on-season questions

mbw1024 · Post by **mbw1024** » Mon Jan 05, 2009 6:41 pm

liamsaunt wrote:I'll definitely do reviews for the site, Anthony. We are hoping to hit Waterfront, La Tapa, Hinds, Sweet Plantains and Zozos for dinners. Lunches will be more casual. I want to check out the Tourist Trap and that new taco place. We are at Gallows this time so will be eating out a lot more than usual.

We are arriving January 27th. Just booked everything today.

lucky you! enjoy!

XOXO · Post by **XOXO** » Mon Jan 05, 2009 8:26 pm

Loria, we were there over Christmas also and I couldn’t believe how crowded the beaches were. Even Waterlemon was crowded--we couldn’t even throw down a towel on the beach but there were spots by the rocks. Anyway, it was surprising for St. John--but nothing compared to other destinations we have been too.

We were at Trunk on Christmas Day and it was "wicked windy." We went by Maho and remembered that last year (over Thanksgiving) there were only a handful of people and over Christmas it was pretty full. Anyway, Trunk was closed on the 25th but we enjoyed the beach and body surfing anyway. It actually turned out really well.

Cruz Bay was a lot busier than Thanksgiving week too. No worries, it didn’t bother us in the least. It is good for the St. John tourism and St. John is such a great destination we really should not complain that other people love it too. (:

Pia, you should have stopped. We probably were there!

Gina

Jan&MikeVa · Post by **Jan&MikeVa** » Tue Jan 06, 2009 7:19 am

Oh darn, we'll just miss each other. We get home on the 22nd so I can let you know the scoop on crowded beaches and restaurants. I hope the water isn't toooo cold. So glad to hear your heading to the warmth!!

jigzmom · Post by **jigzmom** » Tue Jan 06, 2009 9:19 am

Jan&MikeVa wrote:Oh darn, we'll just miss each other. We get home on the 22nd so I can let you know the scoop on crowded beaches and restaurants. I hope the water isn't toooo cold. So glad to hear your heading to the warmth!!

Please give us a quick report as soon as you get back! We leave on the 24th and it would be good to know what to expect, especially the water temps, so we know if we should pack our wetsuits. Thanks so much and have a GREAT trip!!

Exit Zero · Post by **Exit Zero** » Tue Jan 06, 2009 9:56 am

The water temp is about 79-80'F right now - a rash guard or light wetsuit will keep you warm enough and snorkeling longer - not uncomfortable on the sunny days - for SCUBA I think a wetsuit for sure.

Beesmom · Post by **Beesmom** » Tue Jan 06, 2009 2:31 pm

liamsaunt wrote: Finally, is there a place to rent short wetsuits if I decide the water is chillier than I am used to? I remember seeing full length ones at Low Key but I don't want one of those.

I'd check w/Low Key because I've rented shorties while diving with them (In July, even, because I could probably get hypothermia in a hot tub).

-Sandy

Jan&MikeVa · Post by **Jan&MikeVa** » Tue Jan 06, 2009 5:31 pm

jigzmom - no problem! We don't get in until really late on the 22nd so I'll make sure to post something on the 23rd so you'll be up to the minute (Island time)

Agent99 · Post by **Agent99** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 7:45 am

Finally, is there a place to rent short wetsuits if I decide the water is chillier than I am used to? I remember seeing full length ones at Low Key but I don't want one of those.

Naturally, my brain zoomed in on the dining portion of your post and missed this question.

Liamsaunt, Cape Ann Divers in Gloucester (about 45 minutes from downtown Boston) is open all year round. For some crazy reason Cape Ann is a big winter dive spot. Wild horses could not drag me etc., etc.,....but I digress. They are open a few days a week now and do rent wet suits. They may well have summer weight short ones available for you to take along with you if you wish. Their number is 978-314-6178. Nice folks.

Gromit · Post by **Gromit** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 11:50 am

Liamsaunt-- don't forget your TR with food porn when you get back!!

jigzmom · Post by **jigzmom** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 12:18 pm

Jan&MikeVa wrote:jigzmom - no problem! We don't get in until really late on the 22nd so I'll make sure to post something on the 23rd so you'll be up to the minute (Island time)

Thank you so much!!! Have a fantastic time!!

liamsaunt · Post by **liamsaunt** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 3:27 pm

Agent99, I know Cape Ann Divers. I got certified with people from there and used to go out with them regularly when I still dove. I remember one late November dive by the time I got out of the water I could not even move my hands to remove my dive gloves. Someone had to peel my wetsuit off. BRR!!!

I don't want to carry a wetsuit down--even a shortie--I'll call Low Key. Thanks for the tip, beesmom.

And don't worry, it would not be a complete trip without a follow up report.

Jan&MikeVa · Post by **Jan&MikeVa** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 8:49 am

I promised to reply to this as soon as we got home.

Especially for Liamsaunt and Jigzmom

The water temp was colder for sure. I was comfortable snorkeling, but I'm not out for more than 30 minutes or so. We noticed a lot of folks wearing wetsuits.

Hawksnest and Trunk FILLED UP by 11am every day it seemed. Even Little Lameshure was crowded (we didn't arrive till noon).

The restaurants were not crowded AT ALL. La Tapa seemed the busiest so you might want to do reservations.

Hope this helps!

waterguy · Post by **waterguy** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 8:59 am

Talking to my friends they didn't a survey of the resturants they went to and all said they were way down onseating numbers limeinn served only 55 on the night they were there. They never needed a res. just got back on Sat the 17th.

jigzmom · Post by **jigzmom** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 9:00 am

Thank you Jan&MIke! We'll be sure to bring our shortie wetsuits for snorkeling. My friend and I are usually in the water for at least an hour! I've already made reservations at Morgan's Mango for tomorrow night, but it's good to know we don't have to worry about waiting for a table at most places. Good to know about the beaches, too.

Thanks for the info, sorry you had to come home!!

LysaC · Post by **LysaC** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 9:35 am

I was surprised at how fast the beaches filled up last week.

We love Maho but drove by it everytime cuz there were so many people on the beach!

Even at Vie's, by noon, 15 toalmost 20 people. We did have the morning to ourselves pretty much though.

Francis had a decent amount of people but it's a long beach so didn't feel crowded.

My suggestion is to get out early (7, 8, 9 at the latest) and enjoy the solitude before the masses arrive.

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