Oh Yeah...
Did I mention I'm going to be traveling with 3 Boys(10,13,15)
and a husband who hopes I know what I'm doing...Ha!
Jill

You do not need a reservation for taxi to Red Hook unless you want your own van or need to make the trip in a hurry. They tend to wait until they get a nearly full van and then you might have to visit other stops but with a party of 5 you pretty much have a full van anyway.
I would have reserved a daysail before you left to save you time 'last minute shopping' while on vacation. Many of the smaller boats travel to South America this time of year to avoid Hurricane season so the choices are more limited. Perhaps others have recommendations.
Definitely reserve a spot on the Reef Bay Trail hike with the Parks Department. The kids will love it and you will enjoy the views more than them. Get on that early to insure a spot.
Would suggest you bring snorkeling gear if you still have time rather than rent on STJ, especially since you are traveling to other islands.

Have a great trip

RELAX! That's what you should do. Of course I stress for weeks every year before we go. But no, you don't really need to reserve a taxi, plenty of them waiting. Tho you can do so if you want, just more paperwork and stuff. We usually just take the taxi's waiting. Tho it looks like mass confusion there at the taxi's, just speak up and find out which one is going to Red Hook, and go wait. They'll load you up and then take you on a great ride over the hills of STT. Once you get in the taxi start relaxing. It takes a while to get to Red Hook, 45 min. depending on if they make stops. Sometimes faster. Once at the ferry, you may have to stand around for a few. They don't open up the ticket counter till maybe 10 minutes before the ferry is to leave. If you have time, run up to the store and grab a couple beers or sodas. Everybody else does. Then stand there and enjoy the sun. You will have porters there waiting to take your luggage to the ferry. Use them, but you will have to pay them. Which is fine, less trouble handling the baggage but don't think it's free. They have to make a living too. Once on the ferry, relax some more. A few minutes later you'll be on the waves. Enjoy looking at the scenery, watch for turtles in the water as you cross the chanel. Once on STJ, get off the ferry, and wait for your luggage to be unloaded. Most of all...RELAX! you are in paradise! Is your rental person meeting you? Hope so. I think its best to rent a car during your stay, as you will be able to explore the island at your own pace. We always reserve a rental but I'm sure that you can find a place that will have some available. Great things to do: Explore!! Good beaches: Salt Pond, Lameshure (sp??) Waterlemon, Francis, (basically all of them!) These are usually calm waters for snorkeling, which you'll love. Cinnamon is a beautiful beach, but the water can be rough. The snorkeling is pretty good there. YOu should go to Annaberg. Shopping. Visit Coral Bay for Skinny Bergers. Yum! Miss Lucy's. I'm pretty partial to Coral Bay, since we stay in that area each year. But you do need to do Cruz Bay. Lucky YOU! Anyway, that's the advice for STJ. It's absolutely beautiful there. Let us know what you think on your return. Any other questions?

Thanks so Much for the tips!!! Any links or phone number to set up
that Reef Walk? I think that's a good idea to book because I read somewhere that they were always booked. We were not going to do that walk because we figured it would be to hot(we're weenies because we live in Colorado with 60 degree nites! Ha!) But I think it sounds like a blast! I think the boys would love it! We did buy
our own snorkeling equipment already(My husband didn't want to rent a mask with someone else's spit...How particular is he?? Ha!)
We might need to rent a snorkel vest for the little one, in case he gets tired! We are so excited I can stand it! Hopefully we'll be able to bypass mean old Emily! I wish we had some bomb to drop on her and make her go away!! Thanks again!
Jill

