TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands No more Necker Island Tours with Gumption

I just read that Gumption Tours will not be doing the tours on Necker Island after this month. Necker is going back to being fully private.
I had been really looking forward to doing the tour in December.

Bummer...we hoped to take this tour in May. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/cry.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/cry.gif" alt="" />

That is a bummer, we had also hoped to do on our next trip.

I am curious if anyone has ever anchored at Necker Island and hung out on their beach? My understanding has always been that all of the beaches in the USVI and BVI are considered public and open to everyone regardless of island ownership.

Certainly you could not just tour the property and would have to stay on the beach but curious if anyone has had the courage to do so. I have not but I have thought about it a couple of times. We usually just give Branson a wave on the way to Anegada.

My wife and I were on the tour earlier this year and it was amazing. I'm glad we witnessed the work they do with animals and conservation. Branson's heart is in the right place.

We anchored off the beach in a Bradley, were allowed onshore on the beach only, as we knew one of the watersports guys. We had the impression that strangers are definitely not welcome anywhere on the island,

We were fortunate enough to do the tour in April 2014 and it was made clear then that they could be stopped at any moment, so many more people than was first imagined have been lucky enough to have this incredible experience. Sadly even then, some had taken advantage, in an unacceptable way, and it is possible this has led to the stoppage. Fantastic work is done by Sir Ridhard's foundations.

We were fortunate enough to go in May as well, and it was the best money we spent the entire trip. Gumption did tell us about some of the people who had not respected the rules of the tour by taking photos of Necker guests and celebrities, and said it is the actions of people like this that might cause the end of the tours. In our group, there was one couple who clearly didn't care about anything they were told, they were taking photos inside the Great House minutes after being asked not to. We shamed them in front of the rest of the group and they stopped, but I'm sure this happens all the time.

Felix

Always a shame when the few spoil things for the majority. But sadly, that is modern life.

Legally Branson does not own the part of the beach that gets wet from the surf at highest tide. That said they will make your feel unwelcome and with all of the beautiful beaches in the BVI why deal with the stress.

So sad.

They will also make you feel uncomfortable if you anchor in the lagoon.
G

We have anchored in the lagoon for a day stop several times. We are always careful to pick a spot of sand to drop the anchor, outside of their channel, close to the reef.

They have a lot of kite surfing going on and one time a staffperson swung by in a skiff and warned us that there would be kite surfing. And, the kite surfer got a little tangled up near us. Thank goodness, not in our rigging.

We have gone around in the dinghy (when we were absolutely sure no one was on the beach - we were not disturbing) and checked out the beaches and water toys. Very tempted to start jumping on the water trampoline, but we didn't. One beach has racks full of neatly organized snorkeling gear.

My husband doesn't like to go there at all - feels like he is trespassing. It's very windy in the anchorage and not the most pleasant spot to anchor.

Where did you see that? I took a quick look at their website and found that they close for part of October for vacation and that their last tour would be on September 30th.

Was that posted on Facebook or somewhere?

I found it on gumptions Facebook page so I too think it's accurate.

I think part of the problem may be that gumption is getting busier, as he says he does not charge a profit on the tour, he has less time available.

Makes sense. The whole idea for the Necker tours was for Sir Richard to give Gumption a leg up on establishing his glass bottom boat operation. Now that his regular business is booking out it is logical to end the Necker tours.

Just read this on the Gumption Facebook Page. There is hope!!

[color:"blue"]If Necker Tour are to continue after 30th of September we have to follow the rules by Virgin.

1) No more sneek out of group. Must stay together at ALL TIMES.

2) If we visit the main house as we do time to time & As I ask each time that absolutely (no pictures or video's ) are to be taken in the main house it have to be so.. (no more walking slow behind and secretly recording.

3) ABSOLUTELY no more walking with possible business plans to push on Richard in case we do see him or leaving them in random place's for someone to see to deliver to Richard.

4) Checking in early enough to properly put down name on social media policy form (ID ) will be required to verify that your the person who's signing up.

5) Richard has given me permission to make the next step either to continue or move on with my next adventure.

6) If tours are to keep going my top job will be to provide a great time but to protect Virgin & guest of Necker like my job depending on it.

Dates will be picked by Necker - no more squeezing in dates that not listed, Necker chose dates to fit their guests not to fit you. If you're schedule for diving either you cancel that or look for next open date to Necker.

End of the week after I talk it over with my team will determine what direction we should go.[/color]

The fact that he has to even post this leaves very little hope. #3 especially cracked me up <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />

When our family went last year, Gumption could not have been more specific about the rules. As always, there are people assume the rules don't apply to them. It's a shame because we had a great time and really enjoyed the animals.
Scott

Seems he just needs to take away cameras and phones. Shouldn't be necessary, but it seems enough can't listen and follow the rules. He could simply take a camera and do all the picture taking and share it online to each group.

FYI, I've been corresponding with Gumption over the past couple of days and his Nature Tours on Necker Island have been resumed - at least through October. As presumed, it seems that some guests may have gotten carried away with their use of social media. Therefore, tour guests will now be required to sign a social media policy form. I just hope that all guests start respecting the opportunity so I can experience it in January!

Here is the updated page of his website.

Gumptions Nature Tours on Necker Island

I too hope people will behave themselves so we can do the tour in December.

The social media policy form isn't new - people just ignored it