I'm reading all of the wonderful trip reports here and on other forums and re-reading them, and let me tell you, the wait is killing me!!! How I'm going to survive between now and Dec. I just don't know!! Every report is better than the last, every picture I see is better than the last!! LOL

Thank you to all who are posting their experiences, and to those who have already been or who live there, for all of your help!!!

I do have a question: I want to go to Virgin Gorda, for an excursion to VG would you suggest a power boat or a sailboat or the ferry?

I would think that the ferry would get us there the quickest?

Thnx bunches!!!

Actually, a powerboat is probably the fastest. It takes about an hour and a half by powerboat. I've never taken a direct ferry from STJ to VG so I can't comment. The ferry to Tortola takes about 35 minutes and then whatever time it takes thereafter to catch the VG ferry. Sailboats are wonderful but it will take a little more time to get there. I would go with one of the many powerboat operators if you want to save on time.

Thnx Tuxedocat...a power boat will probably be the best. We are on STJ for 10 days, but really only 8 days not counting our travel days and I really want to go to the VG to see the Baths. Plus I want to do a daysail or take the ferry to either Tortola or Jost. Which would you suggest?

Or, for our 1st trip would you suggest only picking the one other island to go to? And see the others on our next visit?

Thnx again!

Coden,

The wait is killing my wife & I as well. We will be there in 221 days, 6 hours, 24 minutes...but who's counting? Our dates are Nov 29th thru Dec 7th, so well be there 9 days. Staying @ Gallows Point.

Although this site provides tons of good info, caribbean-on-line has a very active USVI message board as well, and we have learned so much from the great folks there. Give it a look, the archives can answer just about any question you may have about St John.

Counting the days.......

Scott - We'll be right behind you as we arrive Dec. 19th and fly home on the 28th. Yee-haw!!

Thnx for the heads-up...I'll check the other site out to! Hope to see you there! : )

ScottB - I have been on that site beofre but it is not very user friendly. Or maybe it is that I don't know how to work it.

I like being able to see the original post and all replies, like here, at one time. But on that site I have to keep hitting the back button and clicking on the next persons reply. Takes up too much time for me and these days I'm short on time.

If I'm using the site wrong then just let me know as I would love to read everything I can about STJ and the surrounding islands!!

Thnx, Coden

Look into New Horizons II which goes to Virgin Gorda (the Baths) and Jost Van Dyke and 2 other cays on the same day. It doesn't cost that much more than other trips and you will get two big islands instead of just one. Tortola can be reached by ferry so you can do that on your own. We go early in the morning @8-8:30am and take the 4p.m. ferry home. On Tortola, you can rent a car or just use taxis to get around. 2 out of 8 days for exploring the BVI's is about right IMO. You're one of those folks that catches the fever before you even get there. Oh my... it only gets worse. I'm afraid you'll have to follow up with many trips in the future.

Tuxedocat - You've caught on to me...I have the Island Fever illness Bad!!! : )

I agree, two days off of STJ is enough for the time frame that we are going to be there. And more the reason to come back often!!

So far, our only mistake in booking this trip is that we should have done it for 2 full weeks. I don't know what got into me and I'll try to do better next time!!

I do think that we will try to do only VG in one day and then do either Tortola or Jost on another. Of the two, Tortola or Jost, which would you pick and why?

I would like to spend a lot of time on VG. I've pulled off the cruise ship calendar for that time frame and think that it would be best to go to VG on the days that Few ships are at STT. That way I hope the Baths are not as crowded. Does that make sense or does it really not matter, as in not a lot of cruise ship passengers really go there? I think I've been reading that it can really get crowded at the Baths.

TGIF!!!!

Coden,

Nope, no easy way to use that forum. The format doesn't bother me much, as the info there is fantastic.

Hopefully these next few months fly by for both of us........

