I'm going to answer your questions a bit back to front! First, I strongly suggest you rent a car for at least part of your visit Sapphire is lovely (and, yes, safe and clean, and a lovely long beach to walk on) and is very conveniently located, but this isn't a "walking island". Taxis charge per person (you can see the taxi rates if you go "St Thomas" in the bar at the top of this page and scroll down to 'transportation') and the charges add up quickly. Yes, the safaris go in one direction, West to East, so you can go to the top of the hill at Sapphire and catch one on the main road to Red Hook for $1 but, unless you do the circular route back, a return taxi will cost you $5 per person so you can see that even that short a distance can add up.

The Plaza Extra supermarket in Tutu Park Mall is an easy 10 minute drive from Sapphire and has a much better selection and is considerably less expensive than Food Center in the opposite (Red Hook) direction or the smaller Marina Market. You can't take bulky bags on the safari buses.

Are you renting from the resort management or from a private owner? You'll need to check with either on use of beach chairs as some private owners provide them and some don't. I'm not sure how the resort management deals with that. The restaurant at the Village is under new ownership since I was last there but I haven't heard anything bad about it which was the case previously!

New Horizons has an excellent reputation. If you plan on riding a scooter on St John (or St Thomas), make sure your insurance premiums are all paid up, your affairs are in order and you sign up with the ambulance airlift company ... There are always tour buses and taxis waiting at the St John ferry terminal but, if you rent a car on STT from anyone other than Hertz you can go over on the car barge, pack it up with all your gear and a cooler and enjoy exploring on your own!

Hope that helps for a start.

My wife and I have done two visits to the Sapphire Beach Resort (Red Roofs) and like that part of the island so much we are already planning our next trip....and we just got back last month.

Our first trip was in August of 2010 to get married. We were actually married on the point of rocks at Sapphire Beach; we will never forget it. On that trip we made the decision (due to the extra expenses of the wedding) to forgo a rental car and "go native". We used the safari buses all the time and had a blast, but they do pose some problems that require a taxi ride. You see, basically the buses use a clock-wise route around the island, roughly from Red Hook SE to the "Bridge to Nowhere", up to Tutu, down into Charlotte Amalie. The return trip basically runs north from Havensite, up across the middle of the island, around past Coki, and then back down through Red Hook. I am sure an islander will correct me, but from a non-islander view-point, that's what it seemed like if I remember. Combining the safaris with taxis, we still spent a decent amount of money on transportation, AND we still felt a little limited because we didn't have the freedom of a rental car parked outside the condo. Our second trip we rented a small car and really explored the island, and took the car over to St. John for the day and had a BLAST. DON'T CHEAT YOURSELF....RENT A CAR. You don't have to have one, but you will be glad that you did.

Food is expensive on the island by continental standards. We have shopped at Marina Market, Food Center, and even at Pueblo in Havensite. We though Pueblo was the cheapest (just slightly so) and really didn't see any savings at Food Center over Marina Market....and Marina Market is FAR more convenient if you are at Sapphire. We loaded up on food stuffs when we first got there at Pueblo, and dropped by Marina Market a few times during the week. FYI, the drug store in Red Hook (Love Shack's parking lot) is top notch, great selection and the prices were very reasonable.

Our favorite pizza on the planet (and I am sure the atmosphere has something to do with it) is at Island Time Pizza, right in the heart of Red Hook overlooking the harbor. We actually got off the plane, got to our condo, dumped our bags, and headed right back out to get an ITP Special. It's worth the airfare. The fish restaurant in Red Hook (sorry, don't remember the name) is also excellent; the "catch of the day" really was caught THAT DAY by the boats that are docked right beside the open air restaurant. One other place that we like to visit (on the weekends, it's too crowded when the boats are in) is the Green House; it's right on the wharf in Charlotte Amalie.

Enjoy yourself, relax, slow down to island time, and experience paradise. Can you tell how much we love it?

My family has stayed at Sapphire for 3 years (heading back there next week!). The beach is lovely, great snorkeling right offshore, and Sapphire has a really nice pool. Be aware that there always seems to be a strong breeze coming right over the pool area at the point--but that's nice too and certainly discourages flying insects! We always go in February and so I can say at least at that time, moquitoes have never been a problem.

I agree with other comments--rent a car, it's worth it. But be aware that in the USVI they drive British-style, on the left!

Sapphire is careful about security, often they have a guard wandering around at night--I think more to keep non-guests from using the pool, but still it would discourage any other bad behavior. The unit we rent is clean and well kept, but reading descriptions not all are so clean.

Most importantly, you should know Sapphire is not really a resort (despite the name!). These are condos. There are no planned activities, no tennis pro, the bar at the pool is completely boarded up and looks like it's been boarded up for years. Do we mind this? Not one bit! Red Hook is nearby if you want more excitement.

Have fun!

Thanks so much to everyone for comments and advice, can't wait. Not expecting a resort, just want to chill on beach and eat and drink in a fun relaxed area. I am in the Hotel business but prefer comforts of condo.
Keep the great advice coming......

So for two of us from the airport it should be about $20-25.00? Don't think we want to rent a car cuz we want to drink and not worry, we work to hard at home and want to chill out on vaca. How long does it take to get to Sapphire from airport?
Decided on new Horizons day sail-can't wait-any feedback??
Heard the beachbar on St. John is the place to hang, any good live bands around?my husband is a musician and loves to support local talent.
Is it really that expensive to eat out? I have seen some menus online and it looks like there is alot of moderate options. Where is the best local food? love caribbean food with lots of peppa. Any feedback on the Sapphire grille?