Oh gosh you are going to have a great time...Are you renting a car?? Just driving around and exploring the island is fun...Cinnamon bay is very nice...You can hang out there...they rent kayaks and water sports stuff there...Have an amazing time..You all will love it!

You could do the reef bay hike with the parks service.

You'll have a blast! I'd reccommend Uncle Joe's BBQ by the ferry for big meals that are reasonably priced. Take it back to yhe villa/hotel and enjoy.Woody's has some good eats as well. All you have to do is poke around,really.It's like almost anywhere else, if you want to spend $10 - $15 on a burger,you can.But keep your eyes open for cheaper places;more local joints. My favorite place with good food and atmosphere is Rhumb Lines. Just a really cool joint.(more of a romantic spot rather then child friendly.)You'll have to check out the beaches for yourself to see what suits your families needs.Maho and Francis are my top 2 favorites,because the surf is almost nonexistent,it's just a relaxing splash.There are no showers nor eateries there,so you may want to check out Cinnamon and Trunk Bays. They're too crowded for me,and the wind makes it a bit rough from time to time.Pack a cooler,find your spot,and relax! I've known too many people who spent more time in their jeeps than in the sand.It's definately awesome to adventure around,but I prefer to hit a beach, and chill. Good Luck,and have fun!- Jimmy

We ARE renting a car

The day trip to Virgin Gorda and the Baths on Limnos which leaves from St. Thomas (Compass Point Marina) is fun and great for a family.

And make sure they read (yep read) Treasurer Island, then go snorkeling in the caves of Norman Island.
Boy will they have a story when they get home.
Does Limnos stop at Norman?

Please let me know if you received my last post-J

I'd also make the trip over to St. Thomas and take them to Coral World. I think it's great for children (and good for adults)! Go when they open, then spend some time next door at Coki Beach to make a day of it.

Good Luck! Have Fun!

Sometimes they stop at the Caves at Norman...call and inquire.

Hey now,lalebow! I'm not sure that I sent the last post correctly, but I recommended a day trip to St.Thomas' Coral World. I went to the BVI's "Baths" two years ago,and as fun as it was,the surf was a real test. The boat dropped us off @ 25 yards from shore, and we opted to swim in. What should've taken 5-10 minutes turned into a wrestling match with the undertow.-WHEW! I used to think I was in good shape! Even the people who took the dinghy option to come ashore were struggling. Maybe it was just a bad day? Beats me. It was an adventure, but I'm not going to do it again anytime soon. -Could be too hard for children that age. The trip also took us to The Caves at Norman island which was great,but we were pretty exhausted getting in and out of the boat all day.-(We DID get up pretty early each morning,now that I think about it!) Aside from that, the trip to STT would obviously take less time (to get to your destination as compared to being on a boat the majority of the time-), and you may get more "bang for your buck." We took a sunset sail with the Motoryacht Cinnamon Bay last year,and it was PERFECT. From Captain Dan, his wife Donna, to the views,snacks,and adult beverages...the experience was a complete joyride! We're securing a trip with them again this year to Jost Van Dykes' "Foxy's", and "The Soggy Dollar. I can't wait. Their website is www.motoryachtcinnamonbay.com if you want to compare prices and such.Last year it was our party of four(not including the Captain and his wife,) which made it more intimate, as compared to a big stranger-filled charter. It's all fun, but the customized trip was a real delight. If you check out his website, look at the photo album,and you'll see me & Amy sipping some bubbly; I proposed, and she said yes!
Good times, and best wishes-Jimmy

One other thing! I checked out Lion In Da Sun,and it looks great! Something you may want to consider is a bathroom on board for the girls?Also, you might want to go to a local CVS or Boaters World for motion sickness cloth bracelets. It may be mind over matter,but they're cheap.Especially if you like Cruzan Rum as much as I do! Have fun!-J

I'll be on STJ with my girls 10 and 16. We are doing a day trip with Capt. John of Palm Tree Charters. You get the boat and captain to yourself. We have passports and are going to the BVIs. My daughers also love to go horseback riding with Carolina Corral. The rides are up Johny Horn Trail with great down island views. I snorkel while they ride.

If you're on island on Sunday March 16 stop by the Beach Bar starting at 4:30 for Sunday Jazz.

My daughters love Little Lameshur, Hansen, Francis and Maho Bays.

Favorite restaurants are Shipwreck Landing, Skinny Legs for burgers, La Tapa for fine dining and Sogo's for West Indian. My girls also love stopping into Woody's for Virgin Strawberry Daiquiris.

You'll have a blast.

Cheers, RickG

I'm just a bit envious. We just returned from St Thomas a few days ago. We made 3 trips to St John and plan on staying there next time. We had our children ages 3, 6 and 8. We loved Hawksnest as well....we had it to ourselves for quite awhile...it was lovely...Cinnamon was really windy, but lovely and would love to visit that beach again when we could snorkel to the nearby cay...seemed really cool, but it was too windy the day we were there and our girls were too young. Maho was calmer wind and gentler surf. We also took our kids to the sugar plantation ruins in Anneburg...we are history seekers though. Next time we want to plan on hiking near Leinster and Waterlemon Cay. It is a short hike to but we talked to a group returning from Waterlemon and they were in awe of their day. Loads of turtle sighting there for them. This was our first stay on the islands and we had the best time. I was so into the planning and when I got there just got swept up, saw so many things, and it was all so much easier then I was prepared for. You and your family are in for the trip of a lifetime. Even my 3 year old is crying to go back...quite literally...

And we really enjoyed coral world/Coki Beach....even with the crazy crowds. Once the cruisers left it became even more enchanting...totally crazy, typical, vendor packed, beach braiding, Bushwaker drinking beach. Fond memories were made by my kids and they still have the braids in! And we all fed the fish with dog bones on Coki....giggle inducing for the girls.

Have fun!