Please Register / Login to take part in discussions about the Virgin Islands.
Hello,
I am traveling to St. John with my family in March and have a few questions. We are staying in a 3 bedroom bay vista villa at the Westin St. John. Can anyone tell me how far the walk to the pool/beach is? Its hard to tell on the resort map and I am reading all kinds of conflicting reviews.
Also, we are a party of 7 (3 adults and 4 children ages 4, 7, 10, 11). We wanted to charter a boat for a day trip to some of the cool places around St. John (mostly the BVIs) but most private charters say they only take 6 people max. Are there any private charters that can accommodate 7 people (although 4 are kids)?
Finally, we have rented a Durango for 5 days and want to explore the best snorkeling beaches. Any ideas where we would see the best selection of fish/sea life? It would be great if the beaches were also friendly to the little kids since they don't snorkle but would like to play on the beach while others were in the water.
Thanks for your help. Happy New Year!
Rebecca
There's actually a lot of information right on this site which will answer some of your questions.
I can't help you with the location of your Westin villa but hopefully someone will chip in with that info.
If you go to the top of this page and click on "VI Traders" you'll see a book there entitled, "Feet, Fins and Four Wheel Drive" which is an excellent resource for beach information. And if you click on "St John" and scroll down to Activities/Daysails you'll find some options for boats larger than "6-packs" which can accommodate your group. Remember that if you plan on visiting the BVI you'll need passports.
Happy New Year to you too, happy planning and I hope this at least gives you a little help!
The 6 passenger rule is a USCG classification - IF you want to carry more than 6 passengers you must have an 'Inspected Vessel" - this is sometimes a costly alteration to a boat - to satisfy the USCG inspection - so many boat owners do not want the added legal requirements and constant USCG overview, they just restrict their capacity at six. It has nothing to do with the age of the passengers, the size of the boat or the price - the Captain does have to have a "Masters License" as opposed to the entry level license called "OUPV" 'Operator of Uninspected Power Vessel" or a 'sixpax license' .
Some Inspected Vessels are licensed for only 12 passengers - these would be more affordable for your group if you want a private charter. You could also rent a 25' power boat and drive it yourselves if you feel comfortable with your own boating experience.
google: charter Inspected vessels virgin islands
The Bay Vista Villas are lovely! I think you will like them very much. The walk to the pool/beach is not that long....less than 5 minutes. The villas do sit atop a small hill (better view of the sunset!) but there are stairs that run next to the brick road/path that are easier to go up if you have shoes with high heels on.
We have lots of beaches that you will all enjoy. The kids really seem to like Hawksnest, Maho, and Francis, but there are lots to explore! You can pick up a copy of Fins, Feet, and 4WD and learn a lot about what St. John has to offer. Have a great time!
Born to Rumb and Captain Kevin can take up to 14 people. Tell him David on STX sent you
Rebecca
Well I am sure many will tell you Leinster Bay (Waterlemon Cay) for a day adventure. They will be absolutely correct - Especially with smaller snorkelers. The bay is calm and wildlife can usually be found near the beach.
A shallow walk-in on a sandy bottom turns to grasses and turtles sightings within 15 yards of the beach.
A little bit further out on the right side there is area of rock and coral line that one usually will find small barracudas being territorial.
The real beauty is if you swim out to cay. To do so you have transit some deep water and for some that can be intimidating. If it is rough water, I would not recommend with the small ones. In fact, you can save a lot of swimming on their short legs by following the path out to the point and just snorkel from there to get to the cay. Entry into the water is a little harder at the point because of rock and coral.
If you are lucky as you swim out to the cay you may get to witness a Star Fish party.
Literally 100s maybe 1000s of Starfish all come together and do what starfish do! It is amazing! However the sea’s beauty comes alive on the back side of the cay.
Just remember when you snorkel and get tired do not try to stand up – your fins will beat up or break the coral. It is easy to float - roll over on your back and take a break or adjust your mask if needed. It is best to snorkel with a shirt and minimize the sunscreen. The oils come off of you and into the water. Definitely use sunscreen, but put it on at the villa – rub it in well – where a shirt. When you are done playing put some more on. Oh yeah a HAT! And as tempting as it is do not grab starfish and bring them back to the shore to show the kids if they did not make the transit. You are just visiting they live there.
Parking is at the Annaberg Sugar Mill ruins and it is about a ½-mile walk to the actual beach. A flat trail, with every step being part of the adventure. Views of blue water, the BVI, termite nests, and lizards await you on the trek.
There is plenty of sun or shade at the beach and if the young ones get bored, the sugar mill is good for an exploration. There are outhouses at the sugar mill parking lot where one can change back into dry clothes for the way back to the villa pool. The beach has nothing in the way of services but beauty. Mom and dad have to carry water and snacks. Leinster Bay is definitely a place where you want to be there early in the morning. Wildlife always seems more active as the turtles play in the grass and the birds swoop in for fish breakfast.
Have fun! The kids will have life long memory.
Hello!
Thanks so everyone for your wonderful answers! This is all very helpful and I will do some more expoloring on this website. It seems to have so much information which is great! I appreciate the pictures and beach suggestions too! March cannot come soon enough...it's snowing in Boston today!
Happy New Year everyone,
Rebecca
