Rocky,

Water Island is great if you want to relax and enjoy nature. If you are looking for action and nightlife, it's not the place for you. It's a much slower pace and there is less access to the water island. You would have to make special arrangements to take a car to Water Island as the regular ferry is for pedestrians only and doesn't run as regularly as ferrys to St. John, etc. You have to remember that there are only about 100 houses and only a couple of hundred year around residents on the island. There a few smaller hotels and the Sprat Bay Resort so your choices for accomodations are also limited. All that being said, it is a pretty special place, if you looking for solitude and low-key pace of life. Enjoy!

Andrew

Hello Rocky,

Some might consider the fact that Water Island is not commericalized a disadvantage; no shopping, no clubs, no taxis, no gas stations... and others see that as the islands charm. If you want to shop ect. you would need to come over to St. Thomas by ferry - if you aren't interested in the 10 minute commute and taxi ride once on St. Thomas then this is a disadvantage. The prices are less on Water Island because its not yet discovered so prices on rental homes reflect the demand and the unique nature of the island as almost completely residential and small (only 491 acres).

Many of the vacation homes come with either a car or golf cart for use on the island, but walking around is easy as well. You wouldn't need to rent a car on St. Thomas and bring it over to Water Island - its not necessary and would be a costly endevor - hiring a car barge just for you. There are no hotels, inns or guest houses on the island. There are a number of vacation home rentals to choose from though. If you haven't read through the visitor's guide for Water Island on this site, you might do that - at the top of this page just click on Water Island and there is info. on beaches, accommodations, things to do, dining ect.

--Islander