We took our 16 year old son with us for Spring Break 2 years ago, then back again for his "senior trip" last year. We did the New Horizons II with him and he LOVED it. He really enjoyed the time climbing around on the boulders at the baths, loved lunch at Marina Cay, then crashed and enjoyed his quiet time on the beach on JVD. I think the teens would enjoy the variety of the trip (short attention spans, and all), and you'd get to enjoy some awesome sights for the day!

thanks for that bit of information........ do they give any discounts for the trip in person for the NHII or is it better to book online? We were thinking of taking some resort tours for some discounts but not sure what they give any information on that? thanks again

Have to agree with VILover. We went with Danielle & Chad on NHII. Great trip. Had 4 teens on our boat who loved the trip along with us older folk. We booked at Sapphire lobby

I'm not aware of any discount for in-person versus on-line reservations. They do give a cash discount versus credit card payment.

If you look at my trip report from yesterday (posted this morning the thread "Blu's Real Time Trip Report") you'll find my entry from my trip on the ferry to Virgin Gorda - went yesterday. I give details of how to use the ferry and what to expect, costs, etc.

It still turns out to be an all day trip. IMO, the Baths need to be explored, not have you led through with a group, on the beaten path. We were there yesterday and watched those groups come through. They were in and out while we were still lazing around in the first section. You could spend a couple of hours inside, finding all there is to find and experience.

I think the best way to do it is private charter (just you and your group - chartign our own course)....and second is ferry. I don't knock the boat day trip.....but I think that is more of an overall experience....not a Baths intensive.

My two sons loved the NHII trip last year (one is a teenager). The benefit is that it's fast paced and they get to do and see a lot. It's a fun intro to the BVIs. I would like to return to the Baths and spend a day but I think if they had to choose, they would pick the NHII over a full day at the Baths.

Would it be cheaper for a large group of
10-12 people to charter a boat or take the ferry over to the Baths or JVD?

Cost would be about the same. So, I'd go for the private charter - then, you can do Baths and Jost in one day.

Hi there,

I read on another travel forum that you get a coupon book with a NH II coupon in it when you rent from either Avis or Budget (sorry... can't recall which!). It might be worth a phone call to ask.

Thanks for the info. I think we are renting from a company over on St. John, so that won't work.

We were in STJ last July and we went on Stormy Petrel/ Pirates Penny and it was awesome. 2 captains and they only take 12 (i think) passengers. Just a nice day and well worth it. It was gorgeous that day, and ill definately book with them again.

Hi,

Thanks for the advice. We have four-teen adults and two children in our group, but all of them may not go with us.

We would really like to be able to rent a private catamaran for a day trip over to Jost Van Dyke.

Can anyone recommend a reliable company that has a catamaran that could accommodate up to 14 adults?

If the cost is too much, we may go with taking the ferry. We're not real sure which ferries to take and where they leave from. Ideally, we would like to take a ferry from Cruz Bay. Would one take it from Cruz Bay to Road Town and then take another ferry from there to Jost Van Dyke, or how does that work? What about going on a ferry to The Baths for a day. Would that be possible or even worth it?

Thanks!

Mary

With respect to Public Ferry vs. Private Charter to the Baths and Public Ferry vs. Private Charter to Jost, we have done both trips both ways and if I were you I think I would do a private charter and not New Horizons( we have done) or Pirates Penny/Stormy Petrel(we have done). We have been visiting STT/STJ for 12 years now, and over that time I think we have made about 8 trips to the Baths and Jost. Every time we bring newbies they want to go.
The public ferry to the Baths runs twice a week. It is $60 RT, plus the cab fare round trip from the ferry(pp). The cab leaves you outside a restaurant /mall area at the Top of the baths. From there you will descend a very long stairway to the ocean, where the rocks are located. You will leave your belongings on the public beach while you climb through the rocks. This includes leaving your passport and money( hopefully in a waterproof case) on the beach, and then taking it with you through the water when you want to get to another area. We have done it but I felt uncomfortable. The ferry usually leaves Cruz Bay a little late and there is sometimes a holdup at customs. So in reality, you dont have from 1030 to 230PM to see the Baths. You will have to climb back up from the ocean, and if you want to take a dip in the pool and have a little lunch then you are only taking about one and one half hours max actually at The Baths. Not much different than you have on the group excursions, only they get twice the price . So you have halved the cost of the trip, but then added the cost of the cab and have only gone to the Baths.
If you want to take the pubic ferry to Jost, it only goes on the weekend, and only from 9AM to 3PM. Then there is the cab if you want to go to Foxy's plus the Soggy Dollar. There is also another customs fee and another day out of your vacation.

If you do a private charter for your group, it usually runs about $100 pp plus customs fees. Look at the websites for companies that let YOU make the itinerary. They are not usually late to pick you up( sometimes NH11 or Limnos are), if you are going to the Baths you clear customs right at Spanish Town--the captain does it while you walk around or shop, and then YOU tell the Captain whether you want to swim in or cab and walk down, or split the party and do both. Its your dime. He waits. When you are finished you still have plenty of time to go to Jost, because though the ferries get back at around 4, you dont have to be back in Cruz Bay until 5.
If you are in any way concerned about costs, or dont want to give up 2 full days of your vacation for a 1 day trip, I would definitely do a private charter rather then NH11 , Limnos, Stormy Petrel of the public ferry. I would do both the Baths and Jost in 1 day.

OOPS--think I answered another poster's question in addition to yours.
My mistake.

"If you are in any way concerned about costs, or dont want to give up 2 full days of your vacation for a 1 day trip, I would definitely do a private charter rather then NH11 , Limnos, Stormy Petrel of the public ferry. I would do both the Baths and Jost in 1 day."

MaryB-

Did you mean instead of using the ferry, you would use NH11, Limnos, Stormy Petrel instead? i appreciate your input. We have friends who own Interline Sailing at St. Thomas and would really like to go with them, but they cannot accommodate our group on one vessel. We want a larger catamaran that has steps and that could pick us up at St. John. Which company would you suggest that has one of those? We may just end up going to Jost for the day and not going to the Baths, even though we would really like to see both in one day.

Thanks again for your help!

I have to agree with most of the previous posters, find a private charter. You will truly enjoy your day.