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8th trip to STJ...first time staying in Coral Bay
8th trip to STJ...first time staying in Coral Bay
We have frequented the forum for years, but just recently took the leap and joined:)
This is our 8th visit to STJ but the first time we are staying in Coral Bay. We have heard so many times how wonderful it is, and are looking forward to experiencing it for ourselves. We leave on the 20th for TEN days...sounds like a long trip, but, as always, I'm sure it will be all too short.
We are staying at Drake's Lookout? Anyone stayed there before? Also curious about dinghy rentals over there...what bays/beaches to check out? Where do we rent our snorkle gear? And what is the preferred route over to Cruz Bay? Any other tips would be most appreciated:)
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This is our 8th visit to STJ but the first time we are staying in Coral Bay. We have heard so many times how wonderful it is, and are looking forward to experiencing it for ourselves. We leave on the 20th for TEN days...sounds like a long trip, but, as always, I'm sure it will be all too short.
We are staying at Drake's Lookout? Anyone stayed there before? Also curious about dinghy rentals over there...what bays/beaches to check out? Where do we rent our snorkle gear? And what is the preferred route over to Cruz Bay? Any other tips would be most appreciated:)
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YAY Coral Bay! I love that area. Its my favorite after years of staying on the Cruz Bay side.
Crabby's (in the cocolobo complex where Lilly's Market and Aqua Bistro are) rents snorkeling equipment. They used to rent dinghy's but I don't think they do anymore.
We usually mix up the drive over depending on what we are doing. North Shore is definitely prettier, Centerline is a bit quicker but sometimes can feel longer.
Crabby's (in the cocolobo complex where Lilly's Market and Aqua Bistro are) rents snorkeling equipment. They used to rent dinghy's but I don't think they do anymore.
We usually mix up the drive over depending on what we are doing. North Shore is definitely prettier, Centerline is a bit quicker but sometimes can feel longer.
I think Drakes Lookout is on Ajax Peak or Upper Carolina area, is that correct? We stayed at Debolina on Ajax Peak in March.....LOVE LOVE LOVE that view. You can see everything from up there and NO BUGS!!!! We prefer Coral Bay side of the island and rarely leave it, but Centerline Road take you to Cruz Bay, about 25-30 minutes. Enjoy! 
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toes in the sand
- Posts: 994
- Joined: Mon Oct 08, 2007 2:21 pm
Your question about how to get to Cruz Bay....We used to use the quickest/shortest route to get from Coral to Cruz Bay which is Centerline Rd. But now I prefer to use North Shore Road (turn right at the smoothie stand when coming from Coral Bay). It is a more relaxed drive and I don't encounter the hurried (I am assuming) local driver trying to get home, to work or to the ferry and in a hurry to get past the FT (me) who goes too slow on the twisty winding roads. We usually make the Centerline drive once just for the view and then use the relaxing North Shore the rest of our trip.
"got a drink in my hand and my toes in the sand"
Nope it's not on Ajax, rather just up the hill on the west side of Coral, not sure what that's called? There's a map link on the villa web site, check it out.
Two main reasons we like Coral side: first there are more villas facing trade winds from southeast so it seems much cooler, and second it's quieter for sure.
Don't sweat fastest way back to Cruz, we typically only go to Cruz twice during our trips.....first evening for food shopping and dinner, a second time for the BVI charter and mini shopping splurge combo. No other reason to go there, save your gas money.
Have a great time, sounds like the south is invading STJ next week!
Two main reasons we like Coral side: first there are more villas facing trade winds from southeast so it seems much cooler, and second it's quieter for sure.
Don't sweat fastest way back to Cruz, we typically only go to Cruz twice during our trips.....first evening for food shopping and dinner, a second time for the BVI charter and mini shopping splurge combo. No other reason to go there, save your gas money.
Have a great time, sounds like the south is invading STJ next week!
Drake's Lookout
I understand that this villa is magnificent; a well kept secret on St John. About 10 years ago, our friends who managed villas on St John (now retired) went out of their way to add this one to their villa portfolio. They mostly handled properties on the west side of the island but they said this one was special and urged us many times to stay there.
We are kind of Cruz Bay/ North Shore folks and never had the opportunity to stay there. Hopefully you will review Drake's View and maybe someday we can enjoy staying there..
Enjoy your trip!!We will be down in August this year.
We are kind of Cruz Bay/ North Shore folks and never had the opportunity to stay there. Hopefully you will review Drake's View and maybe someday we can enjoy staying there..
Enjoy your trip!!We will be down in August this year.
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Jen East End
- Posts: 124
- Joined: Sun Mar 20, 2011 7:59 am
- Location: Buffalo, NY
Best! Love Coral Bay! You are going to have a great time! As to your question about dinghys, I think there is a place at Cocolobo plaza that also rents kayaks. Maybe also crabbys? I've seen a rack of kayaks out front of that plaza for the past few years. I don't think there are any dinghy rentals in Coral Bay.flip-flop wrote:YAY Coral Bay! I love that area. Its my favorite after years of staying on the Cruz Bay side.
