While all of the major beaches are accessible with standard car if you want to visit Lameshur bays, I suggest a 4WD.

Thanks Chris, that jives with what I've been reading, although the caveat seems to be that most rental companies on the island have a Lameshur bay ban.
Are the east-end beaches accessible by car? I think I recall hiking to them as a kid.

Scott

Scott,

I personally wouldn't do it without a 4 wheel drive. If it rains, which it will, the steep windy roads can get very slippery. On my last visit I our car was almost squished by a non 4 wheel drive van that was slidding backwards down the road it was trying to get up. And this was one of the main roads. For safety go with the 4 WD.

Scott
We rented from CC's and they did not mention any ban. Perhaps they would have mentioned one had we got into trouble! We went there with some manouvering around fair size holes/dips but were able to make it. Not sure what beaches you have in mind on the east end but most are reachable via 4WD directly or park and hike.

Hello Scott,

I've driven more times on St. John without 4wd then with but the 4wd made some roads much easier and made a few possiable.

--Islander

Hello Islander

I can see a 2WD will get you to 80% of the island but were you able to do the southern bays without 4WD also?

Hello Chris,

I think you were typing your question, while I edited mine to include that 4wd makes a few possiable (namely the southern bays).

--Islander

Might as well rent a 4WD. Just in case you need it. If you don't, then no worries. If you do, you'll have it.