situation similar to Trunk Bay on STJ.
There's a small beach bar (The Poor Man's) at the Baths beach (also some vendors), but if you want lunch or a drink, I'd suggest going back up to the parking area where there are a couple of good places. The Top of The Baths has good food and drink and one of the most wonderful locations/views to be found anywhere. Mad Dog's doesn't have the view, but is a real pleasant place to hang out.
There are other good beaches on VG, but I wouldn't try to do too much. Better to have time to savor the Baths/Devils Bay area.
Get a taxi from the ferry dock to the Baths. Also lets you see a bit of VG rather than just seeing the coast from a charter boat. Walk/climb/crawl through the caves. The caves connect to Devils Bay, which is also a spectacularly beautiful beach. Much less busy than the Baths beacha and a wonderful place to hang out for a long or short while. No snorkeling to be done in the caves themselves, but both the Baths beach and Devils Bay have pretty good snorkeling.
One advantage to going on your own is that you'll have a better chance of having time in the caves when there aren't large groups of people in there. The excursions seem to come in waves and there's usually a lull now and then. We got there early (before 9:00), but unless you stay on the island, that's not an option. It's a situation similar to Trunk Bay on STJ.
There's a small beach bar (The Poor Man's) at the Baths beach (also some vendors), but if you want lunch or a drink, I'd suggest going back up to the parking area where there are a couple of good places. The Top of The Baths has good food and drink and one of the most wonderful locations/views to be found anywhere. Mad Dog's doesn't have the view, but is a real pleasant place to hang out.
There are other good beaches on VG, but I wouldn't try to do too much. Better to have time to savor the Baths/Devils Bay area.
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greyhoundmom
- Posts: 978
- Joined: Mon Jul 30, 2007 3:06 pm
- Location: Columbia South Carolina
Grey, I picked Mad Dog for drinks and lunch because it sounds like "our kinda place". I have not received my waterproof pouches yet, but they have great reviews and they are very affordable. What size to order was the most difficult thing, but I got 2 of the XXS ones. I have plenty of time to exchange them if need be. Oh, and I read it takes 2 hours to get from STJ to the Baths. Someone correct me if Im wrong.
Ferry takes "about two hours". Call ahead to make reservations. Be sure to have whatever the necessary documents are now to enter the BVI (I have a passport so don't keep up with the changes ).
I ruined my camera on our first morning climbing around in the caves, so I strongly encourage keeping water-sensitive things well protected.
As much as we enjoyed Mad Dog's, the view from Top of the Baths is just stunning. I'd encourage you to be sure to at least have a look at it. You'll probably want to stay a while.
I ruined my camera on our first morning climbing around in the caves, so I strongly encourage keeping water-sensitive things well protected.
As much as we enjoyed Mad Dog's, the view from Top of the Baths is just stunning. I'd encourage you to be sure to at least have a look at it. You'll probably want to stay a while.
Last edited by Lex on Mon Feb 16, 2009 10:43 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Count on about 1:45 travel time for the ferry.
Indeed views from Top of Baths is pretty cool. Good Roti there too.
Mad Dog is a delightful spot to hang out for drinks and sandwiches.
Fun to do the Baths the opposite way by taking path down to Devils Bay and work your way back.
Indeed views from Top of Baths is pretty cool. Good Roti there too.
Mad Dog is a delightful spot to hang out for drinks and sandwiches.
Fun to do the Baths the opposite way by taking path down to Devils Bay and work your way back.
When we come to place where the sea and the sky collide
Throw me over the edge and let my spirit glide
Throw me over the edge and let my spirit glide
First, I applaud you for taking the time form STJ to visit the Baths. It was always my intention, but never got there until we actually spent a week on VG.
For just a day trip, I'm not sure I'd even take the snorkel gear. It's a pain to have to carry it through the caves and you don't actually snorkel in the caves. The best snorkeling for us was left (North?) of the Baths toward Spring Bay. We did a little snorkeling around Devil's Bay, but not much.
We took the "pay road" into the Baths, then circled through Devil's Bay back to Top of the Baths. The trail is not well marked, so if you're short on time, go back the same way you came in.
Caves:
Mad Dogs is a great place for drinks and sandwiches, but only the BLT is good. Don had a fairly rubbery Hot Dog with a fairly stale bun. It's a small place, but I do remember a few tables outside, but on the road side and not the view side.
View from Mad Dogs; and yes, that is the entire lunch menu on the wall:
We enjoyed lunch at Top of the Baths; we went off season, so it was never crowded.
View from Top of the Baths:
There are a few shops around the Baths; and more in Spanishtown Yacht Harbor. The Bath and Turtle is also a good place for lunch.
Enjoy your trip - I bet you'll be back.
(view from our deck at Guavaberry Springs)
Have a great trip,
For just a day trip, I'm not sure I'd even take the snorkel gear. It's a pain to have to carry it through the caves and you don't actually snorkel in the caves. The best snorkeling for us was left (North?) of the Baths toward Spring Bay. We did a little snorkeling around Devil's Bay, but not much.
We took the "pay road" into the Baths, then circled through Devil's Bay back to Top of the Baths. The trail is not well marked, so if you're short on time, go back the same way you came in.
Caves:
Mad Dogs is a great place for drinks and sandwiches, but only the BLT is good. Don had a fairly rubbery Hot Dog with a fairly stale bun. It's a small place, but I do remember a few tables outside, but on the road side and not the view side.
View from Mad Dogs; and yes, that is the entire lunch menu on the wall:
We enjoyed lunch at Top of the Baths; we went off season, so it was never crowded.
View from Top of the Baths:
There are a few shops around the Baths; and more in Spanishtown Yacht Harbor. The Bath and Turtle is also a good place for lunch.
Enjoy your trip - I bet you'll be back.
(view from our deck at Guavaberry Springs)
Have a great trip,
janet