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Maho Beach and private taxi question
Maho Beach and private taxi question
In our 2 trips to STJ, we never made it to Big Maho Beach. Driven by it, but never stopped and spent any time there. From trip reports and responses to questions on this forum, it sounds like people love it, so we're planning to go this year. I recall seeing a thread about parking issues and people getting tickets. So exactly where is it ok to park? How is the snorkeling there? How about shade?
Last trip we used a private taxi on STT to go from airport to ferry. I can't recall how much it was to use a private taxi, thought it was around $75 + tip. Is that about right? Sounds like the person some of you mentioned recently (Rachel, I think) is a good choice. Can someone post her phone number again? Thanks
We had lunch today with the couple who is coming with us and have never been to STJ. Such fun talking to them about it. They were amused at how we lit up when talking about STJ. But May 10th seems like a long time away. Well, maybe not so long... now, excuse me while I go back to the diet thread on the OT forum
Last trip we used a private taxi on STT to go from airport to ferry. I can't recall how much it was to use a private taxi, thought it was around $75 + tip. Is that about right? Sounds like the person some of you mentioned recently (Rachel, I think) is a good choice. Can someone post her phone number again? Thanks
We had lunch today with the couple who is coming with us and have never been to STJ. Such fun talking to them about it. They were amused at how we lit up when talking about STJ. But May 10th seems like a long time away. Well, maybe not so long... now, excuse me while I go back to the diet thread on the OT forum
Hey neighbor!!
Why the need for a private taxi? Honestly the regular taxis are just fine and will save you $$$.
If your schedule allows aim for the CA ferry to reduce the taxi ride.
But if you want to go private folks rave about Rachel.
As for parking if I recall they don't want folks spilling out onto the road or damaging foliage.
But this past December folks seemed back to the usual parking routines and I haven't heard about folks getting tix in a while.
There is parking along the stone wall and spots betwen the trees across the road and at the turn. They always seemed like a proper place to park. BUt there are no signs per se.
Lately NPS has been strategically placing large rocks/small boulders to prevent people from parking where they aren't supposed to.
I wonder if anyone else has anything to report in this?
Why the need for a private taxi? Honestly the regular taxis are just fine and will save you $$$.
If your schedule allows aim for the CA ferry to reduce the taxi ride.
But if you want to go private folks rave about Rachel.
As for parking if I recall they don't want folks spilling out onto the road or damaging foliage.
But this past December folks seemed back to the usual parking routines and I haven't heard about folks getting tix in a while.
There is parking along the stone wall and spots betwen the trees across the road and at the turn. They always seemed like a proper place to park. BUt there are no signs per se.
Lately NPS has been strategically placing large rocks/small boulders to prevent people from parking where they aren't supposed to.
I wonder if anyone else has anything to report in this?
*Another fine scatterbrained production
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Ondine
- Posts: 162
- Joined: Sun Aug 19, 2007 2:51 pm
- Location: Somewhere between the Northeast & Caribbean
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Maho is pure magic and not to be missed, in my mind. Parking should be fine, I've been there high season and in May, never had a problem, just use good logic on where to find an obvious clear spot on the side of the road to park.
Rachel is great, and will take you down some shortcuts and play a little bit of tour guide along the way, very nice way to go and well worth it. I have her rates estimated as the following, but you should check as I'm sure it could change:
St.Thomas Private Taxi Driver
Approx. $40 for one, $25 for two, $20 for three (per person)
Highly Recommended by Dominica (xislandgirl)
Rachel's #(340) 771-2986
Enjoy!
Rachel is great, and will take you down some shortcuts and play a little bit of tour guide along the way, very nice way to go and well worth it. I have her rates estimated as the following, but you should check as I'm sure it could change:
St.Thomas Private Taxi Driver
Approx. $40 for one, $25 for two, $20 for three (per person)
Highly Recommended by Dominica (xislandgirl)
Rachel's #(340) 771-2986
Enjoy!
