How long does this trip take on a ferry? Is the ride rough? Is it better to spend the money and take a private trip? Is it true that the walk to the Baths is really difficult, especially with 2 little kids? Please post.

We went to the baths from Tortola which was fine but don't know about St John, it's not far. The baths were a bit of a disappointment, beach very small, loads of people, nowhere to get a drink and you couldn't walk out there with a children. Virgin Gorda is beautiful, there is a lovely bar with a pool at the top of the hill above the baths with views to die for, worth visiting for a half day tour, but not for the baths alone.

The walk to the Baths is not that difficult, as long as the children can walk without holding their hands I would think.<BR>Janet is incorrect. There is a place to get a drink; water, soda, beer etc at the Baths beach. It doesn't open till 10am though but neither does the restaurant or anything else. <BR>I would guess the ferry from St John would take over an hour at least since it is about 40 minutes to VG from Road Town. It is not rough; ferries are large, unless of course the seas are 10 ft! So it depends upon the weather....<BR>The trail from the Baths to Devils Bay Beach might be a challenge with little kids. As for the crowds, well they get there from 10 on and can be entertaining themselves..... The Baths are very unique and fun and worth at least one trip I would say.

Hi Kim. We went to the Baths from the Westin St. John. The venture was an entire day and included snorkeling around Norman Island, en route to virigin Gorda, lunch, transportation from yacht club in Virgin Gorda to the Baths. I don't remember exactly how much it cost, but it was reasonable considering it was an all day event. The ride over was on a large catamarran, so no rough water. As far as the walk to the Baths, there are some parts when you have to use a ladder, bend over. It depends on how little the children are. Young kids, 5 or so, will think it quite an adventure.

Thanks for all of your replies. Great information. We will be at USVI for 15 days, so a trip or two to other islands would be very nice.

We went from St. John by renting a private boat from the marina. It was not extremely expensive and we had it the entire day. We anchored at the baths and stopped also at several tiny islands. A Great trip. There is also a 'cat' boat going out from the Westin.

Kim,<BR><BR>Please do not make the same mistake we did with small children. We took the ferry from st john to the baths with 4 children ages 4 to 14. The ferry took so long. You go thru customs twice which took forever. It was overcrowded so many people had to stand. My husband calls it the trip from hell. It was a very difficult hike with small children to the baths and my 4 year old couldnt handle it and had to be carried by my husband. The ferry was late so we had a whole 1 hour at the baths. We would have taken a private boat if we knew. On the way back the ferry which was to pick us up at tortola and return us to st john broke down so we waited for an hour with crabby kids. Also just a warning there was topless bathing at the baths, something to know before bringing children there.<BR>Susan