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I'm leaving in a few days for my first trip to St. John. I've read many of the posts here and on numerous other sites, books, etc. So I've got a pretty good idea of where I want to go and what I want to do and see. But I haven't been able to find advice/suggestions for a single woman traveling alone. What I'd like to know is:
(1) I don't think I want to rent a vehicle. But, if I don't, will I be able to get cabs around the island? Among other things, I want to be able to visit the choice beaches. I've read that taxis are shared vans and they're reluctant to go anywhere without a full load. Does that mean I'll be stuck waiting for other passengers? And will I be able to get a cab to return to the Cruz Bay area? Are public buses a better alternative?
(2) On a related note, will I be able to get cabs to go to dinner in the evening and return to the hotel? Is there any reason it would be unsafe for me to do so?
(3) I've heard (and read) that The Baths on Jost Van Dyke are not to be missed. I'm thinking of taking a day-trip there. Would the ferry be the best way to get there? If not, what are the alternatives?
(4) Is it generally safe for a single woman to be out alone after dark? I've read that it's unwise in CA, but what about on STJ? And if, for instance, I spend a day shopping in CA, should I plan to return to STJ before dark?
Any suggestions/advice would be greatly appreciated!
I think that if you're wanting to explore the island and the beaches, you'd be better off renting a car. Based on my observations from last week, you WILL spend time waiting. I was sitting in the park at Cruz Bay last week (lol, seems like a zillion years ago, except that it was a week ago TONIGHT that I was at Miss Lucy's, eating conch fritters not 20 feet from the ocean) waiting for Capt. Phil. We were there early and watched passengers get into the taxi's, and generally, the drivers waited until they had several people going in the same direction. And when we were at the beaches, we saw the same thing. Even though I did NOT enjoy driving on STJ, if you want to be independent, you really DO need to rent a car. Scroll down and check out my trip report. It's under "canoebase's 6-page STJ Trip Report"
Taking taxis for 2 or more the $$ would add up very quickly making vehicle rental more viable from a budget standpoint. But for a single traveler maybe not as much an issue.
On beach access via taxi, you can get to all the usual suspects/main beaches. You will wait. But maybe getting to other beaches a little off the beaten path is another question better answered by those with first hand knowledge - same on questions about VITRAN buses vs. taxis.
The Baths are on Virgin Gorda, not JVD. People on this board and other forums have done the Baths via public ferry and day trip boats and provided details on both so search for those.
Taking a swift powerboat yields more time there because it takes a sailboat longer to cover the distance to VG.
Why not plan on lunch with your shopping in CA? Then when the shopping starts slowing down anyway at dusk when the cruise crowd leaves, head back to STJ.
You will be very safe on ST. John. Where are you statying and I would be glad to tell you a few tips. There are 12 of us (some married, some single) coming from 12-18 through 12-29. We would love for you to join us and zoom around with us. Give me a bit more information about your travel and such, and I can give you a few suggestions. We stay at Lavender Hill in a few condos there and take taxis everywhere. Drinking and driving on the roads in the dark is not very fun. One day with a jeep is plenty to explore, and you can eat very well at some of the best restaurants right there in Cruz Bay.
