I never stayed at Water Island but did go there for a day last year because I've been curious about it for quite some time. It definitely has a different 'feel.' VERY laid back and quiet, which I thought I would love but found kind of boring. I was really glad we went there but it would be hard for me to stay there for more than a couple nights. Honeymoon Beach was very nice; had some decent food out of a trailer; swimming & snorkeling were ok (but IMHO, not as good as the National Park beaches in St. John though better than the beaches on the south shore).

We then walked up the hill to a place (sorry I can't remember it's name) that had drinks and food (good!). It was owned by a family with a couple middle-school age boys (if I'm remembering right) that were very interesting to talk to. What I found kind of neat is that at the dock where you catch the ferries, they have a 'waiting' shelter that has bookshelves and everyone brings their old books to exchange for ones they haven't read yet--what a neat 'small community' thing to do. I liked that.

Were you able to walk to Honeymoon Beach from the dock or is that where the dock is at? I too am curious about the island and am thinking of going over for the day. Would be nice if you could rent a golf cart & run around but I don't suppose that's possible is it??

I have a 4 bedroom vacation home, Flamingo Point Estate, which I advertise on VINOW under Water Island accomodations. Water Island is an 8 minute ferry ride from STT. So, you have privacy, laid-back, environment on Water Island with STT hustle, bustle, shopping, etc. just a ferry ride away. If your interests include bar hopping, nightlife, lots of people, traffic, excitement all the time, etc., then WI is not for you. But, if you are interested in a laid-back quiet environment where you can relax, read a book, have fun and good eats at Heidi Honeymoon Bar & Grill, Joe's Beach Bar (He makes a delicious Bushwacker!), Pirate's Ridge (all you can eat pizza, convenience store), Ft. Segarro, same gorgeous sunset views as STT or STJ, etc., then consider Water Island. Heidi sesrves a special gourmet dinner each Saturday night, Movie on Honeymoon Beach each Monday night (she ties up a huge projection screen between coconut palms and shows a current movie typically PG rated since kids and families are in the audience. You can either back your vehicle up to the beach or you can sit in the chairs she provides. She sells popcorn, drinks, etc.). Heidi holds Full Moon, or Dick Solberg ( http://www.sunmountainfiddler.com/).....other special events from time to time.

Yes, Pirate's Ridge is currently building units for a B&B but he is open for Friday All-U-Can-Eat pizza as well as the convenience store. Yes, Honeymoon Beach is a very short walk from Philipps Landing (WI Ferry landing).

Its a small island and the residents are wonderful and friendly people. Whether Water Island would be a place you and your crew would enjoy depends on personal preference. We have families/guests that love Water Island and come back year after year . They love being able to enjoy the tranquility and seclusion of Water Island and like being able to choose to take advantage of STT whenever they wish.

Everyone has their own preference for each USVI island having its own special charm and uniqueness.

Questions for rojako:
Is Piratae Ridge only open for food on Friday?
Is the convenience store open everyday?
Does the store have most needed food items or do I need to shop in STT before arriving?
Do you know when Pirates Ridge will be back in full operation for food?

Lisa on WI:
Pirate's Ridge is open for limited service: Mark Pippen (the proprietor) is open "ad hoc" during the daylight hours starting around 11:00 if someone is in need of "convenience" grocery items. He sells necessity items like milk, eggs, sodas, liquor, "box" rice, mac-n-cheese, salsa, etc. His store also has dry goods / paper goods, etc. Of course, just like 7-11 or other convenience stores, you pay for that convenience. So, you definitely should provision in STT (Pueblo or Gourmet Gallery are both very conveniently located to the Water Island Ferry slip. Pueblo supermarket is a block away from Crown Bay Marina and Gourtmet Gallery is IN Crown Bay Marina.).

Mark does still offer All-U-Can-Eat Pizza on Friday nights though many of the residents and visitors are going down to Joe's Beach Bar on Friday nights where Da Pizza boat comes into the shore on Honeymoon Beach and sells great pizza that they make on their boat. There's something extraordinarily fun about sitting on the beach sipping a cocktail from Joe's Beach Bar and eating very tasty pizza that was prepared on a boat!

I have no idea and would not even try to estimate when Pirate's Ridge would be back to regular hours and service. From what I see, its just him and one other person doing the work. Construction is slow.

check out www.slowmocean.com for another possible rental. woman who rents that (my wife)is always ready to talk about WI.

