The size of your party eliminates many of the smaller charters whose limit is 6 people. For your group, I would suggest New Horizons II, who travel to BVI and have a great time doing it. 😉

We definitely enjoyed our trip over to Jost with Calypso. On a very overcast day they made it seem sunny. Snorkeling, lunch at Foxy's and a nice couple of hours at the Soggy Dollar. Nice and no rush.

calypsovi.com

We chartered the WhiteWing out of Coral Bay. I chose to do the private charter. It was a little more pricey but having the boat to ourselves was great. Captain Clark is really cool and very informative. Their web site is http://www.connectionsstjohn.com/Whitewing.htm

I agree with promoguy. Calypso is fantastic. The owners run the tour and they are adorable and so much fun. It's a very full day and you have plenty of time to snorkel and hang out at White Bay.

I also love Capt. Clark, but you are limited to 6 people.

I also can vouch for New Horizons II. It had a good variety of stops - Virgin Gorda, Pusser's for lunch, snorkeling stop and White Bay at Jost Van Dyke. Great staff too.

I need that same question answered for STT. We are leaving next week and have a 2 year old to do day sails with. Any ideas?

Hi ryansmom!
My boss and his family did a daysail from Red Hook over to Jost last summer and their captain was Captain Jim. The website is www.sailjester.com. They had the boat to themselves and said they had a great time and.

I chartered the Alaunt for a daysail on July 27, 2005, for my husbands's birthday. Capt. Ron and First Mate Carol made the day wonderful They sail out of St. Thomas. Their website is alauntcharters.com. We had the boat to ourselves, but I think they take up to six people. We sailed to Jost Van Dyke, went to Foxy's, Ivan's Stress Free Beach Bar and Soggy Dollar Bar. Everywhere we went, everyoone knew Ron and Carol on a first name basis. It was one of the highlights of our trip. I would definetly recommend them.

The Internet is a cool resource but perhaps it DOES offer too many choices? I'd like to do a day sail, too, and one of the names that I came up with on St. John was Captain Phil Chalker at www.waywardsailor.net. Has anyone else on this board had experiences with Capt. Phil, and what kind? Second question. My flight back to STL, connecting in Miami, doesn't depart until 5pm or so. Is the Coral world marine center a good place to spend a few hours before going to the airport?And how far is Coral World from Red Hook? Since I'll be on STJ the whole week (laidback is my style), anything I REALLY need to see/do on STT prior to heading back to the Midwest? And this message board has been really awesome, LOTS of information already, and I don't leave until Thanksgiving Day!

We just returned and we went on two different day trips. The first was on a catamaran named Sucbadu. My husband insisted on a cat and after going I understood why. The sail was so smooth. We chose where we wanted to go-had the boat to ourselves-selected our meal and had an incredible day. Cpt. Joe had a fresh water shower to rinse after snorkeling and Alexandra (first mate) handed us towels as we came out of the water. AFter our second snorkel stop we came back to the boat to a beautifully prepared and presented lunch. They were very attentive to our needs and were very friendly but in no way intrusive. WONDERFUL!
Our second trip-at Joe's recommendation- was with Pirate's Penny. WE actually went out on Stormy Petral-a motorboat. We went toVirgin Gorda and were given an escort around the Baths. Andy, our captain was very informative and took us to areas we NEVER would have found on our own. We stopped at a small island named Cooper Island for lunch. They called in our order in advance so it was ready upon our arrival. Next stop was indian rock and the best snorkeling I've ever seen. I can't choose which was better-they were both different and absolutely worth going on-truly the highlights of our visit. We traveled with a 12 year old, a 15 year old, two 18 year olds and us 40 something parents.

Hello canoebase

My family and I went on the Wayward Sailor with Phil and had a fantastic time. If you are looking for a party boat...keep looking.If you are looking for a sail with someone who knows the islands and the best spots as well as caring about what you get from the trip then Phill is the one.

Im aslo in search for a dail sail and sunset sail, but the Wayward Sailor looks small from the pictures on the website. there is one picture where about 6 people are bunched up togther. I have been on a few catamaran sails and there always was enough room to lonuge around, one thing i dont want to be for 5 hours is feeling cramped in a small boat stepping over each other.

Thanks, Chris! and Capt. Phil sounds like my cup of tea. I'm 52 and not into resorts, eating, and partying. I DO enjoy sailing, though, and learning from someone who has the knowlege and the desire to share that knowlege with others. Any other recomendations?

Hello canoebase

Texasgal's comments are valid if you prefer to have a lot of lounge room. Although his boat holds 6, we had just the 4 of us and were fine. Quite frankly, you don't spend a great deal of time in the boat anyway if you want to snorkel. He taught my son how to free dive, find sea cucumbers, etc. I think we spent all of 2 hours in the boat for a full day sail (going, lunch & return).
Another option is White Wing out of Coral Bay.

I'd highly recommend Limnos Charters for the best value and experience to Virgin Gorda in the BVI. It's a big boat (holds about 40) and the captain and staff are awesome! Although it's not a sailboat, the experience is exceptional. The price includes a light breakfast, a huge deli style luach, transfer from the VG marina to the gorgeous Baths (Rock formstions on the beach), a tour and swimming at the Baths, snorkel lessons & equipment and a stop at Norman Island to snorlkel the caves. Oh, and drinks flow the entire time!!

Hi Auntie, I wondered what the price per person was for Limnos charters. It looks good on their web site but no rates were posted. Thanks

Hello again Canoebase, from one 52 year old to another- you might try to see what's available for sailing without the party atmosphere from Maho Bay Resorts. I'm about to chekc that now myself as the New Horizons etc posted throughout seem like fun but I don't care about endless painkillers and want maximum time at the Baths for example. Hubbie Chuck wants company so we still need to find a non-party boat. We went on some day sails from Maho last couple of times we stayed on that side and he seems to think they offer alot more than we took advantage of so its worth a look-see. I know you go after we come back, have a ball!

2 of our adult children coming with us on this trip do not have passports. Can we go to BVI without them? What if they bring their birth certificates?

Greetings fishy123 and Sparks- Here re answers to your questions:

Virgin Gorda--$95.00 + $20 customs fee(customs fee must be in CASH)-total of $115.00 per person-kids 12yrs or less are $65 + $20 customs fee

To travel to the BVI you need either a passport or both a picture license and birth certificate with a raised seal or a certified stamp.

I understand that after the end of the year, new rules come into effect that may require everyone to have a passport to travel. If you are travelling after Decmeber let me know and I'll double check that for you- I have the info I just haven't looked closely at it lately.

Hope this helps. Auntie