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        <title><![CDATA[Activities/Tours - Virgin Islands Reviews]]></title>
        <description><![CDATA[Virgin Islands Now - Explore St. Thomas, St. John, St. Croix and Water Island.]]></description>
        <link>http://www.vinow.com/community/</link>
                                        <item>
                <guid isPermaLink="false">223-353</guid>
                <title><![CDATA[Morningstar Charters: Excellent value for a great day]]></title>
                                <link>http://www.vinow.com/community/component/content/article/26/223-morningstar-charters.html</link>
                <description><![CDATA[
                                This was the perfect closing to a fantastic week. The crew was exceptional, they ensured our voyage was fun and worth seeing. This was a great value and the one-on-one contact made the trip worthwhile. Thanks again.                 ]]></description>
                <category><![CDATA[Activities/Tours]]></category>
                <pubDate>Tue, 31 Jul 2012 21:34:17 -0400</pubDate>
            </item>
                        <item>
                <guid isPermaLink="false">241-297</guid>
                <title><![CDATA[Virgin Islands Ecotours: Great time, great people]]></title>
                                <link>http://www.vinow.com/community/component/content/article/26/241-virgin-islands-ecotours.html</link>
                <description><![CDATA[
                                We booked a Kayak, Hike, Snorkel trip when we were there in June. Due to the recent weather causing murky water, we were unable to snorkel. It would have been wonderful to do, but the staff went above and beyond to make it up to all those on the trip. We walked away with wonderful photos, memories, and good feelings about this group of folks. It was a great activity to work out your arms/abs! We kayaked about 2.5 miles and hiked along Cas Cay and the shoreline. Learned a lot, so it was sort of like a grown-up class field trip! It is a great activity for all ages, and I highly recommend doing it. Book well in advance, as on cruise ship days it fills up. This was our third trip to ST. Thomas, but only the first time we were able to get in on a trip. Thanks Jesse, Kevin, Scott,and Kate. (hope I got the names right!)                ]]></description>
                <category><![CDATA[Activities/Tours]]></category>
                <pubDate>Wed, 07 Jul 2010 16:27:32 -0400</pubDate>
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                        <item>
                <guid isPermaLink="false">337-267</guid>
                <title><![CDATA[Red Hook Dive Center: Diving]]></title>
                                <link>http://www.vinow.com/community/component/content/article/26/337-red-hook-dive-center.html</link>
                <description><![CDATA[
                                We have been diving with Red Hook all week and the diving has been spectacular.  Staff is very professional and experienced.  For 2 days, there was a student who was completing his Open Water Certification with Mickey. As with all of the staff at Red Hook, Mickey did such a good job teaching the necessary skills that you could not possibly tell the student from the experienced divers.

During our first dive at Stragglers on Tuesday, we saw 2 huge turtles complete with 2 - 18" Remora, a green Moray, a golden eel, several spotted eel, a juvenile drum, a queen triggerfish, lobster-too many to mention, and an 8 - 10 ft nurse shark, again complete with Remora!  Our Divemaster/guide was Russell aka "Dolphin whisperer".  

Our second dive was Castle Reef.  Incredible visibilty and again turtles, huge lobster and not very well known dive but really beautiful.  On the following day we went to Cow Rock-a must see with swim throughs, (very easy-you can always see light at the other end and great for picture taking), Juvenile Spotted Drum, several spotted eel, Queen Trigger Fish, and much more.  Also, Ledges of Little St. James - again a must do dive, with overhangs where huge crab and lobster hang out. Russell's Ridges-large, interesting coral mounds.

We have been diving with the staff at Red Hook for at least 10 yrs and by far, this is the most professional dive operation that we have ever encountered.  We tell all of our friends to do their bookwork at home and their Open Water certs with Red Hook.  Happy diving!

                ]]></description>
                <category><![CDATA[Activities/Tours]]></category>
                <pubDate>Sat, 07 Nov 2009 10:38:56 -0500</pubDate>
            </item>
                        <item>
                <guid isPermaLink="false">235-264</guid>
                <title><![CDATA[Daysail High Pockets: One of the best days of our honeymoon!]]></title>
                                <link>http://www.vinow.com/community/component/content/article/26/235-daysail-high-pockets.html</link>
                <description><![CDATA[
                                My wife and I were able to sail aboard High Pockets during our honeymoon on St. Johns and St. Thomas in May of 2009, and it definitely was one of the most enjoyable days we spent on either island! From the start, Kathleen and crew were great, making us feel at home and completely relaxed the entire day. After a delicious lunch, and surprise bottle of champagne after they found out we were on our honeymoon, they fulfilled a request and brought us to a snorkel spot to find sea turtles, which had been eluding us our entire honeymoon. Sure enough, we dove in and saw our first turtles almost immediately. 

