You csn take a ferry to Jost, but Mariana Cay is accessible by private boat only....to my knowledge, anyway.....why don't you try the New Horizons II trip? It's all day thing and gets you to the Baths at VG and snorkeling at Guana Island, then lunch and drinks at marina and finish the day st the Soggy Dollar....great trip. Or, you could just rent a boat and do it on your own....but most of them require you to get a captain now. October 11-18, huh? I might be available then...if you want, I can rent a boat from See and Ski and be your personal captain...for free! You pay boat and gas and allow me to bring a first mate...I'll take you wherever you'd like to go for as long as you wanna hang out...

We took the horizons tour last year, it was wonderful, but I don't need to go back to the Baths 2 years in a row, and I think my 8 and 10 year old would be bored with it this year. We really enjoyed hanging out at the soggy dollar and lunch at Marina cay was wonderful. How much does a boat rental cost for a day???

Rent a boat!! Marty probably knows some out of the way places to take you. We've done this several times. My grown kids can't wait each year to do it again. Been doing it for 20 yrs. There are many great snorkel and beach stops. Try Willy T's for lunch. Just not late afternoon if your kids are young. Have seen it get a little crazy there in the afternoon. But, great lunch stop. finish the day at Soggy Dollar Bar, what a great day! !

how much does a boat cost to rent for the day and what type of boats are available to rent??

Depending on the size of the boat...around $275, plus gas. Leave at 8 and back at 5....lotsa water can be covered in that time!

A lot will depend on your budget. Personally, I think the best way to do this is to hire a boat with a captain. It cost more, but you can split the costs up by having more people go with you, and you set the itinerary. Also, keep in mind that you'll need a passport, and you'll need to clear US customers in Coral Bay, STJ on the way back.

hailey00,

Boats include 25-28' Makos, 31’ to 35' Stamas's, 26' Prowler Catamarans among others. Prices for boat rentals range from around $300-$600, plus fuel, for a full day depending on season vs. off season and type/size of boat. Boat rental operators will want to know if you have experience with navigating a boat and some require knowledge of local waters. Licensed captains are available for an extra fee, usually around $115 for a full day.

--Islander

MARTY, HAVE YOU EVER BEEN A CAPTAIN FOR OTHER PEOPLE?? HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW THE ISLANDS? HOW MANY PEOPLE CAN FIT ON A BOAT, FOR INSTANCES, IF WE WENT WITH ANOTHER FAMILY?

You should ask for a licensed captain, hailey.

A licensed captain costs money...since I hold no license, I can't charge, so I only go as one of the group. Perfectly legal...been navigating the waters her for over ten years and I know just about every bay, reef, islet, rock, bouy, etc. that we have in the USVI and BVI... I used to run a trip every Friday that we called "Captain Marty's Island Hop", back when I was in the timeshare business. All during the week I'd get to know the people at the resort and by the end of the week I knew who the fun ones were and then I'd invite them and we'd go...If I had to take an honest guess as to how many times I've done it over the last ten years...uhhh....200? 250?

www.nautinymph.com

I've used this power boat rental company a number of times. They're located at American Yacht Harbor (Red Hook). Check out their website for rates.

Gary

I strongly suggest a USCG Licensed Captain - the financial and personal liabilities involved with a 'free' captain are quite different - ask the rental boat company who is responsible for what in that area if you are using a 'free' captain, who is not allowed to accept any remuneration including $, food or drink from the charter group by the way and must contribute to the cost as well.