About kayaks....

[parafins]

I'm a bit supprised that I don't hear more about kayaks in trip reports.By that I mean kayak rentals.I'm sure some of you have this form of travel.I gave it a try back in '07 and rented one from Maho Camps.I love it!What a lot of fun,and to my supprise it took only 15 minutes to reach Whistling Cay. The view going back ,I could see the ruins on American Hill.For those of you that have tried this what did you visit?Did you like it?Have a good day!Parafins.{This pic is the tip of Mary Point from the beach @ Whistling Cay.

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[chicagoans]

We rented kayaks at Crabby's in Coral Bay and kayaked around Princess Bay and some other areas in Hurricane Hole. There are some pics in my TR (this is over a year old )
http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... php?t=5432

We really enjoyed it and will probably do it again on our next trip. This time we would probably let our kids get their own kayaks - they've kayaked several times on Lake Michigan in little sea kayaks and love it.

I think it's a great way to spend a few hours. Renting from Maho like you did is a great idea.

[ifloat]

I'd love to rent a couple of kayaks from Maho Bay Camps.

Any clues as to where we would park for this?

[Sun4MySoul]

iFloat- you can park in the lot at Maho Bay Camps and hike the billion steps to the beach to pick up the boat. They also rent them on the beach at Cinnamon.

Last trip, I went on a guided kayak/snorkeling tour from Haulover around to Pelican Rock with Hidden Reef EcoTours. It was great! Very informative, especially when we were snorkeling and the guide got in the water with us and told us about all the stuff we were looking at. Fun, Fun!

[loria]

we brought a kayak with us for our honeymoon (we have a folding Klepper kayak-for travel-it's a bit heavy but good in big seas!)
we did a lot of trips from Maho --to waterlemon over to cruz bay out and around whistling cay--and also kayaked from VG to beef island up the north coast of tortolla and then over to Jost and back to STJ (over multiple days) --
lessons learned. beer is not your friend on a big crossing (we KNEW that already being kayakers--but we're from the north) bomba shack late nights and getting off early in the am--not necessarily what you want to do (hung over kayaking SUCKS--particularly when you are putting in in a big sea in josiahs bay)--all the ATM's in tortolla are on the other side of the island (which was REALLY bad)

if there are high winds (or high seas), please be careful....

[parafins]

The kayaks at Maho Camps are open,not inclosed.I think Cinnamon Camps may be the same.Back in'07 I parked in the parking lot @ Maho Camps then walked down to Little Maho. As I said ,15 minutes and I was on the shore of Whistling Cay.I was told that it is about 25 minutes from Cinnamon to Whistling Cay.The next time I go I want to visit Henley and Ramgoat cays.I hope I'm not to old by then.This economy is killing me.Thanks for all the repies and who knows,maybe more will chime in about their adventures with kayaks!Parafins

[RickG]

Great notes from loria. Remember to go out against the wind and come back with the wind. Also, remember when you are leaving from the North Shore that you may not feel that brisk wind from the East until you get out of the wind shadow of the island - St. Thomas never seemed so close!

All of the cays are fun to visit. Lovango cay has some houses and a dock. I'm not sure of the etiquette for visiting Lovango.

One of the things I've always wanted to do was snorkel Johnson Reef. Kayaks seem to be the way to go. I have friends who love to go diving off of kayaks in Ft. Lauderdale and they make it sound like a great approach.

Cheers, RickG

[nancyg]

hi rick,

You got me thinking about renting a kayak and trying to snorkel johnsons reef. How do you think you would keep the kayak around while your were snorkeling? Do they have moorings bouys out there? I wonder how far of a kayak it is from maho. I am going to keep it in mind for our April trip.

Nancy

[RickG]

hi rick,

You got me thinking about renting a kayak and trying to snorkel johnsons reef. How do you think you would keep the kayak around while your were snorkeling? Do they have moorings bouys out there? I wonder how far of a kayak it is from maho. I am going to keep it in mind for our April trip.

Nancy

No mooring buoys, you'd have to tow the kayak using a line. Don't let go!

Cheers, RickG

[AquaGirl]

Thanks for posting this question. We would like to kayak on our trip in May, but had not looked into it yet. Didn't know there were tour companies for it, so I just looked at the websites for Arawak and EcoTours. Looking forward to hearing about people's experiences with kayaking on St John.

[parafins]

If you were to visit Johnson's Reef,would you be better off to rent from Cinnamon Bay Camps?I'm thinking that Cinnamon Bay is closer to that reef than Maho. Hey Rick,Have you ever visited Henley or Ramgoat Cays?Parafins