Just did STT & STJ. If you go to STT when any cruise ships are in you will be seeing all of those sites you mentioned with a thousand other people! Don't do it unless there are no ships. Also those beaches don't compare to STJ's beaches. Bolongo Bay is a great place to go also. Iggies has good food & drink & fun activities at night (STT). On STJ don't miss Uncle Joes BBQ across from the post office, behind the tourist booth. ( No sign) It is the best!!!!

Your itinerary looks like a good one. A couple of other restaurants to consider are Polli's up in the Lumberyard and Island Blues in Coral Bay. Don't miss Miss Lucy's for Sunday brunch. You might want to rent a dingy for a day. That's a lot of fun and worth while.

Don't waste your time going to STT or Tortola. They don't compare with the beaches on STJ. I suggest you spend your time exploring STJ. Save the day trips for another trip.

I HIGLY reccomend Morgan's Mango...their Seafood Brochette is fantastic! They also have a big selection of really good frozen drinks. My husband and I have been there maybe 7 times and had great experiences all but once...and the one time it wasn't great, it was still decent.

Go to this link for some good coupons: http://www.couponstjohn.com/

I seond the dinghy rental. Up until a mishap we had one day (definition=disaster), the dinghy day last trip was one of our favorites!

I have to disagree with not suggesting the beaches of STT for one day. Magens is gorgeous and relaxing. Saphhire has some greatg snorkeling and Coki...wow....the amount of fish there is unbelievable.

I just feel that the islands are so close together that spending a day off of St John is an excellent idea.

I wasn't crazy about Charlotte Amalie...jewerly store afeter jewelry sture.

Havensite is good if there are no more then one cruise ship in. I liked some of the stores there.

Even though you have an itinery, don't think you'll stick by it. Days go by too fast in the VI's..so make sure you do you're most important things and then if you have time left over, do the ones down on your list.

Anyway you put it..it's great, you'll love and you'll definetly go back!

buzzy
If this is your first visit to St John, have rented a jeep, bring along FF&4WD and have snorkel gear-you've got it going on! And will never want to leave! The book is our bible when there-this is a wounderous island to explore.
Cafe Roma is a great, as is Lime Inn. Go to Joe's early in your trip because you will want to return! We liked Morgans, Tuesday night is lobster night. Also Baked in the Sun has great sandwiches to take to the beach. Miss Lucy's brunch should not be missed, but don,t forget about the jazz at The Beach Bar!
I 3rd or 4th the dinghy rental-it is a blast and a different way to see the island at your own leisure.
Have a great trip!

Okay, my two cents worth...

Loved Morgan's Mango. The blackened snapper (has a catchy name) was awesome and we went on a night where the frozen drinks were two for one and the live music was a nice touch.

Loved Panni Beach also... just a nice atmosphere sitting on by the rail watching the boats bob in the gentle surf.

Loved Joe's BBQ because it was good, hardy and cheap (but not the Texas BBQ I'm used to) If you are looking for cheap for lunch one day, check out the pizza place facing the water in Cruz Bay near the Beach Bar. Really good.

You might want to add The Fish Trap to your list... we really enjoyed it.

The grilled lobster at The Lime looked huge and wonderful (they don't always have it so check...) so you could try that to help decide if you like the different kind of lobster that they have in the VI before paying the 75 for the all you can eat at Caneel...

Once on STJ, stay there and enjoy it. I'll be really surprised if it occurs to you that you want to be anywhere else during your stay... Being on STT is a step back toward the civilization that you've left behind when you arrived in Cruz Bay. Put it off until you have to go to the airport.

Island Blues for drinks & lunch and Vie's Snack Shack for her Garlic chicken, johnny cakes & lemon tarts!!

add Banana Deck for dinner ! we always have a good meal there..nice staff too !! JJ's Texas for breakfast( great bloody marys )..nice sitting outside watching the people strolling the park and the chickens running around ! as another [oster said ...Jazz at the Beach Bar on sundays......fabulous !!!

What kind of food does the Banana Deck have and is there "specials" on certain days?

Also, where is JJ's?

Thanks for the help!

JJ's is right across from the ferry dock. You can't miss it! I vouch for their dinners (and cheap too) as well as beer selection!

Since you plan on being at Coral Bay for Brunch at Ms Lucy's and lunch at Skinny Legs, consider Salt Pond Bay for snorkeling. It is just down the road from Ms Lucy's. I would also recommend Aqua Bistro for a good dinner when at that end of the island. Will run you around $60 for two people. If feeling adventurous while at the Coral Bay end of the island, drive your jeep down to Little Lamestur Bay (it is in FF&4WD). Sandy beach with good snorkeling and you are likely to be the only ones there. Also, the drive will make you glad you paid the extra and rented a jeep. Most of all, kick back and enjoy!

Looks like a pretty good itinerary. Not structured, so you're free to change your plans on a whim. We like to do it that way. We never even make dinner reservations so we don't have to pay attention to time. You've got a good guidebook. Load up the snorkel gear, take some food and drink along and explore the island.

We like Morgan's Mango and always eat there at least once. I've seen some poor reviews, but we've never had a bad experience. The name of that snapper dish is "Voodoo Snapper" and I love it. Last time we were there I was also pleased that they had coconut shrimp as an appetizer, not just an entree. We also like to get some local food while on the island. For dinner In Cruz Bay we like Sogo's(West Indian) and Sosa's (Latin Caribbean). For lunch there's Hercules for pate or any of the truck/cart/stand operations around the pavilion and post office. In Coral Bay, Sweet Plantains and Miss Lucy's do sort of upscale West Indian. There's also some small operations at the triangle as you come down into Coral Bay. In the East End, Vie serves up a good local lunch (but is closed some days).

