This is our first trip to St.John and I was wondering after all the wonderfull things I've heard about the island if a day trip off the island is worth the time,( we're only there for a week),?

If you really need to do somthing, I would suggest a sail trip to do some snorkling. I'm guessing that you've chosen St. John for it's natural beauty and quiet-time loveliness. It is absolutely the best island! I'm going 3/1 for 10 days and I can't wait!!!!!

A week is hardly enough time to do justice to St. John. There are so many beautiful places to see. For us, relaxation on the beaches was key. But if you do get bored, you might want to try a day trip to the Baths on Virgin Gorda and/or Jost Van Dyke.

When we went to st. john a few years ago (there were 10 of us), we chartered a boat for the day. It was probably the best day of our vacation. They took us to a small restuarant on a nearby island and then to th baths at Virgin Gorda. It was great to get out on the water and see the small islands surrounding st. johns. and offered a really great activity for the day.

We are also staying one week and we decided to take a day trip on New Horizons II (it sounds like the trip of taken by the previous poster). The web site is http://newhorizonscharters.com/. They go to the Baths, Guana Island, and Jost van Dyke in the British Virgin Islands.
Other day trips mentioned that get good reviews are: White Wing out of Coral Bay, Wayward Sailor, Nauti Nymph power boat rental with captain, and Limnos. They all sounded great and I'm sorry that we'll only have time for one.

That day trip by New Horizon looks great. Has anyone done it? How was it? How many customers are on the boat? The site doesn't have much details about the boat itself or its capacity.

I think this company that we went with - and it was absolutely fantastic. We did a private charter because we had 9 people. I think our itinerary was slightly different than the one on the website, but similar.

There were 2 "staff" members on our boat, a captain and a woman who helped us with snorkel gear, told us about the islands we were seeing, and kept offering us drinks! They were both very friendly, informative and fun.

They gave us a great tour of the baths - away from the crowds of cruise ship passengers - and took us to a wonderful lunch at Marina Cay near the water. Excellent conch fritters -and more drinks!!

We stopped for 1 snorkeling excursion. The snorkeling was fantastic and we saw a lot of sea life. One of the staffers taught us how to snorkel dive!

We also stopped somewhere for shopping - but I cant remember where. The most unmemorable part of the trip.

But really - this was a great trip. It took up the whole day and was definetly the hilight of our trip to St. John. It was great to get out on the water in a boat, see the surrounding islands and snorkel in a secluded spot.

We also did the New Horizons II charter and enjoyed it. Smallish group of about 15 people.

They took us to the Baths at Virgin Gorda, then to Pusser's Marina Cay for lunch then to Guana Island for snorkling, then to Soggy Dollar on Jost for Painkillers, then home.

It was a fun day.

5 of us went on the New Horizons 2 excursion last March. The Baths, snorkeling, the Soggy Dollar Bar, Open Bar on the boat. Excellent day and well worth the price.

I have done the New Horizons power boat trip 3 times. It is the best way to see 4 islands in one day.The Baths are great Marina Cay is the perfect spot for lunch and you can't miss the Soggy Dollar for drinks and the beach.

Steviegene: how much was the private charter?

Thanks to all for the responses, sounds like a good time! We've been to the Baths before but bringing our kids (5/8/10) for the first time, they should have a blast.

Honestly have no idea - mother in law paid for the trip!

Steviegene, I laughed when I read your response. My son-in-laws call it the "mother-in-law Plan".

I was interested in this post because the 10 of us are going in August. I'll want to take everyone on a day trip, but have not decided which or how. Owa

One question about Horizons charter. One the snorkel stop at Guana Island...do you snorkel off the boat while anchored out in the water or can you also spend time on the beach if you don't care to snorkel? The whole thing sounds great, but I'm not sure hubby will want to snorkel and I know he won't want to sit on a boat and watch the others snorkel.

We did the New Horizon's II trip in March. I hate to admit this as much as I love the Caribbean, but I don't care for snorkeling. The magic just isn't there for me as it is for most others. When we went, the conditions were not good for Guana Island so we went went by Great Camenoe. There was no beach where we were and I would be doubtful that they would stop on a beach at Guana. It is just a snorkel stop. I lounged on the boat and had a painkiller and chatted with the Captain and First Mate. Very relaxing. They only stayed about 45 minutes. The other three stops don't involve snorkeling, so it is well worth the trip even if one is not a snorkeler. That is not really the focus of this particular excursion. This is just a nice overview of the BVI's.