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Traveling on HAL in mid-march and wanting a day trip to JVD if feasible. I'm seeing that chartering a powerboat is the only reasonable option to make it to the ship in time (in port 8-5). Even with a powerboat private charter, is it still cutting it close? Or is it a feasible and worthwhile excursion? There will be 7 ships in port that day; not sure if that makes a difference or not. Would love your advice. Thanks!!
Give Dolphin Water Taxi a call 340-774-2628. They do the trip for $55pp each way (plus customs fees) and they will set it up so your dep and return times compliment your cruise itinerary. The ride only takes 30-40 mins plus the 15min or so in customs on each side. Def worth the trip!
I don't think it's necessary to use a private water taxi. You should have plenty of time using the ferry out of Red Hook on a cruise and had plenty of time. They run every hour from Red Hook. If you get off the ship on time you will have no problem making a 9 AM ferry, you'll be in St John by 9:30, grab a taxi to one of the nearby beaches - I strongly recomend Trunk Bay, which was voted one of the top 10 beaches in the world and it has a really nice snorkeling trail with underwater plaques to let you know what you are seeing.
You should be at the beach by 10AM; 10:30 the latest - there are batrooms and rentals there with changing facilities. After a few hours the beach will get crowded depending on the cruise ship schedule for the day. We had the whole beach practically to ourselves for a good 2 hours. Nice shade under the palms.
Take the 3PM ferry back to Red Hook and grab a cab back to your ship. Personally I am a worry wort so we took the 2 PM ferry which depending on traffic will have you back to your ship 3:30 the latest. With 7 ships in port there will be a lot of traffic take the 2PM ferry back.
After reading all this you are probably better off with the water taxi or even with the excurrsion from the ship, just depends on the budget.
Hope this helps somewhat
phil64 wrote:
I don't think it's necessary to use a private water taxi. You should have plenty of time using the ferry out of Red Hook on a cruise and had plenty of time. They run every hour from Red Hook. t
He wants to go to Jost Van Dyke, not St John ...
No, it's not feasible. Even though your ship; arrives at 8AM it'll be at least an hour before you're off it and then figure on at least another 25 minutes by taxi ($12-15 pp) to get into Red Hook where you would pick up a charter or water taxi. Running time there and back about 30 minutes each way plus customs and immigration clearing coming and going. Not worth it at all.
There is loads for you to do and see between St Thomas and St John so enjoy it all and have a wonderful day!
