st john strange question

[dreamin]

Hello. I know this will be a wierd question. The beautiful friendly Iguans creature. How many Igusnas will the avarage person see in a week trip to St. John? I now it will vary. Do they go on the beaches or ocean? My friends who stayed at the Westin did not like the Iguanas coming up to them while eating and laying at the pool. Also have read trip reports of iguanas swimming in the various villas pool. they may be at Gallows point which I am considering. I will not consider the Westin. Looking for 1 to 2 bedroom. Do not want iguanas around when I am laying at beach or pool. Any info on iguanas Thanks

[bevm]

They're not aggressive and won't attack you. We've only seen them a few times. Don't fear the iguanas. They're cool.

[GidgetPicklebrain]

We spent 8 days there and never saw one. I was very disappointed.

[PA Girl]

We have seen them on the beach at Francis and at the playrground in town. My then 2.5 yo son was terrified by them and only became comfortable looking at them this June.

I have stayed on the North Shore, Gifft Hill and Maria Bluff neighborhoods and never saw one at the villa.

[mkb]

Two trips to STJ, I have not seen one yet. Maybe I'm just not paying attention. My eyes tend to be zoomed in on the soothing, blue color of the water.

[alw1977]

They are around at the Westin b/c people feed them. I have stayed at Gallows and never noticed them. When I do see them at villas, they are usually in the trees, sunning themselves and eating. You actually have to look pretty hard to spot them b/c the camoflauge themselves well. I know how to spot them, but most people wouldn't see them. I personally like them, but not everyone does. I've never seen one on a beach in four trips.

[jwwj]

It seems like we see fewer every year. A few years ago we stayed in the Rendezvous Bay area and there were several at the villa, 1 that loved to swim in the pool. A couple years ago in Chocolate Hole area there were 2 around the villa but we never saw them in the pool.
Also saw several in town and along the road.
This year we were there for 10 days and didn't see one.

[liamsaunt]

When we were at Gallows last month we saw tons of iguanas. There was one in the palm tree outside our unit every day, just sitting up there. Many more were feeding in the grass.

I have had iguanas in the pools of every house I have rented on Maria Bluff (3). The only place I haven't seen them is up in Catherineberg.

Honestly, they are not interested in people (except for the ones at the Westin that people feed). Just ignore them and they will ignore you back.

[Puddlejumper]

In the two years I lived on island, I didn't see that many. There is usually a concentration (a few) at the Westin or other touristy places, because tourists like to feed the cute iguanas. Never saw one at the beach, that I remember. Saw plenty of chickens though!

[Teresa_Rae]

There are tons of them at the Westin because they feed them there. No where else on the island will you see them even close to as concentrated as they are at the Westin.

In 8 trips so roughly 80 days spent on STJ beaches I've probably seen them maybe 6 times (this is not counting the Westin because we don't go to the beach there).

I've also never seen one at a villa we rented.

[Marcia (Mrs. Pete)]

The only villa where they (it) came up to the pool was in Maria Bluff. Otherwise, they generally stay in the trees or lawns of villas. The one that came up to our pool area must have been used to getting fed there (don't feed them). Once we figured out his access to entry we blocked it off with a pool float. Problem solved.

The first day though, I must admit, he scared the dickens out of me. He was under my lounge chair, while I was peacefully napping. I heard a little rustling and there he was...he scooted off to the edge of the pool and proceeded to "relieve" himself. My husband quickly removed the fecal matter and began the process of blocking his access. After a few days of NOT being fed by the pool and the ingenious blocking of his access, we were safe from his intrusion.

I would not avoid renting the villa again, because of of the iguana. They really are harmless and interesting creatures.

[cjroyer]

Our first trip we stayed at Andante By the Sea and although we never saw one, every day we would come home from the beach and we would always find "a deposit" on the downstairs patio Our second trip we stayed at Ristaba and there was one on the side of the pool the day we got there but we never saw him again. Also saw one swimming on Francis that year. Last year, we didn't see any.

[Jumbiegirl]

I've had one hiss at me at a beach once.

[jmq]

Chicken vs. iguana was part of the evening entertainment at Gallows...

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[JJShaw]

Last August we stayed at Serendip and saw afew in the trees while we out at the pool..Id say at least 4 or 5 at once...but never up close. We also saw one that was missing his tail on the trail from Caneel to Honeymoon as well as one in Cruz Bay in the trees..almost straight in front of Connections..on that little one way street. That was by far the most we have ever seen on any given trip. In Fact our first trip we didnt see any..only heard them in the trees...But I dont think its a silly question at all...I dont wanna get too close to them either...they can jump..I know.. ...crazy...but just my fear of them