USVI-On-Line

This is our second trip to St. john, and we just love it. we are still discovering new things, and I had a few questions. Obviously, the dengue fever issue is a concern. I bought a "natural" repellant and a Skin-so-soft based repellant. Aside from Earl, it does not appear that there has been excessive rainfall lately. I was wondering how bad the mosquito situation is right now? Late last October, it was essentially a non-issue.
We are taking a trip to Jost van Dyke on a sailboat. Is seasickness a concern?
We would like to do the Ram Head Hike an snorkel from the Blue Cobblestone Beach back to Salt Pond. I can't figure out the logistics. Is it too far to snokel back? If we get out at Salt Pond, how do we walk back to the Blue Cobblestone Beach? Do we leave shoes at Salt Pond? Those black spiny sea urchins really freak me out. Do we have to worry about them when we get into the water at the cobblestone beach?
We would like to snorkel around Waterlemon Cay, but we've heard stories that there can be a pretty strong current. Would snorkel vests be a good idea?
Sorry for so many questions, but I know I'll get good answers here. I hope you believe that there is no such thing as a stupid question.

Snorkeling around Waterlemon Cay is the best! Yes, there is a strong current, but it simple carries you around the island as long as you drift with it and not against it. We absolutely did not need a snorkel vest. You'll find that your body is very bouyant in the salt water there. Didn't ever even come close to needing a snorkel vest. The most difficult part of any snorkel you'll do there is the swim from either your mooring ball or Leinster Bay to Waterlemon Cay. It is a bit of a haul. The current is a refreshing help after a long swim. Kind of reminds me of a light "lazy river" that you experience at a water park.

Actually, last week the mosquitos weren't too bad but the no-see-ums were horrible! I had the sportsman 40% DEET and it kept the mosquitos away, but the no see ums could have cared less. We are bitten up pretty bad and it looks like my daughter has the measles on her face. Not sure why there so bad.

There is a strong current at Waterlemon, and flippers would have made it easier, but we never though of needing a vest. As far as seasickness, it depends on what the swells are. The waves were definitely up while we were there last week, but we have also seen the ocean as flat as glass.

hope that helps!

EQ, I've done the Ram Head quite a few times. That said, I can't imagine doing that walk with my shoes back at Salt Pond, and I'm a barefoot country boy. It's doable with Tevas,Keens, or even flip flops. I've also snorkeled the right side of Blue Cobblestone, but never gone all the way around the point back to Salt Pond. It's a pretty long swim.I,'ve also done the Cay a few times and though it's usually okay, but I did have a pretty rough go of it once going counter clockwise around the island. I don't claim to be the strongest swimmer, but can hold my own, but about a third of the way around we hit some pretty challenging currents. Once we got through that, it was a breeze, except for me getting a horrible charlie horse in my calf. That's the only time I ever had any issues at Waterlemon. I really have always felt that Waterlemon Cay is the crown jewel on STJ snorkeling.

You are all so very helpful!

We did a sail to Jost a few years back and seasickness was my main concern, so rather than worry about it, I went prepared. I used Dramamine and a wrist band (pressure point). And as always, all my worries were for naught!!

In all honesty EQ, I wouldn't rely on a natural mosquito repellent or SoS. Just too much at risk these days.

Normally, I'm right there with you using SoS but for now, a good % of DEET is the right Rx.

How about those black spiny sea urchins? Are they an issue getting into the water at the blue cobblestone beach?

I don't recall seeing sea urchins around this entry spot (the right side of Blue Cobblestone). We wear booties, so we might have been oblivious to their presence if they had been very small. You see them among rocks and corals once you start snorkeling. The water deepens rather quickly here.