visit to BVI from St John

[jayseadee]

And, if you do decide to go to the Baths, save some time for a Pina Colada at Mad Dogs



In addition to the "trail" down to the Bath by the park service office, there is another trail that starts out at the end of Devil's Bay. It is more through brush and trees and a little less steep. However, it is not well marked, so if time is an issue, you may want to go out the way you came in.

[deejayjay]

Thanks to all for your suggestions. And for the beautiful pictures. I have more of a knowledge base now with which to consider my options. My husband still teases me about stopping to nap on the way up from salt pond bay last year. I did NOT nap. I just sat down on the side of the trail to rest a bit and decided the rest was better if I rested my back up the hill. I was carring a neat sheet, so I sat on it, and now the standing joke whenever we are walking somewhere is,"Are you sure you don't need to bring a neat sheet" I am usually not amused. But, . . . if you pass a 50 y.o. woman on a neat sheet half way up a hill in the virgin islands somewhere,it's probably me, stop and say Hi, and we can chat awhile.

[LMarie]

We're also looking into a day trip to VG from STJ. We are thinking about taking the ferry over. Can anyone tell me how much a taxi costs from the ferry dock on VG to the Baths? And has anyone been to the Baths recently to say if the Park Service is charging to enter the Baths? (I had read a report where someone said they were.) Also, are there any customs fees in taking the Ferry to/from VG? I think I read there is a $5 departure tax. Thanks for any help! Just want to make sure we have all the fees covered for the day trip.

[deejayjay]

I would also be interested in the answers to the above questions. Also, I've been mulling over ideas since getting info from all of you. How about scooter rental on Virgin Gorda? I've found that it's available, but generally most other info I've found is that it's too dangerous, etc, etc, to rent a scooter in the VI's. We ride a motorcycle at home, and spent a day on Victoria island, BC on a scooter last year and had a great time touring. Is there any reason this is not a viable option to see the island instead of an organized tour, or taxi? Is the danger I hear about more related to the fact that people with no motorcycle experience rent the scooters, or is there some inherent safety problems I should know about? Thanks again. Deb

[gavinman]

I've been thinking about this. Tortola has a very varied geogrphy with Sage Mountain, beaches and the big road network. I would take the Tortola ferry to West End, rent a car from Hertz right there (reserve) and tour the island. I've done this a few time with the non-party/non-beach folks and they had a blast. I like it too.

I'm interested in this option. Is there a beach to drive to also where we can park and walk to it. What is there to check out while driving around. What kind of cars does Hertz have. I assume you don't need a 4wd there. We are beach folk but not super partiers. This sounds like a good option.

[jmq]

You do have to go thru customs in Spanishtown when taking the ferry from STJ (the direct STJ-VG ferry doesnt run every day). Dont remember what the fee was.

You can avoid paying the fee to the Baths by going down the Devils Bay side on the other side of the parking area as mentioned earlier in this thread, then you would be going against the flow of others going thru the Baths which I imagine could be a pain if crowded that day.

Going thru:


The scooter idea could actually work well and be fun on VG (vs a pretty risky idea for STJ), if they are available to rent on VG. You'd have to google and /or search the BVI sites/forums for that info.

Being you are experienced riders lessens that risk factor, plus very little traffic in VG, and even the road up over Gorda peak is well paved and mostly wide and even has some turnouts for photo ops like this

if you were so inclined to go up over to the North Sound, so those risk factors would be reduced also. Only the road out to Nail Bay on the NW side of the island is real bad.

If scooters available, maybe price out what they would cost vs getting a car for the day. You do need what they call a provisional BVI drivers license, which is basically a fee of around $10(?) and filling out a form after you show your US license. Dont know if you would need that to operate the scooters.

[Maggy]

You do need what they call a provisional BVI drivers license, which is basically a fee of around $10(?) and filling out a form after you show your US license.

jmq - last April when we rented a car in VG, the BVI driving lincence was not needed anymore.

If that still is the case, I don't know, but we did not have to pay for it (as we have done the other times).

[jmq]

jmq - last April when we rented a car in VG, the BVI driving lincence was not needed anymore.

If that still is the case, I don't know, but we did not have to pay for it (as we have done the other times).

Good to know. Thats interesting that a govt. fee would actually go away. My info is from 06.

[LMarie]

Just found this FAQ page on BVI/USVI Ferry Info. May help in answering some of your questions in getting from St. John to the Baths on Virgin Gorda.

http://www.bestofbvi.com/info/info_bviferry.htm

[RickG]

You do need what they call a provisional BVI drivers license, which is basically a fee of around $10(?) and filling out a form after you show your US license.

jmq - last April when we rented a car in VG, the BVI driving lincence was not needed anymore.

If that still is the case, I don't know, but we did not have to pay for it (as we have done the other times).

Or, could it be one of those EU member benefits?

Cheers, RickG

[Maggy]

You do need what they call a provisional BVI drivers license, which is basically a fee of around $10(?) and filling out a form after you show your US license.

jmq - last April when we rented a car in VG, the BVI driving lincence was not needed anymore.

If that still is the case, I don't know, but we did not have to pay for it (as we have done the other times).

Or, could it be one of those EU member benefits?

Cheers, RickG

Oh, I wish it was, but Sweden has been a member of the EU for a long time now, and we have paid for the BVI licence three times before.

I do think they have stopped with this fee. But to do a realistic investigation of this, I will personally go there in April again, and check this up for you

[RickG]

Oh, I wish it was, but Sweden has been a member of the EU for a long time now, and we have paid for the BVI licence three times before.

Ah, to think Norway has been holding out on the EU for BVI drivers' licenses, whale hunting, and oil revenues. Maybe its time for another referendum?

Cheers, RickG