If I could rate them higher I definitely would. A day spent sailing on High Pockets is a great day! We will definitely look them up the next time we are down that way!

P.S. 
The Rum Swizzles were terrific!                 ]]></description>
                <category><![CDATA[Activities/Tours]]></category>
                <pubDate>Thu, 15 Oct 2009 21:13:23 -0400</pubDate>
            </item>
                        <item>
                <guid isPermaLink="false">339-263</guid>
                <title><![CDATA[Big Blue - V.I. Powerboat Excursions: Top Shelf Snorkeling Trip]]></title>
                                <link>http://www.vinow.com/community/component/content/article/26/339-big-blue-vi-powerboat-excursions.html</link>
                <description><![CDATA[
                                It is always wonderful to find someone who loves what they're doing and does it well. That was our experience with Capt Wilson on the Big Blue. Our group is into snorkeling big time and we had an incredible day out on the water. At each stop, we were given a short briefing about the area . After each spot we all picked the captain's brain about the different fish and excitedly flipped through his Fish ID books pointing out the things we'd seen. There was no rush, no pressure and It was tons of fun.

And yes, absolutely the best day of OUR vacation as well.                 ]]></description>
                <category><![CDATA[Activities/Tours]]></category>
                <pubDate>Tue, 06 Oct 2009 18:35:48 -0400</pubDate>
            </item>
                        <item>
                <guid isPermaLink="false">339-250</guid>
                <title><![CDATA[Big Blue - V.I. Powerboat Excursions: No exaggeration - the best snorkeling day-trip!]]></title>
                                <link>http://www.vinow.com/community/component/content/article/26/339-big-blue-vi-powerboat-excursions.html</link>
                <description><![CDATA[
                                Captain Wilson delivers with his in-depth knowledge of the snorkeling spots among the many cays surrounding USVI and BVI. He completely tailored the trip to our interests and pace. He took us to several spots where we were the only snorkelers in the water and the only boat within sight.  Before we even got in the water, he told us what kinds of fish and coral to expect.  He was very safety conscious as well. We chose this trip over others because we wanted the boat exclusively to ourselves and because ALL of the reviews we read were positive.  We were not disappointed!  A day on Big Blue with Captain Wilson will be the highlight of your vacation!
                 ]]></description>
                <category><![CDATA[Activities/Tours]]></category>
                <pubDate>Fri, 11 Sep 2009 02:39:07 -0400</pubDate>
            </item>
                        <item>
                <guid isPermaLink="false">421-249</guid>
                <title><![CDATA[Caribbean Watersports & Tours: Parasailing... Fun!]]></title>
                                <link>http://www.vinow.com/community/component/content/article/26/421-caribbean-watersports-a-tours.html</link>
                <description><![CDATA[
                                Headed out with Caribbean Watersports for parasailing. They picked us up at the Sapphire Marina, total 5 people. There were 2 crew members. Motored out from the marina to the open area just off of Sapphire, they gave a short introduction on how it works, what to do, what to expect and then set up the first two people. The wind was up a bit so we all had to go tandem (2 at a time), one person got to go twice since we had just 5 people. With life vest on you sit on the back of the boat and get rigged up and then up, up and away. The lift off was very cool. Up in the air you get a bird’s eye view - very nice and peaceful. You get dunked in the water when coming in, if you want - the dunking is optional (you let them know before going up). The dunking is fun; it’s a gentle dunk and was just up to the chest more or less. Then it’s up again a little bit and then back onto the boat - gentle landing on the back of the boat where you start. You’re up in the air for maybe 10 minutes, fun time!                ]]></description>
                <category><![CDATA[Activities/Tours]]></category>
                <pubDate>Fri, 04 Sep 2009 19:47:44 -0400</pubDate>
            </item>
                        <item>
                <guid isPermaLink="false">225-248</guid>
                <title><![CDATA[New Horizons Daysails: Relaxing Day, Great Time]]></title>
                                <link>http://www.vinow.com/community/component/content/article/26/225-new-horizons-daysails.html</link>
                <description><![CDATA[
                                Took a full day charter on Breakaway to the British Virgin Islands. Included a stop at Virgin Gorda, Marina Cay for lunch, Diamond Reef to snorkel and then White Bay on Jost Van Dyke to relax. Trip started out of Sapphire Beach Marina on St. Thomas, maybe 25 people. Boat was full, there is a higher seating area and a lower area - the group filled both comfortably but not any space to move around or anything. Its a power boat and a comfortable ride over to the BVI. The crew was captain plus two ladies. They got the passport, immigration form stuff taken care of - we all filled out what we needed to and they collected those and the fees which the captain filed for us while we were on Virgin Gorda heading to the Baths. In Virgin Gorda a taxi picked up the group and took us out to the top of the Baths, short hike down to the beach. Quick swim and then we were guided by the boat crew through the wooden steps in the Baths. A few photo stops and then to the other beach at the Baths. It was not a busy day so going through the Baths was pretty easy, just a couple times waiting for other people to pass. I imagine on busy days there might be more waiting at the steps and narrow passages while navigating through the Baths. Then it was back to the taxi to get back to the boat. The stop at the Baths goes quickly, more of a see it type thing. 

