USVI-On-Line

I think that the Spring Break crowds you'll find are mostly families with school age kids rather than the classic HS/College Girls Gone Wild crowd. STJ prices that bunch out for the most part and they can't rent villas.

It sounds like some places track Spring Break with Easter this year and others don't. That's good for you since it will help break-up any single huge blob of Breakers.

Mary's Creek was one spot we did hit and it was great. I don't think that the algae bloom is an annual thing, at least not to the extent it was while we were there. More of a hit or miss thing, like the winter swells only even chancier.

You'll be fine. No worries.

KathyMN wrote:Berlingirl,
Your reference to the Puerto Rican "navy" invasion nails it. I've been trying to think of a way to describe it. Thanks.

Excellent! I'm going to have to incorporate that into my repetoire (not just for PR)

KathyMN wrote:
Berlingirl,
Your reference to the Puerto Rican "navy" invasion nails it. I've been trying to think of a way to describe it. Thanks

Yeah, they favor Cigarette Boats and seem to bring cases of Veuve Clicquot Champagne with them that I saw getting thrown though the air between the boats like beach balls.

Earlyriser...No, the invasions aren't like V...they don't rain down blood from the sky, and it's doubtfull you'll encounter them as they tend to stick to the beaches that are more difficult to get to. Good for all, they are very social among themselves and we just want to hang out with the fish.

Sounds like you are very much a budget type of a traveler. So are we to a degree. We have one week a year...that is one to be away. However, no tents. Ever. And in the past we pretty much alternated with STJ/STT and spent out time equally between them until the past few years when STT became as pricey for our accomodations as STJ is. We love Maho Beach...it's our favorite. NOT bugged by chickens or donkeys, just some rude toursts sometimes. Gets crazy packed because it's so easy to access now though and I realize that the word is out on it...We started there when our daughter was two. She just turned 14.We do Trunk, Jumbie, Francis and more Maho. Our other favorite thing is the Westin Pool. Kids love it. Its that easy. They love it. We have had the most success with Westin Condos in the past.Tried agin this year but due to the passport thing USVI is busy and air was horribly pricey in the winter and and we couldn't get the dates we needed for Feb Vaca. We did the villa thing last year In April and it did not work for us. We saw and slept with more critters than you probably do in a tent for lots more $$$. We enjoy the Lime Inn, Cafe Roma, and both rib shacks for food. The Westin beach food is good and I do believe that they make the best Painkiller on the island. We are able to stay on budget as we don't eat every meal out and our drinking is minimal. (I wouldn't know a jello shot if it hit me upside the head...)

We were there in April in 09 and it was during Spring Break. We also stayed at Cinnamon. I personally thought the water was a little cool for my tastes..But we are in the NC not too far from the coast and I just prefer warmer water..but to me our pool has been cool in June..The showers at Cinnamon are not heated and I did manage to stand that better than the snorkeling. We did alot sightseeing and hiking that trip..I also thought the beaches were a little more crowded than other times when we had been there..We were at Little Lameshur Easter Sunday and the PR Navy was out in force there as well. Weve been in June which we enjoyed, but thought it was warmer than August which didnt seem as warm as June to me. We are booked for June this yr again...and plan on staying at Cinnamon again, I maybe wishing for April temps before we leave...lol but You just cant beat the location...

JJShaw- Hi, I am thinking the cool water that a few have mentioned here is something that will not bother me. I am used to swimming in the cold mountain water up north in the White Mountains! Although I love visiting in the month of June, and will again, I am really looking forward to being able to hike. When we went in June, we would hike for a short distance and be so hot that we just wanted to get back in the water. As for the cool showers..when we went to Maho we brought two solar showers and filled them every morning and had hot showers every night. The water was sometimes too hot! I loved Maho and would go back in a minute. Just want to try everything that the island has to offer! We're just hoping to get a good baresite at Cinnamon..like Maho, you can't reserve a site.

KathyMN- I am really not a budget traveler but I am this trip! But I must confess, as much as I loved the house rental we had on Gift Hill, it did not compare to Maho. We stayed in A-11, the walk was fairly short, not many steps and our view was incredible. We had electricity, showers, and the beds were comfortable. I really felt like I had everything I needed. The sounds around us were amazing. We were up by 5am each day and on our way! Not much time was spent in our Eco-tent. I'm also trying to squeeze in a possible 2nd trip this year!

Maho is great! Not my favorite, but each beach has something unique about it. When I think of Maho I remember the flat tire we got when we pulled into one of the spots on the opposite side of the road at Maho. First flat I have ever had, lol! It is a nice relaxing beach. The snorkel from Maho to little Maho is great!


I also love the ribs! Yum!

Berlingirl-(also meant the last post in response to yours) I have not been to the Westin, only driven past it. I would like to have dinner there and take a peek around!

Most every day we would go to the smoothie stand, get ribs (often) and I usually bring some food items from home. Like to bring coffee for the am. Not big drinkers here either but have been making the occasional Bushwacker & painkiller here at home! We had a blast making them and it reminded us of the island! May have to try that Painkiller at the Westin!

