St. John Eco Hike Excursion - The DIS Discussion Forums

DAKfever · 10-15-2009, 11:39 AM

Has anyone ever done or heard about the St. John Eco Hike? Is it a worthwhile excursion? If not....any other ideas for 2 adults at St. John?

Jeanne B · 10-15-2009, 12:34 PM

It's always hard for me to make recommendations for St John because I've been there twice for land vacations only, where I have all the time in the world, never having to worry about ferry times except on our last day. To visit by cruise St John is more limited in part because of the travel time getting there and back by ferry.

I can't help you with the Eco Hike but if you're into doing excursions on your own vs through the ship I would suggest renting a jeep and touring around the island, there are so many beautiful beaches, some beautiful overlooks which make for fantastic pictures, Annaberg Sugar ruins, nice shopping in Cruz Bay, it's so much less commercialized than St Thomas.

tm2924 · 10-15-2009, 06:55 PM

We did the Eco Hike last May. It was a lot of fun. The ferry to St. John met us at the pier about 100 yards behind the Magic. We were the only ship in port that day so I don't know if this is normal. The ferry ride is about 1/2 hour. They point out the different resorts along the way and other points of interest. You arrive on St. John at the National Park HQ and begin there. A short hike through the National Park to Honeymoon Beach, maybe a mile. You get nice views of Cruz Bay on the hike and the guide will point out some things along the way. Honeymoon Beach is beautiful. It was calm water and good snorkeling. We brought our own snorkel equip, but I think they had some to use included. There are no facilities along the hike to buy snacks or drinks. They did provide 1 bottle of water. The excursion completed with a short hike through the Caneel Bay Resort, where there are some remnants of an old sugar mill. Then you board a "taxi" for the short ride back to the ferry. There is no time to explore St. John on your own. I wish they allowed more time at the beach or to explore on your own. They ferry was just DCL people, so you think they could build more time into the excursion. Overall, it was a good experience and I would recommend it, but next time I think we will try something different. Hope this helps.

DAKfever · 10-16-2009, 12:25 AM

Thanks for the info! It seems like that is the most common complaint with doing a cruise line excursion is not enough time to wander on your own.

10-15-2009, 11:39 AM	#1
DAKfever "I only hope that we don't lose sight of one thing - that it was all started by a mouse!" The great Walt Disney Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 82	St. John Eco Hike Excursion Has anyone ever done or heard about the St. John Eco Hike? Is it a worthwhile excursion? If not....any other ideas for 2 adults at St. John? __________________ DAK Cast Member 1999 Many WDW trips since 1999: AKL,WL,PC,ASM,CB,CS,PO,SS,OKW,HHI DCL Wonder September 2003 - 4 Night Nassau, Freeport DCL Magic October 2004 - 7 Night Western shortened to 5 NIGHTS thanks to Hurricane Jean DCL Magic March 2005 - 7 Night Eastern DCL Magic May 2008 - 7 Night Western DCL Magic December 2009 - 7 Night Eastern Tortola DCL Wonder 01/06/11 - 15 Night PC REPO cruise

10-15-2009, 12:34 PM	#2
Jeanne B DIS Veteran Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Maine Posts: 3,119	It's always hard for me to make recommendations for St John because I've been there twice for land vacations only, where I have all the time in the world, never having to worry about ferry times except on our last day. To visit by cruise St John is more limited in part because of the travel time getting there and back by ferry. I can't help you with the Eco Hike but if you're into doing excursions on your own vs through the ship I would suggest renting a jeep and touring around the island, there are so many beautiful beaches, some beautiful overlooks which make for fantastic pictures, Annaberg Sugar ruins, nice shopping in Cruz Bay, it's so much less commercialized than St Thomas. __________________ WDW Offsite Feb-1989 (first trip to WDW with college girlfriends) WDW Offsite Oct-1991 WDW ASMo Sep-00 WDW Offsite Sep-01 ~ Sep-02 ~ Oct-03 ~ May-04 Norwegian Sun Jan-05 (first cruise) WDW Disney Coronado Springs Resort/Pop Century May-05 WDW Offsite/Disney Wonder Oct-05 WDW Offsite May-06 St Thomas/St John, USVI June-06 Disney Wonder/Caribbean Beach Resort Nov-06 California/Arizona June-07 RCI Navigator 12/8/07 Carnival Valor 3/2/08 St Thomas/St John, USVI 11/29/08 Belize 4/17/09 Upcoming: WDW Offsite 11/6/09 ~ Carnival Destiny 3/8/10

10-16-2009, 12:25 AM	#4
DAKfever "I only hope that we don't lose sight of one thing - that it was all started by a mouse!" The great Walt Disney Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 82	Thanks for the info! It seems like that is the most common complaint with doing a cruise line excursion is not enough time to wander on your own. __________________ DAK Cast Member 1999 Many WDW trips since 1999: AKL,WL,PC,ASM,CB,CS,PO,SS,OKW,HHI DCL Wonder September 2003 - 4 Night Nassau, Freeport DCL Magic October 2004 - 7 Night Western shortened to 5 NIGHTS thanks to Hurricane Jean DCL Magic March 2005 - 7 Night Eastern DCL Magic May 2008 - 7 Night Western DCL Magic December 2009 - 7 Night Eastern Tortola DCL Wonder 01/06/11 - 15 Night PC REPO cruise

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10-15-2009, 06:55 PM	#3
tm2924 Mouseketeer Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 85	We did the Eco Hike last May. It was a lot of fun. The ferry to St. John met us at the pier about 100 yards behind the Magic. We were the only ship in port that day so I don't know if this is normal. The ferry ride is about 1/2 hour. They point out the different resorts along the way and other points of interest. You arrive on St. John at the National Park HQ and begin there. A short hike through the National Park to Honeymoon Beach, maybe a mile. You get nice views of Cruz Bay on the hike and the guide will point out some things along the way. Honeymoon Beach is beautiful. It was calm water and good snorkeling. We brought our own snorkel equip, but I think they had some to use included. There are no facilities along the hike to buy snacks or drinks. They did provide 1 bottle of water. The excursion completed with a short hike through the Caneel Bay Resort, where there are some remnants of an old sugar mill. Then you board a "taxi" for the short ride back to the ferry. There is no time to explore St. John on your own. I wish they allowed more time at the beach or to explore on your own. They ferry was just DCL people, so you think they could build more time into the excursion. Overall, it was a good experience and I would recommend it, but next time I think we will try something different. Hope this helps.