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Hi Darla,

I'm from Ohio also and driving on the left is no problem at all. It will take you ten or fifteen minutes to get the hang of it. There is no better way to get around and see the island than by driving yourself. If there is a large group, taxis are going to be very, very expensive. They charge per person and by destination. If two or three of you go to more than one location and back per day, you have paid for the rental car.

Schultz

Darla: You will find that Virgin Islanders aren't too skilled at driving on the left either!! 🙂 Some people get the hang of it pretty quickly, although it helps to have a navigator yell at you every so often "STAY LEFT!!" See what you think on the taxi ride to the Reef- you may want to get a car or a few days.

As to how to decide what to do...isn't that the fun of going somewhere? If you have a group some are going to want to shop, some snorkel, some lime, some sight see, etc. I would just be careful not to try to do too much. You are on vacation, and you can always save something for your next trip. I would definitely take an island tour early on, so you can get the "lay of the land" and see where you want to return later. Read the archives and through the info on this web site to get an idea of what you really want to spend time doing!! Have a great time!

Thanks for the prompt reply and for the advice on driving....but would still appreciate some ideas on "must see" things while we are there. So many have told us not to miss visiting St.John and we have been told about the snorkeling and the shopping.....our staff is mostly women who like to be organized and so this is top priority for us.
Are there any comedy clubs on St.Thomas? Where would we go to do horseback riding?
So many questions......
Darla

Darla, you said you have many questions - lets go - tell us what they are. It is hard for folks to ask 'what should we do' because there is so much to do - and one person may want to spend all day every day laying on the beach, others may want activity - parasailing, windsurfing, hiking... so ask away.

No comedy clubs that I can think of. There is live entertainment at some bars like singing, music and some Caribbean perfomances. Horseback riding on St. THomas - there is none. On St. John you can go to Carolina Corral - not a 'must see' really, but if you want to do hourse back then thats an option.

Give an idea of the age range, and the likes and dislikes, acitivity level - tours, hiking, sailing.... type of nightlife you might want (dancing, drinking, outdoors, indoors, dining...) and lets see if Candace, Shultz and others including myself can give you more specific ideas, suggestions.

--Islander

Hi,
Here are some suggestions and I hope they help!
Make sure to visit St. John. Rent a jeep for the day, be careful while driving on the left side, pretty easy but be careful anyway. Just get behind the wheel and be prepared to see some of the most beautiful scenery on earth.Stop by skinny legs, you'll find it, just stop and ask someone, and sit back and have a drink and some real good food. Next, make sure to visit Trunk bay beach and Cinamin bay beach. Relax, take your time and enjoy the snorkeling and the beach. There is also a terrific little food joint when you get off the fairy boat. Go straight, make a left, go around the bend and to your left is a rib and chicken joint that sits right in front of i believe the discount car rental store. They have the best B-B-Q and the price is great. Enjoy!!! By the way I just came back from the Islands about 2 weeks ago, and I had the best Vacation ever. Good Luck!

Ok.....that's fair. The age group of our bunch ranges from late twenties, most of us are in our thirties, and one is in her sixties.
We want to do a little shopping but figured maybe just a couple afternoons of that would be enough. Mostly need to pick up a few souvenirs for family and some of us want to purchase some jewelry.....so we could use advice on where to go for that.
Think we are all interested in island hopping. Want more information about guided tours....on St.Thomas and on St.John.
Couple girls want to try SNUBA....so need to know the best places and prices on that. And on Snorkeling.....
ALL of us are concerned about transportation while we're there. We have been told NOT to rent a car because the driving is difficult and treacherous....that we would be smarter to pay more $$ than to risk our lives. Concerned that that will mean us spending tons on cabfair. Is there any mass transit?
Would like info on chartering a boat of some type for a day trip to several islands...one with a knowledgable captain to narrate the day...we have one day on our vacation in which we have NO meetings to attend so thought maybe that would be the ideal time to check out some of the other islands....including THE BATHS.
Also want to know opinions on the submarine ATLANTIS.....had heard from one person that it wasn't worth the money....but some of us are interested in it....mainly cause they saw it on WEEKEND AT BERNIE"S 2! LOL
Think that about does it.....see what I mean? Very hard trying to coordinate with so many different interests and limited time....
Thanks for all the help and advice you can provide.
Darla

One more thing.....we were told by a person who lives near us that we should look up a guide on St.Thomas named ANTONIO ROBERTS.....any clue on who he is and how to find him? He was their tour guide and they said he was very entertaining as well as knowledgable.
Thanks...
Darla

Ok lets see...

