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Coral Bay Newbies; have questions
Coral Bay Newbies; have questions
After several trips to STJ, we will have our first vacation on da other side of the island in a few weeks. We will be staying in the Carolina area.
Of course we've ventured out that way, making the obligatory stop at Skinny Legs. We've had brunch at Miss Lucy's, been to Salt Pond. We've even been to Vie's, not that she was open tho'.
So that's pretty much everything we've experienced in the Coral Bay area. So I am looking for restaurant advice, grocery advice, beach info, snorkel spots, etc.
I really liked the looks of Lime Tree Cove which was featured a few weeks ago on on-stjohn. I would love to know how to get there, parking, etc.
I plan to pick-up a new copy of Feet, Fins and 4 Wheel Drive, as I lent my copy to a cousin and did not get it back.
I am counting on some of you to share your favorites and any must-do or must-sees out that way.
Of course we've ventured out that way, making the obligatory stop at Skinny Legs. We've had brunch at Miss Lucy's, been to Salt Pond. We've even been to Vie's, not that she was open tho'.
So that's pretty much everything we've experienced in the Coral Bay area. So I am looking for restaurant advice, grocery advice, beach info, snorkel spots, etc.
I really liked the looks of Lime Tree Cove which was featured a few weeks ago on on-stjohn. I would love to know how to get there, parking, etc.
I plan to pick-up a new copy of Feet, Fins and 4 Wheel Drive, as I lent my copy to a cousin and did not get it back.
I am counting on some of you to share your favorites and any must-do or must-sees out that way.
Patr
~~Longing to be back on St. John~~
~~Longing to be back on St. John~~
uh-oh! Someone else will discover Coral Bay. We rarely go back to the west side while down there. You've been to Salt Pond, make the easy trip over to Drunk Bay. Or better yet, go early in the morning and make the walk up to Ramhead. Some folks say it's a hard walk. All I can say is Mrs. JT was in a very serious car accident a few years back, her knee was busted into 9 major pieces, was advised that she could never do that kind of hike again. She has done it 3 times and, at 60 years old, always talks others into doing it. If it's a hot day, bring water. If you want to truly get a great snorkel try the Blue Cobblestone Beach on the way up, or back from Ramhead. Just find a place to stash you flippers and mask and get 'em on the way back. As to food, Love City mini mart will surprise you on how much they carry. Lilly's opened a couple of years ago and they're pretty good, though a little pricey.You'll probably make one trip back to Cruz Bay for Starfish Market and/or Pine Peace. Donkey Diner is always worth a trip over for breakfast.Island Blues has pretty good food and Friday nights the Iquanas play music down by the beach, next to the bar. They have music most evenings during season. Some of the talent is very good, all are entertaining. For a little more upscale dinner try Sweet Plantains. Shipwreck Landing has good daily specials and the best drinks on that side of the island.For an authentic West Indian roti, try Sputniks next door to Donkey Diner.If the band Innervisions is playing on a Saturday evening while you're there, they are not to be missed! Don't get intimidated by the road to Lameshur- it's bark is worse than it's bite. Maybe even try Kiddle and Grootpan Bays, though both are rocky beaches, the snorkel can be great at both of them. If you catch Vie open,[she's closed Monday], go over to her beach. Also while on that side you might like to stop up at Sloop Jones' place. Even if the hand painted clothes aren't your thing, the trip to his place is candy for the senses. Also over there you have both sides oh Haulover, both great snorkel spots. You'll love it! Enjoy!
When you find yourself in a hole.... quit digging.
Definitely snorkel Haulover--both sides. North has huge coral formations, and South has good snorkeling with some biger fish along both sides of the bay (deep water).
For something different, try snorkeling the mangroves at Princess bay. It's really shallow (don't wear flippers) but there's lots of cool stuff to see--lots of baby fish, including barracuda, big orange sea stars, and conch.
The road out to Lamshur is partly paved now, you really don't need 4WD to get out there. Great Lamshur is usually empty, and Little Lamshur has good snorkeling, we've seen eagle rays and John found a giant barracuda--he says it was 6 feet, believe him if you will (I don't!).
If you get back to Vie's make sure to get the garlic chicken--it is delicious. I really liked the grouper soft tacos at Shipwreck Landing, and the crunchy fish with traditional accompianments for lunch at Miss Lucys.
I have not been yet, but have read good things about Sweet Plantains--we are going to try it this trip.
We think Lily's market is pretty overpriced--I would stock up in Cruz Bay and go there for little things.
