St.John

[Rileybri]

I don't see much on hear about St.John, why is that? My wife and I spent a week on St.John last January and Loved it. We stayed at Maho bay Camps, an Eco-resort on the north side of the Island. It is quite simply awesome . They have everything you need right there on sight from a provisions store to a restaurant and bar (one of the best sunset views on the island). In addition, they have a dive shop on there beach and can arrange charters for you right from the resort. I tell you there is not much better than a beach chair and a bucket of Carona's and El Presidentie's on the beach after a long day of snorkeling and diving.
In addition to the camps, which tend to be a bit on the primitive side, they also have the Concordia Estates on the south side of the island. It is a big step up on amenities as you get your own bungalow with soler showers and run from solar panels. There is even a pool for those days when you don't want to go anywhere. They have a restaurant, bar and store on sight as well. If you are inclined it is just a short drive in to Coral bay for a Jazz Brunch.
We stayed three days at Maho and three at Concordia both had there own charm and conveniences and we would defiantly recommend either to anyone looking for a low key budget oriented vacation to the USVI.

I am in no way affiliated with Maho or Concordian, just looking to pass on information to anyone interested.

cheers,

Brian D.

[maggs_the]

me & my sweetie have been looking at trips to the Virgin Islands and there isnt much buzz out there... i just kinda thought it was due to the expense of getting there? but they are on our list of Someday Dives... nice to read your take on it.

[Rileybri]

Originally Posted by maggs_the

me & my sweetie have been looking at trips to the Virgin Islands and there isnt much buzz out there... i just kinda thought it was due to the expense of getting there? but they are on our list of Someday Dives... nice to read your take on it.

Don't let the cost hold you back. In Jan of last year when we went you could fly into St.Thomas for about $375 RT from Boston. From there is a short or scenic ferry (there are two you got to choose which you do) to St.John. St.Thomas is the cruse ship mega port. The want there customers to get to the boat cheep. We St.Johner's benefit from it!

We spent time on ST.Croix and in the BVI's as well so if you have any spisific questions feel free to ask or PM me.


BTD

[longtailbda]

St John can be a little steep for someone on a budget. We have been there in the past and will go again. For moderate prices we generally go to St. Croix for our October trips. For a great place to stay, beach front ect., we stay at sugar beach condos It is a very nice place for the non-diver as well shallow sloping beach close to everything.

[DollFin]

I wish I could have spent more time on St. John's, but since my friends live on St. Thomas, that's where I end up staying. We did a day trip over there one day the first time I was there and it was so beautiful. My friends got married at Hawksnest Beach on St. John.

(and of course I can't post about the USVI without plugging my friends' dive op Admiralty Dive Center These guys have done so much for me over the years and are two of the best friends I've ever had, so I plug them every chance I get. If you are looking into diving around there, call them, ask for Laura and tell her DollFin sent you her way - she'll give you tons of great info on their dive op as well as the islands in general.

[Rileybri]

St.Croix is a cool place but a vastly different place as well. 85% of St. John is State Park or marine conservation land. Staying at a resort or villa on the island is generally going to run you $350-$2000 p/n. Maho Bay camps (in peak season) was $125 p/n. Concordia (as nice if not nicer than our resort room on St.Croix) was $175. Both places provide all the cooking implement you will need to eat in, and both places have "general stores" to get "necessities". Granted prices can be a bit high in them. We went into town twice to go to the "real"grocery store or the like. In addition because they contract there own charters prices for a trip out to say The Baths of Virgin Gorda and snorkeling is 2/3 what you would pay in town. So ya I still contend that if you do it right it can be a great way to have a "budget" vacation.

As for St.Croix We stayed at the Palms at Hibiscus Bay or was it the Hibiscus at Palm Bay? I forget now but they are basically two resorts combined into one. It was nice to "live it up" for a day or two at the end of our trip. If you happen to be on St.Croix here is a must do side trips is this. Head up into the rain forest to Mont Pielier Hut. Do not go late in the day or at night it is not open past dark. Why go, you may be asking your self. Well there are two very good reasons. 1) Mamajuana, a home distilled spiced rum/mead. The basically take Cruzian dark rum add a tun of honey and spices let it go for a wile. What you get is pure heaven nectar and only available there. You can get them to bottle it for you with a sealed cap to bring home with you. I promise you wont regret it! The side show there are the three 1,000lb. beer drinking pigs!! The are just AMAZING to see! Any cabbie will know where to take you.....

thats all for now,

Brian D.

[Monkeylemon]

If you're willing to rough it a little, Cinnamon Bay Campground is a great place to stay on St. John. You can either camp on baresites (some right on the beach), stay in platform tents (w/ cots and a grill) or in a "cottage," a cement-and-screen structure, again with beds, linens, a grill, etc. We were there last month in a cottage and we spent $70/per night. Not bad! Of course, there are only public outhouses (running water and flush toilets) and cold showers, but we were up for it--we would just put on our swimsuits and stroll out to an amazing, gorgeous, perfect beach. Their website is Cinnamon Bay Campground, St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands .

[scubastud]

We spent honeymoon St. Johns and it was wonderful. I couldn't get wife out of water.
Trunk Bay is listed as one of the top ten beaches in the world.. visit there and you will know why!

[nannerz]

I agree with the Maho suggestion. I lived at Maho for a while in the mid 90's. I love it there and the watersports staff has been there for a long time! For those who aren't into the treehouses, there are a couple of options. My last trip to the USVI, I actually opted to stay at The Wyndham Sugar Bay on STT. They are one of the only hotels in the caribbean that offer an All Inclusive Option. It was wonderful not having to worry about food costs and the first time on the island I actually had airconditioning. The resorts on STJ can be pricey, especially adding in food costs. Anyhow, it's a nice resort and only 5 minutes away from the Red Hook Ferry. Best of both worlds, convenience of a nice hotel, plus easy access to St John. We rented a jeep and left it on STJ as we weren't too interested in exploring more than the hotel on STT.
We got certified with Coki Beach Dive Shop STT, which was also 5 minutes from the hotel. The certification was nice as they had a shore entry and 2 reefs within a short swims distance.
Highly recommend the BVI's too. Which make for a good day trip from both STT/STJ. We are going for a week in December and staying at the Wyndham again.

[scubastud]

I read somewhere that Maho is having financial trouble.