We always spend a day in the East End. We snorkel at Haulover in thre morning, then head to Vie's for lunch. We've always found her open, but still take food along in case she's closed. Afterward, we hang out on her beach and/or snorkel some spots around Hanson Bay/Pelican Rock.

If you want a great night out, get to Fred's on Wednesdays, when Inner Visions plays there when they're on the island. . Good reggae. Real good reggae. There's jazz on Sunday afternoon at the Beach Bar and a few other places have music occasionally. Keep an eye out for signs around town or in front of the bars. The night at Fred's is usually our only late night. We get to sleep early and are up before dawn.

We never got to the BVI until our third trip to STJ. We'd intended to go sooner, but there was always so much that we wanted to do and see on STJ that we just never got off the island. You'll get a glimpse of STT on the way to the ferry. That may help you to decide if you want to go over for part of a day.

Mostly we just wing it. We come up with a tentative plan, then change it for no good reason at all if we wish. Take plenty of time to do very little. Sit, nap, float. Listen to the sounds--waves, donkeys, roosters, tree frogs. Smell the fragrance of the tropics. Watch the night sky. You'll have a blast.

Buzzy,

Dining choices: excellent. I have sorrowfully not enjoyed Miss Lucy's, but plan to. The constant rave reviews have to tell us something!

I wouldn't hesitate to stay at the Westin. I know, I know....it isn't a "real" villa. But, it is a really nice place with great amenities. Anyone who does their research knows that the beach isn't great...so just rent a car and explore everyday! You aren't asking us to justify your rate....just what we think about the St John Westin. I would stay there and enjoy it!

You have the right choice in books...so, good deal! Renting a jeep? Again, right choice! I have not rented a jeep on STJ.....I have rented cars. It has limited me. I say that cars car do....but, jeeps are better on STJ. If someone needs to rent a car because of the availability or price of jeeps, that'll be fine. You'll see plenty and have a blast. But, jeeps will put you over the top. I have not been over the top on STJ. Something to which I can look forward..

$75 pp for brunch? Hmmmm....well, I would skip. That's me. I have heard from people that the Ritz on STT has a brunch that is worth a similar cost. Maybe! But, I also know that I can stretch $75 pretty far and eat very well. I enjoy gourmet meals......but $75 pp in the VI isn't like $75 in the states. If you are questioning....skip it. I would...and have. No overpriced buffets for me. Sorry Caneel!

Day trips? How many days will you have? I am a fan of day trips.....always thinking of the "next adventure". Not too many.....but one is a good idea, if you have time. Again, how long will you be there?

Bluewater,

Thanks to you and everyone for their responses.
We will be there 7 nights (2 days are wasted because of travel). I know that looking at the "Feet, Fins and Four Wheel Drive" has 4 days worth of jeep tours in it, although it is tough to judge how long each will take. It seems like we may have time but I don't want to rush through St. John to get to another island.

Just to clarify on the buffet at Caneel. It is the Dinner Feast, not the brunch. Supposedly has "all you can eat" lobster but it is Caribbean lobster not the kind we are used to. (Maine cold water lobster). I hear the desserts are great and it has prime rib as well. I just wanted to clarify that it is dinner, not brunch. (probably still too much). Thanks again!

Buzzy,

I can tell you that my first taste of Caribbean lobster was disappointing! It was too soft and not tasty enough - mushy? Being from Philadelphia, I am used to New England lobster. I guess any buffet depends on your appetite. Maybe you'll have to judge by that day.....how hungry are you? Quantity over quality? Buffets count on you getting full before you eat your money's worth. I can tell you that I would look to schedule that dinner ad-hoc......if I was REALLY hungry, then I would go. If not, I would skip it.

For 7 nights (this is the length of my February visit) I would stick to STJ if this is your first visit. Is it? You cannot see all of STJ in 6 or 7 days. My Tortola one-day visit was BORING! I don't think STT would really offer anything THAT different for a day out of a 6 day visit. If you have 10 or more days...YES. But, for 6....NO. Stick to STJ and go all out with your jeep. Explore, explore, explore. Every nook and cranny.....dig in!

Stay on STJ and really get to know her. Save the other islands for another time. If you really explore STJ, you'll find a way back....like the rest of us.

Bluewater,

Thanks again. That was the word I was looking for..."boring". I kept hearing to stay on St. John but was never given a description of Tortola like that. That is what I was afraid of, giving up a day and being disappointed. Thanks for your honest opinion!

Yep, just being honest. My parents are annual Tortola visitors who really want me to schedule a full vacation aorund it. I just can't see it. Maybe I am missing something. But, I think it is a sloooooooow pace, without much to keep one occupied.

Some people like that. No disrespect to them. That's AWESOME for them.

Others are looking for a middle-ground. I am a late 30s woman from a large U.S East Coast city......and I have been vacationing on STJ since my early 30s. I have not yet been bored. Yet, I have been totally relaxed. I enjoy both the daytime beach scene and the nighttime bar scene.

That's all I can offer - my personal experience.

Bluewater,

About Tortola: does it looks like St. John in its natural beauty or is it a step below? How about Virgin Gorda?