Thanks Joann for laying that taxi situation out for me...I'm pretty
laid back, but I live near Estes Park Colorado and we kind of freak
when there are lots of people!! Our villa managers(CateredTo) did
rent a car for us and she will be meeting us at the Ferry to go get the car and take us to the villa. I also had KatiLady provision our fridge with snacks and such!What a cool service is that!! I think we'll get situated and then go down to Woody's for
dinner. We'll be exhausted from traveling(Leaving Denver 6:00am,
arriving STT 5:39 pm) so I am going to have to force myself to RELAX! My kids call me "NAZI Woman" when I get hyper(which is usually when "I'm a fish out of water" settings). So I'm going to remember you advice to CHILL!! I haven't rented a car on Tortola or
Virgin Gorda yet, because I'm not sure what days we'll need it.
I'm planning to find several daysails to other islands or to do
some snorkeling, but I haven't really researched that. I did call
"White Squall" a month ago and they said to call them when I get there.So I'm hoping I can still do that! These boards are great!
You can learn so much more insider stuff!(And I have bought 10 books on the Virgin Islands!) Thanks Again, I'll do a report when I get back! Jill

Jill,
If you have any problems with day sail reservations when you get here call me at 774-3944 and I can give you numbers, etc.
Enjoy your vacation.
Pamela

Oh! Haulover Bay both sides have interesting snorkeling. the north side of Haulover is rougher but has interesting snorkeling. Rubble beach so wear shoes. The other side, closest to the road is really calm and beautiful scenery. Snorkeling's good there too. Reef Bay hike is great going down, hell coming up especially if it's mid day, so if you can be boated back by a park ranger all the better. We usually tough it out and hike back up, but I'm usually swearing under my breath half way back up wondering why I did this! If you do the reef bay hike be sure to visit the petroglyphs. Kinda neat. Bring lots of water, and don't forget SUNSCREEN!!!!!!! Sunburn will ruin the whole vacation. 200 days till I go to STJ

I noticed you mentioned the snorkle vest for your little guy- coming from a swimming weanie who wears an adult size one- this is a last minute thing to do from home- buy it now because I don't think you'll find one down there for him. I haven't been in 5 years but I only could get ahold of swim belts like you wear waterskiing and I never say anything for children so if I were you, I'd buy him one now. You will LOVE the snorkling and DON'T forget the sunscreen while you snorkle, as well as Tshirts because you will burn in the water. The crew is right, Haulover Bay is the best place on earth for snorkling and you definately need the water shoes or your feet will shred and you'll trip- not a great idea if you land on fire coral (been there, done that!). YOu'll need directions to Haulover as its off a very skinny stretch of road and you may miss it. Have a blast- 16 weeks and counting for us!

Here is the number for the Parks Dept. (340)776-6201, ext. 238

You can get more information from the STJ link/Activities and click on the 'trail guide' link in the first paragraph. It will take you to the various hiking trails.

Pamela has you covered for the daysail information and I would get with her early to make sure you have one.

Definitly do the guided Reef Bay Trail hike! We just did it a couple weeks ago and loved it! We did not reserve ahead of time and almost didn't get to go. They put us on a stand-by list for one hike and lucky for us a couple didn't show up and we got to go instead. I was upset with myself for not reserving a spot before we left, but it worked out in the end. Just make sure you take plenty of water on the trail. The day we went it poored on us for about 15 minutes, which helped to keep us cool. And there's a nice refresing swim in Reef Bay at the end of the trail! Have a safe trip.

Jill Bryant

Most important thing of all...make sure you enter 'Island time'
I realize you are all pumped up (who wouldn't be?) but the most rewarding thing about the islands is the slower pace. Take advantage of it. There is no need to get everything in on this trip.
After all, you'll be back 🙂

You Guys are AWESOME!!!! I will schedule the reef walk asap!
And Pamela....Thank you, Thank You, Thank You!
I will definitely call you when we get there!
I think I will look for a snorkel vest tommorrow for the little guy. I hate to have to carry it, but I bet it's tought to find it
over there. Thanks for the heads up. I hope the rangers or someone shows us a pic of fire coral. I've heard so much about it, but have never seen it. I could see us stepping on it accidentally.
We don't have water shoes for our fins, but they are really nice fins and cover our feet, so I hope we will be good.
As far as the sunscreen, I already warned them I will be the
"Sunscreen Nazi Woman". i'm not going to take a chance on anyone getting burned!!
Can't wait...I have got to Settle DOWN! You're right...we will be back!!
Jill

Don't forget the mosquito repellant, lots of it.