blue_water

No we’ve not been there this year but with all the sailing outfits out of Road Town and Nanny Cay there are others. I know ocean Magic Mitch offers private charters and can accommodate you but that would be a power boat rather than a cat. But because it is a powerboat you can actually hit Sandy Spit and Jost, then head east to the other islands. I had checked on the cost of this tour pre-pandemic with Magic Mitch, in 2019 it was $1,000 for up to 6 ppl ($800 + $200 fuel). He has pricing for up to 12 ppl. Captain Malcolm’s special: A tour of the breath-taking Baths; Virgin Gorda, stop at Cooper Island or for a drink, lunch, and a drink then snorkel off the rocks by Cooper, the infamous Willy T floating bar for a drink and/or lunch as kids love to jump off the back of the 2nd-level deck, then finish your day with spectacular snorkeling at the Caves (1 of the top 2 snorkeling spots around - blue tang and stoplight parrotfish) and a stop at Pirate Bite Norman Island. He also had a special boat and price for COUPLES (23’ Contender seats up to 3 passengers): $550 plus $200 fuel includes captain, snorkel gear, and a cooler of beers, waters, and sodas https://www.facebook.com/Ocean-Magic-Mitch-Island-Tours-1673134279639995/ You may also want to check the TTOL BVI forum to see if any other daysail operators are sponsors there, or someone there may be able to help if you post this question there. TTOL is a sailing forum… http://www.traveltalkonline.com/ubbthreads.php/forums/7/1/british-virgin-islands.html

Yes using the cruise line excursion you are severely limited on Tim. That’s why the vast majority of return visitors do the self-excursion whether going to STJ or anywhere. Also no queues waiting for the slower folks in the group…

Can’t help with any real thrift stores… There are stores like Cost U Less and KMart east of Havensight, and perhaps someone can suggest shops just outside the cruise dock areas…Tillett Gardens has always been a stop for us when staying on STT, but that was mostly a small “community” of artisans…

I was curious and looked at AH Riise and Little Switzerland websites and they do not list the prices there. These sites do… $53,000! 😮 https://www.royalcaribbeanvi.com/shop-watches-by-brand/ https://davidsw.com/product-category/watch/rolex/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwspKUBhCvARIsAB2IYusN423LEoTVk_QTCxAWulBFYZ_vkWlBbNjEJ17tlR-Y27vb8WW-6rUaArN1EALw_wcB https://www.breitling.com/us-en/find-your-breitling/mens-watches/?filter=1&search[engraving]=&search[sorting]=newest&search[lowPrice]=&search[highPrice]=

Yes very easy, no need to use the ship excursion. Just hop a shared safari taxi heading there, you will see several taxis lined up at the dock, and the taxi coordinator and drivers will guide you to a taxi. Guessing the fare is probably ~$5 - $6/pp. You can be dropped at the bottom and ride the tram up to Paradise Point, or taxi up and ride the tram down… The tram has been closed for maintenance but is scheduled to re-open tomorrow…

Yes the boats tie up right by the sandy swimming area and you really need to take care when they start taking over that section…

Not dumb at all! Yes taxis do this everyday and they are even at the dock when there is a last minute schedule change…So no worries. I’m not sure when the rental center and beach bar/restaurant open at Sapphire, but they should be when you arrive, and you can definitely grab a spot in the sand if they are not yet open… [EDIT] Just saw Kim’s reply!

Didn’t really answer your question about making the 7:45 ferry - are you still planning on trying that? If so you should be fine. You would walk there but just get off as early as possible…And of course get in line early for the 11 return…

Guesstimate 15 - 20 min, ~$6 - $7? There was a photo posted somewhere of a taxi price list board at CB…

Yes many do this self-excursion to St John everyday and I’ve seen only happy reports! Trunk is beautiful, but like Magens Bay on STT it is the most touted beach on STJ and so the most touristy. There are other beautiful beaches like Cinnamon, Honeymoon, and Hawkenest. And there are a bit more remote bays for better snorkeling but no amenities… It just depends on the amenities you want? And Cruz Bay, where the ferry docks, has some nice shops. St John Bracelet makes beautiful, quality Hook bracelets, for example…

Yes Bill we’ve left the marina on the New Horizons ( a 65’ sloop if I remember?) on a beautiful day and tun into a heavy squall while tacking to Caneel Bay. We had no coats and were pelted with heavy rain while holding on for dear life! It then cleared up like it never happened…

We stay at the SBRM and have been out on day sails but have not rented dinghies from them. It is a great option for going to the north beaches of STJ on your own. We rent Boston Whalers in Bermuda for the same reason. I’d be concerned about the conditions that particular day, just because you are not staying on the island and do not have the opportunity to choose a day that is very calm. But if your don is experienced then that is less a concern of course. Try posting this on the STT forum on CC’s sister site TripAdvisor. Residents and owners at the Sapphire Beach Resorts may have feedback

I know there are often changes but we’re seeing discrepancies between various sites. Is one site more reliable/accurate than others?