I'm not sure about a bus from Cruz Bay to Coral Bay cause the roads are winding and hilly, a local will have to help you on that point. If you stay in Coral Bay you will need a car as I said in my previous reply, if you will look at the top of the forum page, click on St John, click on the topic of interest ex. map; and you can see the beaches and there location. St John has hills and mountains, hence the beautiful views. To drive from Cruz Bay to Coral Bay takes about 30- 40 minutes,depending on trafic, weather etc. In Cruz Bay you are within walking distance to everything.

The Vitran bus runs from Cruz Bay through Coral Bay to Salt Pond. I think it's scheduled hourly. It would take less than half an hour from Cruz Bay to Coral Bay. From Coral Bay the bus could take you to Salt Pond, which is a good snorkeling beach. To get to the northshore beaches from Coral Bay, you'd need to first get to Cruz Bay, then get a taxi. The bus is cheap, but taxis add up. You'd spend a lot of time on busses or waiting for busses. No busses run along the northshore road. Hitchiking is possible on STJ. I haven't picked up a hitchiker on the mainland for a very long time, but do it routinely on STJ. A vehicle costs, but gives you the freedom to go where you want, when you want and stay as long as you want.

If you were staying in Cruz Bay (or at one of the campgrounds), travel is easier. Communal taxis run the northshore road frequently.

As far as walking around Coral Bay at night----Cruz Bay is a small town, but Coral Bay is pretty rural and spread out. It doesn't feel like a town. I wouldn't want to be walking around there very late. There has been an upturn in crime in the area.

You're probably better off staying in the Cruz Bay area or the campgrounds. Maybe rent a vehicle for a day or two to get around to other parts of the island.

I agree with Nick, for your first visit there you might be better off in Cruz Bay. Take a day and travel over to the Coral Bay side and check it out.

If you want a great place for a lunch try Miss Lucy's it is beyond the village of Coral Bay to the west. Great location and great food.

The best beaches will be on the north road, check out Hawksnest and Honey Moon not as crowded as some of the others, yet easy to get to and most of the taxi-trams will stop and pick you up as they go by if you do not want to rent a vehicle.

You will be glad you stayed in Cruz Bay as far as the nightlife, what there is...... Check out Fred's on Wed.& Fri. night, great band called Inner Vision......

Have a great trip.

RM