ottmar Posted March 25, 2017 #1 Share Posted March 25, 2017 We booked the Ecape to Jost van Dyke on the catamaran and the footnote stated that we must swim the last 30 feet because the cat can't go too close. Is that so and if not a swimmer is there help? Can we cancel the excursion once on board on Wednesday? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zippeedee Posted March 25, 2017 #2 Share Posted March 25, 2017 I was worried about this too. We anchored right at the beach and just walked about four feet through shallow water to the sand. The deck hands were right at the bottom of the stairs to help. If it is really rough I don't know how far out they would anchor. I haven't heard of anyone reporting they had to swim very far. It is a great excursion! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
$hip$hape Posted March 25, 2017 #3 Share Posted March 25, 2017 (edited) We booked the Ecape to Jost van Dyke on the catamaran and the footnote stated that we must swim the last 30 feet because the cat can't go too close. Is that so and if not a swimmer is there help? Can we cancel the excursion once on board on Wednesday? The "cat" can get very close, but will not let you off on dry land. You won't have to swim (maybe walk in about two feet of water to dry beach sand). The crew is very helpful. Don't miss/cancel this Beach."It is a great excursion!" Edited March 25, 2017 by $hip$hape Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gershep Posted March 26, 2017 #4 Share Posted March 26, 2017 You will be able to walk to shore. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeleNipsy Posted March 26, 2017 #5 Share Posted March 26, 2017 Both times I've gone to Jost Van Dyke, the boat was still a distance off from land but the crew had flotation devices to help anyone that needed it. Getting back on the boat was also rather simple with a step-like entrance, instead of a ladder. But you had to go into the water to get to land. It looks shallow because of how clear the water is, but you can't touch until you are with 10-15 feet of shore, depending on the tide. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
autojef01 Posted March 26, 2017 #6 Share Posted March 26, 2017 you don't need to swim it brings you close to the sand! Trust me don't cancel that excursion its awesome! One of the prettiest beaches I have ever seen.Get a pain killer from the soggy dollar!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClevelandCruisin Posted March 26, 2017 #7 Share Posted March 26, 2017 Maybe ankle to knee deep. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hladygirl Posted March 26, 2017 #8 Share Posted March 26, 2017 We have been there three times with NCL. The first time we had to swim in. It was great. The other two times we waded in up to our knees. I guess it depends on the day. I prefer to jump off the boat and swim. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
df5250 Posted March 26, 2017 #9 Share Posted March 26, 2017 We walked down the stairs and waded onto the beach... I'm on the shorter side of height so it was above my knee... but below the beach bag over my shoulder! The crew of the Rebel Yell were awesome and able to assist all the way down the stairs and back up when leaving! We enjoyed the excursion and would do it again... but would try not to sit at the front of the catamaran the next time!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
$hip$hape Posted March 26, 2017 #10 Share Posted March 26, 2017 You will be able to walk to shore. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeleNipsy Posted March 26, 2017 #11 Share Posted March 26, 2017 There must be two different types of boats. The boats I was on both times to Jost Van Dyke thru NCL didn't not get that close. I wouldn't bet on getting one type over the other. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
$hip$hape Posted March 26, 2017 #12 Share Posted March 26, 2017 There must be two different types of boats. The boats I was on both times to Jost Van Dyke thru NCL didn't not get that close. I wouldn't bet on getting one type over the other. We were on the Rebel Yell. What were you on? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vinegarjoe10 Posted March 26, 2017 #13 Share Posted March 26, 2017 We booked the Ecape to Jost van Dyke on the catamaran and the footnote stated that we must swim the last 30 feet because the cat can't go too close. Is that so and if not a swimmer is there help? Can we cancel the excursion once on board on Wednesday? Ottmar, Unless there is horrible weather, the 'Rebel Yell' will be able to get very close to the shore. We have been on this excursion twice (Jan '16, Dec '16) and in Jan we had to wade through 2 foot water and then on the beach. In Dec, my 78 year old Father-In-Law was with us and the crew was awesome in assisting him off of the catamaran, and again we were in maybe a foot 1/2 of water. Again, absent some kind of weather event the 'Rebel Yell' will get very close to shore and there shouldn't be any issues. Just let the crew know and they will help anyone in your party to safely get on the beach. Enjoy Jost Van Dyke ! Regards, Vinegajoe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
