The bus does not go out as far at Vie's and it doesn't stop at the smoothy stand (but it does go past it).
We love Vie's Beach and it a great place to hang for the day. Her food at the snack shack is yummy. There is no bathroom there but I think there's an outhouse.

You should consider renting a car.

Yes the bus will stop at the smoothie stand - actually it will stop anywhere you ask it to 🙂 (and yes I take it multiple times per week)
Pia

Thanks everyone!

I have many plans for hiking..visiting different beaches..but read an article about Vie's Beach..so just following up if it's worth a 'full day' trip! Thanks!

*Also..I did rent a car on previous trips..but just want to hike..use taxi's this trip! 🙂

Yes it is worth the trip. Vie's beach is a very nice clean and not crowded beach. There is also good snorkeling on the east end of the beach around the rocks betweent the two bays. Not to mention the trip is worth it alone for her food. MMMMM....those coconut tarts!

I believe that the bus does not travel past Coral Bay to the East End. It does head south to Salt Pond or nearby.
Yes, it does stop near the Smoothie stand which is at the intersection of Centerline and North Shore Drives. Not a bad walk down to the North Shore from there but if you plan to walk up it....be prepared for an uphill battle.

🙂 Coconut Tarts! Sounds good..I love anything with coconut in it! It sounds like I should plan on taking a taxi to Vie's..I did the rental car on the last trip but didn't do the driving..this trip there is only two of us so I skipped the car and figured I could hike..utilize taxi's.

Toes in the sand- are you saying it's tough walking from Maho Camps to the smoothie stand? But easy walking back to the camps? Gee, I hope I didn't get myself into something I can't handle with all this walking, lol..I will soon find out! 🙂

Thanks everyone..once again for you input!

You know for my family every year we go, going to Vies's is a must. As I said before the beach is a great tranquil smaller beach with good snorkeling. Vie and her family are so pleasant. The food is great. She is a true native! And yes yes the coconut tarts alone are worth the trip!

Just a lil piece of advice though. She does her baking in the first few days of the week. So if you want the best selection of the tarts go on Mon, Tue. Best yet, call her ahead of time to see what she has left. Going to STJ and not going to Vie's is like going to STJ and not going to the beach for me!! LOL 😎

emtjen- Thank you! I am excited about going to Vie's now. I have heard so much about her cooking..hadn't heard about the coconut tarts..but have heard about her tasty garlic chicken! Great tips! 🙂

Do you have any other places/beaches/roadside stands that you recommend? I know you can't go wrong with just about any place on St. John but I really want to have a few things on my 'to do list' prior to going..I have been before but mostly to the popular destinations..this time I really want to explore places that I haven't been. I plan on hiking to Denis Bay..Brown Bay..will try to swim out to Waterlemon..

Thanks! 🙂

Just call before you go - she is closed Sun and Mon and today (Wed) she was closed as well - as slow season approaches she will close more often until she finally closes for a few months.

Pia

Thanks Pia,

I hope she is still open when I arrive! 🙂

Yes we call before we go too. Best bet. Yes the garlic chicken is very yummy too. I really like her rice and beef sauce, I don't remember what she calls it though. Snorkeling around the cay at Waterlemon is just awesome. My other favorite place to snorkel is Salt Pond. Great beach and amazing views on the way. Quite different from North Shore. Gosh have fun. Wish I was going again already 🙂 Oh and skinny legs burgers are a must too!! Good place to stop after spending the day at Salt Pond.

Best place to stop after Saltpond - Tourist Trap (Skinnys is good too) 🙂 🙂 🙂
http://wedontneednostinkingwebsite.com/The_Tourist_Trap/Welcome.html
http://wedontneednostinkingwebsite.com/The_Tourist_Trap/Our_Menu.html
Pia

emtjen- Thanks! Salt Pond now on the 'to do' list! 5 days until we arrive so really trying to figure out some of our days! 🙂 When you snorkeled around Waterlemon, did you stop on the little island/beach for a rest...was it easily accessible? I can swim..but if I get tired I want to have a back-up plan. I have heard a few people mention a sandy area..but not many. What is your favorite beach? When I was there last I really loved Gibney..I have heard Denis is beautiful as well..Thanks! 🙂

Pia- Tourist Trap sounds like fun! I looked at there menu and I read one of there food items referenced as "Manchester, NH Dog"? Wow, it seems there are many business owners down there from the Northeast?? Anyhow, the place is just what I am looking for! Looks like fun! This trip I am planning on trying new & different drinks..I notice they have there own, "The Boom Boom", lol!

Everyone has been so helpful here, I can't thank everyone enough! I can't wait to get to St. John!!!!!!!! Starting to pack!!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂

When we were in St. John two years ago we had heard of the bus service but were told that in June it isn't reliable and that proved to be the case. How does one go about finding out the schedule for the bus service? We will be in St. John in 5 days and would like to be able to use the bus service.Thanks. Andi

The problem is not finding out what the schedule is supposed to be, but that service is not reliable.

You know I have so many favorite. I really love hawksnest. It is rarely crowded or over crowded. It has good snorkeling and access on both sides to other beaches just by swimming to them. I always have seen a very diverse mix of sea life there too. It is also so pretty. All of the beaches I have photographed my pics from hawksnest always come out the prettiest. It is my kids favorite too. However as I mentioned before I really like salt pond bay. There are differences. It is a little walk about 5/6 minutes to beach, it is very sunny with few shade options, and the beach has these little thorny things that can get stuck in your foot if you go back towards the tree line. Not sure what they are. Don't let this detour you from going there though. It is really beautiful and so much to see snorkeling. This is my second favorite spot to snorkel and the water is always so calm. It is also not very crowded.

Waterlemon- is a marvel for sure. You can swim from the shoreline along the beach to the sandy beach/bar at the cay. But it is a swim. You can also walk the trail past the beach then to your left. It will lead you to an entrance closer to the cay. There will be others more than likely going in there too. Just be careful of the sea urchins. Then head to your right counter clockwise around the cay. Then you go around to your left and then you are right back where you started. I usually see several nurseries closer to the island itself on the left side of the cay too. I have always seen the more non typical interesting fish on this side for some reason. Though the east side of the cay (right) is very bountiful as well. Take your time, you will find there is so much to see and you tend to move along at a good pace because of the current which has always been mild to me. I always find myself turning around and going back to check something else out i missed. I also wear a life vest although I am a good swimmer when I do both of these areas. Only because I easily spend an hour to 2 hours in the water taking pictures and exploring and sometimes I just want to focus on that and not fighting a current. I can relax that way too and enjoy more with the time I have.

Have a great time, maybe you can do a trip report when you get back. I have yet to do mine. SHame on me. We all love reading them. It takes us all back when we can't be there. LOL

Oh and really it is worth renting a jeep. You can see so much more and be on your own "island" time.

Don't forget Drunk Bay when you are out at Salt Pond Bay. It is past Salt Pond and so beautiful.

emtjen- You have been so helpful! Thank you! My lack of responses solely due to last minute packing! Leaving in the am! Mowing lawn, picking up last minute items...etc! I'm sure you understand! 🙂 I love Hawksnest as well..especially snorkeling over to Gibney! Haven't been to litte Hawksnest...as for swimming out to Waterlemon? Bought a 'noodle'..lol! Probably will keep my pinky afloat and that's all..lol!
Thank you Thank you Thank you!

lisab- Drunk Bay...added to the list! Thanks! I will take plenty of pics to share!

Bye Everyone!!!!!! On vacation mode as we speak!!!!!!!!!