Cane Garden Bay, Tortola, British Virgin Islands

4Lets_Cruise_13 5:00 PM Feb 19, 2020

Cane Garden Bay Beach - Crowded, Busy and Beautiful
On Friday January 24th, 2020, from the Capital of Road Town, Tortola, my wife and I took an NCL shore excursion TOVL2011, namely Island Beach Break for a duration of four hours. We left our ship the NCL Bliss early morning to meet around 8:15 am at the pier then followed David, our guide and driver, to our shuttle bus. The small shuttle bus did have A/C, but David did not use it. Shuttle seats were very close together and there was no isle space to walk from the front to the back. People filling up the shuttle were filling up front to back so those folks trying to get to the back of the shuttle had to basically climb over the 20 other people before they got to their seats. We started with a scenic drive out of Road Town on Joe’s Hill Road with some photo stops on our way up to the central mountain area. At one stop we did get a photo shot of the entire bay, the capital city with our ship NCL Bliss docked, and in the background Dead’s Man Chest and Peter Island. During the drive up, the road was very steep and narrow and on many occasions the shuttle’s transmission was really struggling to make it up the hills. As we drove along, we could see in many places that the island is still recovering from Hurricane Irma, however, it hasn't dampened the spirit of the citizens living there. We then drove down the mountain to a beautiful beach in Cane Garden Bay. Cane Garden Bay is a horseshoe shaped bay located on the north shore of the island and has one of the most popular beaches on Tortola. At the beach, there were lounge chairs and umbrellas set up everywhere and it was very difficult to find a place to sit just on the beach itself. It was very crowded and busy. People renting the chairs were on us like vultures (i.e., US 15.00 for two chairs). There were boats, kayaks and jet skis for rent as well as several bars where you could get tropical drinks. Most of the time waves were high and sea water from the tide level did reach the lounge chair area. We did spend two hours at the beach, our driver David was knowledgeable about the island’s history, and the beach area was wonderful. The shuttle back to the ship was not as scary as the drive there. Back in the capital, we stopped at the outlets near the Cruise Terminal for shopping and then for a few drinks at TROPIX Cocktail Bar. We had a good time and would rate this excursion as four stars and would recommend it to our friends and family wishing to visit.

5LBSB1977 5:00 PM Jan 21, 2023

Great day at Sugar Cane Bay
Caught a private taxi from our cruise. Used Mr Johnny Walker and he returned to picked us up as requested at 2:30. Posted price was 12 one way per person / 24 round trip and we shared with another couple. The 15 minutes ride had amazing views of our ship and the island. The beach was wonderful. Crystal blue water - plenty of chairs and umbrellas to rent. Safe. Absolutely the best $5 mango daiquiris. Jet ski was $65 cash for 30 minutes - no credit cards. Water was warm, inviting and not to deep - but waves are a little strong. Had delicious food including fried angel and parrot fish for sale. Plenty of souvenirs , beach shoes, hats, snorkel, dresses for sale by local vendors. So surprise that cruise ship did not offer this beautiful beach trip .