take the ferry. check the ferry schedule out of Red Hook, it runs certain days and times. we have done this twice. It takes some time, but soooo well worth it- you will love it!!!

The ferry is do-able, but sometimes it is not reliable. Some guests from a resort were given this same advice a few weeks ago and once they got to St. John, they were advised that there were not enough people to run the ferry so they were re-routed to Tortola (extra $50) and by the time they made it to Jost Van Dyke, they had 1.5 hours before the return ferry and had spent more than an organized trip or powerboat rental. Call first to make sure they are going!

tinthecaribe- good idea. just sayin' we have gone twice no problems...maybe we were lucky.
can't wait to go back.

which ferry company goes to Jost from St.T or St J directly?

Check under "Travel Info"- Ferry schedules on the nav bar above. You do have to be prepared to stop in West End, even if it is advertised as a direct route. The BVI ferries play loosey goosey with the schedules.