usvi-on-line
NEW with Questions!
NEW with Questions!
Hi all! It has been great reading this forum over the last few weeks. My husband and I spent our 10 year anniversary on St. John last August--it was our first time to the USVI. What a place! We are looking forward to our next trip with our two young children and my sister this coming July.
Last year we stayed on Bordeaux Mt. and have chosen the Estate Concordia Eco-tents for this trip...has anyone stayed there and can you tell me how it is? We don't mind the drive back to civilization so we don't mind being so far out.
My husband is SCUBA certified and would like to take a trip out this year--does anyone have any recommendations of the best of people/companies that go out?
On a different day my sister and I would like to take my 8 year old on a snorkeling trip--any recommendations for this trip?
We feel like we missed so much last year! We hope to hit the Reef Bay Trail for sure and check out more restaurants...we missed Shipwreck Landing and Ms. Vie's...
Here's a photo from last year's trek on Ram's Head:
Thanks for your recommendations!
Last year we stayed on Bordeaux Mt. and have chosen the Estate Concordia Eco-tents for this trip...has anyone stayed there and can you tell me how it is? We don't mind the drive back to civilization so we don't mind being so far out.
My husband is SCUBA certified and would like to take a trip out this year--does anyone have any recommendations of the best of people/companies that go out?
On a different day my sister and I would like to take my 8 year old on a snorkeling trip--any recommendations for this trip?
We feel like we missed so much last year! We hope to hit the Reef Bay Trail for sure and check out more restaurants...we missed Shipwreck Landing and Ms. Vie's...
Here's a photo from last year's trek on Ram's Head:
Thanks for your recommendations!
Welcome to the forum!
If you son is a beginning snorkeler, I would recommend Captain Phil with the Wayward Sailor. He is excellent with children, and will get in the water with you, and make sure that he is comfortable. He also will help spot things underwater and ID them for you. It's a fun day.
If you son is a beginning snorkeler, I would recommend Captain Phil with the Wayward Sailor. He is excellent with children, and will get in the water with you, and make sure that he is comfortable. He also will help spot things underwater and ID them for you. It's a fun day.
It's like looking in your soup and finding a whole different alphabet.
I second Capt Phil-he's great with adults who are petrified too! 
Just as an fyi, if you are prone to sea sickness his style boat can be a little rocky in the water; at least I had issues with it. But he did help me overcome my fears-he was very patient-and he made it a fun outing once I was in the water.
Just as an fyi, if you are prone to sea sickness his style boat can be a little rocky in the water; at least I had issues with it. But he did help me overcome my fears-he was very patient-and he made it a fun outing once I was in the water.-
toes in the sand
- Posts: 994
- Joined: Mon Oct 08, 2007 2:21 pm
If your wanting to take your son on his first snorkel from the shore and not a boat, you might try Little Lamshur. It is a South Shore beach and will have calm waters when the wind is up on the North Shore. It is also not far from Concordia. It is a crescent shaped bay which protects it from most winds. The entry is shallow and gradual. The beach is sand with some rock. You will find nice rocks to snorkel in the center of the bay and along the left side (looking out from the beach). You can park right at the beach in the shade. There is a porta-potty for facilities. There is also a trail with some ruins that your son might like to explore. If your looking for a North Shore beach I would pick Trunk because of the trail and the wind protected waters.
I have found that the most important thing for a begining snorkeler is feeling comfortable. Find a place that is calm and comfortable so that he doesn't have his first snorkel an anxious one.
I have found that the most important thing for a begining snorkeler is feeling comfortable. Find a place that is calm and comfortable so that he doesn't have his first snorkel an anxious one.
"got a drink in my hand and my toes in the sand"
Since no one has commented on dive operators, I'll give my two cents. We have been very pleased with Low Key. They, like everyone else, are not perfect. They do, however, perform better than any of the others we have experienced. They will give a 10% discount if you make an on-line reservation more than a month in advance.
