Advice Needed: "Hey newbie, don't miss..."

[Neeners]

OK, I've enjoyed looking at the thread about things people who are returning to St. John want to make sure not to miss. Can I ask you to indulge me and share some can't misses for a St. John newbie?

Favorite beach for snorkeling?
Favorite beach for relaxing?
Favorite bar?
Favorite restaurant?
Favorite store for St. John goodies?

We'll be staying in the Coral Bay area, which I know is more remote. That's OK, though - we don't mind driving (we never have to at home, so it's not a big deal to on vakay). Thanks for your help/suggestions!

[Xislandgirl]

Favorite beach for snorkeling? Salt Pond
Favorite beach for relaxing? Maho or Francis
Favorite bar? Beach Bar or Quiet Mon or Skinnys
Favorite restaurant? Upscale- Zozo's, Stone Terrace, La Tapa Casual- Cafe Roma, Lime Inn
Favorite store for St. John goodies? St John Spice

[jayseadee]

We certainly have our favorites, but there is no where on St. John that we've said "we'll never go/do/eat/stay/shop there again".

Favorite beach for snorkeling? Honeymoon or Trunk (non-trail side)
Favorite beach for relaxing? Maho or Cinnamon
Favorite bar? Beach Bar
Favorite restaurant? too many - Morgan's Mango/Cafe Roma/Lime Inn/Asolare
Favorite store for St. John goodies? St. John Spice and Pink Papaya

janet

[Ksea]

I dont snorkel, but my favorite beach was Hawksnest. Favorite Bar = Beach Bar
Favorite Restaurant = Banana Deck
Favorite Shop = St John Spice

I have other favorites on JVD if you are going there:

White Bay is gorgeous for swimming and relaxing.
Soggy Dollar and Ivan's Stress free bar
Foxy's for food
Soggy dollar shop has great shirts, hats, etc.

[RickG]

Karaoke night at Island Blues!

Cheers, RickG

[designbyroe]

Favorite beach for snorkeling? Waterlemom,
Favorite beach for relaxing? Maho or Solomon or Francis and gotta go to White Bay on Jost
Favorite bar? Quiet Mon or Beach Bar
Favorite restaurant? La Tapa $$$, Sweet Plantains $$ and Hercules and Skinnys and gotta go to Deli Grotto for sanwhiches to bring to the beach
Favorite store for St. John goodies? St. John Spice in Cruz bay or Jolly Dog in Coral Bay and anywhere in Cocoloba and of course Caravan Gallery in Mongoose.
Then got to take a peak in Schnell Studio. You have to go to Everyting (now at Gallows) and get one of Joan's santa dolls........and decorations for your tree

I can not pic one fav anything on STJ. there are AT least 3 or more in each category

[Lex]

I'll keep it over in the side of the island where you'll be staying.

Favorite beach for snorkeling? Haulover

Favorite beach for relaxing? Vie's

Favorite bar? Shipwreck or Island Blues

Favorite restaurant? Sweet Plantains, Shipwreck, Miss Lucy's

Favorite store for St. John goodies? We're not souvenier hunters. Love City mini mart takes care of our basic needs.

[brenda]

Favorite beach for snorkeling: I'm not a snorkeler, .

Favorite beach for relaxing: On STJ any, I think all that we have visited are great in their own way. Hands down the best beach that I have ever been to for relaxing and hitting beach bars, White Bay on Jost. I just feel like I am on another planet there.

Favorite Bar: The Beach Bar or Woody's if you are in a party mode. We haven't been to The Quiet Mon yet.

Favorite restaurants: I can't help you much with the upscale dining as we don't do much of that. We like La Tapa, my current favorite and moderate to higher prices. Also Cafe Roma, huge portions of very decent Italian food. Banana Deck, great rib eye steaks if you eat red meat. Thay also have large, fresh salads. There are a couple of BBQ places that get good ratings. Uncle Joe's and the newer Candi's. We liked Uncle Joe's alot, but want to try the "new" place.

Store for goodies: St John Spice is the best. We have bought many x-mas gifts when we travel in November. We also like Planet Earth in Mongoose Junction.

[patr]

Since you're staying in Coral Bay . . .

Favorite beach for snorkeling? Hawksnest, Honeymoon, Trunk, Francis - it's too hard to pick one!
Favorite beach for relaxing? Maho or Vie's, Trunk if it's a non-cruise ship day.
Favorite bar? Island Blues, Shipwreck
Favorite restaurant? Aqua Bistro or Shipwreck - try Vie's chicken for lunch; I love the grilled lobster at Lime Inn - again - hard to pick just one fave!
Favorite store for St. John goodies? St. John Spice

[nothintolose]

Again, staying closer to Coral Bay...

Favorite beach for snorkeling? Maho (right side) and Francis (right side to the point)
Favorite beach for relaxing? Maho
Favorite bar? Island Blues (The Beach Bar in Cruz Bay)
Favorite restaurant? Island Blues (lunch) or Shipwreck (dinner)
Favorite store for St. John goodies? Jolly Dog if you are in Coral Bay but I LOVE St. John Spice!!!!

[Bob & Anita]

Since you are staying on the Coral Bay side here a couple of restaurant recommendations:

Island Blues: we like here when they have a band. It's a casual dining spot right on Coral Bay Harbor; you can sit right by the water.

Aqua Bistro: You can sit in the bar area for a nice water view, especially nice when the moon is out.

Others have given good snorkeling, beaches and bar recommnedations.

[nothintolose]

The breezes at Aqua Bistro are fantastic at night too. We were there the night before a full moon and it was beautiful.

[Neeners]

Thank you all so much!