Enjoy your time on Water Island! We haven't been yet, but would love to visit there on one of our trips down to the VIs. From what I understand, I would recommend taking the ferry from CA to STJ. There are snorkel rental facilities at Trunk Bay (definitely check out the underwater snorkel trail there). But also right at the dock in STJ, you can also rent snorkel gear from Low Key Sports and take it to any beach you plan to visit. Enjoy!

BeckyMac, I've done the trip to STJ from Water Island. Not sure about the most economical but here's some input.

You could rent a car (Amalie Car Rental and Cowpett Car Rental - both are within a few blocks walking distance out the chain link fence pedistrian gate and to the right from Crown Bay Marina. Call and check their rates. I believe both will permit to take the car to STJ.) Then, drive to Red Hook and take the car barge/ferry. Be sure to keep focused on the time that the car rental company closes. I believe it's 5:00 sharp. And, you will have to top off the tank for any gas you used before returning the car so that will be a little extra time. Just plan ahead. ....if you are going to keep the car overnight, check with Crown Bay Marina BEFORE you rent the car and be sure to reserve a parking spot. I think they charge $20. You "could" park the rental car in the lot below Nisky Center but......if you do......get the extra insurance.

You could take the ferry (9:00 a.m.) from Charlotte Amalie/downtown. This is easy. Just like the song, "take the 8:15 into the city", catch a dollar taxi (either up the hill on the four lane road above Nisky Center or to the right, cross over from Sea Chest/Ace hardware, thru the gas station parking lot and wait for dollar taxi in front of the pharmacy.....may be other stops but those are the ones I take). You will get to the waiting area (a covered bench seating) in plenty of time. No ticket office or anything. Just hang out and wait until they pull out the gang plank and some activity starts to happen - you'll know when. Then, get in line and I think it's $10 one way.....check on VINOW web site for the pricing. I only purchase one-way ticket so that I can have flexibility to either come back on same ferry to Charlotte Amalie or maybe I want to take the ferry from Cruz Bay to Red Hook and stop and Duffy's for drinks and then catch dollar taxi/safari back to Subbase. Just keep an eye on your ferry schedule and be sure to be there to catch the last ferry to Water Island. Plan accordingly.

I have never been able to rent a car for ONE day on STJ. I've taken taxi if I wanted to go to the beach. Or, a couple of times I just hung out and shopped and drank 😎 - didn't even make it to the beach.

Congrats, Becky...Water Island is a magical place; my husband and I have been visiting for years, and we'll be back there ourselves within the next three days. 😀 We fell in love with the place and the people; I'm sure you'll do the same. To be honest, when we're there, we hardly ever leave; St. John is a beautiful place, but for me....give me Honeymoon and Limestone. 🙂 Where will you be staying?

Barrier gave you great advice, btw. And, the best day we ever had on St. John was when we took the car ferry over...spent the day just driving around and seeing the gorgeous sights. We got lucky, on a little beach down by Vie's we found a party going on. The food was phenomenal and there was a band playing. My personal favorite beach is Jumbie...ya gots to do some steps, but it's usually quiet, and the snorkelling is good.

Enjoy your stay!!!

Thanks to all of you for your replies!

Sounds like if we do decide to take the trip to St. John the CA ferry would work best. Probably won't rent car. Thanks FLBarrier for the suggestion about purchasing 1 way trip and maybe returning via Red Hook.

Islandtiime:

We are very excited about our first stay on Water island. You maybe right about not leaving except for our scheduled day sail and maybe dinner out one night. We are staying at Villa Terra Nova 4/5 - 12. The view looks amazing and perhaps only a short walk to Limestone Beach. Any other comments or suggestions you have about the area will be welcomed. Lucky you, leaving soon:-)

Thanks,
Becky

It sounds like you got it all under control. I'd agree that renting a car is the best way to enjoy STJ. So much to see, and such a beautiful island, you'll want to see all you can! It's a tossup whether it's cheaper to rent a car on STJ, or to rent one on STT and ferry it over. I'd say the former if it's only for one day. Also, if you are taking a day sail, check out www.ohbejoyfulsailing.com. They do a Sunday jazz sail out of Red Hook, where they take you sailing all afternoon, then to STJ for jazz at the Beach Bar, and sail you back under the stars at night. Believe it or not, they do this all for the price of a half-day sail. We did this a little while back and it was the single coolest thing we've done down here. Anyway, have fun. Water Island is wonderful. Don't forget to have dinner at Heidi's Honeymoon Grill on Saturday night (right there on Honeymoon Beach).

