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St. John - north/south driving times

Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2011 7:45 pm
by roadnottaken
My wife and I are heading to STJ next week and we're staying at the southern-end of the island (at Sea Spirit, near Saltpond bay). I know it's a bit of a drive to get to the beaches on the north-side of the island, but I was hoping somebody could give me a more-precise estimate: how long would it take to drive from Saltpond bay to, say:

* Waterlemon bay?
* Trunk bay?

Google Maps estimates that these will take ~20-30 minutes... is that about right?

Thanks very much.

Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2011 7:47 pm
by jmhouse
sounds about right to me. probably closer to the 30 minute side of things. but I have a feeling you won't mind an extra few minutes here and there while driving around.

Posted: Fri Feb 18, 2011 8:50 am
by 17th Hole
I never wear a watch and and time all becomes relative to the sun...but that's probably a good estimate. :)

Posted: Fri Feb 18, 2011 8:56 am
by Grootpan
Lucky you staying at Sea Spirit 8) It is my favorite spot on St John. Make sure you put flowers on Mr Spam's grave - he was the resident cat out there for years. Last May there were still pictures of him in the house. Be sure to snorkel in front of the house - it is amazing. You can go from either Kiddle or Grootpan.

Sea Spirit is way out there. It will take you a good 30-35 minutes to get to the Waterlemon parking area. You can get to Trunk either through town or from the North Shore road turn off at the smoothie stand on Centerline. Unless you drive like a local it's going to be closer to 45 minutes to get to Trunk.

Enjoy Sea Spirit!

Posted: Fri Feb 18, 2011 8:58 am
by lazylane
That's about right for actual driving time, but the speed limit's only 20MPH and there will be lots of diversions/stops along the way!!! You'll be on island time and won't care about the actual "time"!!!! ENJOY!

Posted: Fri Feb 18, 2011 9:08 am
by toes in the sand
Driving time varies greatly during rush hour! :wink:
From Salt Pond parking (I don't know where Sea Spirit is exactly) to Annaberg parking for Waterlemon I would estimate about 25 minutes without stopping at Columbos Smoothie stand. You have to consider that if you have to travel on gravel roads to get to and from your villa that those roads will consume a greater portion of your travel time than the paved roads. Looks like Grootpan has a good handle on the location and travel times.

Posted: Fri Feb 18, 2011 9:13 am
by lprof
Grootpan wrote: Make sure you put flowers on Mr Spam's grave - he was the resident cat out there for years. Last May there were still pictures of him in the house.
Memories this brought back! We stayed at Sea Spirit our first St John adventure... leaving Mr. "Spam" brought my first St John tears of woe. He was gone a couple of months later. One of my favorite pics of him... waiting on the deck in the early morning!
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/floridalin ... 548103051/" title="Sea Spirit Villa cat "Spam" October 2006 by lprof, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3537/354 ... z.jpg?zz=1" width="505" height="640" alt="Sea Spirit Villa cat "Spam" October 2006"></a>

Best wishes for a wonderful visit to St John and Sea Spirit.

Posted: Fri Feb 18, 2011 10:32 am
by BRY1105
When driving clear accross the island (north/south, Cruz/Coral) I give it 30 mins. Actual drive time plus a few to be safe.

Posted: Fri Feb 18, 2011 10:41 am
by Diana2
Sea Spirit is a ways past Salt Pond. You can probably make it to Frances in 30-35 minutes from Sea Spirit but I'd figure more like 45 minutes to Trunk.

Posted: Fri Feb 18, 2011 11:03 am
by grandpainin
It is a fun drive to the beach. Remember to drive on the Left.

Posted: Fri Feb 18, 2011 6:28 pm
by roadnottaken
Thanks for the info, everyone. Are the roads OK right now? Any routes to avoid on the way to the SaltPond bay area? I heard there was some damage from the rains this winter that might affect the drive...