Drive time from Cruz Bay to Maho Bay (if you have never driven the roads before) probably about 25 - 30 mins. I do it in approx 20 +/- but I'm used to driving here and the roads. Just remember it gets dark around 6:30 pm so I would try to get there asap if you are unsure of the way/driving in the dark here.

Ferry time from Red Hook is approx 45 min +/- depending on which boat you are on - and if you haven't taken the car ferry before remember you do need to back on.

Good luck you're going to have a great time 🙂

Pia

Wait! Your bigger issue is if there will be food at Maho by the time you get there. I don't know how long the store or restaurant stay open so you might want to check that with Maho before you leave for your trip. Pia is right about the dark in that if you're new, its not the easiest place to find once it gets dark so if you add some hungry people on top of that, boy are you in for trouble- and there's nothing in between Cruz Bay and Maho so its one place or the other. By all means, make this quest a priority unless you can all live on Power Bars and crackers till the next morning. The store is pretty well stocked so if they stay open, you should find stuff to eat.

Thanks for the info, according to their website, the restaurant at Maho is open until 7pm. We'll decide what to do when we arrive in Cruz Bay, but I'm glad to know how long to allow for the drive and probably would like to get there before dark if possible. We will be bringing some food with us so we can always have PB&J if necessary!

Keri

Keri: I vote to drive to Maho and have dinner there. You are going to be tired from your travels and getting there will be a blessing! (The food at Maho is great.)

It is 5:45pm and the sun is setting. Darkness will come quickly after that.

Good old PB&J- just leave the marshmello fluff at home- we found out about this the hard way that the heat in the tent cabins don't work with marshmello fluff- boy what a mess flowing out of the jar that was! Also be sure to CALL Maho and ask what time the restaurant stays open until when YOU are going. I think it cuts back at sometime during the year, but maybe that has changed. Its not your typical USA restaurant so I don't think, based on 4 previous trips, that you can just show up at say 6:45 and expect to be fed. The store, if open, will help out- good choices overall and way better than a 7-11. You will love Maho except for the 10th time up and down with the babes when you decide that you just have to deal with the stairs, but you will have the tightest buns in the world when you go home. Make SURE you have great water bottles for all of you and something handy to mop up the sweat -after your first climb up the stairs from the fabulous beach! Also, which I think I mentioned to you before, WHEN IT RAINS, THE STAIRS AND WALKWAY GET REALLY SLIPPERY SO WATCH OUT FOR THE OLDER SIB AS HE/SHE WILL SLIP AND SLIDE WAY MORE THAN YOU WANT. Enjoy!

hey I say stop by woodys(st johns fastfood place )!!!!and get a great fish sand or burger with fries and go to Maho ,
once at Maho it will be dark and the office is open till 8p and they dont really show you how to get to the tent expect for the map in the dark , bring flashlight . Have a wonderful time Maho rocks ! food in rest is great but exp .

I think you'd probably be cutting it pretty close. By the time the ferry reaches STJ, then you find your way out to Maho, then once at Maho , find your cottage in the dark (some are a bit of a distance) and haul all of your stuff there, then find your way to the pavilion (and doing all of this with 2 small children), is going to take some time. As yolanda mentions, you need flashlights. If it was me, I'd be prepared to fend for myself that night. The store will likely still be open, but that's for snacks and drinks. Maybe stop in Cruz Bay. You'd have to deal with parking and your kids. I wouldn't go to Woody's at that time with 2 small kids. It crosses my mind that there is that Subway right across from Woody's. I've never eaten in one and don't know what their hours are, but for a dragged-out family with 2 little kids, it might be an okay option.

You could call Uncle Joes BBQ when you get on the ferry in Red Hook and it would be ready when you arrive in Cruz Bay - perfect for a first night meal and cheap as well. Their number is 340-693-8806
Also, I think you would be able to make the 4:30 ferry thus giving you alittle more time.
Pia

Me, I would make my first stop Starfish Market. I'd get snacks etc plus something to eat for the kids. Get them settled down and maybe they'll fall asleep on the drive across island. That will make the check-in at Maho more enjoyable. When you get out there you can decide how to proceed. Even better, if you have time, stop for food in STT.

I can't imagine getting on the car ferry, off the car ferry, finding my way to Maho and checking in with a couple of tired, hungry kids.

Starfish Market - that's a good point! They have a decent variety of prepared foods (bbq ribs, chicken, etc.), as well as sandwiches and salads (forks, napkins and condiments provided at the sandwich/salad fridge). We picked up lunch there several times and were pleasantly surprised, especially by the ribs - yum! You could grab dinner and a few provisions; can't get much more efficient than that.

Here's another idea- when you get to Cruz Bay, eat wherever, acclimate to the town, then have Frett drive you on the Maho shuttle to the campground. Return via Frett in the AM to get your car. This way, you can eat at leisure (around Frett's shuttle schedule) and get to Maho without worrying about missing the "exit" off the road to it. And you can see where the campground is so picking up your car the next day would also be stressfree. The road to Maho is very difficult to find for the first time in the dark and the actual road to the camp is long and really bumpy. And getting there in the dark is tricky as others pointed out as you are on your own finding your cabin in the dark and getting settled in. Been there a few times, done that! So use Frett's great shuttle service for cheap $$ and enjoy your dinner and the ride!

Where would you suggest leaving the car? Just a note, the Port Authority has recently been enforcing the 45 minute parking time limit at the customs lot, and I'm not sure how happy Mongoose Junction would be with a rental car sitting in its parking lot overnight. They do boot cars during high season. I wouldn't recommend leaving the car in town overnight.

I was assuming they were renting and could leave the car with the rental company- just plan to not pick it up until the following AM. You are right, parking is a joke in Cruz Bay so I would never formally pick up a car then plan to park it somewhere

I believe they are renting on STT and taking the car ferry over.

I think it's all a moot point since she's been there for 2 days now 😀