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I'd like to send a special thanks to all of you VI Travel Gurus! I've spend the last couple weeks pouring over these boards like it was my lifeblood! I've gone through all 243 pages! Of course I didn't read every single post but I looked at all of them and then read those that pertained or appealed to me. Then I went back through tons of info utilizing the search function. I'm awaiting my copy of Feet, Fins and Four Wheel Drive. I know where to snorkel, where to eat with my kids, where to explore etc. etc. etc. THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
On to the question. In browsing through some of the sites for Jeep rental and also a few posts here, I am aware that the rental companies do not alow you to leave the paved roads. I don't want to blaze the trails, I just want to snorkel Lameshur Bays (is that right?). Is this the one where you have to drive up the dirt road accessible only by 4x4? Ok, If I can't take the Jeep up there, how in the crap do I get up there?
My understanding is that the road to Lameshur is better than it used to be. Check the update in the back of the book you are waiting on. I don't think the road to Lamshur os what the rental operators are worried about. Remember it's easier to ask forgiveness than permission. Just use your common sense.
You should not have a problem getting to the Lamshur Bays. You will need to take your time as some of the pot holes might take your axle off at speed or at the very least shake up the passengers. Make sure you keep the kids sitting down. Just go slow and you will be fine. You will definitely need 4WD.
We were there last week and took our rental car to Lameshur Bay and didn't have any problems. We didn't realize until later that technically we weren't suppose to have the rentals on the unpaved roads. But like was said earlier, it is bumpy but not that bad and I don't think those are probably the unpaved roads they're worried about. You'll be fine. Enjoy the bay - we did!
Oddly, I rented a house in Cathrineburg and the car rental agency knew exactly where I was staying and the fact that I had to travel a goat track that passed for a road to get there. I even mentioned it when I signed for the car. Matter of fact, my very first house rental was also off a dirt road and that was on the very accessible southshore. I never had a problem. I think it's there to get them out from under a technicality and to prevent abnormal abuse. These are legal roads, dirt or not.
