usvi-on-line
BVI day trips
Two totally different experiences.
Jost is a more chill version of STJ and quite frankly I don't view it as losing a day of beach time on STJ since you can park on the beach near Soggy Dollar and enjoy the day. Several good food options on the beach or you can head over to Foxy's. If you want lobster-- go over to Harris' place or Sydneys Peace and Love (but be prepared to lose a chunk of time).
If you want relative peace and quiet just go to Ivans. It feels a lot like more spruced up version of Miss Vie's beach.
You get time on the ferry going over and end up with about 5 1/2 hours on Jost to chill and have fun. Depending on the day, it can be a bit of party scene.And the ferry price is reasonable. Plus it doesn't take too long to get there. I have at least two trip reports from last year that include days on Jost if you want more detail.
Virgin Gorda -- take a look at a map. It's a long boat trip on a good day. Bad Kitty will get you there faster than most boats and afford you more time on VG. But it's still a lot of time on the boat.
The Baths are gorgeous and unique and not to be missed. Typically you are just there for a couple of hours and have to head back depending on the schedule.
Most captains have a route they take you on through the boulders and thru the grottos. Definitely unique.
Of course STJ has plenty to offer and will keep you busy without ever having to leave the island.
The good part is, no matter which option you choose chances are you will find something great in the experience.
The only thing I would avoid is trying to cram too much into one day trip.
Jost is a more chill version of STJ and quite frankly I don't view it as losing a day of beach time on STJ since you can park on the beach near Soggy Dollar and enjoy the day. Several good food options on the beach or you can head over to Foxy's. If you want lobster-- go over to Harris' place or Sydneys Peace and Love (but be prepared to lose a chunk of time).
If you want relative peace and quiet just go to Ivans. It feels a lot like more spruced up version of Miss Vie's beach.
You get time on the ferry going over and end up with about 5 1/2 hours on Jost to chill and have fun. Depending on the day, it can be a bit of party scene.And the ferry price is reasonable. Plus it doesn't take too long to get there. I have at least two trip reports from last year that include days on Jost if you want more detail.
Virgin Gorda -- take a look at a map. It's a long boat trip on a good day. Bad Kitty will get you there faster than most boats and afford you more time on VG. But it's still a lot of time on the boat.
The Baths are gorgeous and unique and not to be missed. Typically you are just there for a couple of hours and have to head back depending on the schedule.
Most captains have a route they take you on through the boulders and thru the grottos. Definitely unique.
Of course STJ has plenty to offer and will keep you busy without ever having to leave the island.
The good part is, no matter which option you choose chances are you will find something great in the experience.
The only thing I would avoid is trying to cram too much into one day trip.
*Another fine scatterbrained production
I did the Stormy Petrel trip in March. I was very pleased with my trip to The Baths and Jost Van Dyke. The crew led us on a tour through The Baths. They were very accomodating and hospitable, pointed out sites of interest along the way. There were 12 guests on the boat -- which is the maximum.
I did not feel rushed at The Baths. The time at White Bay seemed to fly by, but I had time for a Pain Killer from Soggy Dollar, so I can't complain.
I would definitely book with them again.
I would love to do a private charter with Palm Island, but don't know that I'll ever be traveling with enough people to make it cost effective.
I did not feel rushed at The Baths. The time at White Bay seemed to fly by, but I had time for a Pain Killer from Soggy Dollar, so I can't complain.
I would definitely book with them again.
I would love to do a private charter with Palm Island, but don't know that I'll ever be traveling with enough people to make it cost effective.
-
Xislandgirl
- Posts: 4163
- Joined: Tue Aug 08, 2006 4:03 pm
- Location: Slightly left of center
I would pick both! If you charter a boat you will have plenty of time, in my opinion.kristen1206 wrote:Another good point...
Guess I just need to find a fast boat!
If you all had to choose..would you pick Jost over the Baths? I would like to see the Baths but I really want to go to to Jost.
When you charter with Palm Tree or Lion in De Sun (there are others, these are the ones I recommend) you tell them exactly what you want to do. If you want to only do the Baths and Jost, then that is what you do.
-
ClevelandDave
- Posts: 291
- Joined: Wed Sep 10, 2008 3:51 pm
- Location: Cleveland
If I couldn't spend a huge chunk of the day on Jost, I wouldn't go. Take the ferry and have fun limin.
Next trip down, either spend a few days in the BVIs or do a Baths day trip then.
Biggest problem most people have down there is trying to cram too much into one visit. Slow down and relax...you'll be back.
Next trip down, either spend a few days in the BVIs or do a Baths day trip then.
Biggest problem most people have down there is trying to cram too much into one visit. Slow down and relax...you'll be back.
-
Kentuckygirl
- Posts: 1903
- Joined: Sun Oct 08, 2006 10:17 am
- Location: Kentucky
Hi Kristen! I have some of the same concerns as you, except that we will definitely charter a boat. We will probably go with Captain John, though I have been very happy with Flyaway Charters too. We will be taking our 3 children with us this time, and I can't decide whether we should go all the way to the Baths or not. In the past, we've gone without the kids and spent more time on Jost than I think we will this trip. Someone mentioned Norman Island, before Jost, which may be a good plan. I definitely agree with the majority saying not to rush and squeeze too much in! It doesn't get much better than a slow day in the islands! I'll be curious to see what you decide!
[/url]
-
mrscherry2000
- Posts: 124
- Joined: Sun Apr 11, 2010 8:55 pm
- Location: West River, MD
We did Bad Kitty when we went in 2008. Loved it though I do have to admit to feeling a bit rushed at the Baths. Not much time to "chill" once you were finished hiking through the rocks. It was a great day on the water though and the stop at the Caves after lunch at Cooper Island was great. I guess I always felt at each stop, "I wish we can stay longer" But then again, I feel that about my entire trip to St. John.
I did like Jost a lot though, so relaxing and laid back. Plan on going there again for the day or half day when I'm back in November.
The crew on Bad Kitty was great and I think the tour is a great way to get a taste of the BVIs and decide where you would want to spend more time later.
I did like Jost a lot though, so relaxing and laid back. Plan on going there again for the day or half day when I'm back in November.
The crew on Bad Kitty was great and I think the tour is a great way to get a taste of the BVIs and decide where you would want to spend more time later.
We did New Horizons II..maybe 8 people on board...great crew. Baths for 2hours maybe, Pussers on Marina Cay for lunch, snorkling somewhere I can't remember (monkey something?) Jost for a couple hours. Never felt rushed, it was nice to see it all with a tour for the first time. Would take the ferry to Jost after that.