TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands Trellis Bay from airport??

We are coming next week and have the boat for 3 days before our crew arrives. Yippee!! Anyway, they are flying into Beef and we need them to catch the Scrub ferry. We will be docked there waiting with drinks in hand!!
They are bringing cooler and luggage and have never been to the Islands. How mad will the cabbie be if they only go as far as Trellis? Any words of wisdom as to tell them about arriving and getting over there. Unfortunately their flight arrives at 4:50 and the ferry leaves at 5:00. So we have told them to chill and get a drink at Trellis (hopefully something will be open) and wait for the 6:00.

Turn left out of the airport and walk about five minutes. You are there in Trellis bay. There will be somewhere open for a drink, but why not meet them at Trellis Bay yourself? Sheltered bay in most weather conditions and, unless it's full moon, generally plenty of moorings available. Meet them at the airport cold drinks in hand. We do this frequently. Guests are thrilled by the nearness of the bay and a 'real' Caribbean experience, not just a 4* resort anywhere. It is quiet, despite the proximity to the airport and the water clean for a first swim.

Second the above advice...it will take them longer to engage a cab and load their luggage than to walk. Also, if their plane does indeed arrive at 4:50, it will take them 15-20 minutes to clear C&I.

Tim

Experience has taught us: see the plane come in to land, get in dinghy, arrive at airport few minutes before guests exit. Only once has this failed us. We arrived about one minute after they exited. Hardly an issue!

We have done pick ups at trellis bay. The distance from the airport terminal taxi stand to trellis is several hundred yards.

The trellis pick up has a great dock.

Your guests might prefer to be on a mooring on the dock anyway,

You will have access to good restaurants.

So, I second the advice of salica. It's right on.

To answer your question, the taxis regularly take people over to Trellis. It is a stop and it is on their rate card. They probably will bundle your guests with a few others.

There is usually one or two of the places open there in Trellis. At the very least grab a cold one from the market and have it outside if the bar is closed.

You mention luggage and perhaps you are not comfortable picking up with guests, coolers and bags. Those charter dinghies get pretty small. If you do go that route, make two trips and be very aware of where the coral heads lay. One easy way through is just to follow the moored and anchored boats.
Have fun.

Our preference is to be on the boat before our guests. The quieter days alone can be a major plus. We have taken a mooring and picked up and dropped off many a guests and sailing partners at Trellis. The dock option while possible is more trouble, worry, and hassle than it is worth. Usually some or one of the crew will walk up to the airport to meet the new arrivals. We have learned the hard way more than once to take two dinghy trips back to the boat when luggage is involved. No one likes all their luggage wet. My two cents.. grab a mooring, think about the luggage, and go slow.

We have also done the Scrub Ferry in recent times. I would do the same. Send someone on the ferry to greet them and help with the luggage. If you can easily for your group and temperament carry it, do so. If that is not your style or ability. Tell the cab drivers chasing your business what you want and understand ahead of time how much cash you will be paying for the short distance service. Tell the Scrub boat driver what you are up to. He may have his own guidance or same flight pickup at the airport. Chill will be the order of the day. Everything will take a little longer than you think it will or should. Eventually it all gets done somehow. Google "Island Time". Beef Island to Scrub may be new to you or your crew. It happens everyday on Tortola.

The taxi will not have an issue going to Trellis, but as others have mentioned it is very walkable if you have rolling luggage. If the cooler doesn't have wheels they will need a taxi.

I was just at Scrub for a night and I think your idea of being on the dock with a drink is a great idea. You can enjoy your full day at Scrub with the pool, good food, good service, and your guests can arrive in a boat big enough to carry everything comfortably and enjoy their first night in a great location.

Lots of sailors on TTOL like to run around and pick people up in different places and cater to people. I don't have as much experience and that works for some people, but for me it's my vacation too. I'm not running a ferry service so if I want to spend a night or 2 on the dock for my convenience and the crew needs to take a ferry, it seems to work fine for everyone.

Personally, I'd stick with your Scrub plan.

Cheers,
Jason

I agree Jason. We reserved and paid for a slip with TTOL discount already. We plan to get there around noon and relax, do some laundry (we are staying in a villa 3 days before charter). They are so excited to be taking a ferry to Scrub. I just wondered if the cabbies would be mad. And if there will be a place to have a drink at Trellis while they wait. Thanks so much everyone for your input.

The cabbies will take them but they will not be happy. It really is a short walk.
G

Shorter than most airport concourses for the next connecting flight.

Agreed. Just beware of the chickens and the airport cat... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" />

We've been a many times but never walked to Trellis. Just jumped in a cab. Do they have to walk out to the main road or is there a path that they can take straight to Trellis?

Basically walk to the end of the airport parking lot – cross the road and your there

Path to Trellis. Just turn left out of the airport concourse and keep going for 100 yards. Cross the road and you're in the Trellis Bay parking lot. A really easy walk!

Oh good. I didn't know if there was a fence around the entire airport and you had to use the driveway out front. Well, that is short! I will advise the crew. Thanks again

DE loose mongoose has a bar