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Staying on St John in the U.S. Virgin Islands and looking to do a little island hopping? This is one of the best things to do from St John, and can definitely be the highlight of your vacation. One of the best ways to go island hopping is by joining a group charter, and the Bad Kitty on St John is one of my favorites.
I had my first BVI experience – shoot – over six years ago now? I can’t decide if that is long or short!
It was upon researching the various charter companies that we found Bad Kitty. This is a zippy, medium-sized catamaran that can hold about 30 or so people. It was perfect for my husband and I, since we only needed to pay for two spots rather than renting out a whole boat for ourselves.
Since my experience on the Bad Kitty turned out to be one of my favorite St John travel moments ever, I can’t recommend them enough if you’re looking for an excursion to join. Below I am diving into everything you need to know about a day on the Bad Kitty, and whether this is the perfect tour company for you!
Note: This post was originally published in December 2019, and was last updated in April 2023.
Guide to the Perfect Day on The Bad Kitty from St John USVI
Who Should Choose the Bad Kitty?
The Bad Kitty is perfect for small groups of one to four people, who are leaving from St John. Since my husband and I were only two people, it made much more financial sense for us to pay for two spots on a large tour than to hire a boat and captain.
We also didn’t mind hanging with strangers all day. On larger boats, such as the Bad Kitty, you’ll share your experience with at least 10 other people, which may not be what you want.
Even my introvert self did not find this to be a big deal at all, though, and there was plenty of space on the boat. Plus, at each stop people spread out and do their own thing. We did, however, end up chatting with a couple fellow passengers, and actually enjoyed socializing at little.
How Much Does the Bad Kitty Cost?
Even a shared boat tour does not exactly come cheap. Tickets for the Bad Kitty cost $185 a person, with an additional $85 per person required for customs fees to enter the British Virgin Islands.
Other costs include any food, drinks, or souvenirs you buy at stops throughout the day.
Important Note
The $85 customs fees must be paid in CASH.
What to Bring on the Bad Kitty
A day on the Bad Kitty is amazing, and they show you a great time on the water. There isn’t much you need to bring, as they provide snacks, painkillers, and make a couple food stops. The Bad Kitty also supplies all snorkel equipment, including goggles, snorkels, fins, and flotation devices.
That being said, there are some things you’ll need to bring on your own. All the following items are crucial for a seamless day on the water:
- Passport – You cannot enter BVI without one!
- BVI customs fees ($85/person in cash)
- Swimsuit
- Towel
- Flip flops or sandals
- Sunglasses
- Reef-safe sunscreen (for body, face, and lips).
Book Your BVI Day Trip on the Bad Kitty Here!
What Does a Day on the Bad Kitty From St John Look Like?
Here is what you can expect during a full day cruising the Caribbean on the Bad Kitty:
Meet Up With Your Group
A full day tour on the Bad Kitty meets at the Bad Kitty Boutique in Cruz Bay beginning at 7:30 a.m., just footsteps away from the ferry dock. This is also where they’ll drop you back off later around 4:00 p.m..
Upon boarding, there will be some light pastries available for you to snack on. I remember the pastries being alright, but I’m an avid eater of breakfast and these weren’t enough to sustain me. Thankfully, I had already eaten something at our rental so I could avoid the onset of hanger.
1st Stop of the Day: Tortola
The first stop of the day is Tortola to get your passports stamped and pay your fees. This took a fair bit of time, probably a couple hours by the time we arrived in Tortola, got everyone through customs, and were able to leave again. All passengers stayed on the boat for this process, while a crew member left to handle everything.
2nd Stop: The Baths at Virgin Gorda
After this initial stop, you make your way over to the Baths at Virgin Gorda. The Baths are beautiful, cave-like rock formations that you can wade through in shallow water.
I did not bring my phone to photograph the Baths, as I was afraid of getting it wet on the short swim into the island. They certainly are photo-worthy, though.
While the Baths are stunning, they were quite crowded during our visit. This was also over New Year’s, or the busiest week of the year in the Virgin Islands, which didn’t help. People were jamming up the narrow path through the Baths, which made enjoying them a challenge at times.
They are still definitely worth seeing, but you should adjust your expectations accordingly. Hopefully, the Baths will be less crowded for your visit!
Lunch Stop: Cooper Island
2023 Update: Bad Kitty has only just resumed BVI day trips since the interruptions of 2020. Their current itinerary does not include Cooper Island, but according to Bad Kitty’s Facebook page, it is something they are working on.
After the Baths, our next stop was for lunch on Cooper Island. We filed right off the beach into the Cooper Island Beach Club, where we ordered none other than a burger and fries. Obviously, we needed to wash it down with a painkiller as well.
The Cooper Island Beach Club easily accommodated our whole group, and had an awesome location right up on the beach. It was a truly gorgeous and low key setting for lunch, and unique from even the most loved beach bars on St John.
Snorkel Stop
As the Bad Kitty is not currently going to Cooper Island, the snorkel stop now falls before lunch. This will take place nearby Norman Island, but you’ll probably motor around a little until you find a location that isn’t busy with other snorkelers.
When we eventually anchored, snorkels, goggles, and fins were given to everyone before we jumped off the boat to explore under the sea. I personally needed a pool noodle in addition to a flotation belts, since I was nervous for my first time snorkeling in open water.
I’m so glad I jumped in though, because what was below the surface wowed me. As someone who had never been the biggest wildlife enthusiast, I was in awe of the colorful community of fish, plants, and rocks below me.
A whole new world opened up as I watched the little “Dory” fish swim past pretty rocks and coral. The time flew, and I actually felt sad when our hour of snorkeling was up.
Final Stop: White Bay on Jost Van Dyke
When we got back on the boat, the Bad Kitty crew finally starting serving us painkillers!
We were now making our way to Jost Van Dyke’s White Bay, which was what I had been looking forward to all day. Currently, White Bay has replaced Cooper Island as the lunch stop. Don’t worry – there are plenty of casual eateries to choose from!
White Bay’s sandy beach extends about a half mile long, with tiny beach bars lining its expanse. No shoes required! Which is good because you’ll need to swim into this beach.
The most popular spot on White Bay is the Soggy Dollar Bar, whose name comes from what happens to your cash after swimming in from the boat. This iconic beach bar’s claim to fame is being where the original painkiller was invented. That said, the original was made with Pusser’s Rum and today Soggy Dollar is using its own brand (although you can request the rum you want).
Wandering up and down White Bay’s fluffy white sand, painkillers in hand, was one of the dreamiest afternoons I have ever spent at a beach. If not for the crew of the Bad Kitty eventually gathering us back on the boat, I easily could have spent the rest of the day right there.
On the way back to St John, the crew handed out their iconic press-on tattoos. It’s a little cheesy but good fun, so most guests readily applied them. Before long, we were arriving back in Cruz Bay and efficiently funneling through customs.
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The Bad Kitty offers a magnificent day of island hopping, and is one of the best charters in St John. The BVI tour is a blast with diverse stops and beautiful scenery, and is well worth your time and money. I’ve actually toured with them a second time around St. John, and would definitely see the BVI with them again!
Will you be joining Bad Kitty in the BVI on your next St John, USVI vacation?
Just curious, how long was the boat ride charter from St. John to BVI? Thanks for all the great info! Hoping they open back up again in the future.
The entire day took about 8 hours, with approx. two of them relating to this initial ride over to the BVI’s and clearing customs. Hope that helps! I hope they are back up and running soon too!