As far as snorkeling goes, the water conditions will vary from day to day and even between morning and afternoon on the same day. We like Maho and Hawksnest for beginners when the water is right. There is lots to see and the entry is fairly easy. Parking is also very good at both of them. Hawksnest has the added advantage of the restroom and picnic tables.
Good luck and have fun.
JIM
As far as snorkeling goes, the water conditions will vary from day to day and even between morning and afternoon on the same day. We like Maho and Hawksnest for beginners when the water is right. There is lots to see and the entry is fairly easy. Parking is also very good at both of them. Hawksnest has the added advantage of the restroom and picnic tables.
Good luck and have fun.
JIM
Man it's like some dream we live down here....
-
toes in the sand
- Posts: 994
- Joined: Mon Oct 08, 2007 2:21 pm
I agree that Hawksnest is a great snorkel location for a basic snorkeler and the facilities are convenient. The only problem I have with it as a first snorkel spot is the shallowness and surf. If the surf is up even a little, the coral is very shallow and a novice might find themselves having to stand in the coral to keep from being washed up on it. I would make it a 2nd or 3rd snorkel for an 8 year old. Just my opinion though.jimg20 wrote: As far as snorkeling goes, the water conditions will vary from day to day and even between morning and afternoon on the same day. We like Maho and Hawksnest for beginners when the water is right. There is lots to see and the entry is fairly easy. Parking is also very good at both of them. Hawksnest has the added advantage of the restroom and picnic tables.
Good luck and have fun.
JIM
Maho is a very good choice for a nice calm snorkel.
"got a drink in my hand and my toes in the sand"
as far as the eco-camp experience goes, make sure you have flashlights and extra batteries and be prepared for stairs (keep this in mind while packing).
In addition to Miss Vies and Shipwreck you'll want to add the Tourist Trap to your restaurant list. It's one of my fave stops for lunch and very close to where you are staying.
Also another good spot for a snorkel is Salt Pond (although the walk back up the hill can be a pain).
If you get there early in the morning you can watch the hermit crabs make their trek down the trail to the beach and donkeys can sometimes be seen hanging out on the beach.
For mid day excursion from the beach you can also take the Drunk Bay hike (fairly flat amnd short with a great payoff at the end - crashing waves and the coral people display that people have put together over the years). I've got some great pics from an earlier trip report (just search Gromit and drunk bay hike)
Hope this helps...
In addition to Miss Vies and Shipwreck you'll want to add the Tourist Trap to your restaurant list. It's one of my fave stops for lunch and very close to where you are staying.
Also another good spot for a snorkel is Salt Pond (although the walk back up the hill can be a pain).
If you get there early in the morning you can watch the hermit crabs make their trek down the trail to the beach and donkeys can sometimes be seen hanging out on the beach.
For mid day excursion from the beach you can also take the Drunk Bay hike (fairly flat amnd short with a great payoff at the end - crashing waves and the coral people display that people have put together over the years). I've got some great pics from an earlier trip report (just search Gromit and drunk bay hike)
Hope this helps...
*Another fine scatterbrained production
Thanks for the Captain Phil recommendation! My 8 year old daughter has been snorkeling in a pool but is still definitely a beginner so it will be great to have someone who works well with children.
We plan to hit the beaches and snorkel first to get her acclimated so those calmer water tips are great too. After a few days we want to take her out on a boat to snorkel for the experience. I am hoping she has a blast!
My three year old daughter will happily build sand castles!
We plan to hit the beaches and snorkel first to get her acclimated so those calmer water tips are great too. After a few days we want to take her out on a boat to snorkel for the experience. I am hoping she has a blast!
My three year old daughter will happily build sand castles!
Concordia is a great place to stay. You won't find a better view and you'll go to sleep by the sounds of nature and the crashing waves at Drunk Bay. I personally love the eco tents, but it's rustic.
The kitchen is equipped enough for basic meals. It has a 2-burner propane stove and small sink. Your refrigerator will be either a mini fridge or a chest-type refrigerator depending on your tent. Don't leave any food out and clean your dishes right away. You will have a plastic container for your food that you can use to store your dry/nonperishable food in. Potable water is located on the boardwalks. Don't drink the water out of the tap in the bathroom or kitchen.
