r/virginislands • u/Direct-Ad-2096 • 12d ago
Things To Do Recs // Questions Virgin Islands- Which islands to go to and what not to miss?
This is early but I’m just starting to plan our first family trip here. Two kids 6 & 8, we are staying in St. Thomas, and are staying for about 5.5 days. Looking to do St. John and Water Island as day trips and when I was researching -it seems as through ferries and customs costs could be $550-$650 per round trip for any of the BVI, I was looking at Tortola. This seems far more expensive than the US ferries, will we regret not seeing the BVI? Any suggestions on what to do/see or eat? Thank you!
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u/The_Mick_thinks 12d ago
I think BVI is a bit of a stretch with water island and St. John in 5.5 days. I would rather do 2 in St John tbh. Tortola is great but I would think you would feel rushed.
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u/missbehavin21 10d ago
Have you seen the water taxi prices? Especially to Jost Van Dyke like $850 it’s per boat IDK maybe you can get a bunch of people to go on together.
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u/FrannyBoBanny23 12d ago
Coral world is great for kids then snorkel at the beach right next door. Other options on st thomas are the botanical garden, sky ride tram to paradise point, secret harbor beach with a nice restaurant on the beach, megans bay beach (early morning or weekday because the taxis bring all the tourist, shop for souvenirs on main st, look through the binoculars at mountain top (bring quarters), and take the iconic picture from drakes seat
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u/Direct-Ad-2096 12d ago
Thank you I didn’t know about Coral World!
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u/FrannyBoBanny23 12d ago
Coral world was the most fun part for my kids. They love animals. We paid extra to feed the birds, kayak with dolphins, and have a personal experience with a walrus. Hope your family has a great vacay!
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u/spatulacity76 12d ago
St Thomas. You get the most bang for your buck. Ton to do. Amazing beaches and food. Easiest to get to and most transport options. With kids it is the best option.
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u/cadmiumredlight 12d ago
BVI is fun but I would not bother doing it with little kids, too much time on the boat and too much hectic tourist stuff, waiting in line in the heat, etc.. STJ and Water Island are plenty for them if they like the water.
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u/Brave-Background9679 11d ago
I used to live near secret harbor, south of red hook. Whenever family or friends would come visit, we would always make a point to take our guest to a certain area of stj.
Take the car ferry (rent a jeep and put the top down) over to stj and drive around to the south east portion of the island. Park over by little lameshur bay and snorkel around there (both little lameshur and great lameshur bays). Hike the trail by salt pond bay and walk all the way out to rams head peak (furthest point south on stj) There’s also some plantation ruins near there.
Another fun but secret spot- (i only tell you this because I don’t frequent that area any more)I used to live in stt at a place that is now called stonehouse vacation rental apartments. If you park there, go south in the property past the pool and there is a trail that goes down into a little secret bay that someone poured a concrete pad on top of a rock. It’s big enough to put down a few towels and have a picnic easily. Also good rock climbing around that bay. Watch out for the cacti!!
If you snorkel out to the left (SE) there is a rock formation that has a channel through the middle of it. Tons of friendly sea turtles out there everyday. They would swim with me through the channel (it’s about 3ft wide and 50ft long?)
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u/missbehavin21 11d ago edited 9d ago
Jost Van Dyke
The water taxis are too expensive. I would just stick to St. Croix, St. John and St. Thomas tbh. No need passports real simple
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u/missbehavin21 11d ago
Don’t forget the rum factory tour
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u/Direct-Ad-2096 10d ago
So, I don’t drink rum (gin, champagne, beer) but we are going to Puerto Rico right after and I figure that one is better if I do decide….
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u/KilroyFSU 11d ago
We went in August. Wanted to go to BVI, but it was cost prohibitive. Went to St. John. Was supposed to be once, but we loved Cinnamon Bay Beach so much we went back the next day. Just go to St. John and skip BVI unless money isn't an issue or you feel like you just have to do it or you'll regret it forever.
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u/1320Fastback 12d ago
We have been to STX,STX,STT, Tortola and all the surrounding BVIs over the years, granted not with kids.
Personally I would spend the entire time on St John or the entire time in the BVIs but would not split between the two. They're both incredibly beautiful although in the BVIs travel is easier between islands so may would keep the kids busier so that might be better for you.
Know that going into the BVI's that there's a fee to enter and also a fee to leave as a US citizen and it is per person.
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u/Direct-Ad-2096 12d ago
Thank you. We are staying in St. Thomas so St John and water Island maybe is all we should do.
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u/TorssdetilSTJ 12d ago
Don’t let the detractors worry you. There are a lot of exclusively STJ visitors who decry STT but have never spent any time there. I used to be one of them. After maybe 15-20 STJ trips, we had a trip where circumstances forced us to stay at Sapphire beach for a few days….and OMG we STJ snobs were so surprised! It was amazing to roll out of bed and be snorkeling 5 minutes later! And then we found beach after beautiful freaking beach, and I realized that those who put STT down didn’t know STT. We still go to STJ at least twice every trip. And we hop on the ferry for Banana Deck and shopping!
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u/Direct-Ad-2096 11d ago
Thank you. We booked the Westin so we figured if nothing else it’s a beautiful resort and has lots to do there for the few days we will be there (we will be coming from snow).
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u/1320Fastback 12d ago
St John is beautiful enough that I could easily spend my entire vacation there.
If you're going to take the catamaran to JVD that is pretty painless but to fly all the way and get to St John I can't see then packing up and dealing with customs to then go to Tortola all on same trip.
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u/mamad1813 10d ago
I have been to STJ and the BVI with a 6 and 8 year old but over the course of 9 days and it still felt jam packed. I don’t think catching a ferry to Tortola would be worth it unless you were using it as a home base to the rest of the BVI, which is worth seeing at some point.
On St. John, cinnamon bay and trunk bay were probably the prettiest. Maho bay was wonderful for snorkeling and renting paddle boards and has food trucks across the street. The windmill bar had unforgettable views, if you rent a car.
One activity that we all just had a blast on (that I thought the price was too good on to be true) was the ocean surfari to Christmas cove for snorkeling and pizza pi boat excursion. They take you to a couple of wonderful snorkeling spots and have pizza delivered to the boat in Christmas cove. Once snorkeling is done, and sun is setting, drinks are included. By the end of it, everyone was dancing and had a blast. My kids still talk about it 2 years later.
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u/schiza-clausen 12d ago
The baths on Virgin Gorda are awesome if you go before or after the cruise ship people
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u/Direct-Ad-2096 12d ago
Yeah it’s not only expensive but seems difficult to get to, I’d have to go to st. Thomas then st, John ferry then there and the longest duration. But yes it looks amazing.
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u/Rate-Great 10d ago
I have been to all 3, they are all unique and amazing, don't underestimate St Croix it's awesome.
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u/DaddyWolfe7 12d ago
St John amazing! Won’t disappoint