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darkanddietwithlime
- Posts: 117
- Joined: Tue Mar 06, 2007 6:38 am
- Location: Maine
We just got home tonight from our trip to St. J : (
But the good news is that we have already booked our trip for next year : )
Back to your question about Maho. It is our favorite! We were there several times this past week and had no problem with parking. We usually get there before 10:30am. As Joshie says, shade in the am and early pm is good. This week, surprisingly, especially Friday, the surf was rougher than usual. It's usually pretty flat and calm. Still spectacular. Can't vouch for "Rachel" water taxi. Last year we used Dohm's and it was pretty good. This year it was just the two of us so we used the regular ferries. No problem.
But the good news is that we have already booked our trip for next year : )
Back to your question about Maho. It is our favorite! We were there several times this past week and had no problem with parking. We usually get there before 10:30am. As Joshie says, shade in the am and early pm is good. This week, surprisingly, especially Friday, the surf was rougher than usual. It's usually pretty flat and calm. Still spectacular. Can't vouch for "Rachel" water taxi. Last year we used Dohm's and it was pretty good. This year it was just the two of us so we used the regular ferries. No problem.
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darkanddietwithlime
- Posts: 117
- Joined: Tue Mar 06, 2007 6:38 am
- Location: Maine
To answer Gromit's comment - the reason we use a private taxi on STT is because my husband has a tendency to get motion sickness very easily. If we end up in the back of a hot stuffy van packed with people on those STT roads, well...
Since he wants to be in control of the situation, we go ahead and splurge on a private taxi.
Regarding the CA ferry - we love it. Took it last year because the timing was just right. We loved the shorter taxi ride and longer boat ride. I hope we can take it this year. Our flight gets in at 4:30pm.
Thanks for the info on Maho. Looks like we should hit it early in the day.
Since he wants to be in control of the situation, we go ahead and splurge on a private taxi.
Regarding the CA ferry - we love it. Took it last year because the timing was just right. We loved the shorter taxi ride and longer boat ride. I hope we can take it this year. Our flight gets in at 4:30pm.
Thanks for the info on Maho. Looks like we should hit it early in the day.
Even though it is stunningly beautiful, Maho has never been one of my favorites because I think it gets too crowded--understandable, since it is right off the road which eliminates hauling all your gear around.
The snorkeling is just OK, in my opinion. I've done both sides out to the points and all across the center of the bay on multiple occasions. It is true that we usually find turtles and rays there, as well as interesting small fish along the sides, but for some reason, the visibility is usually not the greatest at Maho--there's always been sediment in the water when we've gone, even when the water is dead calm, which makes for cloudy snorkeling and crummy pictures.
The snorkeling is just OK, in my opinion. I've done both sides out to the points and all across the center of the bay on multiple occasions. It is true that we usually find turtles and rays there, as well as interesting small fish along the sides, but for some reason, the visibility is usually not the greatest at Maho--there's always been sediment in the water when we've gone, even when the water is dead calm, which makes for cloudy snorkeling and crummy pictures.
It's like looking in your soup and finding a whole different alphabet.
Maho Bay is my most favorite place on earth.
Do yourself a favor, and go!
Little Maho is also delish! It's off of the campgrounds, and great to explore. You can also replenish food/drinks/ice before heading back to the beach.
Have your hubby try "Travel-Eze" motion sickness bracelets. Helps me a bunch, especially with all of the booze I tend to consume on vaca . You should be able to find them at any pharmacy.
To me, Maho is a must-see! You'll love it! Pack a picnic, and enjoy!
Smiles-
MJ
Do yourself a favor, and go!
Little Maho is also delish! It's off of the campgrounds, and great to explore. You can also replenish food/drinks/ice before heading back to the beach.
Have your hubby try "Travel-Eze" motion sickness bracelets. Helps me a bunch, especially with all of the booze I tend to consume on vaca
. You should be able to find them at any pharmacy.To me, Maho is a must-see! You'll love it! Pack a picnic, and enjoy!
Smiles-
MJ