Newbie with lots of questions

[IslandElle]

Hey all! Wow, has this site been helpful and informative. I have been scouring the threads for a few days now and have collected some great info concerning STJ. Hubby and I are planning a trip but I need a little help before I can decide when we are going and the length of the trip. That is where you guys come in! lol

After much research we have decided that USVI is where we would like to take our belated honeymoon. We have both done some extensive traveling but never to the VI's. We both love to snorkel, and he dives so this sounds like the perfect place!

Hopefully you guys don't mind helping me out a bit. Pretty please?

1.We are planning on going for 3 weeks, maybe longer. I am thinking 2 weeks on STJ and another week on one of the BVI's (Virgin Gorda?)but I am not sure what the best way to allocate our time is. Any suggestions? We want to spend the majority of our time on STJ and the rest on another island either USVI or BVI. We are open.

2. We are looking at going between Feb and April but I cant decide when the best time to go is. Obviously it is cheaper in April but how is the water? I know it tends to get choppy in the Winter. Will it smooth out by April? We can really go any time but the sooner the better and I don't mind waiting a few month's for better weather/water conditions.

3. Even if we don't stay on Virgin Gorda I would like to make it over to check out the baths. What is the best way to do this? I know there are ferries to Jost but I haven't checked from there.

4. I guess this is the ultimate question. If you had 3 - 4 weeks to spend there where and how would you spend your time and what time of year would go given no restraints at all? Would you island hop? Stay in one place?

TIA!!! I really appreciate everything here on the forum.

[Marcia (Mrs. Pete)]

Three to four weeks in the islands...

Have you considered boating for a week of it? You could explore all of the VI's and still have two/three weeks on which ever island(s) you choose.

There are several forum members who could help you with the boating concept...

Just a thought.

[IslandElle]

Boating would be a good option. Thanks for thinking of that. My only concern is being on a boat for a week. I tend to get motion sick after too long on the water. I grew up sailing with my parents and I hated sleeping on the boat. Too much motion for me! If it wasn't for that I would be all for it.

I did find out that it looks like Speedy's has limited ferry service to Virgin Gorda from STT. Is this the best way to do it?

[waterguy]

If you are thinking of doing the bath's I'd lean toward one of the boat trips your first time there are quite a few that way you could see some other sites to and stop at jost too

[XOXO]

lucky you!

I am not sure about staying in St. John the whole time. But if you like to hike and explore different beaches you will be able to stay busy.

How do you like to spend your vacation days? Are you reading a book at the beach or on an adventure or somewhere in between??

I have always thought Virgin Gorda looked like a great place to spend a week. There are some trip reports here that you should take a look at (if you haven't already).

Otherwise, I don't know the best way to see the baths--I only know how we did it. We booked a trip with Lion in Da Sun and Josh took us over. I highly recommend them. We could stay as long as we wanted. There are other boats that will take you over but I haven't taken them.

[PA Girl]

We ventured over to VG for the first time in Feb after 13 years of STJ.

If you were looking to experience two islands, I would recommend it. It is sort of different yet sort of the same as STJ. Hard to explain without writing a novel.

There is some neat stuff to see on VG.

[bnsilly]

IslandElle..
This will be our 3rd trip to the islands and we are always landbased on Tortola. One of these days I want to stay on St. John..LOVE St. John! (We always ferry over for the day)
Tortola is a great place to stay for a week. You are central to most of the other BVI's and ferry's are available for daytrips. You can get to Virgin Gorda, Jost, and even Anegada easily. There are great beaches, beach bars, etc. PM me if you have any specific questions.

[RickG]

I think STJ and Virgin Gorda are a great way to go if you love to be active and like the rustic lifestyle. Another option would be to spend a couple of nights on Anegada as well, which is REALLY rustic. We've done island hopping trips before and 3 nights per island was enough for all but VG and STJ.

Cheers, RickG

[LysaC]

The boating thing sounds like a great idea. I think there is a charter- Catnap Charters- listed on the ST John Spice website- under other links or St John links or something. Sounds like fun!

Maybe do 2 weeks on St John, 1 week sailing the waters, have then drop you on Virgin Gorda for the week and fly our from there.

You are seriously lucky!

[IslandElle]

I knew you guys would be really helpful! Thanks!

I am a very lucky girl. Hubby and I are taking some time off work for the next 6 months to travel since we just got married and before we have kids. We know it will be crazy after that, but do intend to take them with us on our travels once they are old enough.

Hmmm, our travel style? Well hubby has spent 2 weeks in Nepal hiking to Everest base camp staying in tea houses, sleeping on the floor before so he is pretty adventurous and likes remote places. I have spent my usual beach vacation in a condo by the pool with a book or a card game or hiking, kayaking, checking out waterfalls and snorkeling if available so I am a little adventurous but not near like him.

So it sounds like VG is a good second choice ans we should take a boat over. I hadn't thought about flying out of there. Thanks for that hint LysaC. I will also be checking out Lion in Da Sun XOXO.

RickG, you say Anegada is REALLY rustic? Can you elaborate? Like your bathroom is dug in a ditch rustic? lol Or like eco tent rustic?

Ok, just one more question. When should we go? Does it really matter? Feb -May. Like I said I prefer sooner but whenever the weather/water is the best. I know it rains the least in Feb, but I hear calmer waters in the Summer. Would that be more like June - Aug?

Sorry so many questions! Thanks for helping this newbie out!

[Diana2]

I've done 4 weeks on STJ several years ago. If I did 4 weeks again (usually do 3), I'd do a week chartering a catamaran (not a monohull) and then 3 weeks on STJ. A catamaran is much more stable and usually the seas are pretty calm there. I'd do the charter first and then have 3 weeks on land. It's pretty easy to day trip to other islands from STJ or STT but if you charter you'll probably tour all around the BVI.

If I didn't charter then I'd do a week on Virgin Gorda and 3 on STJ. After spending 2 weeks several years ago on Tortola, Virgin Gorda would be the only other island that I'd consider spending more than a day. We prefer renting a villa rather than staying at a resort but I would considera week on Peter Island or on Virgin Gorda at Little Dix.

[crasherino]

We spent half our honeymoon on Yacht Phaedrus.

http://www.yachtphaedrus.com/

If you end up considering doing a charter, they are a fantastic option for a couple. Charles and Leslie are terrific chefs/bakers, friendly, knowledgable and have a keen sense of being around when you want them to be and disappearing when you want time alone.

We spent the other week on STJ. It was a great way to split the trip. If I were doing 3 weeks, I'd spend a week on STJ, charter around the isles for a week, and then head back to STJ for the final week.

It doesn't get much better than that.

[LysaC]

i would go in april.

[mahojim]

We'll be back in April/May.
Enjoyed the baths, and Jost of course.
I'd probably stay put on STJ and do a couple of day trips to each destination sporadically. The day charters can also take you to lesser accessable snorkel spots on the way to/from your daysail.
Where are you staying?
Smiles-
MJ

[DnD]

3 weeks in the VI's, something my wife and I have talked about but have not been able to figure out how to make it work.

If it were us, would spend 1 week in VG and 2 weeks on STJ. When on VG, take the ferry over to Anegada for the day. And make sure you take a day trip over to Jost at some point.

As far as when, Feb & March are high season and usually more crowded and more expensive. April starts the slow season but the longer you wait more likely the rain could start and that means.....skeeters!