The Beach!!! My advice is to perhaps try a different one every day. Then, depending on the length of your stay, go back to your favorite one on your last full day. Also sunscreen, bugspray, and 'neat sheets'. Are you staying at a villa, or a resort?
Happy for you-
Smiles-
MJ

My daughters love St. John and have a ball there. I'm comfortable taking them pretty much anywhere on St. John. My oldest daughter is tall and I've had to make certain she was not served alcohol since she was 12. The rule seems to be that if you are old enough to order you are old enough to drink.

My daughters love to go horseback riding with Dana from Carolina Corral - 1-340-693-5778. Another favorite is for them to pop over for ice cream while we are at the Beach Bar. There's an amazing amount of things to do. The walk to Leinster Bay is always a hit, Maho Bay, Francis Bay....

Cheers, RickG

Thank you very much for the advice!!
We are going to be there June 28th through July 5th, (July 4th is my daughters b-day 13), and I have noticed that they are having a festival of some sorts and live music on that day, so I know that should be a lot of fun!
We are staying in a villa with a pool, and air conditioning, which will be great!!! I understand it is around the Chocolate Hole area..?? (I'm still learning about the island)
I will need to watch closely then about the drinking...lol... she looks older than 13 thats for sure! Not that I'm really worried about her ordering one, but if asked and I wasn't paying attention she might just enjoy herself!!! 🙂

Thank you for the horseback riding information, that sounds like a lot of fun!

" a festival of some sorts" ----- is a bit understated for the week you mentioned -- it is full tilt St John Carnival -- music , Carnival Village , Parades , Jouvert [all nite dancing etc in the streets], food fair, more music!!
Not to say this isn't a great cultural celebration but it is the only week of the year that the ferries are crowded each night with revelers from ST Thomas and the BVI who come for the food,drink and music. Birthday is Parade Day and you will have never seen anything so festive.
I do think you have to be more alert and careful during Carnival week - especially in Cruz Bay! - public drinking and partying on a scale that is not common [or legal] in most USA locales may surprise you. It is NOT Mardi Gras in New Orleans or Carnival in RIO but I suggest you exert a bit more of a mother hen attitude in town that week.
Enjoying St John during Carnival may be something you want to return to every year or never see again but it is not the typical vacation. The beaches and hiking and Coral Bay side will all be normal. Town and traffic will be unique to the week.

Plus there will be Fireworks for the Bday girl!!

WOW! Ok... this sounds interesting and exciting! Thank you for the input!!!

We may need to take a look at our itinerary and be sure to plan for some interruptions or plan changes due to the popular festival!!
I will certainly be keeping an eye on my kido, this will be her first trip anywhere like this and she is so excited!
The couple we will be traveling with has two children also a 16 and 14 year old, and I know their mom wont be letting them out of her site much!

Will prices be higher that week? I know that when I visited Mexico the prices would change when the cruise ships would dock for the day.

We are planning on cooking eating at the Villia for the most part, is there a particular store you would suggest?
How is the deep sea fishing? We would also like to do this one of the days, but want to be sure that it is worth it?

Thanks again!!

Star fish is your best bet for most things you can get better prices at pine peace and some times dolphin markets. I like to use Double header for fishing let the Captain decide what to fish for they no what is biting the last time out we got some thing like 50 fish in four hours a mixture of kings, mahi different reef fish and 2 beautiful Afrcain pompamno "sp"

Going to Carnival Village for dinner from all the local food booths is one of the BEST parts of Carnival -- trying new foods like conch , dove pork , stew chicken or mutton, callaloo, patties, johnnycakes, chicken and dumplings, roti, even chicken legs will broaden the youths palate to a new level. Be careful of the 'hot sauce' that will sit on the counter at the booth. The day called' food fair' should certainly not be missed. Try some new sweets too! The "Village is frequented by family groups every evening for food and music and you should feel comfortable there until about 10 PM. when the crowd starts to change some.

What's dove pork and callaloo??

Callaloo is a soup made from taro leaves (or spinach), okra, pumpkin, and crab.

You will have a great time and your kids will be safe as you will be. We'll be on St Thomas with our 15 year old daughter (her third time since she was 11 years old). She is thrilled to be there for 3 weeks this time. Enjoy the Carnival (I must have 5,000 photographs of the ones we have been to).

You can avoid the festival traffic in Cruz Bay when you head to the beach by heading up Gifft Hill Road. It is steep, but paved and a good shortcut to Centerline Road.

This is REALLY a great week to be on island. If you watch the parade where hats and bring a ton of water. The only time I've gotten overheated on island is standing in the sun waiting two hours for the parade to start.

You'll give the pool a workout that week. Happy hour and pool time at sunset is a ton of fun.

Since this is your first time, the newbie guide to St. John that I wrote for a big family trip might be helpful - http://www.garvin.us/STJ/New_Visitors_Guide/STJ_New_Visitor_Guide.html

I need to update the guide with a few facts. The Golden Retriever at Low Key Dive Shop passed away this spring (we miss Tigger). Sosa's has closed. The Texaco gas station has closed in anticipation of construction of a roundabout (soon come). Mixology no longer has a retail location, but they do villa deliveries. Crabby's no longer rents dinghys. Chilly Billys is now Jakes (recommended!).

Definately checkout the Front Yard for their J'ourvet party!

Cheers, RickG

If you haven't already done so, buy either "St. John Off the Beaten Track" or "Fins, Feet & 4WD", both available through the link above (Books & Maps tab). They are worth their weight in gold and will be your constant companion.

Thank you all so much!!! This has been a really great experience so far!!
I haven't ever blogged or responded to any forums before, and this is really fun!!

I really appreciate all of the great feed back! RickG, you have really been a great help, Thank you!!!!

We are getting so excited and we still have 5 weeks to go, it is pretty much all I can think about at this point!! 🙂

Hi,
So I've been wondering if credit cards are widely accepted on St. John or just cash (I don't really want to carry a bunch of) or should I get travelers checks?

🙂
Thanks!

Credit cards are accepted in most retail establishments. Also bring some cash...there are a couple of banks and atm's in cruz bay too.

its been a few years since we've been to stj but had a great time and felt very safe , do try some of the lesser known beaches may be a long walk from the car but you and your friends could have it to your shelves and the snorkeling is a lot better than the crowded tourist beaches enjoy!!

I am enjoying this forum!!! It is just a blast to read up on everything everyone is asking and talking about! And thanks for all the great advice!!!

We are counting down the days 31 days to go!!!

We are staying at the Sea Wind Villa, anyone have any comments on this Villa? The pictures sure make it look great, but I was just curious to hear what others have to say.

🙂 Thanks!

This will be my first time to the islands too but we are only staying in St.T for one day, then hubby and I, along with two other awesome couples will be chartering a yacht to island hop! I can't wait. If anyone has a good spot for newbie SCUBA divers (certification this weekend) let me know! :@)