USVI-On-Line

This is my first trip to St. John. Have been reading alot from the forum. I have so many questions. Where is the best beach for my family to snorkel?(boys 11 and 14 and myself have never snorkeled). My husband snorkeled in St.John back in 1982. I am so excited about this trip!!!!

NYG - I would recommend Trunk Bay b\c they have a life guard on duty and familes with kids around. Being the kids first time to snorkel it may be more comfortable for you. The water is usually nice and calm as well!
Have fun

Forgot to mention that we will be in St. John Jul 26-Aug. 2. How's the weather around that time? We are staying at the Westin in a timeshare villa. Have read alot about other beaches but does anyone ever hang out at the Westin and enjoy what it has to offer?

I agree.....Trunk would be my suggestion. Everything you need for a great day is there: from lifeguards to changing/bathroom facilities, place to get food, gift shop/rentals of sorts, families around, etc.
Enjoy wherever you go!

new york girl wrote:Forgot to mention that we will be in St. John Jul 26-Aug. 2. How's the weather around that time? We are staying at the Westin in a timeshare villa. Have read alot about other beaches but does anyone ever hang out at the Westin and enjoy what it has to offer?

The weather is quite nice that time of year. Warm, warm water, less crowds.

The Westin has a "man made" beach, it's O.K. for young ones, but you probably would like Westin's pool much better. Rent a car (or just take a taxi) to some other beaches - like Trunk. You'll be glad you did.

-Bert

Thanks to all for the info. Plan on renting a jeep to see the island. Any other suggestions on what would make this trip great would be greatly appreciated.

but we found this one especially useful!
http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... uggestions

Welcome to the fascination of the St. John world.

I agree with the others. Trunk Bay would seem to fit your needs and the true beauty it is just something you and the family will cherish forever. Renting a jeep is a plus and it will allow you the freedom of exploring what St. John has to offer. It is none of my business, but don’t just bury yourself down at the Westin for the time you are on St. John. Explore, mingle, and get to know why the people on the forum and others that visit love the island so much. You will leave with an addiction though. The addiction that will definitely have you already looking at booking your next trip when you return home. But let's not worry about that now.

Here is some more advise. Buy a few Boston red Sox hats, throw them on backwards, check your problems at the door, and realize they be no worries. Okay, you can wear Yankees hats if you want.

Enjoy your trip!

I like to take new snorkelers to maho such is entry and very calm

I agree that you should not sequester yourselves in the Westin for the entire time you are there. To do so would be a missed opportunity. Your children will learn so much by immersing themselves in the island's life. I also agree that Trunk is a great starting point. I think that after a day or two you will be ready to explore other bays. Hawksnest, Majo and Gibney probably should be on that list. There is plenty to see in those three within a hundred feet of the shore. They, like Trunk, tend to be calm waters.

JIM

Trunk and Maho great suggestions.At Maho the good stuff is on the right, go all the way to the tip for the really good stuff.If Hawksnest is calm that is a great snorkel right off the beach. You will see the reefs from shore the center one is the best, very shallow starting out then gets deep at the end. Hit it from the side,very easy sand entry, work your way to the tip. Best elkhorn coral forest I've seen lots of fish too

I also endorse Maho for first timers. Took my 76 yr old Mom there on our first trip to the island. She never got the hang of the snorkeling but the calm water and easy entry gives new snorkelers fewer things to worry about.

Just got home from spinning class and was glad to see all of your tips. Cant wait until July!! Thanks everyone!! Not that it matters but we are Met fans not Yankee fans.

Hi NYG! I second and third the other advice here and On our first visit to the island many moons ago we stayed at the Westin. The grounds are beautiful and the kids will love the pool but the beach is man made and therefore not the gin clear perfection that you will find on the north shore.

Edit: missed that you said that you're renting a jeep.. Good! If you have a car you can spend each day visiting the other natural and magnificient beaches at your own pace....then you can drive over to Coral Bay for a delicious lunch at the easy/breezy Shipwreck Landing or one of the other local spots and catch breathtaking views along the way. Then go back via Centerline Road to the Westin and relax at the pool or enjoy the spas or play tennis or iguana watch...whatever.

If you want to go into CB for dinner (highly recommended), the Westin does have a shuttle that runs to town but if you can swing it we always preferred the freedom that a car allows. It also ads to the sense of adventure, especially on your virgin trip!

Not that it matters but we are Met fans not Yankee fans.

Then we'll get along just fine!