Four friends and I will be arriving for a week in St. John in October; I have been before, but wanted to take a day trip this time. I've booked us on a day cruise to Jost Van Dyke through "Book-It V.I." - we will be on the "Blast" where we have continental breaskfast, lunch, open bar, snorkeling available and four stops on JVD....I've got my fingers crossed that it all works out! We made our reservations a couple of months ago, and no problems with this.

You could always just rent a boat and drive over yourself. Stay as long as you like! That's what I do.

Marty,

That is definitely a possibility. We have a 19 foot bow-rider - so we are familiar with boating.

If we do decide to try that - where would you suggest we rent out of? and what type of boat would you recommend?? There will only be the two of us. We will be staying near Cruz Bay (actually on Gifft Hill).

Also, do you need to check in at customs on Jost Van Dyke if you are just going for the day and arriving by water??

Also, would you just anchor off of White Bay to go to Soggy Dollar -then motor again by water to Foxy's (or Foxy's Taboo)?

Sorry, for all the quesions - I am just a detail, kind of girl.

Thanx!

Susan,

Thank you for the suggestion. Will you be posting a trip report upon your return? I'd love to hear if you enjoyed that trip.

It definitely sounds like one we will check into.

Thanx!

I don't know what Foxy's Taboo is but I can vouch for the original Foxy's. We went there by power boat with our kids about 5 years ago and LOVED it, cute, totally relaxed outside dining, music by Foxy himself, pretty decent gift shop next door to wander around in, just a wonderful, relaxing place that we didn't want to leave, neither did the teenage kids. Enjoy!

Sue: Yes, you do need to check into the BVI (aka foreign country) even for the day. Foxy's is on Great Harbour, Taboo is on the east end of JVD. You can usually pull up to Taboo's pier, such as it is. At Great Harbour, you have to anchor.

Just got back from Jost Van Dyke yesterday!! Check out One Love Bar in White Bay down the beach a little ways west from the Soggy Dollar. Spend some time with Seddie and Raquel and order a Bushwacker- they're amazing!! Jewel's is also great for lunch- try her hot dogs- they're great and only $7, definitely the cheapest meal you'll find on the island. Also, Ivan's Stress Free Bar is a lot of fun, especially if you can find your way there for Thursday Night BBQ. $25/person all-you-can-eat, right down the beach from One Love- Follow the path across the rocks (be sure to wear somes sturdy shoes, the rocks can be difficult in Flip Flops!). Ivan is an extremely wise man and loves to just sit and chat with anyone who stops by! Also, if you feel like staying the night instead, you can rent a cabin for $60-$75/night if there are any open. In Great Harbour: try Corsairs for dinner if you get a chance- everything on Vinnie's menu amazing, it was the best food I had on the whole island. Entrees start at around $15, and you can reserve a lobster for dinner at around $18/pound. Foxy's has a BBQ friday and saturday nights for $25/person, but you only get one trip through the line. Live music is amazing and Foxy is a lot of fun to talk to you if get a chance. ALSO Foxy makes his own famous fire-water rum, so if you get a chance, give it a try! I didn't make it over to foxy's taboo, but my roommate took a trip to the bubbly pool, and it was quite a hike, so be prepared for a little walk through the mountains- sturdy shoes are important! I think that's all I can think of for now... You're welcome to email me if have questions- [email protected] Enjoy your trip!!

If you're taking the Inter-Island Ferry, don't plan on getting to Jost at 9. 10:30 is a more realistic time.

Thank you, Becca!

38 days and counting. After much thought - we decided to just take a day trip on Calypso to Jost.

Kept hearing conflicting things about when the ferry actually arrived in Jost from St. John & how much time we would actually have on the island and also was hearing that the customs stop could be in Tortola, again, which would cut into the day.

So decided that we would scrap the ferry idea & go with a charter, instead. So we will now enjoy a day on the water, including snorkeling, a light breakfast on board & also be able to get to the main spots of Foxy's and also White Bay.

So, we are all set for Monday, April 25th to get to Jost.

Can't wait to set foot on the beautiful white sand of White Bay - and oh - can I say "Painkiller"?!? Maybe we will have time to check out One Love Bar, as well - thank you for the tip. We will definitely try!

Thanx for the report!

Sue -- which villa on Gift Hill? I am staying there in July. My sense of direction if not very good so I am still trying to figure out where this is. I remember driving over this island last year, but can't remember where Gift Hill is.

Hi, CJ!

We only did a short day trip to St. John last year - so only know the location via a map.

