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We will be in STT on Jan 11-17th (at Sib's at 4:30 on the 15th for the Steeler game) and would like to go to St John for a whole day - probably go to Annaberg Plantation and then beach hop back to Cruz Bay. Do you think renting a car for the day is the best way to do this? Is it possible to rent for only one day from morning until evening? Any ideas of the cost? Are we hoping to accomplish too much in one day? We have been to Trunk and Hawksnest previously so we could skip those on the way back. Where is the best snorkeling on STJ in YHO? (We have kids ages 8 and 9 but both are pretty good snorkelers and very comfortable in the water) We would like to see some things a little out of the ordinary - maybe turtles, rays, starfish etc. Thanks for all of your input.
Hello Dianne,
I'd say go on the 13th or 14th (fewer cruise ships on those two days so possiably less compeition in terms of getting a rental; some cruise passengers rather visit the island on their own so do exactly what you are considering). Bring water/juice and sandwiches with you. Most rental car booths/offices are in Cruz Bay, so you pretty much can walk from one to the next looking for a jeep. Expect to pay about $60-$65 for the rental. Pick up the jeep and drive out to Annaberg. After visiting Annaberg walk to Waterlemon for snorkeling. (The trail begins just past the Annaberg parking lot, there is a sign. There are no facilities at Waterlemon; if you have snorkle gear bring it & if you don't then rent some from Cruz Bay dive shop when picking up the rental car, find out what closing time is so you know when the gear has to be back.) Waterlemon has great snorkeling. Have a picnic lunch on the beach & enjoy. And then head back to beach hop back or do a self guided island tour. You might stop at Cinnamon Bay (or Trunk Bay, the tickets from Annaberg work at Trunk Bay) to rinse off and change in the afternoon (Bring some extra clothes with you). Then head to town to return car/snorkel gear and have an early dinner in town. Take the ferry back. There are usually taxis at the ferry dock in Red Hook, if not there are pay phones so you can call one or walk accross to Red Hook Shopping Center Parking lot just accross the street there are usually taxis there.
--Islander
I second Islander suggestion on Waterlemon. It was awash with starfish when we went this past summer. The walk seems to go on and on, but is really a short one. There is a point where the trail splits and you should stay to the shore side. If you start going uphill, you took the wrong path.
Just West of Annaberg are Francis Bay & adjacent Fungi Passage which are usually quite good for turtles. Francis is very calm but Fungi Passage can be a bit strong depending upon conditions. My kids also enjoyed Cinnamon Bay and snorkeling around Cinnamon Cay. It does not tend to attract the crowds Trunk does.
I'd definitely have a back-up plan for what you'd like to do in St. John if you can't find a rental car. Just this past week I can't tell you how many people I ran into who said it was impossible for them to get a car, even for a day.
I always rent from Conrad Sutton. Figured I could make reservations for the 4 days I'll be back on St. John in late February. Nothing doing. Not even for one day.
