NSR: Vacationing in St. John, need some tips

[smmokan]

I'm headed down to St. John for 8 days in a little while, and I was wondering if anyone has any good side trips or advice for activities. I've been there before, but I wasn't really adventurous- we snorkeled pretty much everywhere around the island, but that was the extent. Does anyone know of any cool hikes, trips to the BVI's, etc? Thanks!

[CantDog]

I'm headed down to St. John for 8 days in a little while, and I was wondering if anyone has any good side trips or advice for activities. I've been there before, but I wasn't really adventurous- we snorkeled pretty much everywhere around the island, but that was the extent. Does anyone know of any cool hikes, trips to the BVI's, etc? Thanks!

BVIs rock...looking for day trips? Restaurant recommendations? Let me know.

Virgin Gorda has a few cool hikes, one to the top of the island. Also if you take the free ferry from Leverick Bay or the other spot down there(name of the little village is escaping me now) you can do some hikes behind the Bitter End Yacht Club that go over to Drakes Anchorage.

Also, a little side trip to Mosquito Island and Honeymoon Cay/Bay/something is definately worth doing. Gorgeous beaches there and no people. Rent a dinghy in Leverick Bay and go across Drake sound to mosquito island.

the baths are a lot of fun, especially if you bring climbing shoes and do some beach bouldering.

Restaurants...check out on virgin gorda(in order of increasing price) The Fat Virgin, the little restaurant in the shopping center in spanish town has really good roti(cant remember the name) Old Yard Inn, Little Dix. There is an italian restaurant in Mango Bay that is unfuckingbelivable, and has a stunning view. Mango bay is also one of the better beaches on virgin gorda.

Drink lots of Painkillers, eat conch fritters, and you'll have a blast.

I dont know Tortola too well, so Likwid can chime in. Be more specific about what you want to do and I can lend a hand.

[smmokan]

I'm not really sure what we want to do- but I'd like to be somewhat adventurous as opposed to the laying on the beach and snorkeling thing. We're staying in Cruz Bay on St. John, and will have access to side trips- but I have a feeling anything we do in the BVI's will be with a guide, not on our own- unless there's a way to get over there by ourselves from St. john- maybe a boat rental for the day?

[gimpy]

lucky bastard. i can't remember which island its on but foxy's bar is a way cool spot for a daytrip or an overnight. again, i can't remember which island - i think virgin gorda- but there's a raging party every fullmoon that involves mass ingestion of psychedelics. on the opposite side of the island from cruz bay there's a cool bar w/ good burgers (called skinny legs or sumthin like that). its also the start point for locals sailboat races that you can tag along on if you introduce yourselves to some locals and see if you can crew for them. sorry i'm lame w/ the specifics but i was in a bit of a fog for the whole wonderful time i was there.

[schindlerpiste]

Take a short boat ride to Tortola. Great waves. Really worth the trip.

[str8line]

Sweet Loyd!

I'm jealous. My Wife and I went to St. John in 2001 and it was absolutely incredible!

There's a lot of good info posted already, but here is what we did...

Check out renting a 12 or 14 foot inflatable boat and explore all the beaches on the North end of the island-Caneel Bay, Hawksnest, Trunk Bay. Noah's Little Ark's in Cruz Bay has them and The Westin in Great Cruz Bay has some as well. Each of the above mentioned bays has pretty good snorkeling and stunning beaches. You can just run your dingy on to the shore. I think the price was $60/4 hours when we were there in 2001. Bring your little cooler(full of Corona's), a mask and fins and some towels and you're all set to enjoy paradise. Piloting a little inflatable in somewhat open waters with a good buzz on can be very invigorating. I actually liked piloting the little boat even more than the bigger boat(see below).

Or...

Rent a real boat and hit up the BVI's and St. Thomas. We rented a 25 foot Fountain powerboat from the operation at The Westin Resort for 3 days and went everywhere. Navigation was super easy since it's all line of sight and as long as you are comfortable with maps and charts you'll be good. Go to Siesta Cay (I think that's the name) near Tortola...it's one of those little sand bars with one palm tree and some bushes-it's right out of a Corona commercial. Also snorkel the Indians near Jost Van Dyke. The boat rental was one of the coolest things I've ever done. I think the price was $275/day for the boat with snorkeling gear and fishing gear and a cooler. Eye patch, Jolly Roger, and wild pirate sex with your whore are optional.

Coral Bay is sleepy and very different than the north end of the island(coral beaches, not sand) but is super cool. On your way to Coral Bay visit the Annaberg Mills. They are from the 17th or 18th century and are pretty cool. There are also some good hikes nearby(although we didn't hike). Rent a jeep to access all this in one day. Getting to drive on the wrong side of the road is a plus, too.

