Splitting time between St John & Jost

[theshopper3]

I know a few people have done this in the past. We are considering doing this in Nov.

Would like to hear your thoughts/pros/cons of doing this.

Thanks
The Shopper

[RickG]

We did 4 islands in 2004, starting with Jost. We landed on St. Thomas and went to Jost via Tortola; we got in too late for the Red Hook to Jost ferry that runs at 2PM on Saturdays. Our TR is at http://www.garvin.us/STJ/Trip_Reports/2 ... pping.html

I think you'll find Jost pretty darn quiet after about 4PM. There is usually something going on at the Sandcastle/Soggy Dollar and Foxys, but sometimes places close quite early.

We stayed at Gertrude's, but that is a tad rough. The Perfect Pineapple is a great condo style place in White Bay. The Sandcastle is good, but can book up early and is not the best deal. Ivan has a villa with a couple of units plus his cabins at the campground. Up the hill with a beautiful setting is White Bay Villas.

Its fun, but it adds a travel day to the trip. There is nothing on Jost like that front table at Woody's that I always see y'all parked at. But, that's rather the point. Early November is quiet.

Cheers, RickG

[Maryanne]

We have stayed at a few places on Jost; by far liked what White Bay Villas offered best.. we stayed in the little "Mango Cottage" when it was pretty new.

It does get quiet, but it's nice for a few days. You can rent a jeep and explore what there is to explore..

Next time I would bring in some provisions. All the food served on-island is pretty much the same, and while good, it gets old after a couple of meals..

[cosmolady]

Good morning!
We did a split trip a few years ago, and it was fabulous!
We spent a week with the family in St. John:)
Then my husband and I took the ferry to Jost for three nights. We stayed in one of the cottages at White Bay (perfect!). Very private. Next time I would like to try the Sandcastle; I liked the chairs on the beach. We enjoyed the food, the drinks, the quiet. Although we like each other alot, after three days we were ready to return to the reality of more people ( I like to talk)!
We took taxis or hiked (and I mean hike). Taxis were an experience..I thought I would NEVER see my children again!
Food was amazing! Sandcaslte fixed price dinner and Corsairs!
It was wonderful. So glad we did it. We would love to do it again! Would highly recommend all of the places named above.
Enjoy!
Mary

[theshopper3]

Thanks for your opinions. Sounds like it would be better done with another couple.

Maybe save that for next year when hopefully our traveling friends are with us, since they loved the short time we spent on Jost in May.

Yeah Rick, we would miss our Woody's fix

The Shopper

[captainjay]

In my opinion one of the best ways to do this is a short term charter. Deb and I, with another couple a few years ago chartered a 42 foot sailboat with a captain for an overnight at Jost prior to going to St John for the week. It meant getting on the boat on Friday am at Red Hook sailing to Jost with a couple of snorkle stops and lunch on board. Then we did dinner on shore at Corsair's and late night at Foxy's afterwards. The next morning we had breakfast on board. spent a little time at Sandy Spit then sailed back to St John to go to our villa in the afternoon. A trip like this could be easily extended to two or three days. It is a great way to see if you are suited for a week long charter without commiting to a week onboard.
Jay

[krislbi]

CaptJay,
Who did you use for that and did it cost an arm and a leg? It sounds like a perfect way to start vacation!!!!!

[pjayer]

CaptJay,
Who did you use for that and did it cost an arm and a leg? It sounds like a perfect way to start vacation!!!!!

Ditto! Inquiring minds want to know.

[theshopper3]

Thanks Cptnjay,

That sounds like a great idea.
My only concern with this is the one person that we would do this with is not great on the water if she can't see land.

Would you see land the majority of the time other than at night???

I would also be interested in a cost for this, sounds like it would be the best wat for our group.

The Shopper

[mrscaptainjay]

We used Forever Young, Larry and Betty Fries out of RedHook. But they will pick up/drop off in St. John if you want. I can't remember the exact price, but I'm thinking it was around $400 a couple. That included lunch, breakfast, cocktails, snacks, fuel, and custom fees. Basically everything but dinner. It was two full days and the overnight. It was a great trip and I would recommend it to anyone.
http://www.interlinesail.com/
Deb

[RickG]

Hey, that looks like REAL fun. When you add in all of the expenses of ferries and hotel this starts lookin cheaper than a day trip.

Cheers, RickG

[jmq]

We used Forever Young, Larry and Betty Fries out of RedHook. But they will pick up/drop off in St. John if you want. I can't remember the exact price, but I'm thinking it was around $400 a couple. That included lunch, breakfast, cocktails, snacks, fuel, and custom fees. Basically everything but dinner. It was two full days and the overnight. It was a great trip and I would recommend it to anyone.
http://www.interlinesail.com/
Deb

That website says $800 per couple here (big dfference):
http://www.interlinesail.com/st_thomas_ ... arters.htm

[mrscaptainjay]

Yea, I guess it does. Let me email the couple that went with us and see if they can remember what we paid. Sorry about that.

[captainjay]

Yes,
Deb memory isn't as good as she thinks. We paid six hundred a couple. I am sure the rates have gone up as everything is more expensive. We actually had drinks at Molly Mallones last week with Larry and Betty. They are good people and have a spotless boat. Keep in mind the cost includes a couple meals on board per day and drinks on board so when you compare that cost to a villa or hotel room plus a day charter on a boat it is still a bargain.
Jay