Regarding St. John...

[Alice Sr.]

I have read,

"The National Park Visitor Center in Cruz Bay is the best place to start your visit. Located only a few minutes away from the ferry dock, the Visitor Center provides maps and guidance for making the most of your time on St. John. There are posters, drawings, maps and exhibits on display to help educate you about the park's flora and fauna, history and preservation. Books, maps, postcards and games are available for purchase."

and that,

"There are numerous well maintained hiking trails, great beaches and interesting sites."

These trails interested me as they go to a beach, the 1st one starts at the National Park

Lind Point Trail
(Distance: 1.1 miles, Approximate Time: 1 hour)
This trail connects the National Park Visitor Center in Cruz bay with Honeymoon Beach and Caneel Bay.

Caneel Hill Trail
(Distance: 2.4 miles, Approximate Time: 2 hours)
This trail joins Cruz Bay with Northshore Road entrance to Caneel Bay.

Does anyone have experience with these trails and/or beaches? Or would we just be better off taking a taxi to Trunk Bay after we do Lind Point Trail?

Thanks,
Alice

 

[Hygiene99]

One of the beaches maybe a clothing optional beach....
it may not be published. but we hiked from visitors center to a beach cant remember witch one but end up at clothing optonal beach.... i maybe wrong maybe it is a different trail.....

Just know there is a nude beach...

 

[Alice Sr.]

Ooh thanks for that - that would not be a good thing if we (DD 16)came upon that.

Alice

 

[Honeychild]

We went to St. John for our honeymoon many moons ago. It is a beautiful island. When we were there we traveled everywhere by moped. The rental fee was very reasonable and it was great fun. Try this web site http://www.usvi.net/usvi/stj.html . Here is another http://www.nps.gov/viis/ Have a great trip!

 

[jdmom]

Honeymoon beach is clothing optional, but mainly because it is remote and fairly desrted. It is a hike thru the woods to get there. Mostly see "yaughties" swimming in.
Caneel Hill is a moderate hill climb with excellent views

 

[ThreeCircles]

Alice--

Are you guys planning on doing one of the hiking trails that you posted above? Travis and I have been considering the Eco Hike but we really want to be self-paced as we like to take lots of pictures.

I wonder if it wouldn't be better just to do one of these on our own.

 

[shellbelle11]

This past August we went on the EcoHike which takes you on the Lind Point trail, it is beautiful. What I liked about the group hike was the guide was able to point out different interesting things that we saw along the trail. I would have loved to have had more time at the beach though, that I found to be the only drawback.
jdmom is right, it was VERY deserted at the beach. Our group were the only ones there.

It's a beautiful hike with or without theguide though.

 

[Alice Sr.]

Hi Jason - That's my plan, I'm sure there will be somethings we will miss by not having the benefit of a guide like shellbelle11 suggested. But for me the adventure of exploring wins out (as long as I'm home by 9:00).


shellbelle11 - thanks for the info, I appreciate your opinion.

jdmom - Are "yaughties" locals or fish
Does the Caneel Hill hike end at an area where you can swim?
Is 2 hours accurate? That seems like a very long time for just 2.4 miles.

Honeychild - thanks for the links, I have gone to many sites but have not seen mopeds mentioned anywhere. That sounds like a lot of fun, my DD would love it.

Thanks very much,
Alice

 

[jdmom]

"Yachties" I meant. Sorry sloppy spelling. Thats what the locals call the private yacht sailors.

I believe the trail ends at the Caneel Bay resort.

It is a uphill hike for half the trip, not too hard, thats why it takes longer than it looks.

 

[Hygiene99]

Just remember that they drive on the opposite side of the road than we do here in the states, i dont think they trail to Honeymoon Beach takes more than half an hour ... That is were we went and spent the day..... WAS an experience ....lol