Your first/best bet is to go through this message board as the day trips to the BVI's are discussed in many threads. Your choices are a private boat rental (good only if you really are good at reading navigational charts), the ferries you already mentioned or one of the many day charters. We took the Limnos Charter which goes to Virgin Gorda to the town of Spanishtown itself, a shuttle to the Baths for a couple of hours, then a lunch and snorkle to Norman Island. Fantastic day, stress free, lots of islands to see, lots of booze, plenty of room on the boat, great service, great snorkling at NOrman Island, its about an 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM deal to and from Cruz Bay.

The combo Tortola / VG trip on the public ferry is a fairly decent option if you want to see Tortola. However, you won't have MUCH time on either. You get a ferry to Tortola, tour of Tortola as you cross from one side of the island to the other for the VG ferry (we stopped at Cane Garden Bay), time to have a leisurely drink at Pusser's, another ferry to VG, lunch on VG (leisurely) and enough time to spend time in the baths (maybe 1.5 hrs at the baths?). I recall it being dark when we returned to STT.

I have also hired a private motorboat (nauti nymph) and a captain to take me to VG and then to Jost. I did get more time on VG this way, and I did have a leisurely lunch at Foxy's on JOst and then spent the balance of the afternoon at White Bay.

The second option was about $600 more than the first.

I am not a "group" kind of person, so the group charters don't appeal to me. That is just my personal taste. Others love them.

I wouldn't dismiss the ferry option. Also, you don't have to do the tour and combo. You can get a ferry to VG on one day and take a ferry to Tortola on another day. That is, if you have time (days) on your trip for two day trips.

If money isn't an issue, I would hire a private motor boat and captain. MOTOR, not sail. Sailing takes too long. If you want to sail, sail...but don't sail to get someplace. VG is a good distance. If you hire the motor boat and captain, consider the boat with the most horsepower (twin engines). The fountain we had pretty much FLEW to VG. This was what we wanted...to make haste and get there. Gas was less then. I cringe at the though of that fuel bill today. You will pay for the gas when you return and the boat stops to fuel up.

Thank you-I meant a charter, not myself as I know nothing about sailing! I am going to check into Limnos though. I have about 9days scheduled for my trip to STJ and have so many things to see and do. Any other good suggestions welcome, thanks

I'm glad you like the Limnos charter idea.Great folks! STJ is a small island but the roads are narrow and windy, therefore slow. If you go over 30 ,you are speedin'!! You can't go wrong for nature, great scenic views, the sound of tree frogs at night, the snorkling, the lack of stress. Night life is ok, but its way more laid back than other islands, no gambling etc. Day trips to the BVIs, shopping at Charlotte Amalie (if you're a shopper, we're not), sailing and motor boat charters, decent food, hiking, tons of incredible beaches for whatever- you name it, this island is perfect for the laid back vacation. Just be sure to accept island time and don't overplan, let the days flow and just be. Its that kind of island. Cruz Bay is the one town, very sweet, very walkable, Coral Bay is more of a non-town down the far end of the island and almost completely different in attitude than Cruz Bay, very, very, very laid back, a few good restaurants, great beaches, just depends on what you're looking for. Read the threads, you'll get the idea.

I"ll 'third' the Limnos charter - those folks are FANTASTIC! Put on your walking shoes, and make sure you take a camera with a flash on it to the Baths.

If you're on island for 9 days, then I would suggest a day with Limnos, then a separate day just for Tortola. There isn't a whole lot on Tortola other than spectacular views (no shopping mecca like Charlotta Amalie) but as you're staying on STJ, then you're probbly into the rustic charm of somewhere small like Tortola.

Cane Garden Bay is a main stop there, as Magen's Bay is on STT - you'll be better off to find a different beach to hang out on, unless you like people. Of course, that depends on the cruise ship traffic as well. If you take the ferry, you can go straight into Road Town (where there are several rental car options) or into West End (only Hertz with in walking distance of the ferry). Hertz I just had experience with, and they had the expected level of service as you would get anywhere stateside (which was a surprise to me, seeing the size of the facility).

There is a cool book that's titled "A Drinking Man's guide to the BVI" that will give you a cool idea od bars or beaches to visit...if you are into that scene.

Virgin Gorda is quite a distance from STJ, where Tortola isn't - Tortola is almost a SWIM across Sir Francis Drake Channel....if you want a 'go fast' boat to do it all in one day - a board search will get you several rental companies - and spring the extra $$ for a captain!

Good luck