Also as far as food/provisions go. The ferry runs between Crown Bay Marina and the island it is a short inexpensive ride and there is a store at the Marina Gourmet Gallery. That may not be the cheapest on the island but you won't have to take cabs into town and they have a great selection. They also have a deli for cold cuts, salads etc. Also Tickles Bar and Grill is at the Marina if you want to eat out or just get a drink. There is also a trailer at Honeymoon beach with good food the name escapes me, its named after the woman that runs it. They serve dinner by reservation several evening out of the week as well.
Good luck

The trailer on the beach is a large step van called Heidi's Honeymoon Grill. She serves dinner only on Saturday night, but serves limited breakfast at the ferry dock during the week and lunch every day on the beach. Da Pizza boat alos is at Honeymoon a lot, and Joes Bar serves some food, again on Honeymoon.

We've seen Da Pizza boat on Honeymoon beach, does it go to any beaches on St. Thomas or, is it WI only. Thanks

I've only seen Da Pizza boat on the hook in Crown Bay or on Honeymoon Beach/Water Island.

Took the bicycle tour on Water Island last year....There ain't much there. Honeymoon beach is nice and you can get some good burgers there from a couple with a gas grill, but that's about it. I'm not sure I'd recommend the bike tour either.

Jimbo, of course, I'm a little prejudice because I have a home on Water Island (in the interest of full disclosure). I feel that Water Island has quite a bit to offer. I don't really "get" the lure of the Bike tour either but I don't really have the inclination to ride a bike over rough, rocky roads - at least its MOSTLY all downhill. Not the the Bike Tour is bad! Just not something I would prefer to do.

That "couple with a gas grill" work for Heidi Erwig who runs a brisk and very successful business serving breakfast @ the ferry landing, lunch and Saturday night gourmet dinner as well as providing Monday Night Movie and other special music events on Honeymoon Beach. There's also the Botanical Gardens overlooking Crown Bay (granted, not a huge garden but cared for lovingly by local residents with lots of native, flowering and not flowering plants and trees), Fort Segarro, Sprat Bay, and walking, hiking and snorkeling adventures all on a safe and quiet island. Joes Beach Bar, Da Pizza Boat, Pirate's Ridge and of course folks can always hop over to STT to see and do all there is to do over there.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Respectfully appreciating everyone has different interests, likes, dislikes, etc.

Water Island is the BEST place to stay.
I love the "local" feel to it. You can go across the STT, and come "home" to a safe and relaxing atmosphere. Everyone is welcoming. I promise you won't regret it.

Question for Rojako - Can you walk to the Botanical Gardens from the ferry and, if so, where would you head after getting off at the dock?

JudyK, yes you can walk. Suzanne Somers would be proud of the thighmaster road you will need to walk up. Its do-able. I've done it and glad I did because a person notices a lot more things when travelling by foot than by mechanized transportation. Directions: Get off the ferry and walk straight up the road. You'll pass the Casa apartments on your left (about 9 units, old stone buildings with a white cement-small column formed low fence or border). At the top of this relatively small incline / road, you'll see a road to your right which goes down to Honeymoon Beach. Just a smidgeon past the road to the right, you will see a road to your left. This is the road that leads to the Botanical gardens. Just keep going up the hill/road. You'll pass a residence on your left that has a long 6 ft high wooden fence along their property and the road (it was a red fence but I think the owner is painting now. No matter what color, you can't miss the fence.) As the hill starts to sort of level off, you'll see Crown Bay on your left and a private residence/house on your right. This house is at the base of the botanical garden. Just past the home, there are some stone steps there on the right. You'll notice all the flora as well so you'll know you're in the right place.

Hello everyone on Water Island...my name is Ted Hebbler...i lived there for a few years....best people in the world ,wonderful beach,great hiking,beautiful sunsets.....you cannot beat Water Island.....I hope everyone is doing fine..email me if you get a [email protected],love,Ted

I wouldn't mind having a home on Water Island myself....I just don't know if I'd reccomend the island for tourism. Relaxing and getting away from it all....YES. You're right....I don't get the lure of the bicycle tour either. It wasnn't the tour I thought it would be! Actuallly quite dangerous for some folks.

Rojako - THANKS for the info!! We will be with a couple that is very much into plants & I know they've not spent any time on Water Island that I know of so will probably take a day & go over & visit--thanks again for the great directions!! One week & counting!!

JudyK, you are most welcome! You know......another trip, you might take the same road as the Botanical Gardens, and you can turn left off of that same road to the Botanical Gardens on kind of a rutted two-tire-track path to the "other" part of Ft. Segarro. Some residents stay in this "bunker" during Hurricanes. Another interesting walk.