But, we at staying at Cielo Vista through Carefree Getaways & only know that it is located on Gifft (or Gift) Hill - I have seen it written both ways.

Gifft Hill runs north to south and runs off of Centerline Road (the main road that runs west to east - Cruz Bay to Coral Bay) and Southside Road - which is the road to the Westin from Cruz Bay. It is also described as being a 10 minute drive from Cruz Bay.

We love the description of our villa & loved that Gifft Hill is described as being 800 feet above sea level with great western, "breathtaking" sunset views and high enough to catch some breezes.

Where are you staying?

We are staying in a villa by the name of "Plumeria". I think there are five similar villas with the most well known one being "Cloud Nine" -- or this is what I have been told. The description that I have is almost identical to yours -- breathtaking views and high on a hill. My husband and I will be there July 1-8 with another couple who have been our best friends for 25 years. We can't wait.

You will have to e-mail me when you get back and let me know all about your trip. We are also planning a trip to Jost for a day. We are thinking about the New Horizon trip -- we took the Limnose last year -- but did not get to Jost. Tell me about the boat you are taking.

Also -- check out the house for me next month! Your trip is almost here!

Aghh! I cant wait to go to JOST. 13 days and couting down..Im so frieken excited. We're taking over the ferry (weekend)...Are these usually easy to get on? We want the first one out. And i wanna stay all day! Any other advice would be great..Thanks

It is Gifft Hill, and there is only one ferry to Jost on the weekends, leaves about 8am or somewhere around there and returns to STJ app. 3:00pm island time or thereabouts.

It goes to Roadtown first, will get to Jost app.l0:15 or there abouts.

Enjoy

RM

We are taking a trip on the Calypso ( a catamaran ) for a full day trip to Jost.

Last year we took the New Horizons II powerboat trip to The Baths, Marina Cay for lunch, snorkeling off Guana Island and a wonderful stop at White Bay on Jost. Had a great day!!!

If you are interested in getting to Jost, by all means you can take the NHII trip - and enjoy the other sites, first. But, if you do not need or want to see The Baths, again - I would suggest finding an excursion that goes more directly to Jost. (But, if you haven't seen The Baths, yet, or if you have new members of your party, who haven't seen them yet - the New Horizons II is a great trip to take. It really fits in a lot of sites, in one day.

But, since we didn't need to hit The Baths, again this trip - we decided to try to find a different way to get back to White Bay. The beach is absolutely gorgeous & Soggy's painkiller's are legendary for a reason (only had one - and have been regretting that decision for a year!)

The Calypso trip runs from 8AM to 4PM & takes in a snorkeling stop, lunch at Foxy's (additional cost) - then time on White Bay. The cost is $100 plus $20 for customs. Also, breakfast breads & open bar, are included. Open bar is not a big thing for us, as we will be saving ourselves for Foxy's and Soggy's.

(We had at first thought of taking the ferry - less money - but, then decided that for a little more money, we would get a whole day experience instead). And would enjoy being on the water on a catamaran more than spending time on the ferry.

Let me know, if you have any other questions!

If we see your villa - we will let you know!

Hi Sue,

I will be in St. John 4/21 - 4/28 and I am looking to book at day charter to Jost. Did you find a lot of the charters are already booked?

Hi Sue!
We are renting a villa thru Carefree and also doing a daysail to Jost on Calypso. Please let us know how you liked Carefree and the Calypso when you return. Our trip isn't until June....unforunately.

I made my reservation with the Calypso about a month ago.

I did check out quite a few different trips & there were other availabilities at the time. Decided on this one based on the cost & what it took in.

Almost went with Captain Phil & The Wayward Sailor, liked the idea of the smaller boat, with less people. But, his trip to Jost is to Foxy's and a nature walk - he does not go to White Bay (which was one of our main destination requests).

There aren't many smaller excursions that go to Jost, as I guess the paperwork is getting to be more of a hastle than many of the smaller boat owners want to fool around with.

We loved our trip last year with New Horizons II that brought us to The Baths in Virgin Gorda, lunch on Marina Cay, snorkeling off of Guana Island & a great stop at White Bay on Jost.

Have fun planning. Can't believe how quickly April 21st is coming up!!

Hi Sue,

We are going April 19th. I can hardly stand the wait. We were originally going the last week in May but our flight got changed so I was able to cancel my tickets are start over. Now 32 two days to go.

So where are you staying? We are staying at Sapphire Village on St. Thomas. Going to be there for one week. I just made our reservations for New Horizons II.

Dawn