1st Time - Cruz Bay or Coral Bay

[dutchguy233]

Planning my first trip for February and I am looking at a few options in both the Cruz Bay and Coral Bay areas. I am looking for some input on the advantages/disadvantges of booking a villa in either area. I understand that the Coral Bay area is more "country" but does that area have dining options or do I need to go back to Cruz Bay for that? Thanks for your input.

[cindygad]

It kinda of depends on what you are looking for. There are pros to both sides. For me we have stayed on Coral bay side and it is a good fit for us. There are plenty of restaurants there. We do drive over a couple of times to eat on Cruz bay. We like that Coral bay is close to North shore beaches, east end and love to snorkel Haulover North and South,and it is not far to salt pond.We like the layed back atmosphere. We love, aqua bistro for bar and food, shipwreck, Miss Lucy, sweet plantains, skinny legs,and donkey diner,

cons: Sunrise not sunsets, You think about how much you drink when you have to drive back to Coral Bay.If you like more people and busier scene you would like Cruz bay.Only gas station is in Cruz bay.

Having said that we are staying in Coral Bay in Jan and going to try Cruz bay when we bring our family in June. I thought our kids all in their 20.s would like being closer to the action.

[waterguy]

For a first time trip I recomend the Cruz bay side more convinent you can move out on your next trip

[vi lover]

Agree that for 1st timers, Cruz is the way to go. So many more options, and getting around to the north shore beaches is simple. Also really easy to get a taxi if you want to go out and not worry about driving home - tougher (and costly) to get one to take you to Coral Bay. Your ferries and day trips also depart from Cruz Bay.

We stayed 3 years on Cruz Bay side before moving to Coral Bay. We then moved back to Cruz side again this past year. We simply like the convenience and activity better there.

Good Luck! Have Fun!

[Lindy]

I agree too with Cruz Bay for your first trip. Not only are there more amenities at that end of the island but you also need to realize that driving on the roads there at night can be quite a challenge. They are narrow and winding with more that a few tight switchbacks and can be pretty scary the first time you drive them because you're driving on the left. You adjust after a few days and it's actually becomes sorta fun but those first couple of days are harrowing. Everything is much closer and convenient on the Cruz Bay end and there are more streetlights than at the other end. Give yourself a break for the first trip and then see what you think.....if you're like the rest of us you'll be back!

[hairman]

I am in Cruz Bay now and it is beautiful. For the first timer I also say Cruz Bay. There is public transportation for $1.00 that goes from Cruz Bay to Coral Bay.It has been a great week... sorry to be leaving Sunday. Skinny Legs in Coral Bay for Burgers is a must!! Enjoy and stay left mon!!

[Hawaii]

Our family stayed on Bordeaux Mountain for our first visit in July. Bordeaux is in the middle but I believe closer to Coral Bay then Cruz (I may be wrong). Most of the people on the board recommended Cruz Bay to us but I went with what I believed we would be comfortable with. It was a great decision and we loved this part of the Island and when we go back will stay on Bordeaux again or Coral Bay. We did go to Cruz about 3 times and it was easy. We had two kids who were 10 and 14 and loved it too. I would just pick what you feel you are more comfortable with. Good luck you really can not go wrong it is a beautiful Island and we hope to return sometime soon.

[Need2GetAway]

We also stayed on Bordeaux our first time. We wanted the complete privacy - and we got it! It was an easy drive to either "town" - once you get used to the driving. GREAT restaurants both places. We liked ending our beach days with a drink at the Beach Bar in Cruz Bay, then we'd go back to the villa to "rest up" lol, and go out to dinner later.

We're returning in February and staying on Bordeaux again.

[susan & herb]

Our first time to St John we kind of went with the advise of the Villa company and stayed at Villa Maria which is the road just past the Westin. There are a few more new villas on that road now. It was not too far from Cruz bay and we could see the boats. The second time we stayed at Pt Rendevous which is also not too far from Cruz Bay.
We did find that every year we spend more time in Coral Bay and hardly went into Cruz Bay so for the last few years we have stayed on Carolina Ridge and Ajax Mt. Both spots were idea for us.
We have been to other hilly islands so the driving was not a problem, we just enjoyed Coral Bay more for it's lay back atmosphere.
With that said, I don't think I would recommend staying on the Coral Bay side to a newbie. I think you would be more comfortable closer to Cruz Bay. Get your bearings, tour the whole island even out to the East and then you can decide where you will stay the next time you come to St John!

[Teresa_Rae]

We have stayed all over the island, our first 6 trips were on the Cruz Bay side and our most recent 3 trips were all on the Coral Bay side.

I really like staying on the Cruz Bay side because I much prefer the restaurants there. I would advise that a newcomer stay on the Cruz Bay side. You're closer to a wide variety of restaurants and some of the beaches are closer to Cruz Bay as well (Salomon, Honeymoon, Hawksnest) so you get a mix of good beaches and amenities.

[Bonny in CA]

My husband and I just returned from our first trip to St. John a couple of weeks ago, and we went to Coral Bay. I loved Coral Bay and I already know that I will never stay in Cruz Bay. It's a nice place to visit, but I loved the quiet side of the island... Although it's not that quiet! There was plenty of fun to be had, and bars and restaurants. We spent most of our time at Cases by the Sea in the evenings, or Aqua Bistro, both of which were five minutes from our villa.

I don't think first timers should automatically go to Cruz Bay. It really depends on what you are looking for. As someone else already stated, Coral Bay is nice and laid back. When we visited Cruz Bay, there were too many shopping opportunities. I would have spent a fortune if we had spent more than an afternoon there!

I guess it just depends on what kind of experience you want to get from your vacation.

Enjoy your time on the island, wherever you end up staying!

[Teresa_Rae]

I loved Coral Bay and I already know that I will never stay in Cruz Bay. It's a nice place to visit, but I loved the quiet side of the island.

To clarify, we're not recommending people stay in Cruz Bay. There aren't very many places to stay in town anyway, we're just talking about the Cruz Bay side of the island (i.e. Chocolate Hole, Maria Bluff, Rendezvous, Hart Bay, etc.). The most remote and quiet villa we're ever rented was on the Cruz Bay side, out at Fish Bay (Sol Inclination). There is plenty of peace and quiet along the south shore of St. John.

[momto3boys]

We are going for our first time in May to celebrate our 25th Anniversary. We found the Villa before we even found the island. Then started researching the island to see if it fit our desires for our trip. The one we chose is in Coral Bay. We prefer to be farther from the action mainly because we want this trip to be more relaxing. I am usually a go, go, go vacationer. Being close to Cruz Bay would of fed into that mentality. I think that Coral Bay seems more of a fit for us. Of course the Villa steered us this way as well. After finding it we were not turned on by any other one and it just seems the perfect fit for us.

I think it all depends on what you want for your trip. Are you traveling with younger adults who would prefer to be near Cruz Bay for the restaurants and bars at night? If and when we go back with our boys we may stay closer to the action for their benefit. This trip is all about us and only us.

[dutchguy233]

Thanks for all of the information and I ended up renting a place in the Chocolate Hole area. Thanks again for your advice.

[Lindy]

Dutchgu233 - Chocolate Hole is a good choice - you can't hardly make a BAD choice anywhere on the island. Don't worry about it - go with your choice the first time and you'll figure out where you want to be next time!