Welcome Newbie! I'm sure you and your family will have a great time. I sent you a Private Message via this board as most people here have heard the material more than once. Regardless of which Island you go to I'm sure you'll have fun.
Rick & Deb

I think I would go with the Elysian on Cowpet in STT

Quiet Beach, nice pool, two great eating places

Close to red hook and the STJ ferry

Nice beach

Same side of the island as Coki Beach

My two cents

Definitely plan for a day at Coki
a day on STJ
a day sail boat trip to snorkel

A bring lots of film and polarizing lens

Take a look at Secret Harbour on STT. Beautiful beach, good snorkeling, easy access to Red Hook and the ferry terminal, and excellent restaurant, the Blue Moon Cafe, on site. Cheers and happy planning!

carambolla resort on stx..........take a discovery dive....and a tan tan tour...........feed beers to the pigs and go to sandy point on a weekend day..........just my opinion

Try not to read too many reviews. Just try and read the good ones. There are alot of them. It's always a little scarey going to someplace you've never been before.

I personally like STT and STJ. I like that you're only a ferry ride away to STJ when staying on STT. Both Islands are beautiful with huge mountainous islands jutting out of the ocean. The water is beautiful and the snorkeling cant be beat.

It's great that you've never snorkeled before. This is definetly your chance. Lots of fun.

Alot of people find that villa or a condo is the way to go on either island. It's still convenient to have a kitchen, even if it's only to cook something as easy as popcorn at night, or have some drinks in the fridge.

As a couple we have always stayed at Sapphire Beach which is convenient to restaurants and the ferry. We definetly bventure out with a car, which I highly recommend to cover either island. It's alot of fun to take your car over on the ferry to STJ and explore the most amazing views and beaches.

Sapphire is on the Beach, but I think you should also look into Secret Harbour. Same thing, close to Red Hook. If you look around on vrbo.com for these 2 different locations, you'll find alot of rentals.

I like the Red Hook area, again, because it's convenient, but seriously, you can drive to all different places with a car.

We like disneyworld too...but that's alot of work! Had to laugh at your comment.

First, I just want to say one thing. ADOPT ME PLEASE!!! I want parents that will take me to the Caribbean for my birthday! haha

Me & my husband will be going to St. Croix the first week of November. We are staying at the Palms at Pelican Bay. This will be our first trip to STX, we've been to STT two years in a row. We are addicted to the islands! Anyway, take a look at the Palms, it's quiet, right on the beach, great restaurant, etc. I'm excited to say the least! I've checked this place out on trip advisor & here...everything I've heard is wonderful.

http://www.palmspelicancove.com/recreation.php

Don't worry though - wherever you go..you WILL have a great time in the V.I's

Jeniffer

Newbie-- I just sent you a pm on this subject. Hope it helps!

guys- thanks for the info. I am sorry I have not not responded more buy I am in the Houston area working after the storm.

Thanks to those of you who PM'd me and I will be back in touch with you when I get a chance.

For the rest of the board, as soon as I finalize the plans I will let everyone know. Not that you would care but.....

My soon to be 7yo daughter cheers for the Pee Wee football team and they have a competion, yes I said competion for kindergarten cheerleaders??? WTH anyway my wife mentioned to daughter yesterday that she may have to miss the competion to go to the islands.

After first asking the question....what is a competion she quickly responded with I want to go to the islands!

I love her so much!

see ya'll soon

my wife just called to remind me that my daughter is now in the first grade. oops Maybe I have been away too long.

Even though she is in first grade she can still spell better than her daddy.

After reading my previous post I realized I spell competition incorrectly THREE TIMES!

😎 Well on behalf of all Texans...we sure appreciate your help!

Your daughter sounds precious! I still think she needs a big sister thought....LOL

Good luck at competition!

Jen

Hey Newbie!

I live up the coast from Galveston in east Texas and we got a pretty bad blow from Ike. We appreciated all the help we got for cleanup and power restoration. Hang in there!

Paula

We stayed on STT last time down, left the kids at home with G & G. We will be in STJ in April with the kids. STT is a busy island. STJ is quieter and quaint. We will be staying at the St. John Inn 800-666-7688 or www.stjohninn.com. Reasonable rates, family run. We live in California between San Francisco and Sacramento. I feel safer staying on STJ with the kids. As I said STT is great but to busy and city like for my peace of mind while traveling with the children ages 17, 14, 6, 4. On STJ, I will feel perfectly safe letting the 17 year old watch the others while we slip over to the Quiet Mon' for a dark & diet. Hope this helps.

Wow Dulcey, coming from California is quite a trip..I could never imagine that travel day.

As far on on the beach but not at a resort there are two options on St. John that come to mind for me right away. They are significantly different as far as accommodations but both accomplish your beach goals. Gibney beach cottages (www.gibneybeachvillas.com) and Maho Bay Camps (www.maho.org) Maho is great for kids that age, and is less like a resort, but still has a restaurant and many different activities for kids throughout the week.

-Josh

Full Day of Travel for sure. We just add an extra two days on to the vacation to accomodate for the long flights/lay overs. Getting to be in the Islands makes it well worth it.8-)

Newbie,
No Worries. The Islands are great, you and the family will have a wonderful time. You won't want to leave.

Check out Gallows Point Resort on STJ - good snorkeling, walkable to town, small pool, beautiful location 🙂

Pia

We're fond of St. Thomas and there's plenty of resorts to choose from, not many resorts on St. John, but a must see.........haven't been to St. Croix in several years.
And if you can do it, bring a friend for your daughter to spend time with, it will make a for a great experience.

My suggestion with a seven year old is Sapphire Beach Resort or Bolongo Beach Resort on St. Thomas. I have a 13 year old and live on St. Thomas. When she was seven she wanted to play on the beach and be in the water. Sapphire has a great pool that kids love and the snorkeling at Sapphire is great. Plus you can be in your room, on your deck while your child plays in the sand on the beach. At Bolongo they beach is right there - Iggies Restaurant is great - you can snorkel on the beach - they have Caribbean night on Wednesdays which kids love. Sapphire tops the list though because they have kitchenettes and it is nice to be able to have a quick breakfast or lunch in the room.

Go to Coki Beach - bring dog biscuits and feed the fish Next door is Coral World. Don't miss it - great aquarium and if you can do Atlantis Submarine kids love it. Also, do the tram to Paradise Point. During the day they have the Bird shows which kids love. If you go to St. John and feel energetic try the Reef Bay Trail Hike - see the petroglyphs - lots of fun.