Questions about Jost van Dyke

[Betsypaige]

Hello and Happy Thanksgiving to you all!  Warning, this will be long...sorry!

 

So I’m taking the Disney Fantasy out of Port Canaveral.  I would really love to do the 6 hour ship excursion to JVD, but there’s a high probability of it being sold out before my booking window opens, so I’m spending lots of time trying to figure out what I want to (checking out private tours, etc...)

 

There IS A 4 hour White Bay/JVD excursion through Shore Excursions LLC that looks a lot like the 4 hour one on Disney - difference is that Shore Excursions leaves from the pier, and so saves a bit of time. They get great reviews, but I really want more than 2 hours on the beach. 

 

I’ll break this into 2 parts so as to make it less unwieldy:

1) Is JVD primarily for partiers, tourists and drinkers? I see a lot of that in my research, although everyone agrees that White Bay is gorgeous. I’m neither of the first two, definitely the last, lol. I intend to try a Painkiller while I’m here, but my primary goal is to enjoy the beautiful beach and do some swimming. I’d also love to have a tasty, authentic lunch ...

2) Which are your favorite lunch spots on JVD? Soggy? Hendo’s? If I end up taking a private tour for more than 4 hours, I may be able to check out another part of JVD, but that’s up in the air

Part 2 to follow 

 

Thank you!

 

[Betsypaige]

Part 2
 

3) My Cruise is 3/2-3/9, so I’ll be in Tortola on 3/5...I suppose that’s still spring break. I admit I hate crowds anywhere, but 3/5 is a Wednesday - does that matter in terms of how crowded White Bay will be? I’m ok with people, lol - I don’t need solitude and compete privacy, I just don’t like big crowds.

I’m considering the below company because I LOVE fast boats, I love the feel of the wind in my face...its very expensive, so I’m really not sure, but I love that I can customize a tour (I’d definitely add Smuggler’s Cove)

https://antillespowerboats.com/


4) Should I consider beaches on a quieter island, like Virgin Gorda ? Not the Baths - that’s not for me. I’d be happy with beautiful white sand, good swimming, a good local’s place for lunch...

Or, I could just stay on Tortola. Smuggler’s Cove really appeals, but I’m alone, and I’ve read here that there could be issues with taxis not returning. Brewer’s Bay and Long Bay both sound lovely...

 

Thank you!!

 

[Betsypaige]

Just to add...

I’m inquiring into Sunshine Powerboats..

 

I’m thinking a  possible island hopping itinerary might be:

White Bay, JVD - morning
Smuggler’s Cove - lunch/early to mid afternoon  - Patricia’s

Cooper Island/Virgin Gorda (Devil’s Bay)?

For a freckled, very fair skinned tourist, that’s a lot of sun, sand and water, lol. It almost makes me wonder if I should forget the last two stops and maybe to a taxi tour of Tortola instead....

Thoughts?

 

Thank you!

[blue_water]

1) Yes, White Bay is very popular with day trippers- cruisers, bareboaters, and excursions from STT, STJ, and Tortola.
 

2) Our choice away from the crowds would be Ivan’s Stress Free Bar.

 

3) White Bay can be very crowded every day, although weekends can be worse.

 

4) Yes - I think Smuggler’s or Long Bay, West End would be perfect for you. Long Bay is a bit easier, but you shouldn’t have a problem with a taxi returning…Your island hopping itinerary is way too aggressive. Sunshine can give you a realistic itinerary for your day..,

[blue_water]

3 minutes ago, blue_water said:

1) Yes, White Bay is very popular with day trippers- cruisers, bareboaters, and excursions from STT, STJ, and Tortola.
 

2) Our choice away from the crowds would be Ivan’s Stress Free Bar.

 

3) White Bay can be very crowded every day, although weekends can be worse.

 

4) Yes - I think Smuggler’s or Long Bay, West End would be perfect for you. Long Bay is a bit easier, but you shouldn’t have a problem with a taxi returning…Your island hopping itinerary is way too aggressive. Sunshine can give you a realistic itinerary for your day..,

Another option is a private tour of Tortola with AC’s Taxi with beach time at Smuggler’s…

[Betsypaige]

5 hours ago, blue_water said:

1) Yes, White Bay is very popular with day trippers- cruisers, bareboaters, and excursions from STT, STJ, and Tortola.
 