The bathroom has a composting toilet and a shower that uses rain water. It's heated by a black tank over your head. If you want a cool shower in the afternoon when you get back from the beach, make sure you don't keep a lot of water in the tank all day. The sun will make it really hot.
There are 2 twins downstairs that can be made up in a king bed. There is also a queen size futon downstairs. There are 2 more twins in the loft. Comfortable, but not the Westin.
The restaurant has great food, but a little on the pricy/fancy side. The Tourist Trap is at the entrance to Concordia and has more reasonable food and drinks. The little store at camp is small but well stocked with all of the essentials. Patty, the store manager, is really helpful if you need advice on activities or restaurants. There is also a pool and washer and dryer down the boardwalk.
If you are there during a new moon, make sure you make your way to the top of the hill and enjoy the breeze and amazing star show.
IMO, Concorida is a wonderful, unique way to enjoy the islands.
<a href="http://daisypath.com/"><img src="http://dvcf.daisypath.com/iTnPm5.png" width="400" height="80" border="0" alt="Daisypath Vacation tickers"></a>
The kitchen is equipped enough for basic meals. It has a 2-burner propane stove and small sink. Your refrigerator will be either a mini fridge or a chest-type refrigerator depending on your tent. Don't leave any food out and clean your dishes right away. You will have a plastic container for your food that you can use to store your dry/nonperishable food in. Potable water is located on the boardwalks. Don't drink the water out of the tap in the bathroom or kitchen.
The bathroom has a composting toilet and a shower that uses rain water. It's heated by a black tank over your head. If you want a cool shower in the afternoon when you get back from the beach, make sure you don't keep a lot of water in the tank all day. The sun will make it really hot.
There are 2 twins downstairs that can be made up in a king bed. There is also a queen size futon downstairs. There are 2 more twins in the loft. Comfortable, but not the Westin.
The restaurant has great food, but a little on the pricy/fancy side. The Tourist Trap is at the entrance to Concordia and has more reasonable food and drinks. The little store at camp is small but well stocked with all of the essentials. Patty, the store manager, is really helpful if you need advice on activities or restaurants. There is also a pool and washer and dryer down the boardwalk.
If you are there during a new moon, make sure you make your way to the top of the hill and enjoy the breeze and amazing star show.
IMO, Concorida is a wonderful, unique way to enjoy the islands.
<a href="http://daisypath.com/"><img src="http://dvcf.daisypath.com/iTnPm5.png" width="400" height="80" border="0" alt="Daisypath Vacation tickers"></a>
Your trip sounds great. We stayed in a studio (not the tents) at Concordia several years ago. We loved it there. It was peaceful and such a wonderful view out to Salt Pond and Ram's Head. As the others have mentioned, take flashlights and plan on doing a lot of stairs. At night, we loved to walk up to the top of the road to look at the stars. We will stay there again on one of our trips.
If you want to go on a day sail for snorkeling, we enjoyed Long Distance. Very nice people and a great trip. They leave from Coral Bay, so its a bit closer to where you are staying, than driving in to Cruz Bay.
As others mentioned, you could visit Little Lameshur, since you are out that way anyway. There is a nice area for hanging out on the beach with trees for shade and a picnic table. Some nice snorkeling at the rocks right off the beach. Most times we've been there, its very calm, so would be good for your kids.
We love eating at Shipwreck. We always have great fresh fish and Key Lime Pie for dessert.
Have a great trip.
If you want to go on a day sail for snorkeling, we enjoyed Long Distance. Very nice people and a great trip. They leave from Coral Bay, so its a bit closer to where you are staying, than driving in to Cruz Bay.
As others mentioned, you could visit Little Lameshur, since you are out that way anyway. There is a nice area for hanging out on the beach with trees for shade and a picnic table. Some nice snorkeling at the rocks right off the beach. Most times we've been there, its very calm, so would be good for your kids.
We love eating at Shipwreck. We always have great fresh fish and Key Lime Pie for dessert.
Have a great trip.
