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I have been to STJ 3 times and would be happy only going there for vacation for the rest of my life. My new brother in law is being a pain in the a$$ about this years family trip and insists we go somewhere he can golf 4 -5 times in the week we are there. I told him he can go to STT from STJ and golf there. He is thinking that St. Croix has more options for golf, is this true? Overall how is St. Croix vs. STJ? Is there a ferry from St. Croix to STJ? How long does it take? Any opinions would be great.
Tom
Sorry, no ferry from STT or STJ to STX (right now) but if there were it takes about 2 hours each way, so not really pratical for a day trip. You could always stay on St John as usual and he could always go to St Thomas and play golf there.
Pia
Here is some info on golf that I just came across for STX and STT. Not sure if the "fees" listed are current (I don't think so 🙂 ) so I would call and check.
Pia
St. Croix:
Carambola Golf Course at The Carambola Beach Resort (340/778-5638)
18 Hole, par 72 Golf Course designed by Robert Trent Jones. Greens fees are $55, a mandatory cart is another $18.
Buccaneer Hotel Golf Course (340/773-2100,ext.738)
18 Hole, 6,200 Golf Course close to Christiansted. Greens fees $35 for 9 holes, $50 for 18. Cart rental $10 for 9 holes, $15 or 18. Club rental $12 for 9 holes, 20 for 18. After 4/1/99, the greens fees will be $14 for 9 holes, $25 for 18. Other rates (cart, clubs) remain the same.
The Reef Club (340/773-8844)
9 hole layout on the north side of the island. Greens fees are $12.50.
St Thomas:
Mahogany Run Golf Course (340-777-6006)
18 Hole, par 70 Golf Course on the north coast. Designed by Tom and George Fazio and considerd one of the Caribbean's most beautiful courses. Greens fees with mandatory cart $100 to $130 depending in the season. - The new watering system has improved the conditions dramatically in the last couple of years and the greens and landscaping have been upgraded recently.
I'm not much of a golfer,but..... I don't think you should go to the VI's on a "golf vacation". If you go at the wrong time of the year,when it's dry, you might as well play in the Sahara Desert. I have golfed a few times at The Buccaneer and twice they didn't have greens they had "browns". Not much fun. In addition, it can get very uncomfortable during the afternoon on any course in the Caribbean. Afternoons are better spent near a beach with a few cold beers....St Croix has a lot more golfing options than St.Thomas. The Carambola is on the western end of the island and in a valley of sorts, so it stays greener and in much better shape than any thing else in the VI's. It also has the best layout of any course. If golf is what your brother in law is after,he should consider some other island ,perhaps Puerto Rico or the Dominican Republic. As far as the comparison of the two island,believe it or not, I prefer St. Croix. It's cheaper, has lots of great restaurants,very good snorkleing and diving, plus some neat beach bars. I'll probably get slammed for this opinion. STJ is a beautiful place and does have more attractive beaches than STX. The water is the same on both ,but the sand is whiter on STJ. Also ,due to the fact that STJ is still fairly undeveloped in the National Park section, the beaches have that natural feel to them. St.Croix's beaches are very nice but most of them have "development" around them. The beaches on the west end near Fredericksted would really be spectacular if they were left in their natural state like Cinnamon Bay and others in STJ. I've been to STJ 3 times and STX 10 times. We always stay at The Buccaneer on St.Croix and the place does influence my opinion since I find it so relaxing and comfortable. Have stayed at The Westin on all the visits to STJ and I like it also. It can get somewhat crowded and hectic around the pool with all of the young kids. Either island is a great vacation. I do not care much for STT,since it is really overcrowded & awfully hectic when the cruise ships hit town. Good Luck..................
I too love STX, but I'm not a golfer. There are, however, two 18 hole courses and one 9 hole course. If you google USVI golf you'll get some information. I used to have a link to a wonderful golf site that gave detailed, unbiased opinions on various courses, but the site was taken down. I do recall that STX was rated very highly in the Caribbean.
And I also agree that STX has a lot of other things to offer. You may love STJ, but I think you will like STX as well.
Spent a week at Carambola on STX. It was wonderful, found good restaurants. The beach was lovely, water waves & rocks. ( I like to just float around - not the place for that.) Hubby has done several golf outings there & iliked it. I prefer St John but STX would be my second choice.