armwinder Posted March 26, 2017 #14 Share Posted March 26, 2017 My wife does not swim and is very nervous in the water. It was fine, only knee high at the most. It is a great day and a nice beach, a few bars further up the beach and not as busy as the Soggy Dollar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beerman2 Posted March 26, 2017 #15 Share Posted March 26, 2017 There must be two different types of boats. The boats I was on both times to Jost Van Dyke thru NCL didn't not get that close. I wouldn't bet on getting one type over the other. What year and when? NCL uses Rebel Yell now and let's you off in knee deep. The crew is very good at helping if needed. I'm sure weather can play a factor , but that would be the exception rather than the rule. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zqvol Posted March 26, 2017 #16 Share Posted March 26, 2017 For those of you that say you haven't had to swim in you have been lucky. The two times I have done this excursion we have been about 25 yards off shore and have had to swim in starting in about 15 feet of water. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sotermarler Posted March 26, 2017 #17 Share Posted March 26, 2017 For those of you that say you haven't had to swim in you have been lucky. The two times I have done this excursion we have been about 25 yards off shore and have had to swim in starting in about 15 feet of water. Just curious, Was it stormy? Or were there other boats parked In the way? Like others said we got off the Rebel Yell in knee deep water. Super easy! Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zqvol Posted March 27, 2017 #18 Share Posted March 27, 2017 Just curious, Was it stormy? Or were there other boats parked In the way? Like others said we got off the Rebel Yell in knee deep water. Super easy! Sent from my iPad using Forums Not stormy at all. Unfortunately I don't remember the cat we went over on. Personally I enjoy the swim in but I know most people don't. I do remember that it was during the week, so it wasn't really crowded. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir_Randy Posted March 27, 2017 #19 Share Posted March 27, 2017 Contact the excursion company and voice your concerns and get a solid answer from them, not opinions from CC'rs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beerman2 Posted March 27, 2017 #20 Share Posted March 27, 2017 Contact the excursion company and voice your concerns and get a solid answer from them, not opinions from CC'rs. If it's from the excursion company ( Rebel Yell) they will tell the OP the same things people here on CC are. They make every effort to get as close to shore as possible. Weather, current, waves, amount of private boats all come into play. Which none of the above situations the excursion company can answer any differently. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike C Posted March 27, 2017 #21 Share Posted March 27, 2017 There must be two different types of boats. The boats I was on both times to Jost Van Dyke thru NCL didn't not get that close. I wouldn't bet on getting one type over the other. We booked a private excursion through Foxy's this February and we were in about 5 1/2 feet of water when we climbed down the ladder in the back of the boat. We were able to assist a couple of the people who couldn't swim to shore using noodles. It wasn't a catamaran, more like a cross between a fishing boat and a speed boat. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir_Randy Posted March 29, 2017 #22 Share Posted March 29, 2017 If it's from the excursion company ( Rebel Yell) they will tell the OP the same things people here on CC are. They make every effort to get as close to shore as possible. Weather, current, waves, amount of private boats all come into play. Which none of the above situations the excursion company can answer any differently. I do not see where the OP mentioned they had contact the touring company voicing their concerns and getting an answer directly from them, if I missed that post, I apologize, if not, I stand by my recommendation to talk to them. I would not want to take an excursion and then find out it was not what the kind people on CC stated it to be. I have been to Soggy Dollar but got their by private Cat, and came ashore in our dingy, so I can not say how this particular excursion will handle the dropping off at the beach. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cv322 Posted March 29, 2017 #23 Share Posted March 29, 2017 I've done this excursion 3 times. Twice I was able to walk down the steps into about 2 feet of water & walk ashore. The last time. we were 30 feet or so away from the beach & had to swim ashore. The crew gave people noodles if they wanted help keeping afloat. It's a fabulous excursion! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir_Randy Posted April 23, 2017 #24 Share Posted April 23, 2017 We booked the Ecape to Jost van Dyke on the catamaran and the footnote stated that we must swim the last 30 feet because the cat can't go too close. Is that so and if not a swimmer is there help? Can we cancel the excursion once on board on Wednesday? Hello ottmar, just wondering how things worked out for you at Jost van Dyke? Hopefully you went! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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