thefts from the beach

[Joppa]

I'm just wondering if anyone has ever had a problem with thefts from the beach. I am most concerned about a camera. I am preparing to buy a new camera and there is not an underwater housing available for it. I am considering buying the Canon D10 so I don't have to worry. Then I saw the TGIF photo with the extreme zoom and I don't really want to sacrfice that.
Has anyone ever lost anything on a beach on STJ.

[lark22]

I don't think I'd leave a camera on the beach on St. John, but that goes for anywhere else as well! I feel most comfortable taking my waterproof camera with me when I swim, and leave only towels, flipflops, and clothes unattended on the beach.

[swoop]

I would bring a large zip lock bag and bury it somewhere you can find it again...i.e. near a tree or mark it somehow...just don't let anyone see you do it!
Works for me..

[toes in the sand]

Never had a problem with anything I left on the beach. I do keep things put away and out of sight. I don't know if I would bury a camera in the sand even if it is in a ziploc. You might have a moisture problem with condensation. I keep things in backpacks or beachbags and strap them to my beach chair so that it is not a snatch and grab if it were to happen. The thief would have to take the bag, chair and at least one more bag unless he wanted to stick around and fish out the goodies or unlash my bags from the chair.

[Ms.Montana]

Last January there was a guy stealing bags off the beach - mostly at Waterlemon - so it does happen. They set up a sting and got the guy but not before several people lost their whole bag. I wouldn't leave a camera on the beach in St John or any place else.

[Mary L]

I always leave my camera on the beach and never had a problem. But, I did just buy the Pentax K20 and I know I will not be leaving that on the beach all by itself.

[liamsaunt]

I never leave anything valuable on the beach. I take my camera, ID, and cash in to the water with me even if I am just floating around. Otherwise I would just be worrying about my stuff.

What kind of camera are you buying? Some cameras have available housings--they are just made by other companies than the camera manufacturer.

[lowkey]

I read this review from the guys at On-St John
http://www.on-stjohn.com Go to their site and do a search for the Xacti and you can see some video they shot. They do a lot of photo stuff, so you ought to reach out to them for suggestions on digital cameras!

"We’ve spent the past week field testing our new Sanyo Xacti 720p HD underwater camera, and for around $350, it has proven to be pretty impressive.
It shoots 1280 x 720p HD. That’s right. High-definition underwater video for under $350. Gotta love the speed of consumer electronics evolution. The video is crystal clear."

[bubblybrenda]

Being that I travel solo it's either take the camera and leave it on the beach when I go in the water or don't have any photos. It wouldn't be as memorable a trip down memory lane after the fact without the photos. Accordingly, I take the risk (and the insurance). Have done 2 trips and have never had a problem (touch wood!). Having said all that, I am a huge believer in karma so if someone feels the need to steal sobeit... it'll all come back to them at some point.

[Joppa]

OK the camera I really want is a canon sx20 is. I was finally able to find an underwater housing for it but it was more than twice what the camera costs. Sooo thats not going to happen. I was wondering if anyone has used
Kwik Tec dry paks? They seem to have great reviews and may be the answer to my problem.

[Captain Jack]

Joppa,
Cannon makes very good underwater cases for ntheir cameras, and yes tey cost more than the camera, but water and cameras do not mix. We use the cannon 870 underwater with the cannon case. It is a nice case and it floats.
Captain Jack

[michigancouple]

So for those that take their ID, cash, passport when in the BVI with them into the water (as Liamsaunt said) what kind of protection do you use to keep them dry? Not so worried about the soggy dollars, but I do worry about the license and passport.

thanks

[KTinTX]

I took two cameras on our trip in June...a Canon D10 for in the water and my Nikon D70 DSLR. The Nikon stayed on the beach in it's bag, under the towels, inside another bag, etc. but it did get left on the beach a few times by its lonesome. Most of the time my wife was pretty close.

We usually only carried limited cash with us when we were headed to the beach, so my ID and small bills stayed on the beach in our cooler.

Everywhere we went people parked their stuff and left it. I know petty theft happens on St. John, but it was a welcome change to see so much more trust and friendliness than back home in the big city!

[Captain Jack]

alot of shops sell different size waterproof cases on the Island. They come in all shapes and sizes.Buy some silicone lube,some of the cheaper ones tend to leak. If you live near a dive shop, you can stop in and see the different sizes that are available. A company called Ottrebox sells them, but there are lot of other company's. I have a few different sizes, they are good to bury in the sand.
CJ
6 more days to sun and fun

[cocosmom]

I purchased a set of 3 waterproof pouches with attached cords. I got them on ebay for about 15.00 for all three. Here is a link to a pic of what I have...didn't buy these http://www.safetycentral.com/watpouc.html
We used the small one for keys, license. We used the bigger one for our camera when we went from the boat to the baths & soggy dollar. Hubby had it from the boat to the shore at the baths & was trying to still keep it above the water..he slipped trying to walk out of the water & the whole thing went under the water...not a drop in the bag. The cords are great to attach to your wrist. I used them a lot at the beach to keep sand out of the camera & things.