Cleveland Dave- Don't mind families at all! Just not a big fan of wild parties!

I did try to get into Mary's Creek but it was a little, um, how do I describe it..mucky? Not quite that bad but that mangrove type area takes a little bit of courage to get into..at least for me!

What I can say is this..I am so excited to go to Cinnamon Bay and camp. My husband and I almost feel like it is a challenge! Each week we order a different piece of gear. This week we got our tent from Amazon and had so much fun setting it up in the kitchen. We laughed as we lay inside it until I noticed a small tear in the corner. All I could think of was how many spiders I would be sleeping with! Enough said...packed it/returned it/and already got our new tent from Amazon. THis week were researching the best air mattress/pad for the tent..then tent fan, pillows, etc. It really is exciting for us to figure out the best way and the best things to pack. My husband is a gadget guy for sure and I know the LED lights will most likely outshine ST. Thomas! It's all about the gadgets....maybe some of you understand? Of course after watching Mythbusters on the Discovery Channel we will be bringing Duct Tape. Did you know that you could make a sailboat out of duct tape?

Early Riser-
Wow! I'm more than thrilled about your upcoming trip for you & the hubby. Setting up your tent in the kitchen sounds like something we'd do...! Such fun! You either have a small tent, or a very large kitchen, by the way . With all those lights, better bring enough 'afterbite' anti itch sticks & bugspray!
Yours will be an adventure that I'm looking forward to hearing about, and an enticing story for My Sweet Amy and I before we land in May.
Have fun!
Smiles-
MJ

mahojim,

Hi! We are really excited! By the way...small (3)person tent! Couldn't even get around the tent in the kitchen...but we couldn't resist! Good thing we did..that's when we saw the small tear in the corner.

I have already started my trip report with the pre-planning & packing list. We took a trip to REI over the weekend and purchased our sleeping pads, colapsible water jug, LED lights of course..we have quite a few things from staying at Maho..but just some of the major camping things left to purchase. We try to research the products prior..next up is camp pillows (we did look, didn't find what we wanted) and other 'light' camping gear.

I will also be looking forward to your trip report! I love trip reports! Great ones on this site!

EarlyRiser ~ the two trips I've made to STJ I've bare-site camped at Cinnamon. I've been a tenter my entire life and "roughing it" doesn't faze me (I actually consider Cinnamon 5-star camping).

Re the pillows: I have a fleece covered blow up airline neck pillow from Eagle Creek. It subs as my sleeping pillow for 2 weeks. With the weight restrictions on airlines and the fact that I travel solo & can't really take a lot of stuff, I'll tell you I have learned to be an extreme minimalist. I am amazed at how I can make do with so little for 2 weeks: 1 titanium pot; 1 insulated mug; 1 fork/knife/spoon; 1 collapsible bowl & 1 burner to screw on a green propane tank (buy it at the CB general store); 1 thermarest & 1 sheet.

I can't stress enough that the most important feature on your tent will be it's fly. Try to get one that goes right to the ground. You might luck out and get a site that has a tarp over it but then again you might not.

Take it from me, I have had to madly set up in a torrential downpour (that was after I lugged my stuff to the top of a goat trail), by then 1 bag had been sitting with a river of water flowing under it while I was checking in. Oh yah, and the sun was setting in less than an hour! Not fun but what made it bearable was once I was inside my tent I knew I would be totally dry inside as my tent will almost withstand a monsoon.

bubblybrenda- I couldn't agree with you more! I feel the same way about camping!

I have to pack light as well..one suitcase will have the majority of the camping gear and the second will have our clothing.

We are considering sending a cooler down with some dry goods packed inside so that we have a cooler while we are down there. I want something the donkeys aren't going to get into!

Thanks for the pillow advice, I will check those out! Two weeks in a tent and we want to be comfortable. We also consider it things that we will/should have for future camping trips so we're willing to spend a little more to get good quality.

Have been researching on how to be a 'minimalist.' Working on that...


As for the rain..we are planning on bringing a tarp with us!
I did read that some sites have them..not sure if I want to take a chance!

Thanks again!!!!

This thread has me a little scared -- we are going down for the first time April 14 - 24. (I am off work then.)

I'm thinking the good thing about having a villa with a pool and hot tub will be if the beaches are too crowded we'll just stay put. We already have our Jeep reserved, and we're going to try to reserve a dinghy for a day and maybe a charter trip.

Anybody interested in sharing a Palm Tree charter during that time frame? We are a couple in our early 50's, laid back, casual...

Need2GetAway- I hear you..I am a little worried too, but I have heard many positive things about the first couple of weeks in April too..so with that said, there's hope! In addition, as I look around and see the huge piles of snow I realize that I am so ready for this trip! Crowds or not! Please let me know where/when your interested in a charter, I may be as well!

I wouldnt worry...I tried to book for April when I first made our reservations, but there were no seats available for the miles we had..So I chose June....