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Palm Tree Charters or Lion in da Sun
Palm Tree Charters or Lion in da Sun
During the second week of our visit( Nov 10-17)we want to do a private charter. Hoping to snorkel at Waterlemon, then go over to Sandy Spit and on to Jost, either White Bay or Taboo.
For those of you who have been on either boat, which do you think would have the easier means of getting on and off for the over 50 crowd? We are looking for something like a ladder plus a swim platform, as it would take more than a few good men to get some of us back aboard.
Thought I read that the palm tree boat has a swim platform( or did I see it in the Bongo video?) Was wondering about Lion in da Sun.
Thanks again for your suggestions.
For those of you who have been on either boat, which do you think would have the easier means of getting on and off for the over 50 crowd? We are looking for something like a ladder plus a swim platform, as it would take more than a few good men to get some of us back aboard.
Thought I read that the palm tree boat has a swim platform( or did I see it in the Bongo video?) Was wondering about Lion in da Sun.
Thanks again for your suggestions.
We used Palm Tree Charters in July 2007. Capt. Brandi's boat has a ladder with handrails on the back, which makes it easy to get in and out of the water. My husband is 63, and he had no trouble at all. The captain told us he had a couple in their 70s the previous day who snorkeled, so I'm assuming they were able to get in and out. Captain John is probably in his late 50s or early 60s, and we felt very comfortable with him. (Capt. John or Sue - If you read this and are 39, I apologize. It must have been the blinding Caribbean sun that affected my vision that day.) He can take you where you want to go, and/or suggest places based on what you want to do, i.e., relax on the beach, eat/drink, or snorkel.
We booked him for an entire day and snorkeled Waterlemon, the Caves, the Indians, and Smuggler's Cove. In between Smuggler's Cover and the Indians, we had lunch at Foxy's. Our 14-year-old daughter and her girlfriend were with us and we all had a good time. We definately got our money's worth.
I have seen some very good posts about Lion in de Sun guys, too. However, based on our positive experience, I'm sure we'll use Palm Tree Charters on our next visit. Good luck and have fun!
We booked him for an entire day and snorkeled Waterlemon, the Caves, the Indians, and Smuggler's Cove. In between Smuggler's Cover and the Indians, we had lunch at Foxy's. Our 14-year-old daughter and her girlfriend were with us and we all had a good time. We definately got our money's worth.
I have seen some very good posts about Lion in de Sun guys, too. However, based on our positive experience, I'm sure we'll use Palm Tree Charters on our next visit. Good luck and have fun!
Palm Tree
I appreciate your comments. One of the fellows with us is a big guy and had not-so-successful knee surgery 2 years ago. I have some bad-knee days here and there and it seems that the kicking motion I use when snorkeling sometimes makes them worse.
I find it is easier to climb up stairs( catamaran) or a ladder and then have an area or platform to steady myself before getting up over the back of the boat. Dont care to just have a little room next to the motor to try to get both feet on board and then pivot around. I actually have someone throw me my aqua shoes and I put them on after I take off my fins, so that I will have firm footing. And I know the big guy needs a little more wiggle room than I do. I dont want to recommend a boat and then have some of us not be able to get on and off comfortably.
Oh, the joys of growing up and getting old!!!
I find it is easier to climb up stairs( catamaran) or a ladder and then have an area or platform to steady myself before getting up over the back of the boat. Dont care to just have a little room next to the motor to try to get both feet on board and then pivot around. I actually have someone throw me my aqua shoes and I put them on after I take off my fins, so that I will have firm footing. And I know the big guy needs a little more wiggle room than I do. I dont want to recommend a boat and then have some of us not be able to get on and off comfortably.
Oh, the joys of growing up and getting old!!!
I understand. As I recall, you come up the ladder and step forward into the boat. I don't believe you have to turn or pivot to get on board. However, just to be sure, I would suggest emailing John Brandi or his wife, Sue, directly. That's what we did, and they were always quick to respond and to answer our questions. I assume you have their email or contact info, but just in case, here is their link.
http://www.palmtreecharters.com/
http://www.palmtreecharters.com/
BTW, knolmom. I noticed on one of your posts that you said Sago Palms was a nice villa. Have you actually stayed there? We are trying to plan a trip for the week after Christmas and that is one of the few villas that is available. There would be 4 adults and our teenage daughter. If you stayed there, could you please tell me a bit about it as far as condition, location, etc.? Thanks a bunch.
I looked at both Lion in da Sun and Palm Tree charters. Their boats look pretty similar. I ended up going with Palm Tree because they were available on the date we wanted and Lion in da Sun was booked. They were both responsive and enthusiastic. Communicating with Sue at Palm Tree Charters via email works nicely.
I'll report back on the experience. We have 6 adults and will be looking at doing some great snorkeling, lunch somewhere that fits in the snorkel schedule, and finish up at White Bay on JVD. I REALLY like having a flexible schedule and no one outside our group to please.
Cheers, RickG
I'll report back on the experience. We have 6 adults and will be looking at doing some great snorkeling, lunch somewhere that fits in the snorkel schedule, and finish up at White Bay on JVD. I REALLY like having a flexible schedule and no one outside our group to please.
Cheers, RickG
S/V Echoes - Coral Bay - St. John, VI
I will be interested in hearing where you have lunch RickG.
We will be doing the same type of trip in February and want to hit White Bay after lunch. We are kicking around trying either Cooper Island or Peter Island for lunch solely because we want to do something different from prior trips.
Anyone have any good lunch reached by boat spots to share? (We have done the Foxy's and Soggy Dollar lunches.)
We will be doing the same type of trip in February and want to hit White Bay after lunch. We are kicking around trying either Cooper Island or Peter Island for lunch solely because we want to do something different from prior trips.
Anyone have any good lunch reached by boat spots to share? (We have done the Foxy's and Soggy Dollar lunches.)
Sue suggested the Willie T, since we were considering hitting Waterlemon Cay or Newfound Bay, Norman Island and The Indians for snorkeling. I had suggested Taboo, but she mentioned they are VERY slow to serve. I'd like to try Peter Island or Cooper Island as well. The Willie T would be fun, but I understand you can't earn your T-Shirt any more.
Cheers, RickG
Cheers, RickG
S/V Echoes - Coral Bay - St. John, VI
We hit Taboo for lunch this year. I dont remember it being particularly slow, but we were feeling pretty good at the time. It is kind of off by itself and pretty quiet. The pizza was fantastic though!
We went over to Foxy's after that for more drinks. No Foxy (again) but the other guy with a mic and bar was working hard. I cant remember his name but he was pretty funny. We were pushing it getting back to customs and actually made it back in after 5.
Our capt on oncean runner told us about the Willie T change in policy. The women in our group were actually going to make the plunge this year. He did say the food was really really good now and was better than the places on Jost. Since they dont have the nekkid draw, I guess they are trying to make it on good food
We went over to Foxy's after that for more drinks. No Foxy (again) but the other guy with a mic and bar was working hard. I cant remember his name but he was pretty funny. We were pushing it getting back to customs and actually made it back in after 5.
Our capt on oncean runner told us about the Willie T change in policy. The women in our group were actually going to make the plunge this year. He did say the food was really really good now and was better than the places on Jost. Since they dont have the nekkid draw, I guess they are trying to make it on good food