In my experience, you'll do fine with a dinghy rental, would suggest renting one of the center console units. Calypso and Noah's Ark are some resources. You can access several of the beaches and some good snorkeling spots like Waterlemon and Leinster Bay. There really aren't many nearby small islands that you'll be able to reach. We've found renting a dinghy is a fun thing to do in addition to visiting all the great beaches with your rental jeep. Have fun!

Use the search engine on this site which will afford you many observations. With a dinghy rental you'll be restricted to the STJ shoreline which isn't a bad thing at all. With a charter excursion you'll be going to snorkeling sites further afield and not accessible either via land or by dinghy. On a dinghy you'll have to schlepp your own snorkel gear, towels, refreshments, etc. while on most charters it's a combined deal where food and beverages, snorkel gear, etc, are included in the price. Hope this helps!

Nothing really to add for Jess116000, I just could not resist telling STT Res how many times her posts make me smile. Perfect example, funny bits like, "On a dinghy you'll have to schlepp your own snorkel gear, towels, refreshments, etc......."

Wishing you a warm and sunny day STT Res!

Also......dingy landings on the beach (and re-enters) can be "an adventure"......even for experienced sailors like me.........be sure to bring and use water proof bags to protect your cell phones, etc.

I'm still searching for a graceful way to get back into the dinghy while off-shore. Getting back into the dinghy by way of the motor can be slippery/dangerous. And, getting my butt up over the side without having a ladder, something really good that's low enough to grab and pull myself up inside the dinghy, something to stand on, or without drowning some poor soul still treading water that's only trying to help give me a leg up......and, then I always get to laughing so hard making re-entry even more challenging. The spouse can do the Orca thing......go deep, swim like a maniac, rise up out of the water and "land" in the dinghy. It's much more safe to be in the water and let Orca get into the dinghy first. Trust me.

There is no graceful way of getting into a dingy. You just do it.

Last year...... a wave hit the front of the dingy as I was getting into the back......next thing I know I'm under water looking up at the bottom of the fuel can.....(LOL).......

Another tip......if it's a small dinghy, there will be no center console or other bench seating as MisterDuffy already mentioned. NO, it is NOT more comfortable sitting anywhere else but on the side of the dinghy. Keep your butt on the rubber, your hand around the strap, lean in and ride the waves. You may think you'll feel more secure sitting on top of that little HARD hatch cover in the bow where the anchor is sometimes stored, but you will also FEEL every up/down bump and wave. And, while it is a better ride for everyone if the Captain is able to get on plane but, should the Captain say something like...... "I'm just trying to find the sweet spot", it may be necessary for the crew to unanimously shout "slow the freak down!".

LOL @ the Orca trick

Even when I was younger and infinitely more spritely than I am now I never managed to perform the dinghy-boarding routine with any degree of grace either from deep water or very shallow. It was always a total embarrassment and of course, as you noted FI, the self-deprecating hysterical laughter is the killer ...

Thank you all SO much for the helpful advice! NOW i just have to decide what to do...sounds like we may have a rough time getting in and out of the dinghy!?! ha! I was really considering the dinghy, but i feel like we might be a bit more comfortable with the charter. maybe next trip to STJ we will venture out and rent the dinghy. Thanks again!!!