Please research the "swim with dolphins" activity very carefully before making a decision about participating. (td)

The only place near the Virgin Islands that offers dolphin swims is on Tortola. Sorry, don't know the current cost, but you can check their website. They used to offer a package from STT that included ferry pick up and return.

You would need to find out how long the boat would need to stop in Tortola in order for you to do the swim. That would probably determine how many other islands you can do in addition to Tortola.

Stormy Petral is one boat that gets excellent reviews and can carry more than 6. Here's a youtube video someone posted from their Stormy Petral trip:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHNYi4G3k6c

Sorry, don't know the cost of this either!

You can swim with sea lions at Coral World on St Thomas if the dolphin swim doesn't work out.

So the dolphins aren't worth it? I have looked into it a bit and it is quite expensive.
What are the three or four best stops that a great boating day would make? And btw, many thanks for all opinions since I am literally shooting into the dark on this one side trip.

Any opinions on New Horizon? That one has a pretty reasonable fee -- $75 per person.

New Horizons has a long standing excellent reputation.

check out the sea loin encounter at coral world--only an hour, pricey, once in a life time experience.

New Horizons offers excellent excursions, but you're subject to being with a larger crowd than with say, Stormy Petral.

Guess I should get videos from New Horizons?? 🙂

I took a day charter on the Stormy Petral. What a great day!!! Awesome crew, limited to about 10 passengers and so many beautiful places. It was one of the best days I've spent in the Virgin Islands! I wouldn't hesitate to go again or recommend it to friends and family (which I have done on several occasions). You won't be disappointed.

They do look good. But we are footing the whole bill so are trying to save some bucks. Since the top criteria are lots of snorkeling, lots of food and lots to drink, $75 per person for a full day sounds really good. Horizons takes you to 2 places to snorkel and has lots of food and drink. I just can't see where a couple of more stops to say Baths and Soggy Dollar are worth twice the price. No disrespect intended but we want to do so much during our 10 days there that we do need to look at the best deals.

The $75 trip on New Horizons takes you to 2 snorkeling stops on a 60' ferro-cement sailboat with up to 30+ passengers - almost always they use Honeymoon Bay on STJ and Christmas Cove on Great St James - occasionally if the N. swell is up they visit Rendezvous Bay on STJ. Quite a difference than a trip to the BVI in all respects.If it is just snorkeling, food and drink you are interested in - it will fit that criteria. The crew is usually tipped 15 -20 % of the cost of your trip on this type of daysail if you are figuring out your budget.

They do have a powerboat trip to the BVI but it is not priced the same. Any BVI trip will not be low cost unless you just take a ferry and do your own land trip. BVI Customs and Immigration will be an extra expense on most charter boats and usually lunch is another expense at a restaurant. If you can limit the group to six passengers your options are different - you can charter a private vessel with a Captain but it is not a cheaper option if price is a determining factor. Customs fees, fuel, food, drinks ashore, gratuity, and souvenirs will all be extra. It will be a great day and customized to your group though but unless you can limit the group to six passengers you are destined for a USCG Inpsected vessel like Stormy Petrel, New Horizons Breakaway, or the other larger boats or ferries.

Would these day ships be as full during end of July/first of August, which isn't high tourist season?

The problem with visiting during low season is that some excursions may not be available, so you need to make your reservation to give them an incentive to encourage others who may be visiting during the same time frame to book when you've booked. Most day sail have a minimum, they don't get it, the excursion may be cancelled. When I travel in the Caribbean during the off season, I try to book my excursions as soon as possible so they'll encourage others to book on my date,

Well, we're committed now -- made confirmed reservations. I'm sure it will be a wonderful day. Thanks to everyone for their advice and suggestions. Now, do we have any comments on the new restaurants at the Elysian? Are they all open now? Good? Bad? Just eh?