The Baths

[kathyE]

We will be in STJ for the 3rd time this April and are planning on seeing The Baths. Any input on Limnos?
They are the most economical. I think New Horizons are a bit more expensive. Limnos is $110 plus $25 customs.

[MIke]

We took Limnos to the Baths about 10 years ago.It was a really enjoyable time.Open bar and stops along the way coming back at the caves made it an enjoyable day well spent.However my wife and I being from Mississippi and being on the boat with 32 people from Boston made it hilarious.
Other than renting your on boat which would run quite a bit more,Limnos would be the way to go.

[Lex]

An even less expensive option is to take the ferry ($50).

[waterguy]

the only problem i had with limos well 2 went in Sept. with them and Jan. with NH 2 Limos doesn't supply a guide in the baths we learned so much from our guide NH 2 that when we took Limos I was explaining things and showing stuff to the people on our boat And our trip on limos didn't go to jost which is a must do on my list.

[bobcside]

We have been to the Baths 3 times with Limnos. Mosty recent was Feb. 2007. We had a quide from Limnos through the Baths. Took first timers on two of the trips. Limnos is a great way to go. Really open bar and good lunch buffet, Cold cuts and salads. Light fare for breakfast. It's a 70 mile round trip and the Limnos Catamaran is plenty big with shade or sun options and an upper deck. The ride alone is worth the $. It's really a good value if you consider your set for the day, drinks and chow. If you don't have a guide, you can always just sort of tag along with a group that does. We kind of liked doing our own thing through the boulders and grottos. It's a cool place and well worth a visit. Devil's Bay, on the other side when you clear the boulders, is just incredible. One other thing, Limnos brings you to a dock where a taxi takes you to the top of the Baths and you walk down a trail to get to the Baths. Nice walk but all uphill on the return trip. Some others, and I think NH, anchors and you swim in, right up to the Baths. It's an easy swim but some prefer not to.

[Lex]

Have a look at this thread from just a few days ago:

http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... php?t=6027

[RickG]

Something to consider is that New Horizons II moors at a buoy and you swim in. They provide noodles and flotation, but our buddy Big Red had the longest swim of his life. We had some surf that day too, so some of the less steady ended up rolling around on the sand in the surf. Me, no problem, but I prefer the ferry and taxi to see more of the island. Limnos sounds like a nice ride, though.

Renting your own captain and boat is going to run a good bit more - that's a lot of fuel.

Cheers, RickG

[brenda]

Something to consider is that New Horizons II moors at a buoy and you swim in. They provide noodles and flotation, but our buddy Big Red had the longest swim of his life. We had some surf that day too, so some of the less steady ended up rolling around on the sand in the surf. Me, no problem, but I prefer the ferry and taxi to see more of the island. Limnos sounds like a nice ride, though.

Renting your own captain and boat is going to run a good bit more - that's a lot of fuel.

Cheers, RickG

I feel better that I am not the only one that happened to. We had big swells and surf on the shore when we had to swim in. I was really tired by the time I got to shore and then I was briefly sucked back out, and almost lost one of my fins. The crew went back to the boat and got noodles and most of us girls used one on the way back. No problem then! I would still recommend NH II, I would just use some flotation device next time as I'm not the strongest swimmer.

[jmq]

We had some surf that day too, so some of the less steady ended up rolling around on the sand in the surf.

I feel better that I am not the only one that happened to. We had big swells and surf on the shore when we had to swim in. I was really tired by the time I got to shore and then I was briefly sucked back out, and almost lost one of my fins. The crew went back to the boat and got noodles and most of us girls used one on the way back. No problem then! I would still recommend NH II, I would just use some flotation device next time as I'm not the strongest swimmer.

Kathy - look at thread noted by Lex on the ferry option plus if you dont get many more replies now, also do a search here for "Limnos" and "NH II" if you want more pros and cons info.

That said, if I may make a side observation on the quoted comments above...
Always a little amusing to me (in a good, non-mocking way) to hear of experiences with any kind of surf by folks who don’t live near the coast, because I spent my summers at the Jersey shore body surfing and boogie boarding since I could walk.
In fact, I don’t think I could live anywhere where I couldn’t be within an easy drive of the ocean. (Being a coastal person, I don’t get the lake thing at all.)
And I can really relate to the last line of that Counting Crows song Long December:
“Its been so long since I’ve seen the ocean...I guess I should…la la la…”

Strange as it sounds, there is actually nothing quite as invigorating and spirit restoring as a winter beach walk.

[RickG]

Strange as it sounds, there is actually nothing quite as invigorating and spirit restoring as a winter beach walk.

I'm with ya, that break at Indian River Inlet is nice in the winter. The 6 mil wet suit is a drag... Body surfing at Cinnamon Bay in waves with 10 foot faces is fun, looking down on the palm trees is weird.

It was tough for us at the Baths that time because we had a complete non-swimmer and the folks at NH II did not let folks know ahead of time. Dave, the captain that day on NH II, took our friend Big Red (6' 4" 275 pounds of hot steamin' love muscle) in tow and kept him calm. I think for most docking in The Settlement and taking a taxi is the better approach. I like hanging out at Mad Dogs and Top of the Baths too.

jmq, keep 'em warm!

Cheers, RickG

[jmq]

Body surfing at Cinnamon Bay in waves with 10 foot faces is fun, looking down on the palm trees is weird.

10 footers in St. John? Wow wee!! How much fun would that be! That must be pretty rare.

[sea-nile]

We took limnos to the Baths and we had a guided tour.
I liked it, but I don't feel the need to go back to the Baths. Limnos was a nice boat and trip though and the captain let my kids drive. I did like going to the BVI though on our trip with sotb and Stu and can't wait to do it again!
I can't imagine big waves there either. It was very calm for us.

[kathyE]

Thank you all so much for this wonderful information!
The link was so helpful! As my husband is a non-swimmer, looks like we may do Limnos, and will consider the ferry.
You guys are a treasue! Thanks again!

[RickG]

Body surfing at Cinnamon Bay in waves with 10 foot faces is fun, looking down on the palm trees is weird.

10 footers in St. John? Wow wee!! How much fun would that be! That must be pretty rare.

Ja, Hurricane went through the center of the Caribbean Sea and hit Jamaica. There was no beach at Cinnamon Bay, the palm trees were taking some waves. I knew where the coral was and did a few runs before better sense took over. On the way back to the car we saw a honeymooning bride that had done a face plant on coral and had facial fractures and lacerations. We spent the rest of the week on the South shore.

Apple Bay over on Tortola can get going with the North swell is on. A lot of the guys take their surf boards out on boats to get to the swell. Big.

Cheers, RickG

[kathyE]

A few questions before we decide between Limnos and the ferry.
It's $50.pp, roundtrip from STJ?
Did I read that there is no customs fee? ($25)
Where do we rent a car? Company to call to make a reservation?Any idea how much for 1 day? I think the cost of a driver's license is $10?
If we take a taxi to the top of the Baths, what is the cost?
(We school teachers have to watch our pennies!)
The photos on the forum are so very wonderful!
Again, thanks to all for your time and valuable information!