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We're arriving to St Thomas around noon on a Sunday, and assuming we'll be checked in about 1-ish. We'll probably be beat when we get there, but I checked and it appears it will be a rather light cruise ship day, so I would rather chill out on a beach than at the hotel. What would be a good, laid back beach to go to the first day? Keep in mind, I'll be doing the left-lane driving thing with minimal sleep, so I don't want to travel too far afield, nor have to hike much. I was thinking Magans.
Also, are there any decent tapas-style restaurants?
And if there is one "must see" snorkel spot of either STK or STT, what would it be? We'll have a jeep and our own snorkel stuff.
Finally, is it worth the drive to go to Salt Pond? Thank you.
Depending on the winds, salt pond might be a good choice. Good snorkeling and not crowded. Be sure to take water, it's a fairly long walk in and there isn't much shade.
Where are you staying on St Thomas?
Arriving around noon-ish and plan to be checked in about 1-ish... that made me smile. Its possible, but I immediately thought of a few times where I waited almost an hour for my luggage to arrive at the airport. 🙁 If you'd like comments on whether the time frame is realistic, let us know if you are picking up the car at the airport or at an off-site rental agency, and what part of the island are you staying on/where?
Magens is a beautiful beach and a good choice. Once you reply with where about you are staying, you might get suggestions from forum users with other beaches that might be closer or worth considering.
Most of the popular beaches in St. Thomas do not require hiking.
As for snorkeling on St. Thomas and St. John. Good from the beach snorkeling spots on St. Thomas include Sapphire and Secret Harbor. On St. John, maybe skip Salt Pond plan and head to Leinster Trail and go snorkeling at Waterlemon Cay. A short hike required, no facilities, very good snorkeling. You can research that option and see if its of interest.
On St. Thomas, Amalia Cafe in Palm Passage has some tapas. And on St. John, La Plancha offers some good tapas options during happy hour.
We're renting a jeep from Amalie Cars, so we'll be met at the airport. We're staying at the Green Iguana near Bluebeards. At least I think it's near Bluebeards. We arrive on Sunday, so I'd planned a chill out afternoon. Thinking of taking the car ferry to St. John on Monday, we have an excursion Tuesday (snorkeling), snorkeling around STT on Wednesday, another excursion Thursday (Virgin Gorda I believe Tortolla), and probably petty crime or perhaps loitering Friday and Saturday.
So not overly planned, other than the two excursions. I've been researching restaurants and picking up some great info on here. We can't do a lot of hiking as my wife has back problems and some difficulty with broken ground trails.
Thank you for all the help. This is our 22nd anniversary, so not a big one, but kid-free for a change.
Congrats on the 22nd anniversary Ardie!
There is Bluebeards and there is Blackbeards; both in Charlotte Amalie. Green Iguana is at Blackbeards.
Airport to Blackbeards is a 15 minute drive if there is no traffic, with traffic longer. On a Sunday there shouldn't be much traffic.
Magens Bay the first day you arrive for a few hours on the beach in the afternoon is a good plan.
St. John beach and snorkeling options with minimal hiking due to you wife's back... scratch both Salt Pond that you originally asked about and Waterlemon that I recommended in an earlier reply. Both require some hiking along uneven trail (small and medium rocks and dirt trail, Waterlemon trail is relatively flat, Salt Pond trail is on a hill). You might consider Trunk Bay, Cinnamon Bay, Maho Bay, Francis Bay - they all are accessible from the parking area so no hiking trail. If you want to do an easy trail, maybe try the Cinnamon Bay self guided trail around the ruins, and you can go into the forest as much or as little as comfortable and either make the loop or turn around based on your wife's comfort.
Cool, I figured out the Bluebeards-Blackbeards thing out on googlemaps. Do you think it's wise to walk from the Gree Iguana to Blackbeards at night, or not such a great idea. I'm trying to find a bar if we want a nightcap, not keen on the post-drinking driving thing.
What about Hull bay for first day? Might that be a bit less chaotic? It looks like a slow day for cruise ships. And again, thanks for all the insight and info. This time next week we'll be eating a nice dinner in STT. And hoping my kid hasn't burned the house down.
Green Iguana is really a hop, skip and jump from the Blackbeard's gate/entrance so yes OK to walk between the two. However... Blackbeards is a day time place; walking tour, pirate stories, rum tasting, historic homes. They have a smoothie/bar/hot dog snack bar, but I don't think its open at night.
Mafolie Restaurant (they have a bar) is a short drive up the hill, maybe a 3 minute drive. Another 2 minutes up the hill is Sibs Restaurant and Bar. Mafolie has a nice view, island-dressy type restaurant. Sibs is a local watering hole, casual. Both close driving options for a nightcap.
Hull Bay is nice. Shoreline is rocky in spots, and there are a dozen or so boats anchored. Pretty view. Its off the beaten path as far as visitors and cruise ship tours go - so yes it would be quieter there than Magens Bay. Hull Bay is popular with the residents living nearby for family picnics and gatherings on Sundays - but still there are typically only a dozen or two people there on Sundays. There is a restaurant/bar just across from the beach; and they usually have live music on Sunday afternoons during season; and they have good fish tacos! The music on Sundays is usually early... 4.30pm. Here is their website http://www.hullbayhideaway.com/.
Look forward to reading your trip report and comments when you get back. A few more days until you get here. Enjoy!
My votes:
1 st day: Magens (Nice beach, snorkeling not so great) good place to just relax and recharge. Closest (good beach) to your hotel. Ask for a map and directions.
other STT beach:Lindquist (Nice beach, snorkeling not so great)
STT snorkeling: secret harbor (restaurant on site for lunch or drinks)
I like lime tree beach at Blue beards beach resort. But allot of folks don't.
ST john: Francis (good snorkeling off to left between Maho & Francis
Other STJ beach: Maho or Cinnamon.
Not sure how much walking you wife wants to do BUT if she feels up to it, I'd recommend exploring the ruins across from Cinnamon, Ananberg is good stop too.
Right now we have very high seas and crashing waves on the northside bays and beaches of island so you may want to check out Secret Harbor or hang somewhere that has a nice pool if seas have not gone down by time you arrive as swimming in these conditions can be dangerous.
Snorkeling won't be so good until the seas come back down and are calm again as the wave action has churned up the waters. There's lots to do however, so enjoy your trip.
In STJ, my favorites are Leinster Bay and Annaberg Ruins on northshore. Cinnamon Bay and Francis are pretty nice too.
A long drive and a not so great road will take you out to Lameshure ( my most favorite) on the Southeast side of STJ and basically, the road ends there. It's worth the drive but make sure you don't do so after rain if you do not have 4 wheel drive or a low to the ground rental car. Keep an eye out for our small deer along the mangrove road.
On your way there or back, check out Shipwreck Landing for lunch.
In Cruz Bay - Lime Inn always has good food and wonderful hot fudge sundays!
Cool beans. Thanks for the info. I tend to bring good weather with me wherever I go. Something to do with my inner aura according to my TV psychic. Or maybe it was my TV psychotic...whatever. Maybe it will work a calming effect on the waves.
I will definitely report back when we return; I write a lot of reviews on trip advisor. I had my last day of work today, so I plan on cracking some wine in an attempt to stop all thoughts of work for the next 9 days.
Thanks again for all the suggestions.
Here's a link for events at Yacht haven Grande:
Seas are much calmer today so hopefully they will stay that way and you can snorkel to your heart's delight!:D
Having a great time. Did an excursion with Jester yesterday, off to STJ today. I said I would calm the seas.
