It is always good to get information for as many people as we can. I think I am leaning toward one of the smaller boats. There will be 6-8 of us. I think I'd rather be on a boat with our group. I really don't want to spend my time with a bunch of screaming kids. No offense to anyone! I want to be able to chill!

Downtown, the Baths can be experienced, but they are best experienced when there are no crowds in them (like for people who don't arrive on a larger excursion boat or are not there when these boats come in). You can spend lots of time climbing and crawling around inside, as well as getting yourself through holes and into the various "rooms" created by the boulders. Inside the baths, there is much to be explored...but you have to take your time and be a little adventurous.

I think the experience will also vary by the time of day when you are there. I think high tide is best since that is when most of the water will be in the baths...and it won't be just a sandy floor.

Try to enter on one side and make your way though to the other side. There is more than one way to get there.

I have told the story of being inside with some other friends....and we looked through this crevice in the boulders and saw a "room" with water in it...but there was no way in unless we went underwater to where the crevice widened down by the floor (sand). So, one by one, we went underwater with masks on, and went it. Once inside, we could stand up and the water was only about waist deep. It was so cool being in there, but a little scary since we didn't know if a barracuda or something might also be in there. If you are up to exploring like that, you'll enjoy it! There are also some boulders that you might want to climb up and over. I think there is still one with a rope that you haul yourself up on and then maybe some little wooden stairs built on top and a little wooden bridge to walk across. I guess it is like a jungle gym for adults - but all natural and beautiful.

Well Bluewater hit it right on the money- its a great place for climbing about. We were there during low tide so I didn't see any signs of flooded rooms and wouldn't have had the courage anyway- bravo Bluewater! If you approach from the parking lot area (which is on a hill and you won't see it if you arrive by boat) you can climb around, go through the actual "trail" for lack of better word, come out by a little tiny beach area and wade or swim over through to the next bigger beach area with even more rocks. We didn't make it that far (climbing those rocks) as we ran out of time and wanted to buy our usual trip t-shirt at the gift shop at the top of the hill by the parking lot and restaurant- very much worth visiting for the views!! BE CAREFUL ABOUT CLIMBING AROUND- we were told to go barefoot and it was a mistake as its very slippery- I'm pretty agile but still managed to slip and break a toe! So wear tevas or some kind of sturdy light weight sandle that will give you grip but can get wet. Ok, I sound like a mother but.. I am!

We went on New Horizons this past May. We were very lucky that day because there were only 4 couples on it. Gorgeous weather, fast boat. My personal experience with the Baths is that the snorkeling was just ok. Could never compare it to other places on St. Thomas or St. John. Glad I did it though. Great pictures and the crew was very informative on the rocks formations and snorkeling with us. The day we were there didn't seem to busy because we had alot of room to ourselves. Your boat stops at the baths, ties at a mooring, you jump in and swim to the beach and they take you on a walk through the rock formations and then you have about another 1/2 hr - 45 minutes to snorkel or just hang out. You heard that snorkeling isn't good there? We did see alot and to me any snorkeling is good then no snorkeling. First time a saw some squid which was pretty cool. They look ALOT sweeter swimming in the water then on our boat getting cut up as bait :o)

I could of done without Marina Cay. But boy....it was sooooo pretty!!! Would of rather just brought my own cooler with a sandwich. It added another 50.00 to our trip and we never got a chance to snorkel there or just hang out. It was get off the boat, go to the table and eat and get out of there.

I'm not sure where they took us for snorkeling after that, but it was pretty good. The fun part was when our captain kevin was going after a mooring and another large boat was using it. Evidentially, some of those moorings are only for commercial boats, not for private use. The man on the private boat had a mouth like a sailor and kevin kept his cool throughout.

Off to Jost Van Dyke. WOW....party city. Swimming in on a noodle and just walking the beach, getting a painkiller and listening to some guitar playing was just perfect. Definetly a must see if you like that kind of thing. I never saw so many people hanging in the water with drinks or beer in their hands. Just having a great time.

I really like the trip and would love to do it again.

Thanks so much Connie

That is exactly the kind of play by play review I have been looking for. Much appreciated.

You will never have enough time to explore these islands on any boat that takes you to multiple destinations. You will get the "flavor" of a couple places. We actually had more time at Virgin Gorda on the Limnose, but that was because we docked and took taxi to top and walked down trail to the Baths. This was nice, but there is a gift shop in every place so I much preferred to swim from the New Horizons boat (a very short distance) and see the Baths and then go to Jost. The Limnose did not have time to go to Jost the time we were there. Having said that -- we had a wonderful day on the Limnose because it is a larger boat and goes slower. You just have to decide what you want to do.

I will be renting a private boat with captain the next time I visit and spending an entire day at Jost as there are numerous beaches, bars, etc. that we did not get to go.

The boat trips are wondeful ways to get a sample of several places -- then you have to visit again and really explore. Please feel free to e-mail or call me and I will tell you everything that we did.

Good luck on your trip. (Sorry it has been so long since I checked this, but have been out of town).

see Trevor in the Grotto on St. John. Ask him to set you up with Captn Neil. You will have to best experience with the best stories of any true boat captain in the islands. stay away from the crowded party barges!!!

Thanks CJ

I appreciate your insight. I was surprised to see this thread pop up again.

More time at Jost sounds good to me!

All:

We booked our day sail on interlinesail in September (they are on the Vinow home page under yacht vacations). We had a 36 foot Catalina...sailed to Jost, Tortola & St. John...it was great. Captain Omar even allowed us to sail the boat ourselves. He can take anywhere from 2 to 6 people. He can also customize a trip as well. Also, you might want to try a romantic overnighter to Jost.

Contact him on http://www.interlinesail.com

F.I.

P.S. Tell him that Future Islander sent you.

Thanks, I will check them out.

I was thinking they might be expensive, but based on their daysail rates, they are right in line with the rest. Figured we would have more time with the powerboat charter, so I will find out the rates.

I will be sure and tell him FI sent us.

Thanks

I was in St. John in August with 4 family members/friends and we chartered the Scubadu catamaran. We made 2 stops to snorkle on out way out to Jost. The captain Joe knew all the best spots to snorkle and made us a fantastic lunch (he is a fantastic chef). He was also the best company you could ask for.

Again, there were five of us but you could do up to 8 on the boat. It was a full day, Joe picked us up in Cruz bay at 9 and we got back a little after 4. As well as the 2 stops to snorkle we also made 2 stops in Jost including White Bay (the most beautiful place in the Carribbean). We love Joe and are going back next May and sailing with him again.

Hope this helps!