Need suggestions & recommendations for best way to do a day trip to Virgin Gorda/Baths from St. John. I've heard the ferry isn't the best way. Anybody know anything about Limnos' charters from Red Hook on STT? Thanks! Trish

We went on the New Horizons II, a powerboat which picks up right at the National Park Dock in Cruz Bay (STJ). First stop is a guided tour of the Baths, then lunch on Marina Cay, snorkeling, and finally a stop at Jost Van Dyke. It was really a great day.

I also did the New Horizons II last October and had a great time. I booked it online before I went (about a month before). I went to the website bookitvi.com and then emailed Cathy Dove and she was very helpful and informative. You will have a great time! - Susan

I have used Dohm's Water Taxi several times while travelling among the VI's. They will pick you up and drop you off wherever you want. Another great way to go is with a day sail on Patouche Charters. They are out of Tortola but will travel. They charter power boats and catamarans.

Thanks for the help! I'll check out these options. Can't wait to go! 26 days and counting! Trish

The day trip is the way to go. I went both on New Horizon's and Stormy Petrel's and hands down, Stormy won. http://www.bookitvi.com/virgin.htm, click on Stormy Petrel's, you will love the baths on Virgin Gorda.

We went on Stormy Petrel & loved it! I did research ahead of time & heard Limnos was more of a "party boat" - nothing wrong w/that if that's what you want. I like the smaller group of people on Stormy Petrel - you really got to know your fellow boat mates by the end of the day.

If you will have more than 2 persons with you, you might want to consider chartering a boat with a captain. We rented a boat last year from Ocean Runner (located near the ferry dock). Because there were 4 of us, the cost with a captain was about the same as it would have been for the day trip on Limnos or Pirate's Penny.

If you reserve your own boat, you would have the flexibility to make your own agenda. We elected to snorkel at some other stops instead of going all the way to the Baths, because a good portion of the day would be spent traveling there and back. But, it definitely can be done. We stopped and snorkled at several sites, including the Indians and the Caves in the BVI's (the snorkeling was AMAZING there) and because the water was somewhat rough, the Limnos charter pulled out due to the children on board. But, we had no problem snorkeling there at all. After looking at the Limnos boat that was absolutely PACKED with people, we were glad that we decided to do our own charter.

Here's the link to the Ocean Runner site:
http://www.oceanrunner.vi/

Thanks to all. I'll check out Stormy Petrel too. There's just two of us, and we would like to be with some others (but not too many!) so charter is probably cost prohibitive for us. It's always good to hear other's thoughts & experiences to help choose. Trish

I am staying in St Thomas and the resort is near Red Hook. I would like to take a day trip to Virgin Gorda/Baths but I get seasick. Are there flights from STT to Virgin Gorda? What about the sea planes are they stable or do they bounce you around? Any suggestions on how I can go without taking a boat?

Thanks

Not sure about flights, it's really a fairly short distance by boat. You might check into some "better than dramamine" remedies to combat this, as the ferries & charters seem to be the best way to travel between islands. Good Luck!