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The first year I went to St John, I took the ferry over to Jost Van Dyke. I felt I did not get enough time on Jost as it only ended up being a few hours which was not enough for me. Last year we rented a sail boat from St Thomas and the captain was able to pick me up at my villa in Great Cruz Bay and sailed to JVD and we stayed over night on the sail boat. It was great, loved every minute of it but I still wish I had a little more time on Jost. So this year in planning my trip, I have decided that I would like to spend 7 nights on St John and 3 nights on Jost. Last year while I stayed over night on the sail boat, I still was paying for my car rental and villa. In order to cut some costs this year my last 3 nights would be on Jost. So I would have to travel to Jost with all my luggage with a group of 8 adults. What would be the best and easiest way to travel to JVD for this size group with luggage? I have contacted my last captain to see if he would offer a day sail with some snorkeling and drop us off on JVD but this May (when I plan on going) they are not planning to be on St Thomas, they will be traveling the world. I would then need to find travel back to St Thomas to catch my flight home. Any suggestions?
There is always public transportation...;)
Just time it so you can take the public ferry - $60.00 pp roundtrip including Customs.
Pia
I agree with Pia. Save your money and take the Ferry. It will get you there quickly and let you enjoy the island.
Hi,
A couple of years ago when we-a group of 8- were staying on St. John, we hired Stu Scot to pick us up in his boat and take us to Jost for the day. It was great because we weren't under any time constraints. I found him from this forum. If you copy and paste the address, it will pull up the post
I found his email address http://www.usviservices.com. in that post, hope it's still good. Maybe you can work something out with him to pick you up on Jost and get you to where you need to go.
Have a wonderful trip-I am so JEALOUS!
Denise
Both the USGG and BVI Enforcement have been seriously tracking and boarding vessels that are chartered privately and are not properly licensed or circumventing the six passenger limit for Uninspected Vessels by claiming exemption as a Demise Charter or USCG licensed Captains claiming to be "guides' that day.
No Licensed Captain who depends on their license for a professional career, and makes a living doing it would ever jeopardize their license or vessel in this way,---- Especially on an International trip.
Many part time Captains do not take this infraction to be serious and consider the likelihood of being caught negligible. They can always just go back to their real estate job, wedding officiant work, or some other full time way of earning income if they lose their USCG license - it is a very expensive lesson for everyone involved though.
The Water taxi offered by Dohms is a great alternative for your Jost , 8 person and luggage trip but will not offer snorkeling. I think the ferry is really the best option and then, perhaps get a BVI vessel on JVD to take you snorkeling sometime over your 3 day stay. There are vessels that are USCG Inspected for 12 passengers International available for charter in STJ and they would certainly fit your criteria too.
Check Sadie Sea,Cinnamon Bay,Seamore,Pirates Penny,Captain Nautica, or maybe some of the sales agents for these type of trips will respond on this forum with other ideas for you.
Amen, Zero.
I would suggest Born to Rhumb http://www.borntorhumb.com/ or Island Roots www.islandrootsusvi.com. I have personal experience with both during our St. John vacations and highly recommend both. Born to Rhumb is a larger boat, but both do day trips to Jost, including snorkeling, and both captains are very professional, knowledeable and by-the-book, as far as clearing customs, etc.
Have fun! Sounds like a great trip.
Thank you Zero.
Pamela