Have fun and post a TR if you can.

[sherpahigh]

I'd definitly recommend checking out the BVI's for a day or two at least. I just got back from a 10 day sailing trip down in the BVI's on monday, some great recommendations already in the thread.

If you know how to sail, getting a boat for a day is a great thing to do. Some good dives in the BVI's as well. Jost Van Dyke has a lot of great stuff, the Soggy Dollar Bar's a good time for an afternoon and Foxy's at night or Foxy's Taboo is a good time. Our last day there we hiked (more of a stroll I guess) to the bubbling pools from Foxy's Taboo. Pretty cool little spot where waves crash ovev the rocks into the little pool. Sitting in there feels great after the hot hike.

Tons of other great stuff in the BVI's as well. I'm no help for the USVI's though I've never been there.

For drinks, painkillers and bushwackers are a must. Good deals on Pussers rum down there as well. The wife and I split a case of 6 bottles with our friends to bring back with us. $50 for 6, can't be beat for the best rum there is.

Here's a picture of my home for the 10 days.

[CantDog]

If you want to go for a day trip, there are ferries that go between the US islands and Virgin Gorda/Tortola/Beef Island. Thats another option and is significantly cheaper than chartering for a day.

Also, Virgin Gorda has an airport, and flights from the US islands to the BVIs are really cheap(at least the last time I was there). Plus its a 10 minute plane ride.

[Tippster]

Bring Sunscreen and condoms. Don't try to take the ganj home with you.

[Free Range Lobster]

Where are you staying on St. John?
Hiking on the island is pretty much everywhere considering most of it is national forest.

Def visit St Thomas and take the buses around.

Tortola... stay away from Road Harbor, its all local stuff and a bunch of tents to sell stupid cruise ship people t shirts (and boat people stuff)
Cane Garden Bay and Bomba Shack on a full moon.

And don't drink fucking Corona, there's plenty of local beers dirt cheap.

I'll add more later.

[smmokan]

Likwid- we're staying at Gallows Point Resort- the group of beachfront condos to the right when you're coming into the Cruz Bay harbor.

Thanks a ton for the ideas so far- Gordy, I really like the boat rental idea, and $275/day really isn't that bad. Keep em coming!

[vinzclortho]

foxy's is on yost...jost? yost? van dyke. definitely get shitty at Foxy's and play the sweet ring on a string golf game.

the bitter end on...virgin gorda? is pretty cool.

The baths, no idea what island, are super cool for snorkeling and swimming and staring at topless girl's boobies. I think they have a space invaders video game at some bar on the other side of this island. could be another island though.

[CantDog]

foxy's is on yost...jost? yost? van dyke. definitely get shitty at Foxy's and play the sweet ring on a string golf game.

the bitter end on...virgin gorda? is pretty cool.

The baths, no idea what island, are super cool for snorkeling and swimming and staring at topless girl's boobies. I think they have a space invaders video game at some bar on the other side of this island. could be another island though.

jost van dyke....soggy dollar bar, foxys, awesome.


baths, virgin gorda, the bar you are thinking of is the one with the pool at the top before you hike down...cant think of the name. also tits.

when you make the turn off the main road towards spanish town(across from the boat yard next to the little mall) there is a great little shack/restaurant that makes unbelivable brandy milkshakes. Right on the corner, you'll know if you see it. Not to be missed.

Bitter End has become this big windsurf/extremo kitesurf hotspot, they have built a terrain park with rails and everything right out by whatever the name of that prominent rock is...dammit!

If you can, check out Anigada. Fucking amazing tarpoon fishing, really cool island, gorgeous reefs. I wouldnt recommend chartering there unless you know how to sail, you can get on a ferry though. Good times.


Found this cool little diddy: http://homepages.utoledo.edu/KPUGH/VG-guide/beta.html Bouldering at the Baths.


Happy hour usually means two for one painkillers and half price appetizers nearly everywhere. God, I could go for some conch fritters right now.

[smmokan]

Bump for any more suggestions since I'm leaving next week. Anyone?

[train07]

camped at cinnamon bay for a couple weeks on st.john.. a great home base for exploring..as i recall it was pretty cheap(this was @ seven years ago)..
my best advice...just pass thru St. Thomas..quickly..... and hit tortola,virgin gorda, van jost.... too much to remember...settle in and relax.

which island had that old cadillac that the queen used?...ya know the one where ya buy beer there on the honor system...didn't get to meet the eccentric nut who lived there...but did drink his beer and enjoy a good swim from the boat.

[bklyn]

Try to make it over to Jost Van Dyke, then just relax and have a really good time.