Yes..... they are worth it. St. Thomas is beautiful and you will have a wonderful time there. St. John is in an entirely different stratosphere. The waters there are amazing. Get there as early as you can and pick out a place with SHADE. That way you can put the little one in the shade as you enjoy the beach. You will not want to leave. Go. Don't resist. You'll regret it if you do not go. For a young family --- I'd recommend Trunk over Cinnamon. Cinnamon can get very "windy" and the sand blows really hard. Trunk is most likely going to be protected (and everything is a short walk away).

Good Luck! Have Fun!!!

Too bad you rented from Hertz as, particularly with a youngster, it's so much easier to take your own vehicle over there and eliminate the need for taxis and hauling gear. Are you locked into Hertz or could you change your reservation?

On the bright side. the passenger ferry runs more on schedule and later into the night.

Believe me. Beach bag, small soft sided cooler with shoulder strap, and folding umbrella stroller is not too much to bring on the ferry. I did it by myself many times with two babies!! When your kids are grown, you'll look back fondly at the fun family memories and not even remember all the "schlepping". I also suggest arriving early for the best shade spots and leaving a round 11 or going in the afternoon. Stay out of the mid-day sun. Remember sun reflects off the water and sand. Lightweight loose longish clothing is best. A brimmed hat (or two) is a MUST.

I like Banana Boat SPF 50 for babies in the pink container.

I'd say it's worth it. We have many visitors who frequent St. John who first visited on a day trip from a cruise or a day trip while staying on St. Thomas. St. Thomas and St. John are just different. Most of our island is National Park and it gives it a very different feel. It's not difficult to take a beach bag and stroller over to St. John on the ferry. Give it a try! 🙂

You might consider getting a small, portable 'beach tent for a kid'. Link below to one as an example. We provide one at our vacation rental home on Water Island and folks with small children use it all the time. The one we have is a Peapod Plus and it "swirles" / folds up into a nice compact lightweight carry bag. Gives the child a place to get out of the sun and even take a nap.
http://www.beachstore.com/Beach-Products/Beach-Tents/25171-Tot-Insta-Beach-Tent-Blue

thanks everyone!! we are going to head over. probably to trunk.

im going to check out that tent

I have a Pea Pod, but it's kind of small. I would just camp my guys out under a shady tree for a nap at the beach when they were bigger. If I couldn't get full shade, I would drape a towel in the tree to make more shade.

Are there certain beaches on St John that provide more shade in morning versus later afternoon? We are going in April, and have not been in ten years for a land vacation (just a few cruise stops since), but will have a little one with us this time. Shade is a huge priority for us - hubby has had melanoma previously. Can't find my Feet, Fins, Four Wheel book we made notes in from that trip and it is driving me nuts! (And we are staying in Cruz Bay) Many thanks in advance! 🙂

All of the StJ popular beaches (except for perhaps Salt Pond, Lamshurs and Reef Bay) have sea plentiful grape/palm tree shade in close proximity to the water. All of the North Shore beaches will offer shade all day long. The shaded areas will move with the sun. You get a lot of morning shade on North Shore beaches. Late afternoon/evening shade opportunities diminish in the afternoon but can still be found. Remember that settling in a shady spot also increases your sand flea (no-seeum) possibilities. Bring plenty of repellant along with your sunscreen.

toes in the sand wrote:
All of the StJ popular beaches (except for perhaps Salt Pond, Lamshurs and Reef Bay) have sea plentiful grape/palm tree shade in close proximity to the water. All of the North Shore beaches will offer shade all day long. The shaded areas will move with the sun. You get a lot of morning shade on North Shore beaches. Late afternoon/evening shade opportunities diminish in the afternoon but can still be found. Remember that settling in a shady spot also increases your sand flea (no-seeum) possibilities. Bring plenty of repellant along with your sunscreen.

Thanks! We were pretty much planning on sticking to the north shore this time since we have little ones, and still have our insect repellant that came in handy in Jost this past fall. I just could not remember if any St John beaches had shade that really varied during the time of day (such as doing a gameplan of Maho during morning versus late afternoon, versus Solomon, etc). Are any north shore beaches good for shade in late afternoon after the cruise ship crowds have dispersed?

Ten years ago, we were at Concordia and LOVED it there, but don't think a 1- and 5- year old could do well there (especially since our 1-year-old is such a climber and would constantly be up and down the ladder in the ecotent). Not sure we will even head to Salt Pond at all, but WILL make the stop at Shipwreck Landing 🙂