STJ is not really a dog friendly destination for visitors.
You can not bring a dog to any of the national Park beaches. There are not any dog friendly parks or restaurants.

While many people have dogs on the island, I would not recommend that anyone take their dog to STJ for vacation.

Xislandgirl is on the money on all counts! I'd add too that although several people who spend a few months out of the year here bring their pets with them it's a lot of stress involved for the pets for just a short vacation.

Yup, I have to agree. You cannot take the dog to any of the National Park beaches, which are most of the beaches. There are a few beaches you can take dogs, but they are not really beaches you would want to hang out on as a person. They are rocky and tend to have lots of sea urchins at the shoreline. Dogs are also not allowed in any restaurants, not even the open air or outdoor restaurants. You can bring him on the ferry, but I believe he has to be in a carrier and I'm not sure what the charge is. You can bring him to St. John, but he's going to have to stay in the villa/hotel if you want to go to the beach, out to eat, or have drinks at a bar. Also, heart worm is a real problem here. It is transmitted through the mosquitoes, so make sure if you bring him that you have him on heart worm preventative well before you come.

Plus, in order to take a taxi, at least in St. Thomas, they charge you as a private taxi which could be costly.

There is a new bar in STT which encourages you to bring your dog in for a drink with you.

Pamela

Pamela: It had better not be a turtle nesting beach. Dogs are the worst enemies of turtle eggs, besides that guy in St Croix they just nabbed.

Dear OP: PLEASE leave your dog at home!

Really Pamela??? I wonder how they get around the Heath Department rules? On St. John, you can't even have them at the Beach Bar, which is completely open and in a common area. If you have a dog's leash tied to your chair, that is a no-no and the Health Department has been known to fine them.

I'm curious too, Pamela. Which "new bar"? Not that I don't think the US health rules about animals in food establishments aren't archaic but if a "new bar" is actively encouraging dog owners to bring in their pooches then they're setting themselves up for either shut-down or major fines.

I only go to bars where they let cats in to take care of the rats and mice. LOL

Please don't worry about where they can or can't go, how much it costs to get them places, or what beaches their allowed on. Don't bring them because this place is completely infested with fleas and ticks, and contracting tick fever is a possibility, as well as heartworm from mosquitos, like someone else posted. No drops or medicine like Frontline even begin to work. If you care about your dogs you won't bring them for their sake!

Wow.....I'm so disappointed to hear all this. We were really looking forward to seeing STJ, but our pup is such a part of our family that we hate leaving him at home when we go away. Thanks so much for your honesty. I'm glad I found this all out before we packed him up and got down there.
Thanks again everyone.

beacher wrote:
Wow.....I'm so disappointed to hear all this. We were really looking forward to seeing STJ, but our pup is such a part of our family that we hate leaving him at home when we go away. Thanks so much for your honesty. I'm glad I found this all out before we packed him up and got down there.
Thanks again everyone.

So does that mean that you will not go? We have 2 dogs that we love dearly, we do not have children, and they are our family. That being said, I get a housesitter and go on vacation. i would never pass up seeing the world because of them.

I agree with x, don't pass it up because the pooch would be more comfortable at home. I know you will miss him, but you will be ok, and so will he 😀 I bet he thinks you deserve a vacation.

NO WAY will we skip seeing St John!! Not bringing him only means having to check with family that will stay with him.
We've been to St Croix and it is so beautiful that we made it a point to see the other islands.
I just like to do my research and so glad I did.

STT Resident wrote:
I'm curious too, Pamela. Which "new bar"? Not that I don't think the US health rules about animals in food establishments aren't archaic but if a "new bar" is actively encouraging dog owners to bring in their pooches then they're setting themselves up for either shut-down or major fines.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/St-Thomas/DogHousePub-Havensight/103431769702289?v=wall&ref=ts
The Doghouse Pub

I moved to St. Thomas with my small dog recently and have had a very different experince. It's been great. I frequently take her with me in town and to bars and restaurants and the open air places are cool with it as long as she is on a lease, quiet, away from the actual bar, and stays close to me. I love my dog completely and really enjoy, as she does, getting her out and about. As far as the fleas and ticks, they are right. However, since she does not spend much time in tall grass and is an inside dog we are doing ok. Strongly recommend the Heartguard and fles stuff be used but its not a huge deal. I took her with me to St. john once and it was find. She was on leash and sat in my lap th ewhole time. They did ask me if I had a muzzle for her which i don't even own. They also asked me to sit up top and at the front of the boat. I dont know the real rules but we were treated well and had no issues. I'd say bring your dog and while you are here just be VERY respectful of the people and island itself and it will be ok. Hope this helps.

Glad you aren't letting him keep you from St. John!! Have a great time!

We agree too. As much as we love our dog sometimes as if it was our child we know it's less stress full If we attempted to take him that far for such a short time. He always enjoys the kennel and we always have a good time knowing he is well taken care of in our absence.