USVI-On-Line

I just reserved a dinghy with Noah's little arks. I planned on going on the day of the week that has the most cruise ships in port. My rational was that I could get away from the crowds by using the boat. Any suggestions on where to take my wife and children ages 18,13,12,& 8?

Waterlemon, Francis, Maho would be good bets.

Maybe Jumbie also.

Honeymoon and Solomon may have snorkel boats from the cruise ships dropping in from time to time - but it's kind of funny watching some of those groups!

The dinghys are a lot of fun but they aren't big enough for your whole group - we rented one of the bigger ones at Noah's Ark with 2 people and it was perfect - you shoulc definitely check out Waterlemon Cay - great snorkeling and there are moorings to tie up to - the only drawback was it's very difficult to get back in the dinghy from the water - good luck - samoka

All of the above are awesome. Last May our first dinghy day was so much fun that we rented it again a second day. We had the one with the center console & a sterring wheel.
This May my hubby has reserved us 2 more days for "dinghy day!.....it's one of his favorite things to do.

We "parked" out in the water by Francis & ate our lunch....so cool. Parked out in Trunk Bay & relaxed in the gorgeous water.....watched the turtles around another spot. Moored the dinghy at Waterlemon & snorkeled around the cay.....beached it at Salomon where we had the beach to ourselves...amazing!

Purely on the safety level you might want to check with the rental company what weight limits are recommended for the particular size dinghy you are using. 6 passengers may make it ride very low in the water, making it impossible to plane,harder to control and more susceptible to swamping in any swell .

Exit Zero wrote:Purely on the safety level you might want to check with the rental company what weight limits are recommended for the particular size dinghy you are using. 6 passengers may make it ride very low in the water, making it impossible to plane,harder to control and more susceptible to swamping in any swell .

Thanks for the advice. I asked them on the phone and they felt we would be fine. I hope they are right. They also gave us one of the larger dinghies.

We're boaters and 6 people in a dingy will be a stretch. And the kids you have are older and bigger too. I'm not sure you can get anywhere fast.

Why not get a boat from one of the rental companys?

There are no dinghies really designed for 6 people. Please reconsider trying to put all 6 in one boat. Although you are close to shore, it's still an ocean with swells and currents. By all means, wear those life vests while underway. Having said that, it's still my favorite STJ pastime.

As I posted earlier we rented a big dinghy with 2 people and I can't imagine having more than 3 people -at the same time another party rented with 3 adults and they were riding REAL low in the water - I wouldn't take my children in a dinghy with that many people - doesn't seem very safe -samoka