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My husband and I and two friends are headed for our 3rd trip to STJ in a few months. We've chartered a boat for a day (Palm Tree Charters) where we're allowed to build our own itinerary. We've already been to The Baths, so we're looking for another great place to head to. We love to snorkel and hike, and we'd also like to stop for lunch at a local restaurant.
Anyone have recommendations? I'm sure the captain can offer some ideas, too.
We're also planning on renting a dinghy for a day, on either STJ or STT, and heading to some minor islands. The outfit I was eying is well regarded but does not allow beach chairs to be brought aboard. That's rather essential.
Does anyone have a recommendation for a good dinghy rental place that will allow beach chairs? Also, a good deli where we can bring a picnic lunch?
Never heard of not being allowed to take beach chairs with you.
They have fold up ones in their own carry totes.
One of my favorite spots is the Indians in the bvi off of Norman Island.
You'd have to clear bvi customs however. There's a floating bar and restaurant in the bight at Norman and one onshore and the caves there are protected so lots of fish.
I also like watermelon cay in Leinster bay.
There are really so many spots to choose. Your captain can give recommendations as where you go which may be dependant on weather and sea conditions of the day.
Lots of places in stj to get deli lunches.
Check Starfish Market and over at Mongoose Junction.
Search "dinghy rentals st john" and the two operations who do this will pop up with contact info. STJ is best for renting a dinghy as there are way more bays easy to pull into than around STT where the waters on both sides can be very choppy.
As far as your sailboat charter is concerned, Jost Van Dyke is a favorite place to hang out.
If you are heading to the BVI on your boat charter, here is another vote for the Indians. Pretty awesome snorkeling. Getting there is dependent on weather/water conditions.
The dinghy rentals not allowing beach chairs doesn't seem so unusual; likely concerned over possible damage to the dinghy.
Not sure there are all that many dinghy rental companies, so you might contact them all and see if any allow beach chairs. The ones that come to mind on St. John are Cruz Bay Watersports, Calypso Dinghy Rentals and Noah's Lil Arks. On St. Thomas Captain Nautica has dinghys. There might be a few others. Let us know what you find out.
Good deli on St. John... Deli Grotto in Mongoose Junction... yummy! Breakfast, sandwiches, baked goods, salads, smoothies; good stuff.
You noted you like hiking, there are some nice trails on St. John. You can find a brief description of them under the St. John tab at the top of the website. Also if you haven't yet picked up one of the guide books for St. John, there are a few goods ones that describe the beaches, snorkeling spots, hiking trails and sugar plantation ruins: check out the guidebook section at http://www.vitraders.com/category/book.html.
Thanks for the suggestions. The Indians it is, followed by Jost Van Dyke if there's time.
P.S. The dingy rental company who doesn't allow beach chairs is Calypso.
Please report any lion fish sightings to national park if in stj or fish and wildlife services.
You can also contact:
http://www.corevi.org/vimanagement.html in St.Thomas and www.reefguardians.com in the BVI to report sightings.
