Hello Heather,

Taxis can become pricey if you are doing a lot of sightseeing, dining out, island tours... I believe the hotel offers a shuttle into town so you can utilize it to perhaps attend the parade if you were going to do that and also to head into town to shop. You can also take the shuttle to get to the Charlotte Amalie ferry the day your visit St. John. For visiting other places, island tours, dining out at night you will need to take taxis.

Reservations are a good idea at restuarants. And if you want to do any sail boat charters or diving you need to book those in advance.

I'd recommend some shopping and historical sites seeing in Charlotte Amalie and perhaps the afternoon around the pool or beach at your hotel. An island tour and beach time. A day on St. John. Attend the parade on Friday or Saturday. A few nights out dining. Beach hopping. Maybe a day sail. Snorkeling. You could do a day trip to Water Island as well, you will be only a few minutes from the Water Island ferry in Crown Bay.

The Charlotte Amalie ferry's last departure from Cruz Bay to Charlotte Amalie is at 3:45pm. The Red Hook ferry's last departure from Cruz Bay to Red Hook is at 11pm. You can do St. John for less $; hike the trail that starts in Cruz Bay to Salomon and then to Caneel Bay and hike back - that way you don't need to take taxis. Or you can take a taxi tour of the island and beach hop. Or you can rent a car on St. John and drive yourselves around and see lots of the island. The National Park Visitor Center is very close to the dock in St. John and the Park itself is almost 3/4 of the island so is pretty much close to everything.

The ferry schedule is at https://www.vinow.com/general_usvi/interisland_ferry/

You can try some restaurants in Frenchtown and Charlotte Amalie - they will be closer to your hotel. You might try Banana Tree Grill, Tavern on the Waterfront, for a casual night/bar you might try Greenhouse for happy hour, Herves, for local food Cuzzins - all of these are in Charlotte Amalie so about 8-12 minutes taxi ride away.

Have a great time.

--Islander

Heather: Since you are arriving in the thick of Carnival- you need to call ahead to check on restaurants- many have limited hours from Thursday through Sunday. You should put in an appearance at Carnival Village- kinda like your local state fair and theme park rolled into one (just order anything out of the ordinary for a treat- whelks, flying fish, roti...) But don't ask for wine! Learn to drink rum, for at least one evening!!! Have fun!

Heather.
You'll have a wonderful time. We were there for the first time 4 years ago. We enjoyed Coral World and the Coki Beach right beside it. Our favorite beach, by far, was Magens Bay. We must have caught it on a good day--it was almost deserted. Great little snack shack/bar. One of the highlights of our trip was a guided tour of St. John. Apple Tours arranged it for us. They picked us up at our hotel, and met a large group for the ferry ride over. Once there, we took guided open-sided vans. Our guide was wonderful--very informative with lots of stops for photos. We had a quick lunch and spent a few hours snorkeling at one of the best spots we've ever been. Have a great time. We're headed back in June!!!

Hey!
WOW, we are heading to St Thomas on May 10th and staying at the same place! If you read this before I leave and after you get back will you give me an update of the Emerald Beach and STT?? Thanks so much!
We will be on our honeymoon any suggestions??

Kate -

Would love to hear your thoughts on BW Emerald Beach and what you did when you get back - we're staying there July 10-17- plan to do the Atlantis Sub (hubby wants to do that) & snorkeling trip to St. John. Wonder if it's safe to walk to Charlotte-Amalie from the hotel...any thoughts?

Have a great vacation & congratulations!

BJ

Hello BJ,

You can walk to town during the day, its a pretty good walk; wouldn't recommend it for nighttime. I think the hotel has a shuttle from the property to town and then you find your own way back.

--Islander