Next stop was Marina Cay for lunch which had been ordered in advance, we selected what we wanted while on the boat so that it was ready on arrival. A big table was set out for the group. Good food, neat place. Then across the way to Diamond Reef, which had beautiful snorkeling - cool spot. About 40 minutes for snorkeling and then back to the boat. On the boat drinks were readily available, also some snacks - fruit plate earlier in the day and then shrimp. Last stop was White Bay - beautiful. Enough time here to get drinks, walk the beach, hang out in a hammock, swim - enjoy the view. A great wrap up to a great day. The crew was super friendly, informative, and helpful. Great day!!                ]]></description>
                <category><![CDATA[Activities/Tours]]></category>
                <pubDate>Fri, 04 Sep 2009 19:32:17 -0400</pubDate>
            </item>
                        <item>
                <guid isPermaLink="false">315-247</guid>
                <title><![CDATA[B.O.S.S.: BOSS]]></title>
                                <link>http://www.vinow.com/community/component/content/article/26/315-boss.html</link>
                <description><![CDATA[
                                Trip started out getting on the boat, motoring out a bit and then getting various instructions and guidelines and what to expect and do. Crew seemed very organized and on top of things as far as making sure we were safe and everyone understood how the BOSS worked etc. Didn't find them all that friendly however… that said genuinely friendly over safety and I'll take safety. Anyway the trip out to Buck Island was pretty cool, a little choppy that day so we were all getting splashed - that was fun! We had all been given colored bracelets based on who we came with as everyone doesn't get to go out at the same time so they want to make sure people that came together go out at the same time so use the colors to make groups. We had 3 or 4 groups. While one group was out everyone else could go snorkeling or hang out on the boat. Onboard there were some snacks like crackers and crackers with cheese packs, also water and sodas. Snorkel gear was provided or you can bring your own. The snorkeling in the bay was ok, very clear water, saw some fish and a turtle. If you aren't able to keep track of time while snorkeling the crew blows a horn to indicate the next group is up. To get on the BOSS you have to swim out from the back of the boat to the BOSS bobbing in the water. The crew tells you which number BOSS you are on and that is the one you swim out to - each has a numbered buoy attached to it. Once at the BOSS and buoy another crew member checks things out and then gives you the go ahead to enter. You have to hold your breath, go under water and then duck into the BOSS helmet area where air is supplied so you can breathe. It was a little intimidating at first. Once all set they release you from the buoy and have those ready to go hold hands under water while the others are set up. Once everyone is good to go another crew member (in scuba gear) leads the group (no longer holding hands) around for a bit under water. Everything looks so much smaller through the helmet which was a bit of a surprise, fish looked teeny tiny. It’s different being underwater scooting along. Some people were better at navigating than others so there were a couple times people bumped into each other; crew following along (in scuba gear) helped pushed the BOSS/people apart. While in the BOSS if you had an underwater camera the crew took photos of your group together (holding hands to keep you next to each other). The whole excursion from getting on the boat, going out to Buck Island, getting the talk on how it all works, snorkeling, being on the BOSS, heading back to St. Thomas was about 3 hours. Each groups turn on the BOSS lasted about 40-45 minutes but that includes swimming out to them, getting on and off and actually being underwater. The underwater part on the BOSS was maybe 15 minutes.                ]]></description>
                <category><![CDATA[Activities/Tours]]></category>
                <pubDate>Fri, 04 Sep 2009 19:19:33 -0400</pubDate>
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                        <item>
                <guid isPermaLink="false">323-211</guid>
                <title><![CDATA[Daydreamer & Coconut: Very Relaxing...]]></title>
                                <link>http://www.vinow.com/community/component/content/article/26/323-daydreamer-coconut.html</link>
                <description><![CDATA[
                                The captain met us at Sugar Bay (Wyndham Resort Beach) with a dinghy to take us to the boat; he was very friendly. A few trips from shore to boat by dinghy and our group was all onboard and ready for the great time ahead. Our group had the whole boat (Coconut) for a half day trip to St. John. Crew member gave guidelines, information, what to expect... and then offered drinks. Very nice sail over to St. John for swimming and snorkeling. The beautiful beach we were taken to was Honeymoon Bay. Drinks were regularly offered while on the boat, a nice 'fix your own sandwich' and sides lunch was served buffet style during the beach stop. Nice sail back. Great time!!                ]]></description>
                <category><![CDATA[Activities/Tours]]></category>
                <pubDate>Thu, 03 Sep 2009 00:35:33 -0400</pubDate>
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