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We just got back from 9 days in St. Thomas and St. John. After reading this message board for almost 8 months - I thought I'd try and set some things straight. I have come to the conclusion that the negative reviews about the island are form NEGATIVE people. My family and I had an incredible time and the locals were all very friendly - even at "Island time" pace. If you come to the islands be prepared to RELAX and ENJOY the freedom from work and everyday life. Things move at a slower pace on the islands but isn't that why we all come there??? To RELAX???
OK, with that said, let me put my two cents in about certain things. First off, places to stay. I highly recommend the Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort. It's great for kids and couples. Food was good, not great but 7.5 out of 10 isn't bad. All drinks are included with the A.I. plan and I drank my share of premium liquor and beers. The beach is nice, a little rocky but that means pretty good snorkeling. There were plenty of fish in our little cove and you didn't have to go out far to see big and small colorful fish. the rooms were very nice and clean - not one bug was ever seen by my eyes. The staff was friendly and yes, sometimes slow, but if you have an ounce of patience, you will be able to live with it. Overall, I give the Wyndham Sugar Bay an "A" for a great place to stay on St. Thomas.
I'm not going to type all 9 days activities out for you - but in a nut shell.... You must go to St. John!!! The best snorkeling was there. In fact go to a place called, Watermelon Cay. It's right beside the old sugar mill on St. John. You have to walk a trail that is beside the beach for about 3/4 of a mile but it is worth it. We swam with thousands of fish, we saw rays, turtles and the coral life was fantastic. It's a must stop if you go over. You can park in the lot for the sugar mill tour or if you have a Jeep like us, you can drive down closer to the walking part of the trail saving you time. Again - it's a must stop for snorkeling on St. John.
Personally - don't waste you time at Megens Bay. You have to pay to get in and there are plenty of more beautiful beaches on St. Thomas in my opinion. Snorkeling sucks there anyway. Same goes for Trunk bay on St. John. Don't waste you money. Cinnamon Bay and Hawksnest Bay are on both sides and are FREE. Do like we did, take your scenic overlook pictures and move on to a free beach!!
Overall - the weather was great and the two showers we did get lasted about 10 minutes. Enough time to go to the bar and get another drink 🙂 30% chance of rain means 70% chance of SUN!!!!
I've posted just some of my many pictures that I took at the following site. I hope you enjoy them.
http://community.webshots.com/user/rtsunset
Now that I am back home, I have to work on my early retirement so I can move to St. John and live out my life in paradise!!! 🙂
Randy
rtsunset:
Great review!
We found the same conditions on STT as you did. That's why we bought a condo there (for part-time retirement). We can't wait to return.
Regards,
F.I.
Love your pictures - very nice detail - what type of camera are you using? If its digital, how many megapixels?
Thanks. I use the Sony Cyber-Shot. Most of the pictures you viewed were taken at 5M and a few at 3M. It's a great camera and I love the compact size - I was able to keep in my pocket each time we went out sightseeing. Like the commercial says, you just point and shoot 🙂
Thank you Randy for sharing!!!
--Islander
rtsunset
Great pics. What camera did you use for the underwater shots?
GREAT PIX!! thanx so much!
Hi- I'm Rose
I'll be in St. Thomas on Sept 26,2004 on Carnival Destiny. I saw your pictures -they are awesome!!
I was in ST two years ago and shopped and went to Megan' s Bay. I' really interested in your snorkeling pictures. Where did you see the turtles? They mention turtle cove- can you swim with them or are they in a tank at Coral world? I was planning on snorkeling in Barbados to see them, didn't realize they are in ST as well.
I also snorkeled in aruba and only saw brain coral, but in Belize it was incredible- very similar to your pictures- sea fans ,colors etc. Where were your pictures taken ? Did you have to snuba to see them ? You mentioned other areas in ST. John, can you do them on your own? How do you know where to snorkle? Is it dangerous? How deep is the water and how about the current. Will a taxi take you there and pick you up? Is it far between Cays?
Enough questions-
I'm really looking forward to your response- your input will really be appreciated.
Hello Rose,
The turtles at Coral World are in a turtle pond... you can not swim with them. The pictures are of Sea Trekkin at Coral World; the shots with the helmets underwater. Its an underwater trail around Coral World's underwater observatory... you walk through coral/fish. Its a neat experience. Visit them online at www.coralworldvi.com
You will see similar marine life snorkeling at places like Waterlemon which is metentioned in Randy's trip report so snuba isn't required to see this; also snuba is only offered at a couple beaches on St. Thomas/St. John. Snuba does offer a different perspective/experience. You can visit St. John on your own... you might order St. John Off the Beaten Track which is shown at the top of this page... or St. John Feet, Fins and Four Wheel Drive... another guidebook to St. John that talks about beaches, snorkel spots, attractions... You can view the books at www.vitraders.com and click on Books in the navigation.. there are a few about St. John. The current and depth differs at each snorkel spot and at different beaches. Taxis area available on St. John, you might rent a car to explore the island at your own pace. Not sure what you mean by far between cays???
--Islander
Islander,
Thank you for all of the information- I think I finally have St. Thomas and St. John figured out.
Now -- What about St. Croix? i just found out that we can also go to Buck Island on a cruise tour. Would you suggest Buck Island ( they mention turtles and great snorkeling) or St. John? Also, do you know if the coral was damaged by the storms?
Thanks again.
Hello Rosemary,
Your cruise ship excursion is not to Buck Island, St. Croix... There are two Buck Islands... the one your ship excursion will go to is the small Buck Island off of St. Thomas; there is good snorkeling there... often people report seeing turtles. Whether you go with the excursion to Buck Island or St. John on your own is up to you... they will both be great experiences one a bit of sailing with snorkeling (with a group of people) and the other land tour, beach time and snorkeling (on your own) - which do you have a greater interest in. The snorkleing is good at both places. The coral should be fine (we were not affected by the storms).
--Islander
