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We'll be staying at the Bluebeard's Beach Club for a week and will be renting a car from the airport to get around.
How hard is it to drive around the island? Are there unsafe areas I should stay away from?
We were thinking about driving along Road30 towards the west end of the island to visit friends staying out there. How long a drive is it from Bluebeard's BC all the way to the other end of the island? They mentioned around 40 minutes? Would the drive be difficult?
Where to get food and supplies? I think there is a Kmart nearby at a mall? Any other suggestions?
From my understanding, the hotel provides free shuttles to 2 sister properties near town and the east end.
So, if we wanted to go into town, would you recommend driving or taking the shuttle to Bluebeard's Castle and then either walking (far?) or cabbing it?
Also, if we wanted to go to St.John, should we drive to Red Hook, park there (anywhere to do that?), take the ferry over, and get a cab on St.John to the beaches? Or drive and take the car over by ferry? Or take the shuttle over to the east end and going from there? We are 2 adults and 2 children under 5 years old.
Are reservations necessary to bring the car over to St.John by ferry?
Looking forward to visiting and getting away from the cold and all this snow!!!
Driving around the island is fine, not difficult, you could drive all over the island. There are some areas you should stay out of - and you will know them when you see them... visiably they are not 'attractive' to a visitor as most are residential and there is nothing there to See. During the day everywhere is fine to drive through. These areas are not the best at night.
You can get supplies from Kmart or Plaza Extra, Pricesmart, Cost U Less or Pueblo...
St. John - take the car ferry and drive around with your car. No reservations just show up like 15 minutes before, 20 if its a weekend and wait for the ferry. It is a bit unorganized you just wait when the car barge shows up they load you on and tell you where to park your car, really quessing who was there first since there is usually no one at the dock.
Town's parking is limited you will need to park in the parking lot and walk into town. Not far, 3-5 minute to the first set of stores.
--Islander
Thanks! Your advice is very appreciated.
I know the passenger ferry is $3 from St Thomas to St john - how much is it for the car barage?
We paid $27 RT last September for the car ferry. I think that there is another company that charges $40 but I'm not sure.
Bill
Not $40... there are two companies with two different prices. The price difference is a couple of dollars. Between $25-$30 with $27 being the probable price you will pay is about right. There is a taxi of $2 I believe that makes the price 27.... and once I was charged for having more people in my car then allowed and was charged a coupld dollars more - but that only happened once. Try
https://www.vinow.com/general_usvi/interisland_ferry/#top for all USVI ferry information.
--Islander
Thank you for the link - very helpful!
We stay at Bluebeard's Beach Club every year. We do rent a car also (Dependable Car Rental) as we like to drive all around the island. Driving is easy (I grew up and learned to drive in Boston). It helps to have a co-pilot that keeps reminding you to stay to the left for the first couple of days. Getting from one end of the island to the other is easy and doesn't take long except during "rush hour". There are several places to buy provisions but we have usually gone to the TUTU Mall for most things. We are going to try the new place near Red Hook this year (hey, varitey is the spice of life). They have stopped the shuttles between the three resorts but I'd rather drive. As for parking, we always park at the public parking lot just after the Federal Building (take a right at the lights and a quick left into the parking lot). It is pretty cheap and a short walk to all the shopping you want. We always take our vehicle to St. John as it is cheaper to bring the car and drive where we want when we want. Parking at Red Hook and Cruz Bay is tricky. Just don't miss the last ferry off St. John or plan on sleeping in your car. No reservations are needed for the ferry but be ready for the island version of race car driving (in reverse) to get onto the ferry. Actually after the first time, you are an old hand. And as long as you are not right next to a loaded trash truck it isn't a bad ride. Except for the time the two ferrys were racing from Cruz Bay to Red Hook. Actually it was fun and added a little excitement to the trip for the kids. Feel free to e-mail me with any questions you might have.
