On my last trip (late October) I ran into a group that had rented it and they felt it was exactly as advertised.

Yep, I have been wondering the same. That is one on my list to possibly rent on our trip to STX in May.
It appears that it sits right on the water, but then the description says only a 3 minute walk to Cane Bay Beach. How is Cane Bay Beach for snorkeling & laying on the beach?

Any other input?

YL

We staid there a couple of years ago. It was very nice. We were at Carumbola a few weeks ago and ran into Dawn and her husband at off the wall. Very nice folks. They said they are pretty well booked till huricane season.

Gar

The beack is ok, Snokeling and diving are very good. Dive shop and the Wall are all within walking distance. As well as 2 bars and 3 resturaunts.

>
> Gar

Gar,

Are you referring to Cane Bay Beach? So, no beach for swimming or snorkeling in front of Villa Dawn?

Are the 2 bars and 3 restaurants that are withing walking distance easy to walk to at night from Villa Dawn and which bars and restaurants are you referring to?

Lynn I was there last week at Sapphire Beach and meet a real nice couple
who has a bottom beach front that is nice. 1 BR suite.
Rents for $1400 a week. That is high season. They own 2 units
are are real nice folks.
email me for details
Dave
[email protected]

It is above the Cane Bay Beach but only a short walk. I love the beach - it's fine for walking and sunning and, while I don't snorkel or dive, I'm told that both are world class at that site.

Hello YL - if you are asking whether the villa is right on the beach - no, you won't find this often unless you stay at a beach front hotel that has beach front rooms. However Villa Dawn is like Joanne said a short walk, a few minutes from the villa to the beach, so yes you can be swimming and snorkeling on the beach in just minutes from the villa.

--Islander

oh...a man in know.... : -)

I don't mind a "short" walk, but to have to carry items for a long walk could be quite a hassel. Is there a walking trail down to Cane Bay Beach? Also, are there bars and restaruants within walking distance?
Seems it gets overwhelming when trying to find just the right place to stay in a place that there are so many nice places to stay.
We don't want to be on a hilltop that you have to get in your car to drive to the beach to swim and snorkel. Also want to be close to beach bars & casual restaurants to where it is close by for the evening to sit on the water and have drinks...or many drinks....

Also, looking at Gentle Winds, Sugar Beach Condos, & Cruzan Princess, so anything you have to add or comment on these will be helpful

YL

A car is not required to get to the beach, even with all your gear on.

Off the Wall and Cane Bay Beach Bar are right there on the water.

Gar

Villa Dawn is very active advertising on the internet. You see it come up on many searches. That means they have worked hard to get their rental noticed. I have never stayed there but the reviews have been positive. There are few places along Cane Bay that are on the Beach, including two small "resorts" The Waves at Cane Bay and the Cane Bay Reef Club. And has been mentioned Cane Bay is a great "walk in" dive site" with a "wall" within an easy swim. The condos you mention are beachfront but with the exception of Gentle Winds have some significant downsides. However Gentle winds does not have a walkable dive site.

I think your goal of walking to the beach and having great housing is somewhat limited.
I would look into the the Waves and the ..Reef Club. both have excellent web sites and a phone call will give you some more personel answers. My first choice would still be a first class villa and a car to drive where ever you want. I would never travel on St Croix without renting a car...

We do plan on renting a car without a doubt. However, just might be nice to be within a short walking distance to be on a nice beach. But, know we might want to drive to other beaches on St. Croix.
We don't dive at all, but like to snorkle.
Have just heard that Waves at Cane Bay and Cane Bay Reef Club has no swimming area at all on the beach.
However, if the scenery of the water is great and somewhat acceptable to walk on of a morning, we can drive to a beach to snorkle and hang out.

What are the downsides of the other condos I mention? Would appreciate your opinion.
I have received some pretty rave reviews of Gentle Winds, but kind of got the idea there are not many restaurants/beach bars near them.

To YL
Yes the Gentle Winds is a very nice condo development. It is quite a ways from anywhere else and requires a car to go to and from other beaches and restaurants.

The Cane Bay Reef Club and Waves are not on a sandy beach, but are ocean front.

Sugar Beach is on a beautiful beach near Christiansted. However it is built right next to a "public housing project". Unfortunatly there is a greater chance of property crimes due to that relationship. The beautiful beach, due to it's proximity to the sewer outflow is occasionally (and recently) closed due to raw sewage dumping.

There are a string of ocean front condos along the north shore [just west of Christiansted] that include Cruzan Princess.

My first choice for a beach walkable place would be a small villa on the east end. Look at Shoys, Tamarind, Green Cay as possibilities. And as I mentioned there are some walkable villas near cane bay.

And, of course, there are the small resorts that are right on the beach. Divi Carina, Carambola, Buccaneer maybe even Chenay Bay (the beach is great, the rooms aren't).
You might also consider the Hibiscus Beach and the Cormorant. (I think the Cormorant is still gay oriented). Hibiscus was once a great low cost sleeper, but may be more now.

bd