If you are going to rent a vehicle, you do really need to move on it quickly. There aren't a lot of rental vehicles available on STJ and you'll be there in peak season. Most agencies will be renting by the week only. They're willing to rent for a day if they happen to have a vehicle available, but won't reserve for one day. You just have to walk in and hope you can find one. And at that time of year, you really may not be able to find one. I think you'll be glad to have a vehicle.

Taxis are a good way to get around on the north shore, but the fares would add up quickly with five people. The bus is cheap. Sometimes runs on schedule, sometimes doesn't. If you're not in a hurry and not impatient (and I mean REALLY not in a hurry and REALLY not impatient) it's an option. It'll get you to Coral Bay, but Salt Pond would be the only beach you could reach by bus.

We usually rent a vehicle. I like being able to go where we want without waiting. When we've stayed at Maho during the off season we haven't rented a vehicle for the entire stay, but Maho is one of the places on the island where it doesn't seem inconvenient. During the off season we can usually find a vehicle for a day.

Traveling with an 8 and 10 year-old, I would strongly suggest renting a car. Waiting on the side in the tropical sun for a bus that may or may not come with 2 kids is not my idea of a great holiday.

Thanks Lex and LindaJ. I realize that Salt Pond is the only beach close to the busline but there are some in my plan that involve the bus and a short hike, some that involve taxis, and some just walking. I'm not as worried about waiting for buses as about not being able to do the one-day rental which means not being able to get to Annaberg and Princess Beach.

Well, I've emailed my husband and daughter-in-law your response. I'll see what they think about the bus. I loved riding the bus in Bermuda.

Any opinions on the clothes question?

I just checked out your website and saw all the things that you plan on fitting into your one car day. I would think that you would not enjoy that day at all. That is way toooo much for one day, in my opinion.

I really think that you would be better served renting a car for the week. The island is so beautiful and there are places that you just can not get to by taxi or bus. Many Taxi's do not like driving to Coral bay and beyond, in fact I had friends on island this year that took the bus to Coral bay, the bus never came back and they could not find a taxi and ended getting back to Cruz Bay in the back of a pickup truck. Fine for them as they are in their 30's but probably not something you would want do with kids.

Some of the beaches you mentioned are not really all that kid friendly, while the mangrove snorkeling may be fun for the adults, they will not be very fun for the kids. Maho is a perfect kid beach, as is Francis. Remember that Trunk is the only beach with food and facilities (hawksnest does have facilities as well) so you will need to pack a cooler if you plan on spending the day there. There is no place to buy water or snacks.

Many people do manage without a car, it can be done, but I would think that for your first time on the island, you would be better served with having one.

I just looked at you schedule as well - wow 🙂

OK, just a few things to keep in mind.......a taxi from town to Cinnamon Bay (or the other way around) will be $9.00 per person so $45.00 thus $90.00 round trip should you not want to hike from the top of the trail, so you can see taxi's add up really quickly, and just to go to this beach you will pay for the cost of a one day car rental.

I'm not sure that Trunk accepts the Golden Age Passports - my mother in law tried to use one and only one person per group was allowed in free (not sure it was the gap or not but it was some kind of pass for the National Parks.)

If you want to rent a car you need to do it as of YESTERDAY - you may or may not be able to get one at this late of a date and for a one day rental they will not reserve in advance you will need to go to agency to agency when you are there and hope they have one available - very slim chance that time of year.

Just remember, it is difficult to hike trails carrying alot of "stuff". There are no stores to buy snacks, drinks, water, lunch etc except at Cinnamon and Trunk so hiking with beach chairs, a cooler, towels, food etc I put in the category of "I need a car I'm not a pack mule" and generally the bus doesn't like you to travel with "stuff" (a backpack/bag yes but not beach chairs, coolers etc) 🙂

Good luck and see you on island 🙂

Pia

I haven't been to Bermuda, but I doubt that the bus service on STJ is like busses on Bermuda. You mentioned that you've been to Belize and I think that would be a better frame of reference when thinking about taking (and waiting for) a bus on STJ.

As busy as February is and as in-demand as vehicles are, there really is a good chance that you won't be able to get a one day rental. If you're real flexible, you could just wing it, but it really is my guess that you'd enjoy the vacation more with a vehicle. And even if you decide to go with a vehicle, you'll need to move on it quickly to find a rental (if you can't turn one up on STJ, you may find one on STT, which has more available).

As for clothes, it's hard to say. Coming from the northeast winter, we always find the water warm. But residents will still be finding it chilly in February (although it really doesn't vary all that much from winter to summer). in summer we can snorkel as long as we like. In winter we do begin to feel a slight chill after a period of time, particularly if it's a cloudy day.

Okay, I went ahead and reserved a 5-passenger Jeep Liberty. Since Varlack didn't have the less expensive 5-passenger Suzuki I went with Courtesy because a) toll-free number, b) dockside pickup, and c) it was mentioned on that other thread.

Thanks to all for your advice.

Post when you get back and let us know how it went. And most of all HAVE FUN, don't over plan!

Hi Maggie. I noticed you were planning to spend some time at Maho and Little Maho. We did the same thing in July and it is a very nice beach, especially for kids. You can walk to donkey trail to Little Maho or snorkel around the point on the left. They have a little lunch bar there that is very reasonable. It's not fancy...just sandwiches, chips, drinks, etc. But it sure hit the spot the day we were there. The snorkel ling to the right around the point is pretty good. The best part of that day though was seeing turtles feeding on the sea grass not too far from the shore. Hope you have a great trip!

Yes, once I decided on the car rental, then Little Maho came into play. Today I purchased a couple of Christmas presents for the kids:

Octo's Coral Reef for Ethan
Book Description
Octo's Coral Reef is a book about the coral reef ecosystem for families. Octo the octopus describes the formation of coral reefs and the life of coral polyps. Octo reveals their microscopic weapons and secret gardens. He explains why coral reefs are important and how they are being threatened. The text is fairly advanced but there are coloring pages and activities for all ages.

Octo's Mangrove Grove for Rachel
Book Description
Octo's Mangrove Swamp describes the mangrove swamp ecosystem and how it works: how mangroves reproduce, where they grow, why they are one of the few land plants that can grow with their roots in salt water, why they are important, and what threatens them. It is a book for all ages. The text is uncompromisingly detailed and complete but there are coloring pages and activities for all ages.

About the Author
Elisa Karnofsky is a marine biologist with a BS from Mt. Holyoke College and an MS from New York University. Her love for the sea and those that inhabit it began during summers at Mt. Desert Island Biological Laboratory, Mt. Desert Island, Maine where she worked with her father. It deepened while watching lobsters with Dr. Jelle Atema at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, Massachusetts. She now lives and writes in Thetford Center, Vermont.

Maggie adds:
I went to Mt. Holyoke for my masters and I worked two summers at the Mt. Desert Island Biological Laboratory - in 1960 and 1961, a lifetime ago.

I've found a t-shirt doesn't help much with warmth in the water. For sun protection, in combination with sunscreen, it helps. The rash guard shirts are a good idea overall (warmth, sun, dries faster than tshirt).

--Islander