Mike, I can't answer all of your questions (or there are others on this board that can answer them better) so I will answer what I do know, and leave the rest to others.

I think you will find food at the Westin much better than so so. Chris_Cody is a frequent contributer to this board and is the head chef at Chloe & Barnards there. Although I have never stayed there or eaten there, I will on this trip, because if you go back several pages on this board, you will have no doubt he has a passion for what he does. That being said there are some terrific places to dine all over STJ. It would be a mistake not to try them. Again go back and read others reviews. The price of food includes the cost of transporting it and preserving it. 10 to 20% higher than stateside.

It's a right "healthy" walk from the Westin to Cruz Bay!!! (I'd take a cab!

Cruz Bay Watersports is a good outfit. I prefer 6 Paq Scuba smaller groups (6 max) fast (gets you where others don't have time to go)

You may want to rent a car for more than a day. There are 39 beaches (sorkeling opportunities) on STJ. And the beach in front of the Westin wouldn't make the top 40.

Forget weather.com...worthless for the USVI.

Have a great trip!

We are leaving on Friday for our first visit! Regarding visits to Trunk and some of the other N. shore beaches, we have heard it is good to visit when there are no cruise ships scheduled into STT. I believe July 1, 2, 7 and 8 are cruise free days, based on the prelim schedule bluwater posted earlier.

We are staying on the hill just above the Westin and were told, while you can walk into Cruz Bay, it can be a bit strenuous. However, there should be plenty of taxis available at the Westin and I believe its approx 2.50 pp into CB.

Have a great trip!

I would say to forget walking from the Westin to Cruz Bay. Even for the most "in shape" person, this is a loooooong walk and ther are some MAJOR hills (no, MOUNTAINS) involved. I mean, TECHNICALLY, you can walk anywhere across land - but is it realistic? No. Once you are in Cruz Bay, if you want a cab back to your resort, walk over tothe ferry dock and you'll find plenty of taxis waiting.

Ellie and Mike

Agree with Wes and Bluwater. Rent a car as it is too far to walk and you don't want to sit around waiting for a taxi.

Concering the Reef Bay hike, it is not strenuous but make sure you bring at least a liter of water. Certainly worth the trip unless you are purely water people. Parks guides are very informative and the views are beautiful. You can swim/snorkel in Reef Bay while waiting for the parks ferry back to Cruz Bay.

Mike,
We stayed at the Westin for our honeymoon and never actully ate there although the food looked good. There aren't any other restaurants within walking distance, but you can stop by the market in town and pick up some food. We really enjoyed eating breakfast on our deck and admiring the view. I agree that it would not be a good use of time to walk to Cruz Bay. You can call a cab though from your room and they are there within five minutes so.

We ended up renting a car once we were there for the convenience to get to more North shore beaches. It was worth it! I would highly recommend Waterlemon. Remember it is a mile from the road so wear some walking shoes! Flip flops weren't the best idea!

I recommend picking up Feet, Fins and Four-Wheel Drive when you get to St. John. They have great recommendations for hikes, dives, etc. Have a great time!!

Hello Mike,

Simply Feast is a small gourmet grocery/deli out toward Westin. Their deli is very good. When I head to St. John I often stop there for breakfast or a to go lunch.

Check out 6-paq Dive that Wes mentioned. Here is their web site: http://www.6paqscuba.com

If you are only getting a car for the day. Head out early and go to Trunk Bay for snorkeling in the am. Then head out and do an island drive, stop in Coral Bay for lunch. And then do Waterlemon in the afternoon.

The Reef Bay hike is worth it.

Have a great time.

--Islander

Hi,

We stayed at the Westin last month on our honeymoon. It has beautiful grounds. We ate at Chloe $ Bernards 🙂 My husband loved the food, but I didn't. The atmosphere was great though. We also ordered a lot of room service and that food was good - of course more expensive.

I wouldn't try walking to Cruz Bay either. Rent a car and drive all over the island.

We loved snorkeling at Trunk and Waterlemon. We saw a small shark, several turtles and tons of fish at Waterlemon.

We went on the reef bay hike. I did not like it at all. I'm not a nature lover, just a beach lover. It was wet and the leaves were very slippery, so you had to watch your step. It was mostly downhill, but not a fun trail to me. My husband was the one who was most looking forward to it, but he only liked it ok. If you do go, spray down with bug spray.

I would recommend New Horizons II daytrip to the BVI. We loved the trip. And if it does rain, it won't last long, and then the sun usually comes right back out.

Have fun,
Diane
Raleigh N.C.