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Analysis Paralysis -- Need Advice for Day Trip Decision
Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2012 2:12 pm
by IndyKato
My husband and I will be making our first (and hopefully not the last) trip to paradise at the end of April.
I am having a hard time deciding whether to "get on the boat" and which one we should get on. These are the things I'm pondering...
a) whether we should do a day trip at all? (With travel days, we will only have 5 solid days on STJ.)
b) Which day trip should we do?
c) Full day or half day?
d) To BVI or not to BVI? (Should we just hang out in STJ waters?)
e) Book now or just wait until we're there?
If we decide to "get on the boat," I *think* I've got it narrowed down to a trip with Survivan, Kekoa, or Stormy Petrel (for the Baths/JVD trip).
Any input about these specific outfits or trips? Think we should skip a day trip altogether?
So many options....so little time. Please help me decide. (I know it's good dilemma to have and I'm not really stressed out about it...I'm just indecisive!)
Many thanks!
Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2012 2:29 pm
by Steve S
Stick with STJ for this trip. Enjoy island time without having to worry about a day trip. 5 days is short. Rent a jeep instead.
Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2012 2:49 pm
by TrvlJohn
Welcome
First time, only 5 days, stay on the island...so much to see and do.
Next year (after the obsession takes control of you), you will find a way to go for 2 weeks, then you can charter a boat!
John
Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2012 3:25 pm
by loria
vote for check out the island-- if you decide you are antsy you can always book something while you are there--
Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2012 4:36 pm
by CariBert
Of course if you staying on an island, the urge to get out on the water can sometimes be overwhelming. 5 days is a pretty short time (allowing for a rain day, and a villa gravity day). So if you are on island, and have a strong urge to get out on the water, go see Pia at her Kiosk, and she will fix you up with a half day, full day, or even a BVI day on a boat. But wait until you get there to decide.
Have a great trip! Take lots of pictures...you'll be back, that much is for certain!
-Bert
Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2012 5:47 pm
by Pia
If you decide on a boat day send me a PM - booking excursions is what I do for a living with no fees to you (you pay the same as you would calling the company directly) and I would love to be able to go over the pros and cons of each boat without you having to call each 
Pia
Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2012 5:50 pm
by News of St. John
My vote is for a boat trip. My husband recently stayed Friday to Friday and spent a day out with Palm Tree Charters. It was the best day of our entire trip! Granted you could spend weeks on St. John but there's something special about being out on the water and island hopping. I highly recommend it.
Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2012 6:37 pm
by cmw5682
A half day sail/snorkel with someone like Wayward Sailor or Cloud 9 is fun and not too time consuming for a first trip. We did a half day on the Wayward Sailor on our first trip and it was the highlight of our trip.
Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2012 6:41 pm
by mindehankins
We're getting ready for our fourth trip, and are just now jumping on the boat idea. We found more than enough exploring right on island. I have to also recommend Pia's help if you decide to book. She was very thorough and had terrific insight and ideas.
Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2012 6:57 pm
by traveler22
I agree with staying on St. John since your trip is only 5 days. Explore St. John and next trip try one of the BVI's. If you still want to go for it I always have fun on Jost. Good Luck
Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2012 8:02 pm
by efrank
If you've only got 5 days on island, I would also vote to just stay on island. There are so many beaches to see right on St. John.
However, if you do decide to get on a boat, we really enjoyed our trip to the baths on Stormy Petrel. We're actually going again this trip. My in-laws were introduced to Virgin Gorda on that Stormy Petrel trip, and that is now their preferred vacation spot in the caribbean.
No worries, you'll have fun either way!
Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2012 8:53 pm
by GraysonDave
While I Know for certain you'll have a fantastic time if you spend all five days visiting the various beaches of St John, in my opinion you'll miss out on what has become the highlight of the trip for us - and that is boat day.
If you're like me at all you'll find yourself wanting to get out on that water and have some fun. Our last two trips we went out with Palm Tree Charters and the first time we did a half day on a sailboat but I don't remember the name. Like I say, you'll enjoy your vacation whichever way you decide, but I just had to throw in my 2 cents about how much fun boat day is.
Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2012 9:20 pm
by Marcia (Mrs. Pete)
I vote for staying on the island and if you get antsy, rent a dingy. No, you wont' get to the BVI's but, you'll have an entirely different perspective of the island.
Relax, enjoy. Don't plan too much.
Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2012 10:17 pm
by Dan
Indy>>
The Kekoa! For sure... Best day out on the water and let's you visit Jost Van Dyke. Great fun.
On my blog are some pictures of our excursions on Kekoa.
http://sunshinelobster.blogspot.com
enjoy
dan
Posted: Tue Mar 27, 2012 12:26 am
by IndyKato
Thanks so much for the input, everybody! (Although I have to admit, I'm still undecided).
I think I'm going to wait until we are there to decide. Right now I'm leaning towards eliminating the BVI option and considering a 1/2 day trip or maybe a snorkel/sunset trip. I really do love being on the water.
Pia, I will be in touch with you beforehand. Also, can you (or somebody else in the know) kindly tell me where your kiosk is located.
Many many thanks!
P.S. If anybody is looking for a +2 for a Palm Tree Charter at the end of April/beginning of May, I'll add that option to the mix.