Cruz Bay vs. Coral Bay

Connie · Post by **Connie** » Tue Sep 18, 2007 8:52 am

I may sound like I'm an idiot here, but I'm a little confused about Cruz Bay and Coral Bay.

I know Cruz Bay is right when you come off the ferry. Little town, some places to eat....That's the only town I believe I ever got to.

What's in Coral Bay? And why should I go there next time? I don't know...maybe i've been there and didn't even know i was there?

Just looking for some new things.

Chickadee · Post by **Chickadee** » Tue Sep 18, 2007 8:59 am

If you were to get on Centerline Road and drive east, go up over Bordeaux Mountain, then down the other side, you'd run right in to Coral Bay. At the bottom of the Mountain there's a 3 way intersection. Straight takes you to Skinny Legs, Donkey Diner, the Fire Station, Estate Zootenvaal and on out to the East End (Vie's, Sloop Jones, the "Stay Lef' Mon" sign). Right takes you to Island Blues, Love City Mini Mart, Cocolobo Market Place (Aqua Bistro, the new grocery, Mosquito Bites), Shipwreck Landing, Calabash Boom, Miss Lucy's, Salt Pond and the Lameshures.

There's more to do out there than I've listed, but those are just some landmarks for you.

waterguy · Post by **waterguy** » Tue Sep 18, 2007 9:00 am

Coral bay is on the other side of the island it is slower life style. It is where skinny legs is located.

liamsaunt · Post by **liamsaunt** » Tue Sep 18, 2007 9:00 am

Hi Connie, Coral Bay side is on the other side of the island. It does not really have a "downtown" like Cruz Bay does. It's quieter over there than Cruz Bay, but there's still lots to do...beaches to visit--Salt Pond, Princess, Lameshur and Vies are all out that way. Yummy restaurants like Shipwreck Landing, Island Blues, Skinny Legs, Miss Lucy's etc. Hiking trails--Brown Bay, Ram Head, Yawzi, etc. There are a couple of places to shop too...Jolly Dog is popular, and there's a nice art gallery at Skinny Legs plaza.

Gene · Post by **Gene** » Tue Sep 18, 2007 9:03 am

Yes you should check out CB it's got a low key vibe and some good eats !Sweet Plantains food so good !

Connie · Post by **Connie** » Tue Sep 18, 2007 11:12 am

And how long would it take for us to get to Coral Bay?

Do you think we should make one day just for Coral Bay and the beaches on that side?

Lulu76 · Post by **Lulu76** » Tue Sep 18, 2007 11:14 am

That's my current plan when I go, Connie.

Well, as much as I have a plan. I'm not much for plans past a plane itinerary. I'm all about Island Time.

California Girl · Post by **California Girl** » Tue Sep 18, 2007 11:19 am

Connie - It takes about 20 min. to 1/2 hr. to get to Coral Bay from Cruz Bay. I'm sure you could spend a whole day there eating, drinking and laying on the beach, but you could also spend the morning there and the afternoon on the North Shore.

waterguy · Post by **waterguy** » Tue Sep 18, 2007 11:21 am

It is about a 1/2 hour drive I go over a few times each week. Have to go to skinnys and josaphines for greens. Miss Lucy's for brunch on sundays vies for her garlic chicken.

designbyroe · Post by **designbyroe** » Tue Sep 18, 2007 11:46 am

California Girl wrote:Connie - It takes about 20 min. to 1/2 hr. to get to Coral Bay from Cruz Bay. I'm sure you could spend a whole day there eating, drinking and laying on the beach, but you could also spend the morning there and the afternoon on the North Shore.

I agree.........go to Coral Bay for the AM and have lunch at Skinny's or one of the other many places, do your shopping at Cocoloba and Jolly Dog and then stop at the Smoothie Stand and then head towards N. Shore and those beaches........
Those are the days I miss........Coral Bay is such a quiet and chilled out place......It is not as built up as Cruz Bay.........thank god and may it stay that way..............

flip-flop · Post by **flip-flop** » Tue Sep 18, 2007 2:10 pm

Gromit got me in the habit of hitting the beach early in the morning. We typically get up so much earlier on St. John. So we'll hit a north shore beach at about 8-9. When we start getting hungry around 11 or so, we'll pack up and head to Coral Bay (you're 1/2 way there if you are on the north shore beaches) for lunch at Skinny's or Island Blues. Shop a little. Head back to the house & into the pool. Before you know it you've wasted an entire day! Island style

Kentuckygirl · Post by **Kentuckygirl** » Tue Sep 18, 2007 2:18 pm

We stayed in a villa overlooking Coral Bay in May. I love that side of the island. Like others have mentioned, we usually hit 2 beaches each day, one on the north shore, then one on the Coral Bay or East End side. You should definitely take time to see that side of St. John!

StJohnCaptain · Post by **StJohnCaptain** » Tue Sep 18, 2007 2:33 pm

The easiest thing to do is look at a map. Here's one.

http://www.stjohnvillarental.com/map.html

I have lived on St. John for the past 7 years. 5 were in Cruz Bay, but we got tired of the noise and a horrible condo that went up in our quiet neighborhood, so we move to Coral Bay. I love it here. As for visitors, there is much more action in Cruz Bay, and you can walk around town at night and just wander into places. Coral Bay is much more spread out. Takes me about 20 minutes to drive from CB to CB, but some tourists take longer, especially at night.

Kentuckygirl · Post by **Kentuckygirl** » Tue Sep 18, 2007 2:37 pm

St. John Captain said
"Greetings from 600 ft. above Coral Bay Harbor -- Captain G"

I wish that could be my greeting!

Welcome to the forum, Captain!

nothintolose · Post by **nothintolose** » Tue Sep 18, 2007 2:38 pm

I highly second (third??) those recommendations to do a beach in the morning than lunch in Coral Bay.

Island Blues is by far my preference over Skinny's though. It is much more breezy than Skinny's and I find it even more laid back. The food is AWESOME. Their specials are great and the music is good too!

We did Skinny's till we found Island Blues. This past trip, we only went by Skinny's to shop. It's not that anything is wrong with Skinny's - we just like everything about Island Blues better.

I LOVE the atmosphere and the less crowded aspect of Coral Bay. You feel like you have the island to yourself.

We also like Shipwreck.

nothintolose

usvi-on-line