First timer to STJ - silly questions to ask before we leave

[hockeymom]

First time to STJ. I've been reading the forum for weeks - I'm a little dizzy with information and getting a little confused. So...here are some of my silly quesitons.

I hate to overpack but we are taking our own snorkel gear. I swear I read on the forum that you need to take aqua/water shoes to wear. Do we really need them? Would water flip flops work? Planning on going to the Baths - didn't know if we'd need them there.

Planning on renting a car on STT. Anyone know the barge situation (we leave next Sunday). Our flight is supposed to arrive around 2. Assume that's plenty of time to get the last ferry.

Next question: planning a day charter but I now wonder about going to Jost. I have 2 teens with me - besides the bars what would we do there? Should we skip it and go to Baths/Indian caves/etc.?

Any other suggestions for 2 teen boys would be great.

Thanks.

[Teresa_Rae]

I've never warn water shoes in 7 trips but my husband likes to wear them while he's rock climbing. A number of beaches have large rocks that he likes to climb.

We always rent our car on STT. Getting in at 2 you should have plenty of time to catch one of the barges. You're probably better off not buying a round-trip ticket that way you can get on the first barge on the way back and not have to wait for the same one. When you get to the car barge on STT there is a little both where you have to pay a $3 fee. Then you position yourself so you can back onto the next barge. You pay the person walking around once you're on the barge. You have to have cash for this. It's around $25-30 each way.

[CariBert]

What Teresa_Rae said about the first two items.....About the third thing, speaking as a former teenage boy, I think I'd pretty much like it on Jost.....

-Bert

[gobucs]

Having a teenager myself i thinks yours would like the baths, Indians ect...
And i 3rd the no water shoes!

[cypressgirl]

I've never needed water shoes.

That's a good question about your teen sons. How old are they? Will they be having a painkiller or few? If they are younger boys and you plan on spending hours there, they may be happier doing something more adventurous. I think Jost is a place for adult beverages, chilling, having a great meal on the beach, chilling, more adult beverages.........young teen boys might have more fun with a more action packed day. The Caves and Indians are so amazing, it might be something all of you enjoy, especially if you've never been.

[djmom]

ditto on the water shoes...however I would highly recommend you have some sort of "waterproof" sandal (like Keens, Tevas) instead of or in addition to flip flops.

there are many great beaches that involve short (or longer) hikes and you may find that having those shoes (like keens) make your walk much more enjoyable. Just more comfortable and less likely to slip.

[lpowmacback]

I guess I will be the sole voice to say YES to water shoes - or aqua socks. I find they are invaluable while snorkeling in and around rocks, SEA URCHINS, etc. I guess some people wear fins- but I find them too cumbersome...and all you folks that say no to water shoes - do you snorkel barefoot?! (I have already accidentally put my hand down on a sea urchin and know the agony... I will not chance that happening to my feeties!!!

As for Jost - I have not been (YET... we plan to go this Jan.) but have been to The Baths twice with our then teen son... we ALL LOVED THE BATHS!

[JT]

Watershoes? What the heck are watershoes? Obviously I'm in the "No, you don't need them group"

[Diana2]

There are only 2 places that I ever use aqua socks and they are Haulover North and Waterlemon. I use them to get in and out of the water (because of the urchins in thoses areas). When I went in June I never got them used them at all.

In my opinion Jost is an adult place since it pretty much a long beach with nothing there but bars. I would think the boys would really enjoy exploring through the Baths boulders. They would probably think the Willy T is cool and the snorkeling at the Indians and the Caves is great provided the seas are fairly calm.

[hockeymom]

You guys are the best. I think we determined 'no' to the watershoes/aqua socks.

And, we'll leave the Jost visit for a time without the boys (age 13 and 16). Yikes, the younger one is already a party animal!

[Teresa_Rae]

and all you folks that say no to water shoes - do you snorkel barefoot?!

Nope, I wear fins

I can snorkel so much longer and move so much better with fins.

[cypressgirl]

I didn't know anyone snorkeled without fins. Why?

[cptnkirk]

Funny you should say that Cypress cause I often wonder why people wear fins. Not wearing fins allows you to get into shallow water that would not be possible with fins and it slows ya down naturally so you take your time to see the little stuff. Now I could see them being nice to have if you had to cover alot of ground to get to were your going like Haulover but most of the snorkeling is pretty close to shore on St John. Would also be nice if ya like to dive down alot but I don't.

[hockeymom]

that is an interesting debate. I assumed we'd all wear fins but I usually dive and not snorkel. But, I can see where in shallow water and close to shore you wouldn't need them. Plus, I've seen people with fins destroy coral and cloud up the water kicking sand, etc. Interesting ... and, I hate my fins because they are big/heavy and was just thinking of buying new ones before the trip.

[cptnkirk]

Oh don't even get me started on that one . Would not believe how many times I've seen people treading water with fins flopin back and forth hitting coral Give no fins a try ya might love it.