Wow Doug, there's alot to do, but my first piece of advise would be a trip over the BVI's. Maybe the Baths at Virgin Gordan, Marina Cay, Soggy Dollar Bar. You'll find alot of information on this forum if you use the Search on here.

Lots of great beaches to visit, such as Coki, Secret Harbour and Sapphire if you like to snorkel. Magens for a beautiful beach.

Also, a drive up to mountaintop is fun. The view from up there is gorgeous and you can do a little bit of shopping there.

I don't scuba, but I'm sure someone can help you out with that.

We too will be going to our first visit to ST. Thomas and also staying at the Marriott Oct 2, 2008.

Dougig:

Welcome to the board.......

Capt Mike Coyle skippers the Fury out of the Marriott......a nice day sail on a sailboat.

Another idea is to charter a power boat if you wish to visit the BVIs.

As this is the low season here you will find things rather quiet (some places close for the season) ..... try to reserve the sailings ahead of time since many skippers pull their boats out of the water for maintenance at this time of the year.

5 days is a short time to pack in a lot of activities on the islands and still be able to "relax". Definitely go to St. John by ferry from Red Hook.....Trunk Bay, Cinnamon Bay, Honeymoon Beach, etc. Have lunch or dinner in Cruz Bay (where the ferry stops). Lots of shopping there too.

On STT visit Havensight where the cruise ships dock for more shopping.

As Connie suggested visit "Mountaintop" for great views.

Visit Coki, Sapphire and Megan's beaches.

As for scuba....I've done it here, but wasn't impressed....sorry........maybe next time if you spend more time here you can try diving in the BVIs....I assume you have your C cards........I believe they offer "resort" courses, as well.

Renting a car was the way go.

Enjoy your visit.

F.I.

My wife & I are visiting St. Thomas on 9/13 (barring any unforeseen weather issues). We are staying at the marriot resort on St. Thomas for 5 days and i was looking for some advice on day sails , scuba outfitter, restaurants to visit & St. Johns. We will have a rental car for the whole visit.

Any advice or tips would be great. We are both in our late 30's and are looking to kick back and relax.

Thanks

One of the first things I was told when I asked pretty much the same question a few weeks back - it is St. John, not St. Johns. Seems the natives are particular about that kind of thing 😉

St Johns is the capitol of Antigua, could be a little troublesome if you are not sure of the lay of the land and you ended up prepaying for a daysail, or worse yet, hotel accommodations for the wrong island.

Molly

Much appreciated. Curious how long is the Power Boat to BVI's?

Trips to the BVI's depend on where you're starting from and going to and of course the speed of your boat.

From Red Hook (STT) to Jost Van Dyke about 30 minutes....to West End Tortola about 30 minutes.

Virgin Gorda is much further....as are Norman &, Cooper Islands.

Reminder....you will need to clear BVI Customs on your way there and U.S. Customs coming back.

It is highly recommended that you hire a knowledgeable Captain who knows the area well.

Perhaps someone else can give better times......since we use a sail boat there and the timing is much different.

Have a great trip!

F.I.

douglg: The standard chartered BVI day trip (New Horizons, Pirate's Penny/Stormy Petrel, Limnos, etc) leaves early, before 8am, and returns around 4:30 or so. A full day, for sure, but a great way to see a lot of landscape and seascape! (tu)

Thanks, anyone you would recommend?

I've never chartered a power boat (myself) out of STT. We sail out of Tortola.

You could try Naughty Nymph in Red Hook.............can someone else on the board help douglg with other companies?

Perhaps take East Ender's recommendation and reserve a "party" boat. Since it's low season you would want to call ahead to assure that they are operating.

F.I.

If you have never been, a charter is a great way to see the lay of the (is)land(s) and be pampered. You will need to call when you get here, because this time of year (did anyone tell you it is the height of hurricane season?) many boats are in the boatyard. The three I mentioned are all good. BTW, the Adventure Center at the Reef will be able to help you with most of your diving, day sail, watery needs. Check with the concierge, too, about restaurants, as some are closed this month.

Last October some folks in our group took a day trip on New Horizons and loved it.

There have been a few disasters I have known of with the whole "St. Johns" thing. We don't correct people to be snotty, but because if you pay for a car rental or hotel on Antigua and end up in Cruz Bay, you're pretty much screwed.

I hope that I didn't come off as snotty, I was just trying to explain the difference between St. John and St. Johns. I've been to both places, Antigua is very beautiful also. I love how each island in the Caribbean has it's own unique life to it, each different in their own way.

Molly

We will be staying at the Elysian Beach Resort and the Marriott Frenchman's Reef. Is there anything we should be know?

I know one of the excursions that always gets rave reviews is the BOSS Underwater Adventure...www.bossusvi.com. It's a half-day trip, driving motorscooters underwater! No experience required. It's a real hoot!

I hope that I didn't come off as snotty, I was just trying to explain the difference between St. John and St. Johns. I've been to both places, Antigua is very beautiful also. I love how each island in the Caribbean has it's own unique life to it, each different in their own way.

Molly

Molly, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to imply that you were being "snotty." I just find that some people feel that's what folks are doing when they correct them and was talking in general. I know that most of us do it because we want them to end up on the right vacation, that's all, and aren't doing it to exhibit any superiority, and that's what I was trying to say (poorly, apparently).

I have not been to St. Johns, but I think if I could ever drag myself away from St. John for a different Caribbean vacation, it is on my list!

Hi Lulu, no offense taken!

Patty, You've picked 2 great places to stay. You'll be close to Redhook and many great places to eat. It'll also be easy to catch the ferry over to St. John. A few of the close beaches are Sapphire and Coki, Magens Bay is a little further, but well worth the trip.

Hey all, do they still have a jazz pianist playing in the evenings at the Elysian?

Molly

Molly, how are the bugs this time of year? And has anyone taken the sunset catamaran cruise to Water Island for the barbecue? (Atlantis) Also, I really want to go to St. Johns for a day and visit, is it better to take the ferry with the car or do they have transportation to get to the beaches there?

In my experience, bugs seem to be much worse when it's rainy. With all the hurricane activity lately, make sure to bring deep woods off!

As for St. John, If you plan to do a lot of exploring, I would take your rental car over on the car ferry (I think Hertz is the only company that does not allow this, and the penalty is steep -- so be sure it's OK.) If you just want to catch a few of the more popular beaches, do some shopping and grab a bite to eat, I'd just take the passenger ferry and you can cab it to the beach for a few dollars.