Advice needed for Coral Bay on foot

[O2B-on-STJ]

Good day!
My wife & I will be making our 3rd trip to STJ in a couple of months. I have been reading these forum posts for the past 6 months or so to take advantage of the wealth of info posted and enjoy the trip reports. We are considering a visit to Coral Bay this trip, (we will be staying in Cruz Bay) and do not want to rent a vehicle. If I'm not mistaken there is a bus that will go from Cruz Bay to Coral Bay. Can anyone give advise on how to make the most of 4-5 hours in Coral Bay on foot. And does the bus back run regularly?
Thanks for the help.

[theshopper3]

Hi,
Our first time to the Island, we never rented a car the whole week, we took the bus from town to Salt Pond & spent a few hours there, then asked when the buss would be back to the same stop so we could catch it again. We then took it back into Coral Bay & had lunch at Skinney Legs & then back on the bus to Cruz Bay. It was a great day, but long we were gone from around 9am to 4 or so.

The Shopper

[O2B-on-STJ]

Thanks for the input.
Anyone know if there are taxis in Coral Bay that run to areas like yawzi point and Ram Head, similar to the taxis from Cruz Bay to Trunk Bay and other north shore beach areas?

[Pia]

No taxi's in Coral Bay and it is really hard to get one to even take you to Coral Bay. You can catch the bus from town and it will take you to Salt Pond where you hike the Ram Head Trail. I'm not sure what you are expecting Coral Bay to be like though - it is nothing like Cruz Bay if that is what you are thinking. In one section you have Skinny Legs with 2 shops attatched, and then about 3/4 mile in the other direction is the grocery store, 3 or 4 shops and 2 restaurants. About a mile further down the road is Shipwreck Landing and a few shops (one of which is also at Skinny's)

The bus is $1.00 per person and you pay each time you get on and have the correct money as no change is given. 75% of the time the bus runs OK, but the other 25% can be "iffy" It will run in the morning and then for no reason it just stops for an hour or two or even the rest of the day (although the latter is rare)

Hope this helps.

Pia

[O2B-on-STJ]

That's a big help.
Thank you both so much.

Sounds like a nice hike followed by a late lunch might be just the ticket.
Not looking for anything fancy.
From what I've read here the lunch spots have great people and great food.

[TouristTrapCheryl]

I love the bus. Definitely ask the driver what time the bus that day is running. Currently it seems the schedule fluctuates from a bus every hour to a bus every 2 hours, so ask the driver. Last bus back to Cruz Bay goes by us (The Tourist Tap/Salt Pond) around 8pm. Also it can't be said enough, you need to have "a dollar" (bills or coins) for each person. Exact change is a must. If you plan on getting on & off the bus along the way, you'll need to pay a dollar everytime you re-board the bus; sorry no "transfers".

You can take the bus to Salt Pond beach, Salt Pond is the last stop then the bus turns around and heads back to Cruz Bay. After swimming, hiking, snorkeling, exploring Salt Pond & nearby Drunk Bay, you can walk up the hill to The Tourist Trap have a bite & drinks, then catch the bus right in our driveway. The Bus practically comes right to our "door". (If you stay on the bus to the other "end of the line", the Ferry dock, it lets you out right at St John Spice! Hi Ruth!)

Here's a photo of the bus heading south on RTE 107, about 30 seconds before it gets to Salt Pond and turns around back to town:

[O2B-on-STJ]

Perfect.
Thanks again everyone.It's a huge help to know what to expect (and now complete with pictures).

I'm looking forward to experiencing the flavor of the Coral Bay area.

[TouristTrapCheryl]

Coral Bay is chock full of "Island Atmosphere" & very unique. Make a whole day of it: hop on and off the bus a few times, because the little restaurant/shop enclaves out here are spread out. Make a day of it and really have fun!

[Chickadee]

And I am sure you could hitch a ride between some of the restaurants/shops mentioned before.