There are loads of options. Check with the concierge desk at the Ritz when you get there and they'll have plenty of information.

Really tough to answer that question without more knowledge about you/your group size/expectations.

New Horizons II is a great way to see Virgin Gorda, Marina Cay, and Jost Van Dyke. We've been 3 times on the "smaller boat" and have really enjoyed it each time. You will share the ride with other people - I think it's around 12 - 15 people maximum.

Last year we went with Lion in Da Sun as a private charter. It is maximum 6 people and they'll go wherever you want them to from 9am till 5pm. Your day - your agenda - just pay the fee and gas charges, and they'll make sure you have a fantastic day (do offer a gratuitiy equal to your enjoyment!).

So - my personal recommendations is if you don't mind sharing the ride and are on a budget - New Horizons II. If you have the funds and want privacy/flexibility - call Josh or Matt at Lion in Da Sun.

Good Luck! Have Fun!

We would like it to be a private boat we are in our mid 40s , active, husband does not drink i drink good wine or top vodka. like to listen to rock or romantic music. would consider one or two other couples if it made a major price difference what to go to British virgin islands stop for lunch. see the baths things such as this any ideas? will be staying at the ritz march 11 - march 17

Our group really like Sandy Spit or Sandy Cay? I'm not sure which one it was, but is usually referred to as Gilligans Island. Anyway, the Baths is something you should see if you haven't been there before. Also, a stop at Jost Van Dyke is beautiful and somewhere you can really relax.

Marina Cay is not for me. I don't like to waste my time stopping there for lunch. I'd rather bring my lunch and get on with the day.

In any event, just getting out on the water is amazing.

I'd also recommend Pocket Yachts out of Sapphire Marina (www.pocketyachtsvi.com) who offer very nice power boat rentals for day trips. You can either go it alone or hire a captain but this would be a nice option for the privacy you prefer, as well as the freedom to plan your own itinerary. Cheers!

You can charter many of the bare boats with a captain. There are also high end day charters like Magic Moments.

I rented from Pocket Yachts about a year ago and was very satisfied. They have very nice boats and even more reasonable prices. Not recommended unless you have some experience operating a boat though.

Quick question: I want to rent from them again to just kind of motor around St. Thomas and maybe visit Hans Lollick. How dangerous are the inshore waters of St. Thomas? I went over to St. John last time, and that was easy enough (even though it got very rough out in the middle of the channel between the islands). Will it be so rough on the way to/from Hans Lollick? Are the waters near St. Thomas hazardous, or will I be able to easily spot reefs and other obstructions? Thanks to anyone that can help.

Pillsbury Sound (the stretch between STT and STJ) is rather a brewing witch's cauldron even on calm days! Hans Lollick is on the Atlantic side which is generally rougher than the Caribbean and hopefully some experienced sailors can give you advice about getting into Han Lollick which is pretty much surrounded by reefs as I recall and you'd need to find the channel to get in there.

Brewing witch's cauldron, that sounds about right. The really rough stuff was confined to an area around 100 yards long though, so overall the trip was fine. I'm really trying to avoid areas that are a maze of reefs. How about Jost?