U.S. Virgin Islands?

[texdiveguy]

Was hoping some of you that have been as visitors to the USVI could share your impressions from both the diving aspect and non-diving activities. Thanks

[terrillja]

Went there last June for 2 weeks, water temp of 82-84, vis of 50-100 feet, we stayed at the Bolongo Bay, nothing fancy, but it was reasonably priced and it had its own dive shop. Andre is a superb shop owner, he was very accommodating, he was able to find instructors on short notice so I could do my AOW and rescue, then didn't charge anything extra for me to do a twilight dive and another open water dive after my rescue course.

We are hoping to go back again in late June to dive there and in the BVI.

The resort offers a free discover course to hotel guests, which was what got my dad hooked on scuba. They also give free rentals on non powered items (kayaks, sailboats, etc), and if you stay for a week they give you a free catamaran cruise to st. John. I recommend that you do not go all inclusive, and that you go into Charlotte Amelie, lots of shopping and dining, the yach haven grande is brand new and full of shops and restaurants.

Make sure to go to Mafolie one night, it is on a cliff and overlooks the entire harbor, which is amazing as it gets dark and the cruise ships light up.

One thing, bring bug repellent, we had issues with no-see-ums, but if you use off active, it smells good, is sweat resistant, and keeps the bugs away.

We stayed for 8 days, I dove almost every day, but my mom and sister were happy to shop or snorkel, and my dad hung out and kayaked around.

Oh, and rent a car, taxis are per person and are insane.

Any questions, pm me

[rach]

i'm heading to st. john in early january, so i'll come back with a full trip report, though i'll warn you, it'll be from the perspective of having camped in a canvas tent on the beach for 4 days...nothing like roughing it!

we're taking the ferry over to tortola (BVI) after that, so it should be a good time!

[mike_s]

Originally Posted by texdiveguy

Was hoping some of you that have been as visitors to the USVI could share your impressions from both the diving aspect and non-diving activities. Thanks

The diving was good, but not great by any means. However, I did like that alot of huge coral formations in coral canyons, etc. It's just I've seen better coral in other spots.

As for the USVI above the water, once you get away from the resort on St Thomas, it's apparent that the island is a part of the US welfare system. The island is junky and dirty and full of US chain stores. It just doesn't have that "island culture" that you get in other places.

The shopping on St Thomas in Charlotte Amalie is good though. It's a duty free port, so you pay no extra amount of fee's on import duty/tax or sales tax. So you can get some decent deals. There are two main shopping areas. Downtown in the old shopping district and at the cruise boat pier where they have essentially built what looks like 'mini-storage' wharehouses to house shops there. The best deals on stuff is mostly jewelry and perfumes. Liquor is a good deal also, but you can buy it at the duty free shop at the airport when you leave for the same price. Otherwise, lots of junk, trinkets and t-shirt shops.

If you notice while you're in town that all the shops have huge roll down doors or fold in 2" thick wooden doors to cover all the windows and entrances when they close. this is because crime is bad on St Thomas. Just beware and read about it so you know before you go.

On St John that doesn't seem to have all the problems that St Thomas has. It's much quieter and less to do. The island is about 75% national park though. Several quiet nice resort over there though.

expect food prices to be high as nothing is grown or made on the island and it all has to be imported. For example, cokes average $3 each and you pay for each refill at your meal.

I don't suggest driving on St thomas if you don't have to. Riding in from the airport you'll notice about every car you pass has been wrecked. The roads are narrow and they drive all over them dodging out of the way at the last minute. (this is typical of all islands in the caribbean though). I never ran into the "taxi cost per person" that terrillja noted above. Maybe things have changed. taxi's were costly though, but unless you need a rental car every day, they worked out good for us.


I might go back to St Thomas, but if I do, it will most likely be just to use it as a airport destination to grab the ferry over to Tortola and stay in BVI. I just wasn't all that impressed with St Thomas, especially compared to other island destinations in the caribbean.

[ianr33]

Cane Bay Wall on St Croix sounds interesting. Ask Scuba Vixen on TDS if you are looking at doing any deeper stuff there.

[LI Diver]

Anybody dive St. Croix ????

[texdiveguy]

Thanks everyone for the time you spent sharing your trip experiences...really does help as this is the kind of info. you just don't see in the frilly color fliers and internet sites.

[terrillja]

For what it's worth, some links:

Where we stayed:
Bolongo Bay Beach Resort offers a true caribbean experience, located on the beach on beautiful st thomas, us virgin islands, offering all inclusive packages, honeymoon, wedding packages, condominiums rentals for families

The dive shop:
http://www.stthomasdivingclub.com/

And yes, the roads are steep and windy, and they drive on the left, but it really isn't too bad to get around, red hook is a really interesting place, but there certainly are areas of the island that are somewhat sketchy, like anywhere.

[texdiveguy]

Originally Posted by terrillja

For what it's worth, some links:

Where we stayed:
Bolongo Bay Beach Resort offers a true caribbean experience, located on the beach on beautiful st thomas, us virgin islands, offering all inclusive packages, honeymoon, wedding packages, condominiums rentals for families

The dive shop:
http://www.stthomasdivingclub.com/

And yes, the roads are steep and windy, and they drive on the left, but it really isn't too bad to get around, red hook is a really interesting place, but there certainly are areas of the island that are somewhat sketchy, like anywhere.

THANKS!!

[Lemond]

Anybody dive St. Croix ????

Almost. I have a trip planned in the next couple of weeks, and am going diving with a shop called N2 The Blue. Feel free to send me a PM and I'll update you once we get back.