USVI-On-Line

The North Shore basically starts at Caneel Bay and goes to Francis. This map isn't completely accurate because it makes it look like the entire North Shore is national park, but there are pockets that are privately owned...you can see those here:
http://francisbeach.com/mpc/docs/images/StJohnMap.jpg

Anyway, it is pretty expensive to stay anywhere on the north shore, and for first-timers I'd say that the Cruz Bay/Chocolate Hole area is probably best.

For me, no-see-ums are a much bigger biting issue than mosquitoes, and they are small enough to fit through the holes in screens. I react so badly to noseeum bites that I cannot sleep with the windows open because they come through the screens...I had around 200 bites our first trip to STJ b/c I did not know this and we didn't stay at a high enough elevation to get away from the bugs. So now I make sure our villa has at least bedroom a/c so I don't have to have the windows open.

Teresa - Thanks for that advise. I know this is a silly question but what are no seums? Our 8 year old is very sensitive to mosquito bites and gets big welts on her body just from playing outside at dusk. I have to remember to put some spray on her this year.

No-see-ums are Ceratopogonidae, or biting midges (also called sand flies, punkies, and others). They are very small flies that bite (blood suckers).

They are usually more prevalant in the wetter months and in moist areas. They are not found as much in windy areas such as higher on hills.

I'm a magnet for blood sucking insects and I've rarely been bit on St. John in July (dryer) as long as the property I was staying at was up high where there are breezes. I still squirt myself with a small amount of Deet before going to bed.

We stayed at Cinnamon Bay estate the first couple of trips, loved the view. It is a little on the expensive side but well worth it. Pool and hot tub, well maintained.

Sandy