st johns how do you

[artie137]

do it on your own? i have read in tne past the detailed explaination but was unable to locate it in a search. we are a family of five, and was looking for a day at the beach and snorkeling. we will bring our own snacks from room service and snorkel gear. the only thing is we do not have the vests. is this necessary or could i be floating on a raft out in the same area to give the kids a break? (The little one would wear a life vest)

how do we get there?
what is the time frame?
Should i buy snorkel vests
thanks

 

[Hygiene99]

getting St. John is easy u can do it , get off ship tell the taxi guy u want to go to ST. John and he will get u into a taxi for the ferry boat to ST. John it is about a 45 min ride on the ferry to the island
taxi ride to the boat is about 5 min. if u do it right away when u r allowed off ship u can catch the 1 that is going soon ...
we did got there and left like 10 min. later..
when u get to st .JOhn there will be more taxis to take u any where u want to go on st. john . talk to the people see witch one will pick u up at the beach at end of day some of them
( will not take payment until the return portion of the trip..)
so u know that they will be back.

the vest issue is up to u
peter

 

[kshabare]

I can only speak for the place we went for our excursion. We were taken to Trunk Bay on the snorkeling excursion. It was awesome! Beach was really nice. I think you could probably strike a bargain with the taxi driver to take you and pick you up. Since we took a ferry then covered bus I don't know if you can go directly via taxibus. I think you can. I would get the vests. I'm gonna try to find them at the dive shops here in CT. I think they helped since the instructor said to just lay in the water and the fish will come more frequently. He was right!

Kim ºOº

 

[artie137]

thanks !
Hygiene99
i think we will do the taxi-ferry run to trunk bay. besides the ferry and taxi is there a charge to get into the beach? i will set up a ride home with the taxi fellow on st johns for return to the ferry. i will pay the st john driver on the return leg. do i do the same for the driver from the ferry to port? do i need to worry about the last ferry home, i would hate to miss my ride.
well do i have it right? Is there anything i forgot?

thanks for all your input.



kshabare
i am also going to look into the vests for piece of mind and ease of finding fish!

 

[mom2grace]

We are St. John vets. We go to Hawknest Bay, it is right before Trunk. There is plenty of shade as well as sun. There are picnic tables, but no showers or snack bar or rental facilities. This makes it much less crowded and it is simply beautiful. (there are small waves, but safe)

Great snorkeling, take easy cheese in the spray can to attract more fish! When we were there 1/26 there were about 5 people snorkelling on the whole bay!

If you really want to splurge, walk to Mongoose Junction when you get off the ferry (to the left, it's not far, Columbian Emeralds is there for a landmark, ASK for directions) and buy subs at Northpoint Deli. They also have salads, cookies, candy bars, beer, sodas, and water. Take a small soft-side cooler with you. Then catch a taxi to the beach.

Plan on taking the 2nd to last ferry to the ship, just in case! The Magic will leave you behind!

If you move, you can make the 9am ferry from Red Hook and then take the 2pm ferry from St. John.

We believe St. John is PARADISE!! Not to be missed! (The shopping prices are better at St. Maarten anyway!)

Susan