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Jost Van Dyke
Jost Van Dyke
Looking for some advice/recommendations - will be returning to STJ in April. Considering just taking the ferry over for the day vs. a snorkel/sailing tour (we did a snorkel tour on two previous trips, but not to Jost). Anyone have any good experiences to share either way? And for those that have done both, what is your preference? Thanks
You can snorkel all around STJ and other places..Me, I would plan a day on Jost to just chill and wander up the beach and check out each beach bar, lay on the beach, people watch and just relaxxxx...
~Pam~
"Barefoot in the snow white sand
A bag of sea shells in her hand
She finally found a paradise it seems..."
"Barefoot in the snow white sand
A bag of sea shells in her hand
She finally found a paradise it seems..."
Visited Jost via power boat and sail charters as well as the ferry...I'd say your decision will likely come down to your tolerances for cost vs desired allotted time on island.
Ferry - Cost is around $65 (round trip)...you'll leave the National Park Dock (accross from Morgan's Mango) around 8:30am and arrive/clear customs by 9:30am (even if you have to clear thru Tortolla instead of going directly to Jost). The ferry back is at 3pm and that's not Island Time, that's 3pm on the dot. So you end up with about 5 good hours on island which is plenty for having a good lunch at Foxy's, doing some t-shirt shopping and limin at Soggy's with some Painkilla's for a few hours.
It's cheaper than charter, but less time on island and less flexibility getting around (you have to take cabs ($5 to $10 to get you over the hill) - you can rent a car but not recommended.)
BTW, when we went to Jost via the ferry we overnighted at Ivan's, so that's why we felt the ferry made the most since for us...left at 8:30am, came back at 3:30pm the next day (around 30 hours instead of five, same ferry price).
Charter Sail - There are a number of options, but I think you can do this for as little as $150 a person, especially if the boat captain can get a few more passengers. We went with Captain Hollywood on the Treazzure. Had a blast...left the national park dock around 8:30ish via dinghy, hopped on board and sailed on over with drinks and continental breakfast. Got to Great Harbour, Jost around 10ish, swam a little and then went to Foxy's for lunch while the captain got us through customs. Then we went over to White Bay and Soggy's for the rest of the afternoon.
Slightly more expensive, but you get a little more time, it's private or semi-private (maybe 8 people max), includes drinks on the boat and it's just fun to go by wind power.
Charter Power Boat - Whether it's two of you or six, it's likely going to be somewhere around $700 to $900 total including gas and tip and depending on where you go. The big benefit to you is it's basically choose your own adventure and you can do a lot more and still get plenty of time on Jost (snorkel at the Indians, eat at the Willy T boat over near Norman, stop on Sandy spit, etc.)
More expensive, but you have the flexibility to do a lot more.
BTW, can't recommend Captain John at Palm Tree Charters enough.
Bottom line, if you just want relax and have few drinks, ferry or sail is the way to go. If snorkeling and seeing more of the BVIs than just Jost feels like your speed, then I'd go Charter Power Boat.
One other option that I don't know much about are the big group power boat charters like the Bad Kitty. People seem to like those too...they have set itineraries and usually stop by Jost if I don't miss my guess.
Hope that helps.
Ferry - Cost is around $65 (round trip)...you'll leave the National Park Dock (accross from Morgan's Mango) around 8:30am and arrive/clear customs by 9:30am (even if you have to clear thru Tortolla instead of going directly to Jost). The ferry back is at 3pm and that's not Island Time, that's 3pm on the dot. So you end up with about 5 good hours on island which is plenty for having a good lunch at Foxy's, doing some t-shirt shopping and limin at Soggy's with some Painkilla's for a few hours.
It's cheaper than charter, but less time on island and less flexibility getting around (you have to take cabs ($5 to $10 to get you over the hill) - you can rent a car but not recommended.)
BTW, when we went to Jost via the ferry we overnighted at Ivan's, so that's why we felt the ferry made the most since for us...left at 8:30am, came back at 3:30pm the next day (around 30 hours instead of five, same ferry price).
Charter Sail - There are a number of options, but I think you can do this for as little as $150 a person, especially if the boat captain can get a few more passengers. We went with Captain Hollywood on the Treazzure. Had a blast...left the national park dock around 8:30ish via dinghy, hopped on board and sailed on over with drinks and continental breakfast. Got to Great Harbour, Jost around 10ish, swam a little and then went to Foxy's for lunch while the captain got us through customs. Then we went over to White Bay and Soggy's for the rest of the afternoon.
Slightly more expensive, but you get a little more time, it's private or semi-private (maybe 8 people max), includes drinks on the boat and it's just fun to go by wind power.
Charter Power Boat - Whether it's two of you or six, it's likely going to be somewhere around $700 to $900 total including gas and tip and depending on where you go. The big benefit to you is it's basically choose your own adventure and you can do a lot more and still get plenty of time on Jost (snorkel at the Indians, eat at the Willy T boat over near Norman, stop on Sandy spit, etc.)
More expensive, but you have the flexibility to do a lot more.
BTW, can't recommend Captain John at Palm Tree Charters enough.
Bottom line, if you just want relax and have few drinks, ferry or sail is the way to go. If snorkeling and seeing more of the BVIs than just Jost feels like your speed, then I'd go Charter Power Boat.
One other option that I don't know much about are the big group power boat charters like the Bad Kitty. People seem to like those too...they have set itineraries and usually stop by Jost if I don't miss my guess.
Hope that helps.
It’s not about yesterday or tomorrow...It’s about today, for come what may – Sun, rain, or hurricane – we've only time for a smile, and none for sorrow