USVI-On-Line

He again - By now all of you know we are planning a trip for next summer with our two kids ages 9 and 12/13. Our son will be 13 next July. Anyway, we plant to stay Coral Bay side but our son is asking what there is to do besides snorkel and swim and eat and drink (for us anyway). I know he will be happy just doing that but for all you guys with kids who have been to St. John or without what else to do. Is it worth a trip to the baths for first timers? Is it easy to rent kayaks if we have never done them before? Thanks again for all your help.

We have girls 8 and 12. We have been going for years and I am pretty sure your son won't get bored...but one thing you can do is go to some of the beaches that are a little different- plus hikes to get there make it a lot of fun. It is sort of a different adventure each day. Yes, there are beaches that you don't have to hike to and that is great. But we like to mix it up.

The beaches are quite different from each other. This goes all the way to different sea life when snorkeling at each beach.

For adventure, I would recommend Drunk Bay (not a typo, there is Trunk Bay also which of course is great) But Drunk is totally cool. Not a swimming beach but a beach that is unlike any other. Kids will love it. Only rocks and stuff washed up from the sea...that people have built little people and animals out of....really neat. Hike to Honeymoon and Soloman, Denis Bay. All of those are interesting hikes that make it more fun. Rams Head a great hike also.

Get them to eat some of the real local cuisine (West Indian) Fabulous and fun to experiment.

Actually, it might really help you to get Feet Fins and Four wheel drive (the book). It tells about all the different hikes and differences between the beaches.

And yes, I would say a trip to the Baths would be a huge hit.

I am sure kayaking would be great. That is on our list of things to do once our 8 year old gets a little bigger. She is tiny.

There really is a lot to do, I think he will be pleasantly surprised. The only thing I might suggest is to bring a couple of movies in case your villa doesn't have any. Sometimes at night after a day at the beach and then dinner and swimming at the villa the kids really enjoy just watching a video and doing nothing.

Thanks DJMom - I received the book about two months ago and it has been a big help. Thanks for your input I really do not think he will be bored but if I have some things to do I know he will look forward to it. Thanks again.

There is horseback riding available near Coral Bay as well.

DJMOM was right about the Baths. I have kids 9, 12, 13, and 18. The Baths was their favorite day of our trip.

You might check out camp opportunities. Usually there is a sign on the door of the Gifft Hill School meeting room as well as at Connections and Keep Me Posted. I hear that the Surf Camp (met only for a couple of hours in the morning) was a big hit! VIERS also has summer activities for kids. The Friends of National Park often have community service projects....could look good on a college resume! Never too early to start helping your child learn to give back.

My sons (one is 12 years old) like to skim board and Hoosierdad just told me you can rent boards at Cinnamon Bay. I know they also rent boogie boards if there are waves and other beach toys.

I would also agree that your children would love a boat trip to the Baths. We used New Horizonz II about 4 years ago. They have received good reviews over the years but there are a number of companies that do a great job. After our trip we picked up BBQ at Uncles Joe's near the ferry dock. It was a great way to end the day.

We just got back a few weeks ago from STJ with a 13 and 16 year old boys. I never heard "now what are we going to do". No one was bored. That's a good vacation!

We did do a lot of beaches, swimming, snorkeling but every day was something new. Plus, they were tired at the end of the day.

The highlight of the trip was the Baths, Caves, Jost trip with Bad Kitty. They loved it!

I think at Cinnamon Bay they did rent kayaks and give instructions. We didn't do it because it was super windy that day and the other folks looked like they were having a hard time paddling. On a calm day it looked like fun.

Enjoy

I always recommend horseback riding with Dana at Carolina Corral - 340-693-5778

Hunting hermit crabs on the trail to Haulover North.

Hiking the beach trails - Brown Bay from Waterlemon or the Coral Bay side.

Stop by Ital's stand at Salt Pond and talk to him about how he makes his bush art.

Hermit crab races at the Westin.

Cheers, RickG

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