Crabby's (in the cocolobo complex where Lilly's Market and Aqua Bistro are) rents snorkeling equipment. They used to rent dinghy's but I don't think they do anymore.
We usually mix up the drive over depending on what we are doing. North Shore is definitely prettier, Centerline is a bit quicker but sometimes can feel longer.
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Drake's Lookout is on our list for one of our trips. Looks like it has wonderful views. Looking forward to your trip report to hear about this villa. We stayed in Bayview villa one year, which is not too far from Drakes. We enjoyed that location because it was so close to pop down into Coral Bay, not that far from Cruz Bay, easy drive to Frances (one of our favs) and Maho. Also a shorter drive to Little Lameshur - one of our favorite spots to spend the day on that end of the island. Lots of shade since I can't take too much sun and good snorkeling.
There are a number of restaurants we like in Coral Bay. We love Shipwreck for lunch or dinner, and Miss Lucy's is right on the water. If you like Key Lime Pie, try it at Shipwreck as its homemade and sooo good. Sweet Plantains is excellent too. We enjoyed an early dinner at Concordia one time so we could enjoy the view. The food was good, and the view out to Salt Pond is wonderful.
We took a day sail/snorkel charter with Long Distance and you meet at the dock behind Skinny's, so you don't have to drive into Cruz Bay. Rick and Robin were so enjoyable and we had some fabulous snorkeling. We plan to go with them next time we are on STJ.
Be sure to drive out to East End. I love the scenery out to Tortola and the other islands as you drive. There are several beaches out that way. We've never eaten lunch at Vies (its on the list!), but we did get her tarts to go. They were so yummy.
Enjoy your trip!
There are a number of restaurants we like in Coral Bay. We love Shipwreck for lunch or dinner, and Miss Lucy's is right on the water. If you like Key Lime Pie, try it at Shipwreck as its homemade and sooo good. Sweet Plantains is excellent too. We enjoyed an early dinner at Concordia one time so we could enjoy the view. The food was good, and the view out to Salt Pond is wonderful.
We took a day sail/snorkel charter with Long Distance and you meet at the dock behind Skinny's, so you don't have to drive into Cruz Bay. Rick and Robin were so enjoyable and we had some fabulous snorkeling. We plan to go with them next time we are on STJ.
Be sure to drive out to East End. I love the scenery out to Tortola and the other islands as you drive. There are several beaches out that way. We've never eaten lunch at Vies (its on the list!), but we did get her tarts to go. They were so yummy.
Enjoy your trip!
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cool breeze
- Posts: 275
- Joined: Wed Feb 11, 2009 12:34 pm
- Location: N.H
Just returned from Coral Bay and already cannot wait til we return in October. Make sure to try Aqua Bistro out, the best "bistro grouper" I have ever had and the staff and bartenders are great. Also try and head out to the east end to try Hansen Bay and Vies a great secluded beach with chairs, a small contribution of $2.50 each will get you on the chairs and Vie makes the best garlic chicken and conch fritters. You will love this part of the island, this was our first stay in Coral Bay after many stays on the south side and have concluded we are infected with "CoralBayitis".
Have fun and safe travels!
Have fun and safe travels!
All of your replies have been fun to read! We are even more excited about our trip hearing form all of the "converts" to this side of the island
We understand Drake's Lookout has recently been renovated and now has 3 BRs, but the website only shows 2...we will let everyone know. There are just two of us, so we are fine either way.
Great tip about the charter out of Skinny's as that might be a good option if there are no dinghy rentals in Coral Bay. We love the North Shore dinghy trips, do one every time, so we will prob head over to Cruz Bay for that anyway.
We have never been the biggest fans of Little Lameshur, but perhaps need to re-visit as many of you seem to love it?
Also, re: dinner at Concordia...didn't even realize they had a restaurant, sounds like it might be worth checking out? I can imagine the views are breathtaking.
Another question...we LOVE LOVE LOVE to go to Skinny's for lunch, but have never been for dinner and no one seems to mention it??? What is the night time atmosphere? I would expect the same, but perhaps not???
We understand Drake's Lookout has recently been renovated and now has 3 BRs, but the website only shows 2...we will let everyone know. There are just two of us, so we are fine either way.
Great tip about the charter out of Skinny's as that might be a good option if there are no dinghy rentals in Coral Bay. We love the North Shore dinghy trips, do one every time, so we will prob head over to Cruz Bay for that anyway.
We have never been the biggest fans of Little Lameshur, but perhaps need to re-visit as many of you seem to love it?
Also, re: dinner at Concordia...didn't even realize they had a restaurant, sounds like it might be worth checking out? I can imagine the views are breathtaking.
Another question...we LOVE LOVE LOVE to go to Skinny's for lunch, but have never been for dinner and no one seems to mention it??? What is the night time atmosphere? I would expect the same, but perhaps not???