Tips on US Virgin Islands

[Ryanqk]

Anyone here have some tips on vacationing in the US Virgin Islands? I am planning a trip there at the end of april, most likly want to stay on St. John since most of the best snorkeling seems to be in that area along with some nice hiking. Anyone have tips on places to go and see in the islands on a 4-5 day trip? We are not expeirienced divers, but snorkel and freedive alot.
Thanks
Ryan

 

[nckelley]

I would recommend going to Coki Beach on St. Thomas. Just make sure to go on a day when there aren't any cruise ships in port. We went snorkeling there a couple years ago and it was pretty good. We saw eels, turtles, and tons of fish. I have heard that Saphire beach and Megans Bay are decent also.

 

[Zephrant]

St. John is the place to be- Just head N out of town, and stop at the first beach. Work your way around the island, and you will find lots of great snorkel places.

Make sure you swim out to the tiny keys in the bays (islands). Very neat to circle them and see different things on all sides.

We did a boat trip out to another island, and to the big rocks on the British Island. Finished the day on some tourist-trap beach island (which was fun, but no snorkeling there). Was overall OK, but it was more of a drinks and shrimp cruise, where you could fall in the water twice. Boat was full of people who were not much in to snorkeling really, and the crew definitely catered to that style, despite our thorough questions before we boarded. I caught some flack for having a wetsuit and a dive-bag with our snorkel gear in it. Everyone else had a rental mesh bag they hung on the railing.

Here's a hint for the crews- Don't tease/hassle the paying clients if you want a tip.

If you are serious about snorkeling, I'd suggest finding a Scuba daytrip and going along with them.

 

[Ryanqk]

good tips guys any one else out there have some tips?

 

[nosh]

I agree with Coki Beach! Although I was one of those cruiseship people

 

[Arch01]

Definitely stay on St. John. I don't think any of the beaches on the north side of the island have bad snorkeling, and they are all gorgeous. My favorite spot was Leinster Bay. Its one of the last beaches on the northeast side of the island. You have to do some walking to get around the bay and there is not much sand which makes it less busy. Swimming around Watermelon Cay is the best snorkeling I have ever done. Awesome corals, tons of fish, sea turtles, great sea stars, and a reef shark all in the same spot. Go when its clear out since the water is a little deeper around the east side of the cay.

 

[Ryanqk]

anyone have a link to some detailed maps of the islands, espesially st. john? or some map that shows locations and depths of good sites to visit?

 

[Capt_Cully]

I say get certified. "Cow and Calf" is off st. j and st. t. It is one of the best dives in the USVI. It's so close it'd be a shame to be there and not see it. You won't regret it. I've compared every dive I've been on to that one.

Walls, valleys, caverns. A field of over 100 jaw fish. Caribbean hawk fish. Trumpet fish. Huge elkhorns. Giant brains. Hawk bill turtle. Horse eyed jacks. Surrounded by a school of Sennets. A HUGE school of atlantic blue tangs. Breath taking. Think about it every day!

 

[nanorfj]

I like Trunk Bay, St. John for snorkeling. Pelicans diving in for a snack, turtles, and a marked underwater trail.

 

[reeftankjunkie]

Last time we were in St Thomas, we asked a few of the locals, and took a charter to the britishh V.I. and snorkled a couple of spots that were truly breathtaking. I don't remember the name of the charter company, but it has been my experience that the locals know which boats offer the best service.

 

[DaveG99]

I agree. trunk Bay kicks ***. You cant beat the underwater trail. And there are wild mongoose everywhere on the beach.