I see from another of your posts that you've rented from Hertz. That's a shame as Hertz is the one rental car agency which doesn't allow their cars to go on the barge to St John (no "s"). With the family you have traveling with you it would be so much more comfortable (and less expensive since the barge fare includes all passengers)) to take your vehicle. That way you can load up with a cooler and all your gear, and explore St John at your leisure. Still time to switch from Hertz! Dependable, Discount and Amalie all receive excellent customer reviews.

Coral World and Coki you can combine as they're right next to each other; a couple of miles up the road is Sapphire (and Smith Bay Park), further up in Nazareth is beautiful Secret Harbour. Coki gets very jammed on days when multiple cruise ships are visiting; Magens gets busy too but the beach is a mile long so you can easily avoid the crowds if you wish; Sapphire attracts less cruisers and Secret Harbour very few. Don't over-plan! You're here to relax and getting around is very easy without making a big production about a strict agenda!

i think i do need to swtich to a different company for st johns ... ill check out the ones mentioned.

can we get chairs and umbrellas at the beaches? we have to keep our blond haired blue eyed 2 year old out of the sun. Or do i need to buy one on the island and bring it with us?

Coki, Sapphire and Magens all have chaises and chairs to rent. Only Secret Harbour guests are permitted to use their stuff but the dive shop on site has rental chairs. etc. Nobody has umbrellas but there is plenty of shade under the palm trees at all of them. Trunk and Cinnamon on St John (again, no "s"!) have rentals but you'll have to provide your own chairs and suchlike at the others.

When you go to Coral World/Cokie beach, start at Coral World and rent lockers. Then you can change clothes and shower after you time on the beach. You'll be allowed to reenter CW all day. The facilities at CW were MUCH better that those at Cokie, at lease the last time I was there. It's been a few years though and Cokie may have been upgraded.

Bassman wrote: It's been a few years though and Cokie may have been upgraded.

True. Coki's brand new bathroom facilities just opened a couple of weeks ago!

Here is another thought...arrange for a car rental on St John, probably about now, explore with no 6pm deadline to meet the car ferry, and then return your car rental downtown and have dinner, shop around a little, maybe some cocktails near the ferry dock...no worries..be happy!!
I also suggest you plan some of your beach hopping around the cruise ship schedule....busy day, do the St John trip and go to the other side of the Island. last year on Spring break, our group went to a beach to snorkel and they were the only ones there!
We have been down many times and this year will be our G'kids 4th visit ( 14 & 11) and we have Never been to coral world, Coki yes
I love Magens, go early 8 or 9 , my favorite spot is between the bar area and the facilities, facing the water go to the left.
We have found our little slice of paradise at Sapphire beach, the Red roofed buildings, there is a lobby with rentals from Antilles resorts but we had a bad experience with them several years ago so we use VRBO. facing the water, the 1st Bldg is A, then B, the snack shop is between B & C. we are at D bldg this time, be aware that the pool is for those who are staying there and they DO patrol the area. Just walk down the beach, near the units and talk to some of the peeps staying there .
Hope this helps....regards

Don't think you can rent a Jeep for only one day on St. John; I checked into it and the best I could find was a three day rental..but that was during high season.

Plasticpirogue wrote:
Don't think you can rent a Jeep for only one day on St. John; I checked into it and the best I could find was a three day rental..but that was during high season.

Yes, best to check ahead. The OP is coming in April and it's still busy then. There are only so many rental vehicles on STJ and although you might find a one day rental off season it's almost impossible in season.