Hello Colorado Boy,

I think it would be more relaxing/enjoyable to go stay over on St. Croix for a night or two. In any case here are your options:

From St. John; you'd have to take the ferry to St. Thomas, then either the STT-STX ferry or the seaplane http://www.seaborneairlines.com/ to get to St. Croix. Then get on the charter to go out to Buck Island once on St. Croix.

I figure by Ferry all the way on a weekday:
Leave STJ 7:15am on Charlotte Amalie ferry
Arrive 8am
Grab Breakfast in CA
Get on STX ferry at 9:30
Arrive 10:45am in Christiansted (hook up with the charter)
Be back to catch the 5pm return ferry to STT, taxi to Red Hook and take the Red Hook ferry back to STJ.

You could take the seaplane instead for shorter trip between STT and STX and they have a more frequent schedule.

There is a Seaplane - Ferry package... so if you catch the Seaplane over to STX it will get you there quicker/earlier allow you to take the charter earlier and then you can ferry back.

Check out the options and decide. Click on the link at the top of this page that says Ferry Schedules (for ferry shedules/cost and seaplane info).

--Islander

WHEW, it makes me tired just reading how to do this!

Very true. It'd be a whole lot simpler to get to the BVI.

Or...you could take an early ferry to STT, then a cab to WICO dock and hop on a sailboat, like the King, the Doubloon, or a six-pac (smaller sailboat, only 6 passengers) for a half day trip to the Buck Island that is just South of STT. Not going to be the same as the one just to the North of STX, but, hey! At least you got to Buck Island! Haha!

Thanks a lot, everyone, especially Islander for your very informative reply. That's so helpful to plan my trip.

So, I think I might fly to St. Croix, stay for 2days (sea kayaking around Salt River, and go to Buck Island ). Then, take the ferry to St. Thomas, and spend the rest 5 days around St. Thomas and St. John ( staying in St. John ). And fly-out from STT.

Going to BVI sounds good to me too! Anyway, I am actually from "Thailand" { yeah 🙂 another superior beaches area of the world } , and have only a student VISA for staying in the US. ( to be specific, in Colorado) So, I will need to get a British VISA if I want to go to BVI, which takes time, and money. I've heard about Boat or Sailing day trips to BVI like "1day 4 beaches". The one that goes to "The Baths" , and " Marina Cay ". Is it the New Horizon II ? or s/t else?

Do I need to get a VISA if I go with these type of day-trips ?

Colorado Boy

PS: Thanks a lot Marty, but....uuhhhh..It's not quite what I want. It's like two girls with the same name 🙂

One of the best island vacations I ever had was on Ko Samed, a little island in the Gulf of Thailand (no, I don't mean Ko Samui). That was a lot of years ago and I expect it's much more developed now than it was then. I remember it being paradise.

Yes, Ko Samed was very very nice. Now many things have changed.

Hello Colorado Boy,

Whether you visit the BVIs on your own by ferry or with a boat trip, clearing immigration is a necessary step.

--Islander

Another option is to hire a private yacht for you and your party - they will be happy to take you over for the day or for a few days. Email me if you want a recommendation.
Pamela.