Day trip to Jost Van Dyke

[Rhonda]

We are thinking of taking a day trip to Jost Van Dyke this year & can't decide if we should go on our own or take a snorkel cruise. How close together are the bars (Foxy's, Soggy Dollar, Ivan's)? Would we need a taxi to each one? We usually do a snorkel trip with Captain Phil & I know he goes to Jost Van Dyke. What do you Jost Van Dyke day trippers prefer - going on your own or taking a cruise?

[Ed S]

We have done both - did Cloud 9 in 2010 and 2011, and did it on our own via the ferry this past December. Ferry was fine, and enabled us to maximize our time on JVD. Ferry puts you in walking distance to Foxy's, but then you would take a quick taxi ride to White Bay, where all of the bars are right there along the beach (Soggy Dollar Bar, Gertrudes, Ivan's etc.). Planning to get back this coming December, and will take the ferry again (especially since we can do great snorkeling right from the various beaches on St John).

[54b]

Done Jost via a power boat charter, sail charter and ferry which included a one night stay at Ivan's (that was fun)...my favorite day trip was by far the one with Captain John of Palm Tree and it included three snorkeling stops, lunch at the Willy T, a drink at Pirate's cove, stop at Sandy Spit and a couple of hours at Jost....that was a blast and would do it every time if we could, though it's not cheap, especially if you're just one couple.

The sail charters seem like they run you about $150/person on average, may include a snorkel stop, and they'll dinghy you in for lunch at Foxy's and then sail over to White Bay so you avoid the Taxi...they also buy you slightly more time on island than the ferry.

For me, two hours at Soggy's on Jost is fine and good way to end the day...if you'd prefer a lot more time on Jost, I'd just take the ferry.