ScottB,
We have not booked yet as we just returned, but we plan on returning to STJ Nov25th-Dec2nd. We will be staying at Gallows Point also. They have a Managers Cocktail Party on Thursdays at 5:00pm. Maybe we can end up meeting.

tuxedocat,
We want to take the ferry to Tortola our next visit. Can you comment on this itinerary? We would ferry to West end, would like to go to CGB. Is it that crowded that it is not enjoyable? Should we pick a different beach? Also would like to go to The Bananakeet for lunch, then back to West End for drinks at The Jolly Roger before catching the ferry back. Is this reasonable? We will be using taxis.

Coden,
We absolutely LOVED Jost Van Dyke. Just depends on what you like to do. White Bay Beach is the perfect place for relaxing and doing a little beach walking to check out the cute little beach bars. The water is incredibly blue and clear. The Soggy Dollar Bar is great and we also enjoyed Seddy's One Love Bar. He does magic tricks. Had a really fantastic day there. We are definitely going back there, but I also would like to see Tortola this next visit.

brenandq,

We'll be in 9A from 11/29 to 12/7, right in front of the pool. We'll be the two from Boston wearing Buffet shirts, and most likely laughing....

ScottB
Another Buffet fan!! Be sure to bring your favorite CD's because the rooms have a CD player. We would open up the doors at night and turn on the Buffet. Just put a CD on, had to hear Tin Cup Chalice where the first line says "I wanna go back, to the islands". I'm going to book soon, but thought I should at least pay off the credit card from this trip first . I am going to book 10C if available. The pool there is small but nice with beautiful views. We used the Jacuzzi alot at night, which isn't advertised on their website, at least the "old" one. I saw recently that they updated their website. You will love the walking distance to town for dinner, so many choices... Since you have 221 days, that means we have 217. Hopefully it won't be too bad since warmer weather is here.

ScottB - I did notice that C-on-line is updating their forums and making them easier to read, or at least on the BVI one they have. Hopefully they'll have the USVI forum done soon.

brenandg - What you desribe for Jost sounds wonderful. I think I'll let our son pick which one, Tort or Jost, as I've picked VG. Ha! Thnx for the info!

Reading these posts certainly make me smile. Choosing between Tortola or Jost? Hmmh... very different places. That's the best part about the Virgin Islands is that they are all very different... like a tray of Baskin Robbins. Jost is very laid back and there isn't much to do except swim, drink, and eat which can be fantastic. Tortola is big. When we went to Tortola last time, Cane Garden's surf was pretty rough. We ended up at Lambert Cove (I think that's what it's called) and enjoyed it very much. IMO, no beach in the Virgin Islands ever gets that crowded. It's never Daytona during Spring Break. The ferry from STJ to Tortola leaves around 8 or 8:30 a.m., and then there's one that returns about 4 p.m., so you have a nice full day (trip only about 35 minutes). The ferry is also not that cheap. I don't remember exactly but I think it's more than $40/pp roundtrip. You can search under "Inter-island ferry transportation Virgin Islands" to get schedules and fares. Plenty of taxis waiting around at ferry dock. Brenandg: Your plan is definitely doable and sounds fun.

It's nice to know I'm in good company. 55 days and counting!!!!!!!!!!!

-Bill

I am headed to ST Thomas next week for a week and we have reservation at the Frenchman's Reef. I am a little concerned after reading some of the feedback. Can some who has been in the last month tell me the quality of the rooms and food? Is the food outrageously expensive? Will our kids be bored 18 and 14? Thanks for the input.

Coden, My husband and I stayed on St. Thomas in 2003. We took a wonderful powerboat excursion that included a visit to the Baths, lunch in Road Town, and the afternoon snorkeling at "The Indians". If something similar operates from St. John I highly recommend it. I think the tour operator was "Captain somebody?" The snorkeling at The Indians was the best I've ever experienced. I felt like the Little Mermaid! Note that I think you have to have a passport or birth certificate to visit BVI.

I also highly recommend a daysail if you have time - the most relaxing day we've ever spent! Have fun!