2) Our choice away from the crowds would be Ivan’s Stress Free Bar.

 

3) White Bay can be very crowded every day, although weekends can be worse.

 

4) Yes - I think Smuggler’s or Long Bay, West End would be perfect for you. Long Bay is a bit easier, but you shouldn’t have a problem with a taxi returning…Your island hopping itinerary is way too aggressive. Sunshine can give you a realistic itinerary for your day..,

 

5 hours ago, blue_water said:

1) Yes, White Bay is very popular with day trippers- cruisers, bareboaters, and excursions from STT, STJ, and Tortola.
 

2) Our choice away from the crowds would be Ivan’s Stress Free Bar.

 

3) White Bay can be very crowded every day, although weekends can be worse.

 

4) Yes - I think Smuggler’s or Long Bay, West End would be perfect for you. Long Bay is a bit easier, but you shouldn’t have a problem with a taxi returning…Your island hopping itinerary is way too aggressive. Sunshine can give you a realistic itinerary for your day..,

That’s why I’m thinking get to White Bay earlier ..it’s a week day at least, so that helps. 
 

As long as Ivan’s serves lunch, I’m good...

 

I’ll just forget about the 3rd stop, although if I’m not going to do that, it feels like I’m not taking advantage of having a boat...but then again, it beats having to get to JVD by myself, and worrying about being picked up from Smuggler’s Cove, lol. Malcolm is going to e-mail me, so once we further discuss itinerary and price, I’ll know if this will really work.

 

Thank you!

Edited November 24, 2023 by Betsypaige

[Betsypaige]

5 hours ago, blue_water said:

Another option is a private tour of Tortola with AC’s Taxi with beach time at Smuggler’s…

Based on your previous comments, I called AC....they don’t do solo travelers. I’m not surprised, though I was disappointed...this world isn’t set up for singles.

 

Thank you, though -this would have been wonderful

[blue_water]

Sorry to hear that!

There are drivers at the pier offering shared and private island tours, some with a stop in CGB. If you don’t book anything before you arrive you could do that. There are other tour operators, let me look at that…

[blue_water]

24 minutes ago, Betsypaige said:

 

That’s why I’m thinking get to White Bay earlier ..it’s a week day at least, so that helps. 
 

As long as Ivan’s serves lunch, I’m good...

 

I’ll just forget about the 3rd stop, although if I’m not going to do that, it feels like I’m not taking advantage of having a boat...but then again, it beats having to get to JVD by myself, and worrying about being picked up from Smuggler’s Cove, lol. Malcolm is going to e-mail me, so once we further discuss itinerary and price, I’ll know if this will really work.

 

Thank you!

Great!

[Betsypaige]

6 minutes ago, blue_water said:

Sorry to hear that!

There are drivers at the pier offering shared and private island tours, some with a stop in CGB. If you don’t book anything before you arrive you could do that. There are other tour operators, let me look at that…

Me, too, but the good thing is there are options. I could still do the Sunshine boat charter and a private island tour - as long as I get off to an early start.  It’s easy to imagine all these things in my head, but it also needs to be practical …I’ll know more after Malcolm gets back to me

 

Thank you so much! 

[Betsypaige]

So although I haven’t heard back from Malcolm yet, I decided to do sort of an island/beach combo tour with Dervin @ Stoutt’s Taxi and Tours, which I first read about here.  I’ll spend some time at Smuggler’s Cove, and then Dervin will take me around part of the island...perhaps with a stop at CBG. As much as I’d LOVE to see White Bay and spend time there, I can’t help thinking how I’d regret not seeing any of Tortola. I WILL return to the Virgin Islands, and JVD isn’t going anywhere.

 

I actually think this works best. I’ll be getting plenty of beach time on this cruise, what with spending some time on Trunk Bay in STJ (as part of a Jeep tour) and Disney’s Castaway Cay.  I don’t think I need more.
 

