St. John on your own

["Ginger"]

We're cruise Oct 30, we want to go to St. John on our own. Looking for the best way to get there, Red Hook or Charlotte Amalie ferry. Also the best beach to visit to have some fun in the sun, and do some snorkling.
Our 7 year old DD will be joining us while snorkling so we'll need a beach with calm waters.
Plus any suggestion on the best shops to visit.

 

[dannyb]

I would consider chartering one of the many sail boats going from St. Thomas to St. Johns. They'll take you to less crowded St. John's beaches than and to great snorkeling spots. Costs about $100 - 120/pp including lunch and open bar; about half price for kids.

 

[mickeyboat]

We did St. John on our own in March. We tendered in to downtown CA and took a taxi to the Red Hook ferry. We just tooled around in town and didn't visit the beaches. Trunk Bay, is a wonderful place to snorkel, although it can be crowded. The water is very warm and calm. There is a snorkeling trail fairly close to shore.

We took the CA ferry back to St. Thomas. It drops you off right at the tender dock. If you don't tender in, you will probably have to take a taxi from the CA ferry to the Havensight dock where the ship is anchored.

A word of caution, if you take the Red Hook Ferry back, make sure to allow plenty of time to get through St. Thomas traffic. If you take the CA ferry, it can be VERY rough - I feared the ferry was going to overturn. But there is some beautiful scenery on the way to keep your mind off of the ride.

Denae

 

[DVCBob]

Hi Ginger,

We were on the Halloween cruise with you three years ago (I think 3 years, maybe it was 4). We spent a week on St. John back in 1993 and Trunk Bay is the beach to visit. We will be on the Halloween cruise this year and will be doing St. John on our own also.

P.S. In 1993 there was a bar in Mongoose Junction (a shopping "mall" on St. John) that served a drink called a Chocolate Hole that should not be missed.

 

["Ginger"]

DVCBob, have you just been lurking?????? I haven't seen any post of your on the Halloween cruise thread. We've got a group started for our T-orT'ing, looking for kids under the age of 13 to part-take in the fun.
Also, looking for others interested in going to St. John and Anguilla. To just travel together or stay together and play in the sand. Send me info. by PM or email me if your interested.

Dannyb: thanks for the info. sounds like fun and I would love to do that if we only had more time in St. Thomas.

Mickeyboat, thank you, I will copy this info.

 

[IrishCowboy]

If you are docking at Havensight, I would rent a car and catch the ferry at Red Hook over to Cruz Bay.

The best snorkeling is at Trunk Bay. If you want a private beach to just relax and enjoy some time in the sun, try going to Maho Bay. Its about 1.5 miles past Trunk Bay, but well worth the drive.

 

["Ginger"]

IrishCowboy, do we have to guess at a hotel to go to Maho Bay.

 

[IrishCowboy]

Ginger,
No hotels or facilities at Maho Bay. You might see a few boats/yachts docked in the harbor, but that is it. We always rent a Jeep in St Thomas and park it right on the beach at Maho Bay. Be sure to pick a picnic lunch brfore leaving the Magic to enjoy on the beach.

 

["Ginger"]

Oh!!! so Maho Bay isn't on St. John.

 

[IrishCowboy]

Maho Bay is on St John, just about 1.5 miles past Trunk Bay.

There aren't any restrooms, vendors, or places to get anything to eat at Maho Bay.

 

[TaraBelle1069]

Originally posted by mickeyboat
We took the CA ferry back to St. Thomas. It drops you off right at the tender dock. If you don't tender in, you will probably have to take a taxi from the CA ferry to the Havensight dock where the ship is anchored.

When do you find out whether you are docking or tendering in St. Thomas?