What To Expect

What‘s Included

Reviews

• Sail Away!

  Craig B,,Feb 12, 2026

  - Review from Viator

  5.00

  The captain and crew were great. They were funny and very attentive. We swam with a turtle! We would absolutely go again!

• This was a great...

  Kristen L,,Feb 11, 2026

  - Review from Viator

  5.00

  This was a great excursion and I would choose it again! The sailing team members were fun, funny, smart, and made good conversations. Snacks & drinks were good, too.

• Great experience. The...

  mdab1986,,Feb 9, 2026

  - Review from Viator

  5.00

  Great experience. The swells were too high at Jost but we were able to go to another location. They were great. One lady on the boat was obnoxious but they handled her specific requests very well. Would recommend.

• 5-Star Ratings Don’t Match Reality – Unprofessional and Politically Charged Experience

  rglohre,,Jan 31, 2026

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  1.00

  5-Star Ratings Don’t Match Reality – Unprofessional and Politically Charged Experience (This review has been revised at TripAdvisor’s request. While certain details had to be generalized to meet platform guidelines, the experience described below is factual and accurately reflects our day on this tour.) We booked Aristocrat Day Sails based on their five-star TripAdvisor rating and expected a relaxed, premium day sail in the British Virgin Islands. While the boat itself was clean, well-maintained, and comfortable, and the visit to Soggy Dollar Bar met expectations, the overall experience fell well short of what was advertised and ultimately left us very disappointed. The first stop was promoted as an opportunity for stand-up paddleboarding, snorkeling, and exploring. While we understood this was not a dedicated snorkeling trip, snorkeling was presented as an option. However, the captain strongly discouraged it, giving the clear impression that getting the equipment out was something she did not want to deal with. We were then told there was “really no point” because the reef was dead. This should have been disclosed before the trip, not after arrival. The stop ultimately amounted to swimming ashore, walking roughly 75 yards of sand, and returning to the boat. While it is understandable that wind conditions may have prevented paddleboarding, no meaningful alternatives were offered. We were then taken to Soggy Dollar Bar. While this stop was the highlight of the day, outside of it the outing felt more like a basic water taxi than a curated day sail. There was no real itinerary, no hosting, and very little engagement from the captain beyond a brief and curt introduction. No music, no energy, and minimal attention paid to guests. Food was also disappointing. Snacks consisted of a single bowl of potato chips, and lunch was hot dogs, sloppy potato salad, and a few slices of cold cuts—far below what one would reasonably expect from a trip marketed as a premium, five-star experience. The most troubling aspect of the experience was the captain’s behavior toward guests. She was often unfriendly, distracted, and snippy when asked simple questions. More concerning, she repeatedly introduced strongly opinionated, politically charged commentary that was completely unrelated to the tour itself. These remarks were confrontational in tone and personally directed toward several guests onboard, creating an uncomfortable and tense atmosphere. Regardless of anyone’s personal views, guests should not feel lectured, targeted, or made uncomfortable during a paid leisure excursion. This conduct significantly detracted from what was supposed to be a relaxing vacation experience. While the boat itself was nice and the Soggy Dollar stop delivered what it promised, the overall experience did not come close to matching the description or the glowing reviews we relied on when booking. Based on what we experienced, this operation appears to be leaning heavily on reputation rather than consistently delivering a professional, guest-focused experience. I would not recommend this company. If your primary goal is simply to visit Soggy Dollar Bar, a taxi boat would be cheaper, faster, and far more pleasant.

  

  

  

  

  

• Wonderful day sailing thru the BVIs and checking out the Soggy Dollar Bar!

  canderson1015,,Jan 31, 2026

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  The crew (James, Maddy and Louise) were incredible. Very friendly, fun and great boating professionals. They ensured the safety and enjoyment of all the guests onboard. The crew makes lunch on the boat and provides excellent hospitality! This is a great excursion for anyone looking to head to Jost van Dyke! You spend just enough time at both Sandy Spit and Jost to enjoy the day. Have a great time!

• A beautiful adventure on the waters around Tortola

  Skipsrs,,Jan 30, 2026

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  Our daytrip to Jost Van Dyke with Aristocat was a pure delight. James and Madi were the perfect hosts as well as safety providers. We and the other eight guests were treated to a great voyage, including significant time under sail. We had several opportunities for swimming in the surf and, when we had a hard time with the waves, James jumped in to help us out. As a couple of adventuring super seniors, we greatly appreciated the fact that we were always in good hands. Thank you so much for a spectacular day made even more special by James and Madi.

• A fantastic day in Jost Van Dyke

  T1669MBleahm,,Jan 29, 2026

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  We just did a sail from Tortola to JVD, Captain James and Maddy were fantastic, worth every bit. Rum punch was served all day along with a homemade lunch which was delicious! The catamaran was spacious with plenty of room to relax! We really appreciated how everything was taken care of for us. Coming from a cruise ship the taxi to West End was easy to locate and James and Maddy were super punctual. I felt like we got enough time at each stop as well as some good insider tips, good conversation and great humor. Makes us want to go back to BVI!

  

  

  

  

  

• A must do Excursion!

  Laurens H,,Jan 26, 2026

  - Review from Viator

  5.00

  Fantastic catamaran day! Stopped at Sandy Spit, snorkeled and great lunch at Little Jost. Spent the afternoon on Jost and the Soggy Dollar. Beautiful day sailing. Captain John and his awesome wench were super entertaining.

• Great Option for Cruisers!

  Olivia G,,Jan 25, 2026

  - Review from Viator

  5.00

  Flo and Dewey were amazing! We booked this excursion for our cruise and I was worried about making it there and back in time, and they responded very quickly with any questions I had. The whole process from the pier to the catamaran was very smooth and straightforward, and we had a great time in Jost Van Dyke! They both were very knowledgeable and accommodating with special requests, and the playlist was excellent. Additionally, we were very impressed that lunch was not only healthy but delicious and made fresh on the boat! All in all this was a fantastic, stress-free experience and I would HIGHLY recommend it to anyone, especially a cruise guest, looking to maximize their time in the BVI but minimize the stress!

• Outstanding!

  Stephen D,,Jan 19, 2026

  - Review from Viator

  5.00

  Transportation from the cruise ship was well organized and on time, both for getting us to the tour and returning to the ship. The crew of the boat, Captain Flo and her crew Lady, were simply magnificent. They were excellent boat handlers, outstanding hosts and created an incredibly fun and safe environment for our family.

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