You can find my recent post and trip report on our first time there (both to St John and the eco tents). I just posted it yesterday. The tents are much more rough than the studios. For sure I think you will need to rent a car. Some of the tent sites are barely walkable to the beach - the studios are way way up on the mountain top further away than any of the tents. You could walk to the beach, but I dunno - the walk home would be pretty tough.

As asrai mentioned, it is a longer walk to the studios than to the cabins and St. John is hilly, but that's what gives you a view. The walk down to Lille Maho Beach is fine, but those stairs and the hill back will get your attention. The parking right near the Studios is convenient and the setting is delightful, plus you get your own bathroom. The biggest complaint on my family's visit was the walk to the bathroom. It is an easy drive to Francis Beach and Maho Beach is nearby. It's a15 minute walk to both beaches, but the return is all uphill.

I would definitely reserve your vehicle now for the holidays. Depending on your timing, I would consider getting a vehicle on St. Thomas and taking the car barge.

If you've never been before, I wrote a newbies guide to STJ for a 24 person family trip that is still reasonably current http://www.garvin.us/STJ/St_John_US_Virgin_Islands.html

Also, get a couple of books - "Feet Fins and Four Wheel Drive" and "St. John, Off the Beaten Track" are the best. The National Geographic map is the best one.

Cheers, RickG

We have been to Maho 8 times. Very cost effective. I rented a villa last September and we will be on Water Island, just off St John, population 161, in 3 weeks. I have been vacationing on St John for 35 years. I just have not found a way to live there.

Rent a 4 wheel drive at Denzil Clyne, left from the ferry dock before Mongoose Junction, a three minute walk. By groceries @ the Starfish Market, up the hill, take a right after the police station. All others are even more over priced. If you have time, purchase frozen meats on St Thomas, trust me they will thaw. You can even go to the post office and get the large "flat rate" box and send stuff down and you can have non perishables waiting for you when you arrive. Meals at the pavilion are good but the money runs up quick if there are more that two of you.

If in a tent, ask for VIP 1 or C 10, past the bath house just up from VIP 1. C 10 is best because it is at the end of the walkway, no one ever walks by, best privacy in the tents. Also, half way to everything. These two have ceilling fans and all others do not. If in Harmony, long, long walk to the beach. I think you have to climb over 230 stairs to get from the beach to Harmony.

Walk the Goat path to Francias Bay, to the left as you look out over the ocean. It is also an easy swim around the point and good snorkeling.

I can give you tons more info if you would like, just e-mail me.

Larry, are you staying at Water Island, USVI? If so, it's just off St. Thomas - not St. John. Tell taxi person to take you to Crown Bay/Subbase and drop you off at the sidewalk by Gourmet Gallery for the Water Island Ferry.

"Walk the Goat path to Francias Bay, to the left as you look out over the ocean."

I think the Goat path leads to Big Maho no?

We used a kayak to get to Francis which is just off to the right of little maho if you are looking out to the sea.

Ted -- you talking about Concordia?? It's a significant trek down to the beach, and back up to the campgrounds. Gotta have a vehicle to ge the most out of your stay, IMO. And be sure to buy a book from this site - I used "St. John, fins, feet and 4 wheel drive". It is an excellent book.

Bosco