Islandtime, we will be on St. Thomas for a week in July and want to make a day trip to Water Island. Does Honeymoon Beach have any snorkeling? How far is Limestone Beach from the ferry? I understand there aren't cars on the island so as a daytripper how would I get around? Thank you for any advice you can offer.

longislandjean, to do Water Island for a day trip, get to Crown Bay Marina. The Water Island ferry awaits in the first slip right next to Tickles restaurant. The WI ferry schedule is posted on this site (VINOW.com). Get on the ferry and pay the captain for your trip.....I think it's $5 each way. Get off the ferry on Water Island and walk up the hill. At the top of the hill, turn right and go down the hill. Honeymoon Beach is on your right. It's a short walk. Heidi Honeymoon Grill is there every day so you can get lunch and drinks. Joe's Beach Bar is also there and you can get drinks. You're going in July.....I am pretty sure both Heidi and Joe will be open though they may have a modified schedule because summer is a little bit slower time in the VI.

longislandjoan, forgot to answer the rest of your questions:

Does Honeymoon Beach have any snorkeling?
Honeymoon Beach is very calm snorkeling. Great for novice. White sandy beach. To see more marine life, go to the left or to the right away from the beach and closer to the rocks. You'll need to bring your own snorkeling equipment.

How far is Limestone Beach from the ferry?
Limestone Beach is just a little bit farther from the ferry than Honeymoon Beach. Go up the hill and instead of going to the right to go to Honeymoon Beach, keep going straight. You'll come to a 'fork' in the road. Veer/walk to the left. On the right you will see a little road. The path to Limestone Beach is there.

There is also a botanical garden within walking distance from the ferry landing. From the ferry, go up the hill and instead of going to the right to go to Honeymoon Beach, go left at the Casa's (old fort barracks now apartments). You'll see the white concrete columns/fence around the Casas and a road to the left. Take that road to the left and continue up the hill. Nice views and botanical garden is on your right. Botanical garden is private property lovingly tended by volunteers. You're welcome to go through the gardens but just be considerate and respectful that it is in reality a private property.

I understand there aren't cars on the island so as a daytripper how would I get around?

Pretty much, wear comfortable shoes and walk. You may find someone that will offer you a ride along the way. There are no taxi's on Water Island. Just very friendly residents.

Thank you FL Barrier Islander. It sounds like we could easily visit WI now, I was concerned because a couple of people in our group of 8 are a bit older. I can't wait to go!!! I would guess the beaches are very uncrowded too.

I'm going to print out your post with the directions and pack them away for our trip.

You're most welcome. Honeymoon Beach is not crowded. Well, on Sundays the local residents enjoy the beach so there are more people on the beach on Sundays. But, generally, not much crowd and a lot of mornings there's only one or two at the most on Honeymoon Beach. Limestone Beach - I would wager you will be the only ones on that beach.

I'm so excited I can't stand the wait!!!

Hi Beckymac,

I have been living on Water Island since July and love it. It is isolated, but much like being in the country. The ferry is very dependable and they run late ferries on some days. You can call for a "special run" after hours, but I'm not sure of the cost for that. You will have a few options for food on Water Island as other's have pointed out, Heidi's Grill on Honeymoon Beach, Pirate's Ridge Deli on the hill, and the Pizza Boat. Joe's Bar has beverages, but not food. Also Heidi has a mini-cart at the ferry dock each morning with coffee and breakfast munchies. Be sure to say "Hey" to Jimmy.

Heidi's has a very nice candle light dinner offering on Saturday nights for $25 per plate. She usually offers three entree selections and asks that you pre-order. Many people BYOB of wine. Pirates Ridge Deli has all you can eat pizza night on Friday from 6-8. They have a salad bar and bring out hot pizzas during the evening. I believe the price is around $16, but I would need to check on that. They also have a bar. The Pizza Boat pulls up to Honeymoon Beach and offers full pizzas as well as by the slice. I believe they also have sandwiches.

As far as St. John is concerned, I love that, too. I try to go at least once a month. Usually I take the "people" ferry from Red Hook, but I have also taken a vehicle over and I have also rented vehicles on St. John for the day. The best way to do it depends on how many people are going and how long you plan to stay. The last "car" ferry comes back to St. Thomas around 5:00 or so, whereas the "people" ferries run until late at night. If you are going early, coming back in the late afternoon, and have at least four people, then it is less expensive and more enjoyable to take a car over to St. John. It gives you more freedom to move around without additional taxi fees. The last taxi I took for Cruz Bay to Cinnamon Beach was $7.00 one way. The cost of moving around a group of people can add up quickly.

I'm sure you will enjoy your trip.

Tdogvi

Hey tdogvi:

Lucky you, living on the island full time8-). Thank you so much for all the helpful information. Glad to hear the Pizza Boat is back in business. I had heard they were not running. Quick question...trying to buget cash for the trip and I would assume Heidi and Joe operate on a cash basis, is that correct? Also is there an ATM available at Crown Bay?

Maybe we'll meet in April.

Thanks,
Becky

I've always pay cash at Heidi's and Joe's, but I will check to see if they will do cards and get back to you. There is NO ATM machine at Crown Bay Marina, but there are ATMs at Crown Bay Center (the cruise ship dock across the street) and at Nisky Center about a block up the street.

Heidi and Joe are cash only.

longislandjean wrote:
Islandtime, we will be on St. Thomas for a week in July and want to make a day trip to Water Island. . . How far is Limestone Beach from the ferry?

While Limestone Beach is amazing, it's not a sand beach where you throw down a beach towel and enjoy the day. Just so you know what you will find if you make the effort to locate Limestone Beach, scroll down to near the bottom of the page on this web site to view photos of Limestone Beach: http://www.waterislandwica.com/News