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I am counting down the days until we leave for St. John (5/28). I have been reading the forum as well as other web sites and have read some books. I still have a few questions to asked the experienced people.
My husband and I are experienced snorkelers. We have open heeled fins (use booties with them but they are big) and also have full foot fins (smaller). It looks like a lot of the shores are rocky. Is it better to have the open heeled fins so you can wear the booties down in the water and then put the fins on?
We will arrive Saturday evening. It is Memorial Day weekend. What would be the best place to go on Sunday, that would not be so crowded? Which beach? Should we reserve a vehicle for the first day?
Has anyone been to the Reef Bay trail? How is it? Is the snorkeling good there?
Does Gallows point provide towels, soap? Any last minute suggestions from those who have been to Gallows?
I am TRYING to pack light!
If anyone wants to e-mail me directly, that would be great. I am at work so will only see it today and then Monday.
Thanks!
Just returned a few weeks ago from a week at Gallows Point.
Yes - they provided soap and towels, even beach towels.
We only rented a car for two days, and not until our 3rd full day there. We took our own snorkel gear including fins (the full boot variety). The only rocky beaches we encountered were at Waterlemon Cay. We wore aqau socks into the water, then put our fins on and threw the aqua socks back to shore. We walked to the point that is closest to the cay but there is a beach entrance without the rocks, your swim is just longer to get to the cay (next time we will go with the beach entrance and just swim longer). And Salt Pond Bay had a sort of rocky entrance, but you can find little paths in the sand that are rock free.
Reef Bay Trail is really worth the trip. Great scenery and not a bad hike if you are taking the Parks tour. If you want to go it alone, the trip back is moe work but not impossible. If snorkeling at the end of Reef Bay trail, you will actually be in Genti Bay. Snorkeling is best along the eastern shore. Won't find anyone else there. Of course, you won't find amny people on many of the beaches. Trunk is the only one that gets 'crowded'.
We prefer the boot fins over the strap style. I assume you will rent a car during your stay and unless you just want to cruise Cruz (sorry, couldn't resist) I would get it from day 1. Francis Bay is really quite and if the current is not too strong you can see quite a bit around there and in adjoining Fungi Passage.
Thanks for the information. I can't stop looking at this forum. The trip is so close!
Can you see Cruise ships from St. John? That is why we avoided St. Thomas.
If you are on the west or south side you can see them at night as they cruise away and their lights disappear below the horizon. You sit back, take another sip of your cool drink and thank God you get to stay on STJ. 🙂
Make sure to visit Waterlemon for snorkeling! Its quiet a hike, but well worth it! The beach is rough so be prepared. You will not be disappointed. We located several turtles and followed them for an hour. You should also visit Francis Bay if you like to snorkel. Jumbie is nice also.
Visit Trunk early if you can (if you get there early am there is no charge). No cruise ship visitors on Fridays! Cinnamon beach was the most relaxing.
If you like to eat, visit Lime Inn. Grab some conch fritters at Woody's.
You will be glad you chose St. John vice St. Thomas! I promise, you will not want to leave on your last day!
Enjoy!
Thanks for the information. Where is Lime Inn?
Lime Inn is in Cruz Bay...up the street from Woody's, across the street from Conrad Sutton's car rental. (most people know where Woody's is 😉 ).
The Beach to Beach Power Swim is on Sunday, so most of the northshore beaches will be busy. Jumbie proably won't, but they start at Maho and there are different exit points along the northshore. Check out http://barnako.typepad.com/ for more info on that. Sunday might be a good day for you to head out to Waterlemon for snorkeling!!
Have fun. I am jealous. I have 19 more days until I am there!
I am also staying at Gallows Point in June and was wondering if the condos provide any kitchen supplies like salt/pepper, trash bags, dish soap, the usual stuff you find in a villa rental?
We were in unit 12C, I can't remember about the salt/pepper, but the kitchen was fully loaded with dishes, glasses, silverware, pots & pans. Yes, there was dishsoap, even dishwasher soap. I can't rememer about the trash bags, but there is maid service everyday.
