Should we take a day trip to Virgin Gorda or Jost Van Dyke?
Apr 18th, 2005, 04:33 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,558
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Should we take a day trip to Virgin Gorda or Jost Van Dyke?
We are staying on St. John in a few weeks, but would like to take a ferry for a one day trip to see either Virgin Gorda or Jost Van Dyke. We would rent a car on the island to explore. I know Jost has Foxy's and the Soggy Dollar and while we are not really into bars, the atmosphere does sound intriguing. However, Virgin Gorda has The Baths. I am torn and hoping someone can help us out here?
Maggi
Maggi
Apr 18th, 2005, 05:02 AM
#2
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Personallu, between the two, I gues sI'd say go to VG... the Baths are worth the trip. That said, we went to both last September and rented 4-wheel ATVs on JVD... that was one of the best days/memories of the entire trip. The views were incredible - from the top, we could see both sides of the island. Great experience.
Apr 18th, 2005, 06:25 AM
#6
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I don't think it's difficult to ride them, though a few of them were 3-speed manual shifts (most were automatics). I think this is who we must have rented them from (googled):
http://www.britishvirginislands.com/...adventure.com/
Good luck and enjoy.
http://www.britishvirginislands.com/...adventure.com/
Good luck and enjoy.
Apr 18th, 2005, 06:47 AM
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,558
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks mhcatl, I found the site. Hmmm, $60 for an hour...I guess I pictured us using them to explore the island for the day, in lieu of a rental car - at that price that won't happen! Did you happen to notice a car rental place on Jost?
Apr 18th, 2005, 07:17 AM
#8
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
FWIW, we paid about $90 pp for a 3-4 hour tour of the island so maybe they will make you a better deal than the published rates.
Sorry - I don't know of a car rental place on JVD, though there may be one..
Sorry - I don't know of a car rental place on JVD, though there may be one..
Apr 18th, 2005, 04:29 PM
#9
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,503
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks for the info. I found the site as well. We are only going to be on JVD from about 9:00am til 3:00pm as we are taking the ferry from STJ. This might be the perfect way for us to tool around for an hour or so.
We did an ATV excursion in St Lucia and it was $140 per bike for 1 1/2- 2 hours so the rate is comparable.
Maggi- I had never ridden one before and did OK. It is not hard to learn, just have to lean the right way on the hilly terrain. I did get stuck once in the mangrove. It was either that or tap into a tree! Think they just took us through ankle deep black mud for the "thrill seekers".
We did an ATV excursion in St Lucia and it was $140 per bike for 1 1/2- 2 hours so the rate is comparable.
Maggi- I had never ridden one before and did OK. It is not hard to learn, just have to lean the right way on the hilly terrain. I did get stuck once in the mangrove. It was either that or tap into a tree! Think they just took us through ankle deep black mud for the "thrill seekers".
Apr 18th, 2005, 05:46 PM
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,558
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We are pretty independent travelers. Perhaps, to maximize our time, we should rent a car instead. I'm sure it would be much cheaper. Still haven't completely decided on Jost vs. Virgin Gorda. (By the way, which way DO you lean on an ATV - I would guess INTO the turn?)
Apr 18th, 2005, 06:09 PM
#11
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,503
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I was speaking to the terrain when the ATV is leaning on its side somewhat. Have to lean in the opposite direction to avoid tipping over. Hope you will post upon return whichever island you decide.
Apr 19th, 2005, 11:59 AM
#13
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,532
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Ferries are okay but for a bit more, you can go on one of the many private charter day trips. We've sailed from St. John to Jost on a catamaran which was an absolutely amazing time. Also, we enjoyed the more crowded, social motorboat trips to Virgin Gorda and Norman Island. These trips are both amazing and should not be missed if you can do both. If you're into swimming/snorkling more than just having a very long party (believe me, there is a lot of alcohol available on either trip), I would opt for the awesome beauty of Virgin Gorda. Also, I think there is one operator which does a 4 island day trip for about $140/person which goes to both Virgin Gorda and Jost Van Dyke.
Apr 19th, 2005, 04:34 PM
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,558
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Love your name, Tuxedocat! The reason I was thinking ferry instead of charter is so that we can spend all day on either Jost or VG with a rental car. We do like to snorkel, but we'll be doing that every day on St. John anyway, plus I'm not too brave in the water and my DH gets motion sickness, so too much time back and forth to different places in a boat is not a good idea for us. Which island do you think would be more fun to drive around on and explore?
Apr 19th, 2005, 04:59 PM
#15
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,503
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
maggi
That website that we both checked out didn't mention anything about rental cars on JVD. Is that even an option for you there?
This is the voice of INexperience here, but VG seems to be more of what you are looking for. JVD seems to be beach restaurants/bars,shops, walking around activities or short taxi rides. Sounds like you could do a little more exploring and driving around on VG.
JVD is just what we are looking for and definitely going to consider those ATV's for an hour to check out the scenery.
That website that we both checked out didn't mention anything about rental cars on JVD. Is that even an option for you there?
This is the voice of INexperience here, but VG seems to be more of what you are looking for. JVD seems to be beach restaurants/bars,shops, walking around activities or short taxi rides. Sounds like you could do a little more exploring and driving around on VG.
JVD is just what we are looking for and definitely going to consider those ATV's for an hour to check out the scenery.
Apr 20th, 2005, 06:12 AM
#16
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 230
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Just my 2 cents- When we were staying at Peter Island, we sailed to JVD and it was fun for a couple hours to hang, if you like beach bars(we do). We also went to VG for a longer day, rented a car and had a BLAST! The baths are wonderful, and we drove to various resorts had lunch etc. I vote for VG! Have a great time, Carol
Apr 20th, 2005, 04:41 PM
#18
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,503
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
blamona,
I agree with you. When I first started planning this vacation, the original plan was to go to St John. I was not aware of how easy it was to get to the BVI's! We plan on New Horizons II and JVD for the day thus far and who knows, maybe another island. Don't want to plan too much but we tend not to like to lay on the beach all day, every day of our vacation. First and last days are always R&R.
I agree with you. When I first started planning this vacation, the original plan was to go to St John. I was not aware of how easy it was to get to the BVI's! We plan on New Horizons II and JVD for the day thus far and who knows, maybe another island. Don't want to plan too much but we tend not to like to lay on the beach all day, every day of our vacation. First and last days are always R&R.
Apr 20th, 2005, 05:01 PM
#19
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,558
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks, Carol and blamona! Our preference is to do one other island this trip and do other islands on subsequent trips. We don't want to rush anything and spoil that island groove. From what I read, we will be coming back for many more visits. Based on what Carol wrote, I'm leaning toward Virgin Gorda. (We are not "beach bar" kind of folks.)
