1. There are a couple of places on St John which rent dinghies by the day or half day and this is the best island for enjoying it as the south side shoreline is replete with small inlets and calm waters close to shore. I've never heard of any dinghy rental operation on WI and am not sure that the surrounding waters would be conducive to easy maneuverability in one but I'm sure other contributors to this forum will be able to verify. Highly unlikely you'd be able to rent a dinghy for a week at an affordable price

2. Kayaking "between islands" is sometimes doable for an experienced kayaker but the same caveat holds as with dinghies.

3. There are roadside stands on St Thomas where local fruits and veggies are sold and a couple of regularly held "farmer's market" operations but to get to them you'll need transportation. Foraging for fruits and edible plants would also entail getting out into the bush and knowing what you're looking for. Home-owners who grow fruits and veggies obviously don't look too kindly on people coming onto their property and t'iefing their produce!

4. No. There are no large agricultural producers here and no "fields". Most foodstuff is shipped in from the mainland.

5. Stock up on basics such as rice and beans which are cheap enough!

My tip is to forget about any ideas of "living off the land" during your visit and instead save as much as you can between now and then so you can afford more than the place to stay. Good luck!

Thanks for the info!

I guess I was hoping more for a private dinghy rental - like off craigslist or something (though, there is no rental section on there) - but if the larger, commercial operations are my only option, I can make it work!

I don't mean to suggest that I'm coming with zero dollars in hand, but I'm interested in supported local agriculture and people who grow food, even in small, road stand operations -- or people renting a single boat privately vs. the larger, commercial operations that charge a lot of money to tourists.
I know that most food is imported, but I still feel strongly about supporting the people work what little land there is...

I certainly wouldn't steal food from anyone -- I have a background in food and nutrition, identifying the plants wouldn't be any trouble (I don't plan on killing myself), so if you're familiar with places to go to forage, I'd love to know about them!

I'm not really looking for a tourist-y island experience; I'd like to support local food, and private persons renting dinghies, or fishing equipment or anything like that. Are there any forums that you know of to look into those things?

Thanks for all your help!

There is an agricultural section of STT in Bordeaux on the western end - it has a lot of small farmers, many of whom espouse the Rastafarian religion, who toil hard on some steep plots in the hot and humid VI weather. I am not sure you can trade hard labor for cash but I am sure your dedicated work alongside them would be rewarded with more fresh fruits and vegetables and good Ital food than you could buy with the same money.
You may be able to rent a small dinghy from someone on WI or around Crown Bay for a day or more if you network at the dinghy docks and can handle a craft. Kayaking from WI to Hassel Is. or some of the southern beaches of STT would be doable most days but paddling upwind is never easy.
There is no fresh water for the most part in the VI so foraging for edible food would entail encroaching on cultivated private property, although there are times of the year that mangoes lay fallen on the roadsides and cocoanuts fall on the beach.
I suggest bringing your own collapsible fishing rod in a hard case. Snorkeling is another low cost way to spend some enjoyable time. Meet as many local residents as you can and have conversations about our daily lives - you will be easily able to have a non-touristy stay if that is your objective.

Check out "We Grow Food, Inc." on FaceBook.

The annual fair is scheduled for Jan.

We Grow Food Inc. presents:
15th Annual Bordeaux Farmers Rastafari Agricultural and Cultural Food Fair
@Bordeaux Farmers Market $3 Adults -- Youths FREE!!!
Saturday and Sunday, January 14th and 15th, 2012 10am – 12am

Go to the relocation board and post a classified about the dingy / kayak.

Spear fishing/free diving are popular as well.

The Bordeaux farmers were asking for volunteers a while back, but probably very few took them up on it. I'll ask around to see if I can find out who to contact.

The restaurant, Barefoot Buddha, recently acquired land so they can grow more produce for their restaurant, and they are very active in the Slow Food movement. You should make inquiries with them through their website.

There are sea grapes along much of the shoreline, but they don't have much meat. There's also an edible plant at some of the beaches, but of course I don't remember what it is. It was pointed out at Smith Bay Park beach.

I'm on Water Island and I'm not aware of anyone that rents their dinghy. I would think the liability concerns alone would discourage renting their dinghy but also the potential damage to the water craft (or someone else's) caused by the renter who's ability to handle a boat - even a wee boat - is unknown. That's an awful lot of trust to give a stranger in my humble opinion.

The Water Island ferry is owned by a Water Island resident and most/all the Captains (employees) are Water Island residents. It's not a "large, commercial operation". So, the fee for transport to/from WI/STT is funding local people. If you're staying on WI for a couple of weeks you may find the most economical option is to buy a "punch pass" for $45 which will get you 10 trips. Ferry schedule is posted on this web site VINOW.

Heidi Honeymoon Grill and Joe's Beach Bar are also owned and operated by Water Island residents. Open every day.

Least cost and closest grocery store is Pueblo.

There are a few people who rent golf carts on the island but since you're staying on Water Island it's likely you already have one available to you.

Enjoy your time on our peaceful island.

Water Island offers a chill atmosphere for a vacation... however here is something else to consider... based on the farm, food questions you asked you may want to check out the Virgin Islands Sustainable Farm Institute on St. Croix. They offer farm stays and it might fit the type of trip you are looking for: http://www.visfi.org.

--Islander