For something different, try snorkeling the mangroves at Princess bay. It's really shallow (don't wear flippers) but there's lots of cool stuff to see--lots of baby fish, including barracuda, big orange sea stars, and conch.
The road out to Lamshur is partly paved now, you really don't need 4WD to get out there. Great Lamshur is usually empty, and Little Lamshur has good snorkeling, we've seen eagle rays and John found a giant barracuda--he says it was 6 feet, believe him if you will (I don't!).
If you get back to Vie's make sure to get the garlic chicken--it is delicious. I really liked the grouper soft tacos at Shipwreck Landing, and the crunchy fish with traditional accompianments for lunch at Miss Lucys.
I have not been yet, but have read good things about Sweet Plantains--we are going to try it this trip.
We think Lily's market is pretty overpriced--I would stock up in Cruz Bay and go there for little things.
It's like looking in your soup and finding a whole different alphabet.
On our first trip to STJ we barely made it to the East end and wouldn't even have considered staying there, 2nd trip we spent a little more time out there and liked it, by the third trip we were out in the East End more than the west so we decided for Trip 4 to stay in Coral Bay!
There are tons of low key things to do in that area.
I back up the votes for snorkeling Haulover. Its just a beautiful spot and a nice drive out there. Also, I would recommend breakfast at the Donkey Diner. YUMMY. Not huge on atmosphere but great food. I also love Shipwreck, Miss Lucy's & Island Blues.
Skinny Legs is a given for at least a couple of lunches for us. Their burgers are yummy as is the mahi mahi sandwich. Also you can get a hagen daz bar and shop around there for some cute souvenirs.
Also give Miss Vie's a shot. If you can get there when its open she has good garlic chicken and very good tarts.
There is also a new grocery out there. Libbys or Lillys or something similar to that. Not hard to find and well stocked. If I remember correctly it had an ATM
There are tons of low key things to do in that area.
I back up the votes for snorkeling Haulover. Its just a beautiful spot and a nice drive out there. Also, I would recommend breakfast at the Donkey Diner. YUMMY. Not huge on atmosphere but great food. I also love Shipwreck, Miss Lucy's & Island Blues.
Skinny Legs is a given for at least a couple of lunches for us. Their burgers are yummy as is the mahi mahi sandwich. Also you can get a hagen daz bar and shop around there for some cute souvenirs.
Also give Miss Vie's a shot. If you can get there when its open she has good garlic chicken and very good tarts.
There is also a new grocery out there. Libbys or Lillys or something similar to that. Not hard to find and well stocked. If I remember correctly it had an ATM
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david11697
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Locations ?
JT
We know have been to Salt Pond, Miss Lucy's, Skinny Legs, Haulover and Vie's. Where are the other places you mentioned relative to one of these locations?
We know have been to Salt Pond, Miss Lucy's, Skinny Legs, Haulover and Vie's. Where are the other places you mentioned relative to one of these locations?
David, Shipwreck Landing is on the right as you head out towards Saltpond, about half way between Coral Bay and Saltpond . Lameshure is past Salt Pond. Just keep following the same road. Donkey Diner is almost across the street from Skinny's, and is pretty much attached to Sputniks. If you go to the far end of the beach at Saltpond there are two trails. The one to the left goes to Drunk Bay, the one to the right goes to Ramhead. Blue Cobblestone is on the way to Ramhead.If you snorkeled all the around to the right at Blue Cobblestone, you'd end up at Saltpond.
If you snorkeled all the way around to the right side of Saltpond, you'd end up in Kiddle Bay. If you snorkeled all the around the point to the right at Kiddle, you'd end up in Grootpan Bay.Next would be Great Lameshur, then Little Lameshur, then Europa.
Drunk Bay and Europa Bay are not swimming/snorkel Bays, as the surf is always rough, though they both are photo-op places, so bring your Brownie. Hope this helps.Here's a picture of Saltpond, Kiddle and Grootpan, from right to left. This was taken from the Ramhead trail.
[img][img]http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t82/ ... G_1040.jpg[/img]
JT
If you snorkeled all the way around to the right side of Saltpond, you'd end up in Kiddle Bay. If you snorkeled all the around the point to the right at Kiddle, you'd end up in Grootpan Bay.Next would be Great Lameshur, then Little Lameshur, then Europa.
Drunk Bay and Europa Bay are not swimming/snorkel Bays, as the surf is always rough, though they both are photo-op places, so bring your Brownie. Hope this helps.Here's a picture of Saltpond, Kiddle and Grootpan, from right to left. This was taken from the Ramhead trail.
[img][img]http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t82/ ... G_1040.jpg[/img]
JT
When you find yourself in a hole.... quit digging.