USVI-On-Line

Conditions permitting, we will be swimming in to the Baths on our BVI day trip on Bad Kitty. How do people deal with personal stuff such as towels, bags, cameras? Do you just not bring anything? My camera is fine because it is waterproof, but I might like to bring a towel or pair of shorts. Is it an actual swim or more of a wade where you can hold your stuff up?

Most likely it'll be an actual swim. I don't recall anywhere where they can get in close enough for you to wade in. You could always buy a Drypack if you really wanted to take a towel or bag in with you.

FWIW, I've always thought that arriving at the Baths from the hill walking down and going through the big 'stones' to the beach makes a much more dramatic impression. Can't remember which boats do it that way.

From what I understand, only Bad Kitty and one other boat does the swim in..all others take a cab to the hiking trail.

Years ago we did a private charter and did the swim in. We went back with a group charter and did the taxi/walk. I think I prefer the swim in - it gets you right to the good stuff!

I did the swim in with Pirate's Penny last year. We did not take any extra stuff along. We were not there long enough to need much. We took off our snorkel gear and wondered through The Baths and then back to the boat. There wasn't any "hanging out" time. I expect it will be a similar schedule with Bad Kitty because we saw them everywhere we stopped that day.

Thanks for the info!

Captain Kevin and Born to Rhumb also moors and you swim in. It's not a bad swim at all and I don't think that you really need to bring anything but a camera.

If there are some bad swimmers in your party, I would definetly suggest a noodle or swimming board.

Last May we took Bad Kitty. We took a trolley to the Baths and walked down, had a quick swim and then walked back up. We didn't have much time to walk through the rock formations or swim and it was a hot day. The walk back up was brutal. I am glad we had bottled water with us. I think I would have preferred swimming from the boat to the beach. It is a really nice beach.

We swam in on New Horizons II, we had noodles & kickboards. We only brought a camera...no need for anything else..you will be hiking through the rocks & want your hands free.

We swam in when we went with Bad Kitty, to me it seemed alittle deeper but not much further than getting to the Soggy Dollar. I think all we carried was the camera, not even a towel. And once you start treking thru the boulders you will be glad you didnt bring anything. In fact we didnt even take any cash with us..I wish we had once we got there, as there were Tshirts and such for sale.

I took the Bad Kitty trip last October. When you get to the Baths, you will moor and swim in. It's a pretty decent swim. One of the people from the boat will lead a tour through the boulders. You might have a few minutes to hang out on the beach but then it's back to the boat.

You can skip the tour if you choose and hang out on the beach. I didn't take the tour as I've been through the boulders several other times. I stayed back and snorkeled, but I was the only one. One other lady stayed on the boat.

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I have to say something about the Baths and I hope that nobody takes offense to thise.

They are beautiful, you can get some gorgeous pictures with the light coming through the boulders.

Last time we were there, we got an extensive tour and it was really hard on us.

We're in our early 50s and maybe that a reason, but we are in good shape for our age.

I don't like doing that "crab" crawl and some of the climbing was tough, especially when we were in bare feet.

We're been there 3 times and that's enough for us.

We went with Palm Tree Charters a few years ago and swam in with the kids (he had noodles for them). Only took the camera and a little cash in a very small dry bag. No towel needed. We had plenty of time to go through the rocks to Devil's Bay, hang out for a little, and back, then back out to the boat. The swim was longer than to SDB, but it was busy that day and John couldn't get as close as he wanted. It was really fun!

Sounds like all we will need is a camera then! I also have a small otterbox if we decide to take $$. I appreciate the feedback!