Francis and Maho are perfect for little kids - soft sandy beaches with gradual slopes in the water. So, even though they're not Coral Bay, have you looked at Francis Bay estate, Villa Serenity, or Sunnyledge? I have never stayed at them so am not sure of how accessible the beach is from them. Other ...

I generally feel very safe on St. John but there are some things you can do to improve your safety in a villa rental. 1) We don't bring valuables or wear valuable jewelry. I don't want to lose a good ring or other jewelry while snorkeling and don't want to leave it behind in the villa so just don't ...

Is your friend going on the cruise excursion? They may take them on a boat directly from the cruise dock - no taxi needed in STT. Once on STJ, they will probably be stuck with the safari taxi or else having to rent a car. I don't think there is really any way you can put a toddler car seat in a safa...

Where/how did you find a forecast for when the north swell will be up?

Just got back from a 7 day cruise including STT as a stop, so headed over to STJ for the day. We've been to STJ 3 times before but always stayed for a week or more and had a rental car. This was the first time being dependent on taxis, so the beach strategy is a little different. Beaches to go to wi...

Many thanks! Can't wait to get there!

Are any ferries still running from Charlotte Amalie to Cruz Bay or is Red Hook my only ferry option?
Thanks!

Another tip I just remembered - bring, buy, or rent a beach umbrella. Several of the beaches don't have a lot of shade except up under the scrub trees, and that's where the bugs are. Friends brought one of those 3 sided baby beach tents but the sun beating on it made it stifling hot inside and their...

I took our (then) 18 month and it worked very well. The beaches are so calm and shallow, that it was very easy to watch her and play in the water with her at the beach. Maho and Francis have really nice, gentle slopes into the water. Hawksnest was great too. We found like others have said that if yo...

Also check out Vistaero - best view I've seen at a villa. 180 degrees over Rendezvous bay with sweep to the east to catch sunset over St. Thomas. Huges public spaces (decks, great room) and huge pool and hot tub. Stayed there in 2009, since then some reviews have said needs maintenance, so ask lots ...

Stayed in Villa Catalina years ago (2005) and it continues to be pretty resonable. When we stayed it was only 2 bedrooms (each side of great room). Since then they've created a 3rd bedroom in basement area. I don't think there would be much view from that bedroom. Upper bedrooms & great room hav...

Looking at Lavender hill from the road to Cruz Bay (below lavender hill), the units go 1, 2, 3 (bottom to top) on far right of right building (western building closest to Gallows pt), then 4, 5, 6 (bottom to top), then east building goes 7,8,9 bottom to top on the west side (next to pool) and 10, 11...

You put in the value of your non-refundable portion of the trip. If your group rents a villa for 6000 and you split it 3 ways, your portion would be 2000. If your non-refundable airfare is another 1000, your total insurance would be 3000. If you can't make the trip, and your friends go without you, ...

Gallows Point for just 2 people - beautiful view, great location with easy walk to town, very relaxing. Vistaero for a big group - spectacular view, large open spaces.

I think it was pipanale who had a pretty glowing report on it, search the forum for lots more info.