Shopping: I would say for smaller souvenirs head to Vendor's Plaza in Charlotte Amalie. While in that area you may want to stop in and visit the Fort Christian Museum. Pick a day to go in town that has fewer cruise ships - the ship schedule is posted on this site, there is a link from the home page under frequently requested info. Shop one day in Charlotte Amalie - start early on in the day and go up and down the small alleys - there are lots of neat stores in the alleys. One day in Charlotte Amalie is good. Then take a couple days of sightseeing and to think if you actually want some of the things you thought you wanted when you saw them in the stores. Then spend another day shopping to finalize the purchases you thought about. Don't shop two days back to back, do one of seeing what there is and another of final shopping. There are lots of stores to look in, mostly jewerly though.

Island Hopping: For sure a day trip to St. John. And for more Island Hopping why not try Virgin Gorda's Baths. Beautiful place. St. Croix is also available as a day trip.

Guided tours - well most taxi drivers are tour guides. So you can either go one day to Havensight and do some shopping or window shopping and then pick up a tour from there and do a 1-2 hour island tour. Or you can call the gentlemen who you have a name for. I don't know this person however I have some contacts in the taxi business and will ask tommorrow if they have a number for him - will let you know what I find out.

For snorkeling on St. Thomas - head to Coki - thats also the place to Snuba and there is Coral World there too, Coral World offers Sea Trekkin which is fun and exciting.

For the active gals in your group - I would say try parasailing - that will certainly be a memorable experience. You can sign up for that at Renaissance Beach Resorts Beach Water Sports Center - which is close to Coki Beach. Other good beaches are Sapphire, Magens Bay, Emerald Beach... On St. John Honeymoon, Hawksnest, Salt Pond Bay, Trunk Bay, Cinnamon and basically all the others - they are all beautiful.

There is bus service - however while on vacation I would say its better to rent a car/van or take taxis. You will spend quite a deal of time trying to catch taxis and dollar safaris. The driving is not as bad as folks make it out to be. I like to think if you know how to drive you know how to drive period. Yes you are driving on the other side - in which case folks like myself who learned to drive here should think driving in the states is treacherous and I do. LOL, on the mainland you have freeways, 70+ mile an hour, multiple lanes... eekkk! In St. Thomas, roads are paved, there are street lights, signs, crossing guards, traffic police, maps, speed limits, iguana crossings :-); depending on the number of days you will be spending on the island you may consider renting a minivan or car - you certainly will rack up quite a taxi bill if there are lots of you traveling in the group - the taxis charge per person a set rate - not metered, its point to point for a fixed price. Maybe if you are going out at night and plan to drink or have a merry time then take a taxi. If you are doing out sightseeing, beach hopping and such during the day then a rental car would be ideal.

Go out to dinner a couple times - we have great restaurants here.

For a charter boat - try Horizon Charters, they could suit a larger group like I am thinking your group is.

Atlantis Submarine is excellent for folks who have never been snorkeling, diving, never had underwater experience.

Hope this helps you some. If you have more questions let us know and I think you probally do already. LOL

--Islander

There will be a plethora of information awaiting you at the Reef, too, about tours which leave from their dock (like 1/2/ day sails to Buck Island for snorkeling). For the BVI all day trip, I really enjoyed Pirate's Penny/Stormy Petrel which take about 10 people each- you will see the north side of Tortola, have a tour of the Baths, eat lunch at Cooper Island and snorkel again at the Indians on the way home. A great day. I agree with Islander- take a taxi at night, drive in the day (it's not THAT bad!!)

Dear Candace,
The BVI trip definitely interests my girlfriend and I....seems like many in our group just want to stay around St.Thomas....but she and I feel like being adventuresome.
Where do we get on this excursion....price(?)...how long does it take....can you give more details? Sounds like something we'd be interested in.
Thanks! And she and I have reserved a car for just two days....Friday and Saturday....those seemed to be the two days we would have the most free time since most of the week would be occupied with seminars and meetings. We took the advice of all the people who commented on here instead of going by the fears of our staff. Hope it pays off....
Can't wait to hear back from you on the BVI trip.
Darla