USVI-On-Line

We will be on St John for the first time in April and might do both a dinghy rental and a charter trip. Anybody have any thoughts as to which we should do first? Or does it even matter? thanks.

probably doesn't matter--but depends--if you are going on a power boat for your charter you will probalby pass much of the same ground that you would cover in a dinghy--so doing the charter first would give you an idea of the lay of the land (or sea, if you will) as to where you might want to come back and visit--on the other hand if you do a sailing charter then you may not go off in the same direction--so it would be totally different and probalby not matter too much (but would give you an idea about what to expect on the water...)

I would do the charter first as you can get out of the sun if you choose whereas you can't get out of the sun on a dingy. We usually do both and the kids love both and the dingy day is a big fun day...but we do it well into ourtrip so we are all sun kissed for a few days before being exposed and getting all that solor energy.

In 8 trips we've never done either so don't feel like either are a "must"

Bigcheeze wrote:I would do the charter first as you can get out of the sun if you choose whereas you can't get out of the sun on a dingy. We usually do both and the kids love both and the dingy day is a big fun day...but we do it well into ourtrip so we are all sun kissed for a few days before being exposed and getting all that solor energy.

^^^This is so true. We took our first dinghy trip this week and were not yet fully skin toned going out. I hurt

But, now that we have done a dinghy day, it is now on our list of absolute must-do things. Incredible value. And Henley Cay...wow.

I would charter first. If you are going out with a private charter and want to stop near a beach and swim in or snorkel, you can do that.
So you may find that your one day on the water is enough and you will save the expense of 2 days out.

Muhaha wrote:^^^This is so true. We took our first dinghy trip this week and were not yet fully skin toned going out. I hurt

But, now that we have done a dinghy day, it is now on our list of absolute must-do things. Incredible value. And Henley Cay...wow.

Shhhhhhh about Henly....lol

Personally, I like to take the "big" excursion early in a trip, especially if I have newbies with me, because it really gives them a bigger picture of what the archipelago has to offer than one gets while riding around the north shore in a dinghy.

Also, taking the excursion first will give you an up close and personal view of the sea state beyond the mouth of the bays, which might influence your decision on whether to rent a dinghy or not.

Just to update --

We ended up booking Palm Tree Charters for the second full day that we are there. LOL, it was pretty much the only date they had left for our April week, but I think it's perfect.

I was recently in touch with Low Key and asked when is a decent time to make reservations for a dinghy. I was told @ 2-3 weeks before we arrive, because when they fill up, you're out of luck.
Hope we get a calm sunny day for it!
Smiles-
MJ

mahojim wrote:I was recently in touch with Low Key and asked when is a decent time to make reservations for a dinghy. I was told @ 2-3 weeks before we arrive, because when they fill up, you're out of luck.
Hope we get a calm sunny day for it!
Smiles-
MJ

You'll love it, just don't forget to get your dinghy hat!

Also - there is a 24 hour cancelation policy. So, if the weather forecast looks really crappy a day or two out, you can always cancel or reschedule.

Muhaha-
Your hat rules!
Way to go, MrsMuhaha!
You guys are great.
Smiles-
MJ