Hello-We are staying in a villa on Tortola in March for a week. I would love to get a little boat to tool around the island. I would feel comfortable on a few islands that we have visited often but have not been to tortola before. We are not captains, but know the basics. Maybe just enough to get in trouble. Do people that rent the smaller boats from King or Island Rental take them to Jost or are they more just to tool around off shore of tortola? How easy is it to navigate in that area with a little boat? We chartered a big boat with captain/crew from VG and went to Jost and the caves and a few other places and I wouldn't be ok with that distance but what about just a little boat to play around off shore? Dumb? Where would you take a smaller boat and if you are not drinking and ok driving a small boat, what would you say was a safe bet or good boat size to stay safe but still get out on the water?

Congratulations!!! After reading your qualifications and potential itinerary, I am glad to inform you that you are practically OVERQUALIFIED to operate ANY vessel up to 60 feet offered by the various charter companies,subject to a small credit card hold for a damage deposit. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" />

Seriously, look for something around 17-21' feet long.Certainly big enough to go to Jost,Sandy Cay,etc. The seas can change pretty dramatically and things sometimes aren't(or are) as close as they look. The North side of Tortola can get some pretty impressive swells in March. Check with King,Island Time as you mentioned. Probably looking at 275+/- day plus fuel.

I am terrified that they allow such unqualified people to take out big boats and frankly one of the reasons why I would not want to be out in the open waters with a little boat and those 'qualified' captains in big boats! lol But you think a 21 foot boat would be ok on a relatively calm day to get to Jost? I just would not want King or Island to be all 'sure you will be fine' just to get the rental and my family end up swimming back from jost when all heck breaks loose! Thanks for your help

If someone in the group has some small power boat operating experience and the conditions are good and will remain so during your trip, my opinion is you will be fine in something around 20'. Of course, I assume you are kidding about all heck breaking loose and attempting to swim to shore.

Yes beerme, I was kidding. But thanks for double checking

Thanks for the input. We will wait and see how the March swells are and if my husband would rather leave the driving to someone else!

We rented a 23CC out of Cane Garden Bay years back and circumnavigated Tortola in a day with fishing and a few stops along the way. Was great day. I do have over 40 yrs of New England power boating under my belt. Dont think I would set out without some basic skills and knowledge of the area.

Kristin,
I have stayed in Cane Garden and rented a 25'boat for 3-4 days and hit Norman, Jost and depending on the seas, Cooper and Virgin Gorda. I have 30 plus years of boating experience and a great chart so it was easy. Its the entrance to the harbors and other spots you need to understand so you don't hit a reef. Island Time had a great chart with aerial shots of the entrance to White Bay and other popular spots. Go for it if you know how to drive a boat its a blast, beats a taxi <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />