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Let me first say that I am thrilled to have found this board. I'm blown away by the volume of messages. I'll be a regular through my trip in June.
My wife and I (26 & 31 yrs. old) have been to multiple places in the Caribbean, but this will be our first trip to STJ. Like most, our agenda is simple - lay on great, unpopulated beaches most of the day with a drink in hand, do a little diving, and eat great dinners.
We're staying at Caneel Bay due to a great deal that we got. I will probably rent a car the first day just to get a feel for the tucked away places on the island. Can anyone help me better envision where we should go (think tucked away beaches and good snorkeling too)? The Beach Bar sounds great too - how is the beach it is on?
Diving - what is best? I have heard that the dive of the mail ship or some large vessel that went down is great. Does anyone have any thoughts?
Thx.
Hello Dawg Fan,
Welcome to the board 🙂
For seeking out tucked away places you might consider buying the book 'St. John Off the Beaten Path', its shown in the top left corner.
Hawksnest in the early am and pm and even on weekdays during the day is usually quiet. On the weekends its busier. Trunk Bay and Cinnamon Bay visit in the afternoon when ship passengers have left. Jumbie Bay is a little beach - its ususally pretty empty. Gibney/Oppenheimer is another that's often lightly populated. Maho is close to the road so not tucked away but it is not usually busy. For tucked away - Salt Pond Bay & Lameshur come to mind, also Leinster/Water Lemon. Francis Bay also. Check out the Beach Guide on this site - scroll to the top of this page and click on St. John and then choose Beaches from the drop down - there are pictures and descriptions.
Try a dive trip, http://www.6paqscuba.com/
Have a great time.
--Islander
Hey Dawg Fan
You are gonna love STJ. I have stayed at Caneel many times (10?) Your going to love it to. The beaches at Caneel are all pretty quiet that time of year. There are seven) May I be so bold to make one or two suggestions. At CB they won't guarantee a specific location, but I would suggest you request(and you will get) Turtle Bay upstairs or Hawksnest downstairs. Both killer beaches TB has a great view of the boat traffic, other islands in view, and nice breezez. Hawksnest is the breeziest, and has hammocks on the beech. Both have great snorkeling. These beeches are less crowded than the others. I rent a Suzuki Vitara from Conrad Sutton in Cruz Bay, Prices at all the rentals are about the same and Conrad will let you park at his lot when you are in town, and he is right in the middle of town. I agree with Islander that the book above is very good. I would also buy the one next to it STJ Feet Fins and Four Wheel Drive. I also agree on the dive operator 6paqscuba. Small fast boat, (gets you to more places) 6 diver max.
Wes and Islander -
I appreciate the insight. Wes, how are the restaurants at Caneel? Are they too stuffy (especially Turtle Bay)? We're pretty casual people. I know we'll do Zoso one night, probably grab a burger at Skinny Legs and figure the rest out from there.
Thanks again guys.
There are four restuarants at Caneel, all with very good food. Turtle Bay is the most "elegant" men are required to wear jackets, no shorts for the ladies. (Saw Babs Striesand get thrown out for trying about 20+ years ago....sublime!) I usually eat at the Equator once or twice (try their kalaloo) and The Bar has surprisingly good food (NY Strip, and they have a great Cobb salad for lunch. Between 6:00 AM and 8:30 they have a complimentary pastry/orange juice near the Beach Terrace (main building) We usually take that back to the room. Also don't miss the "manager's reception (Mondays at the Bar, heavy o'derves, and free drinks. Restaurants in Cruz Bay are the Stone Terrace (increadible soups), The Lime Inn (Great value at lunch...grilled fish) The Fish Trap. I am hearing/reading good things about Tage, Ten Tables, but haven't dined there. Also hearing a lot of good things about Chloe & Bernards at the Westin. Great unpretentious places include Woody's, Tapas, Romas. Also good for take out/back Uncle Joe's BBQ (ribs, chicken, corn on the cob etc.) And the deli at mongoose junction has bunches of stuff. (Try the spinach salad w/ strawberry vinigarette) Hope this helps.
