usvi-on-line
Where to go with dinghy?
Where to go with dinghy?
Will be in STJ for first time in mid August with husband and two sons 11,12. Staying for a bit at Caneel and then renting over in Coral Bay. Sounds like fun to rent a dinghy for a day and go expoloring. What would be the best use of a dinghy for a day?
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Bill in Va
- Posts: 442
- Joined: Thu Aug 10, 2006 3:56 pm
- Location: Lake Gaston, Va
Dingy for the day
Howdee. Depending on wind, wave height can be a challenge in a small craft, I would get the dingy as early as possible and load it up with a cooler of food and drinks and head to Waterlemon and then back track each beach till you get to Cruz Bay at the end of the day. There are beaches that you must use the proper area to enter. Remember red bouy to the right returning from sea and you will be in the channel you are supposed to be in. We had a ball. There is a secret method to get back in the dingy. Well there are a couple of ways. Some will make other people laugh as you try to get in. With the motor OFF, you can step up on the trim area and get in, or you can use your fins to pop up on the side and grab a line. Some get in from shore and push off. Just a hint for first timers. Get the larger dingy by the way...God bless..Bill
You are never too old to have a happy childhood...
We like renting a Dinghy on the Coral bay side of the island at Crabby's, because things seem to be more quiet. I second the recommendation for the larger Dinghy. They are super managable and the larger ones just feel more comfortable IMHO.
Just keep in mind (and I only mention this because people have made this mistake in the past): the Dinghys are intended for BEACH hopping not ISLAND hopping. If you want to go from one island to another you need a real power boat aka. Ocean Runner. However, unless you are experienced with ocean boating, I would not recommend this for a first timer.
We like to use the Dinghy's to get to beaches that otherwise require a lot of walking etc. They are also great to get to the mangroves -- basically a fish "nursery" of sorts. Lots of interesting stuff to see there.
We usually pack a lunch and make a day of it hopping from beach to beach.
Also check the wind, it can get pretty choppy out there so best to be prepared.
Just keep in mind (and I only mention this because people have made this mistake in the past): the Dinghys are intended for BEACH hopping not ISLAND hopping. If you want to go from one island to another you need a real power boat aka. Ocean Runner. However, unless you are experienced with ocean boating, I would not recommend this for a first timer.
We like to use the Dinghy's to get to beaches that otherwise require a lot of walking etc. They are also great to get to the mangroves -- basically a fish "nursery" of sorts. Lots of interesting stuff to see there.
We usually pack a lunch and make a day of it hopping from beach to beach.
Also check the wind, it can get pretty choppy out there so best to be prepared.
*Another fine scatterbrained production
thanks
Thanks for the valuable tips - esp the red buoy part. We'll def get the bigger dingy. Sounds like a good plan to go up to Waterlemon and backtrack. Getting into the dingy sounds like it will take practice. So renting at Crabby's is out. Read on this wonderful forum that he's no longer renting. Unfortunate because that was the plan since we'll be renting in Coral bay. Fortunate that I knew ahead of time.... boy I love this forum! Thanks again!
Weski2,
FWIW My fave was around Henley Cay. One or more person remain aboard and pick you up after the current "flies" you down the side of the cay.
Ramgoat and Rata are nearby but I didn't think as good. Whistling Cay was nice. If you get an early start try slipping into Gibney in the early AM. Ooohhh thats nice.
As far a getting back in the ding we found that swimming as level as possible toward the side was easier than trying to vertically pop up and over the side. It is always good to have someone give you a pull back in. Have fun- it was one of the best parts of our trip. In fact we did it twice. Also try laying down on your back on top of the tube and drag a foot in the water for that extra vacation relaxation.
Suds
FWIW My fave was around Henley Cay. One or more person remain aboard and pick you up after the current "flies" you down the side of the cay.
Ramgoat and Rata are nearby but I didn't think as good. Whistling Cay was nice. If you get an early start try slipping into Gibney in the early AM. Ooohhh thats nice.
As far a getting back in the ding we found that swimming as level as possible toward the side was easier than trying to vertically pop up and over the side. It is always good to have someone give you a pull back in. Have fun- it was one of the best parts of our trip. In fact we did it twice. Also try laying down on your back on top of the tube and drag a foot in the water for that extra vacation relaxation.
Suds