It can be done and has been done
However it depends how rough the water and the how comfortable you are driving a dinghy.
If you have a 7PM departure from CA it should be no problem, but I would definitely chat with the folks at Little Noah's explaining your goals and the weather of the day.

I have done this before and it was very easy! We also rented form Noah' s little ark.
We rented the dinghy for half day, from 12 to 5pm.
We went straight for waterlemon key, this took about 40 minutes and then on the way back we stopped at several secluded beaches to snorkel and hang out. plenty of time.
It was a great trip! I can recommend this to everyone. I must say that the weather was beautiful that day...not like it is these days! I would not want to take a dinghy out in this wind! I guess you will have to see the conditions when you get here.
Good luck,
Inge

We did a 1/2 day on Noah's Little Arks in November. We went in the morning. I only wished we had rented it for a whole day because it was so much fun.

It was very smooth going out to Waterlemon, except when we rounded Mary's Point. Got a little rough there and we were banged around a little, but we just learned to slow it down some and we were fine. We snorkeled Waterlemon. We were there for about an hour and then headed back towards Cruz Bay.

We saw Hawksnest Beach and it was so beautiful that we stopped there too. That's about all the time we had to get back in time and that's why next time we'll take it for a whole day. If that seems too long when we're out there, we'll just take the boat back early.

By the way, the boats were very clean and easy to run. I did it myself on the way back and felt comfortable. Had a little trouble the first time getting back in the boat, but that was part of the fun!

I think it's a great idea and it's really a reasonable price for all the fun you get out of it.

Thanks so much to all for sharing your experiences. I think I'll take your advice and see what the weather is like when we get there. Hopefully there will by some dinghy's left, but we could always rent a car as a back up plan to get to the snorkel spots.

Thanks again. We'll be there in 4 weeks!

Definitely do the Dinghy
My caveat is once you round the North Side it get pretty crazy headed to waterlemon
The North Side you should be fine.
Just watch out for the Johnsons reef

Did a full day dinghy last Feb. It was awesome but the seas were up that day and we did not make it to Waterlemon. It was a lumpy ride to Francis Bay for sure and when we began to nose around Mary Point headed for Waterlemon it was way obvious that it would have been foolish to proceed. Would have been small craft advisory at home. (Long Island Sound) The hard bottom 12 footer handled the waves like a charm but it was a wet ride headed out. Not quite as bad on the way back with wind at the stern. We had just the two of us and beaching the dink was a challenge with the surf. The reefs are marked well and they give you a chart of sorts. Easy to find your way. One word of caution if you go for the 14' dink w/ I think a 30hp. motor, it will be near impossible for you and your wife to pull it up on the beach. Too heavy. The areas where you can safely beach the boat are marked with buoys so watch for them. The Beaches from the water side are just incredible. Some are very secluded and pristine. Were doing it again this Feb. with another couple and the 14'-er. Can't wait. Your plan sounds perfect. Plenty of time (Seas Permiting). Even if it is a little rough it's still worth it just to hug the shore line and work your way East along all those incredible Beaches.

Make sure you stop at Salomon Beach on your way back. Our Fav.

Seaside Bob, VaTom & Others:

Thanks for the info. I will prerent the dinghy and if it's not Waterlemon weather, I will take your advice and work the north shore as long as seems appropriate. If it's raining when we get there, we'll make the most of it. I am very excited to see what you've already seen.

Where is Salomon Beach?

We did this in Sept. Waterlemon is and easy cruise can be a little rough going around Marys point but just take your time and you will be ok.

Salomon is the very first beach you will reach as you go around Lind Point
which is the first point north out of Cruz - personally my favorite!!
And then around the next small point is Honeymoon beach - my 2nd choice as both are only
accessible via boat or a short hike on land.

hawk, If you don't mind, where is Gibney in relation to Honeymoon? Been to the all but can't recall in which order. I thought Gibney was one of the first two or three. I may be mixing it up with Salomon.

bobcside,

Cruz Bay, Salomon, Honeymoon, Caneel, Scott, Turtle, Hawksnest, GIbney, Denis, Jumbie, Trunk, Cinnamon, Maho, Francis, Leinster, Waterlemon Cay.

--Islander

Since my last name is Turtle, I think I'll have to hit the namesake beach. Not to mention the fact that I'm on the 30th anniversary cruise for the New Orleans band "The Radiators", and they play a song called "Turtle Beach". Islander, what's Turtle Beach like?

islander, Thank You !!

Hello Bryan,

Its a small beach. One of the Caneel Bay Resort beaches. Caneel Bay Resort provides land access to the public via their resort property to Caneel Bay and Honeymoon (which you have to hike to); because land access to the other beaches around their property including Turtle Bay is limited it typically only has a few beachgoers on it.

--Islander

I have also rented dinghy and gone to Waterlemon from Cruz Bay. I would suggest you get the larger dinghy that has the steering in the middle instead of at the rear -- it was easier to handle. The waters were a little rough, but just be patient as Waterlemon is some of the best snorkleing around. We rented from a different company right at the dock in Cruz Bay -- but can't remember the name. I will try to find my information and let you know. However -- Noah's is fine as well -- just opt for the larger dinghy to go the distance. Hope you have a great time.

I put together a group of beach location placemarks that you can use to locate beaches on STJ...you might find it helpful for reviewing locations before you go...., it is at this link:

http://bbs.keyhole.com/ubb/showflat.php?Cat=0&Board=EarthTravel&Number=1061414&fpart=&PHPSESSID=

Cheers-

We'll be in St John for a week late Jan. Do we have to make reservations for Dinghy now or can we wait till a couple of days before we get there or after we arrive?

Just to be safe, I'd call and reserve. We did it in November about 2 weeks before we went down and there were only 2 dinghys left to rent.