Thoughts ?

 

Thank you!!

[blue_water]

3 hours ago, Betsypaige said:

So although I haven’t heard back from Malcolm yet, I decided to do sort of an island/beach combo tour with Dervin @ Stoutt’s Taxi and Tours, which I first read about here.  I’ll spend some time at Smuggler’s Cove, and then Dervin will take me around part of the island...perhaps with a stop at CBG. As much as I’d LOVE to see White Bay and spend time there, I can’t help thinking how I’d regret not seeing any of Tortola. I WILL return to the Virgin Islands, and JVD isn’t going anywhere.

 

I actually think this works best. I’ll be getting plenty of beach time on this cruise, what with spending some time on Trunk Bay in STJ (as part of a Jeep tour) and Disney’s Castaway Cay.  I don’t think I need more.
 

Thoughts ?

 

Thank you!!

I think that is an ideal solution for you, and Stoutt’s is great too. And I’m happy you are considering staying and seeing Tortola! Sooo many day visitors head straight for the ferry to JVD or VG and never experience the beauty that Tortola offers!

 

You will see some of the most beautiful views in the Caribbean, and meet wonderful people along the way. I imagine you will stop at Stoutt’s Lookout too. And if you are going from Smuggler’s or Long Bay, West End to CGB (or Brewers Bay), ask to stop at Bananakeet for their “Bananakeet” drink and the spectacular views of the USVI.

 

Great choice! And I agree, return for a longer visit and enjoy the Baths and White Bay when the ships depart! 😉

[Betsypaige]

46 minutes ago, blue_water said:

I think that is an ideal solution for you, and Stoutt’s is great too. And I’m happy you are considering staying and seeing Tortola! Sooo many day visitors head straight for the ferry to JVD or VG and never experience the beauty that Tortola offers!

 

You will see some of the most beautiful views in the Caribbean, and meet wonderful people along the way. I imagine you will stop at Stoutt’s Lookout too. And if you are going from Smuggler’s or Long Bay, West End to CGB (or Brewers Bay), ask to stop at Bananakeet for their “Bananakeet” drink and the spectacular views of the USVI.

 

Great choice! And I agree, return for a longer visit and enjoy the Baths and White Bay when the ships depart! 😉

It’s expensive, lol....but I’m happy, too! Will I occasionally go back and forth  wondering if I made the right choice? Yes, because it will give me something to do with so much time on my hands, and also that’s just me...but I didn’t want to be just another day tripper using Tortola as a pit stop. 
 

Ooh, what’s a Bananakeet? I actually don’t drink, but I’m going to try a Painkiller because ..yum, what’s better than Coconut, orange and pineapple juice? I may get it Virgin style, though I don’t hate rum, so maybe I’ll try it that way...

 

Any recommendations for lunch? Though I’m sure Dervin will have some...what a nice guy he is.

 

Think I can get a hook bracelet in Road Town or should I save that for Cruz  Bay?  Any recommendations in either place ? I’m not much of a shopper, but I would like to buy some fresh fruit, juices, and check out authentic island products.

 

Thank you so much for all of your help - even reading your older posts, you’ve been such a big help!

 

 

 

[blue_water]

Thank you for your kind words! 🙏

 

My wife had a Hook bracelet made by St John Bracelet Co. in Cruz Bay some years ago while we spent the day/evening on STJ. Exquisite workmanship and quality. You can check their Facebook page if interested, and also ask Delvin for any recommendations on Tortola.

[Betsypaige]

23 minutes ago, blue_water said:

Thank you for your kind words! 🙏

 

My wife had a Hook bracelet made by St John Bracelet Co. in Cruz Bay some years ago while we spent the day/evening on STJ. Exquisite workmanship and quality. You can check their Facebook page if interested, and also ask Delvin for any recommendations on Tortola.

I checked their website - absolutely stunning!  It looks like there are two different kinds of hooks - one that looks like a C and one that looks like a pirate hook (the kind that replaces a hand).  They are not inexpensive, but wow - I need one, lol.  Thank you !

[blue_water]

Definitely quality workmanship, at least a few years back…