USVI-On-Line

We are arriving to STT on a friday at about 5 pm the end of April. Is this a busy time of year in the USVI? Will we still be able to catch a ferry over to STJ, or is this to late? What ferry should we take, CA or Red Hook? We are staying for 4 nights at Concordia eco tents and a week in a villa. We weren't going to rent a car but wonder if this is a mistake. It will be just my husband and I and we're pretty athletic, but still, is this a mistake? Are taxis available all over the Island? How much is a taxi from Ferry dock to Concordia? Do you have to call for a taxi or can you just flag them down. Can you catch a taxi pretty much 24/7? Are the taxi drivers honest and safe? From Concordia is there any place to walk to to eat or have a drink or do you need a vehicle? Would it be worth it to just rent a car for half our trip? I have also heard different stories about passports, we don't need one correct? We are flying from Oregon and don't plan on going to BVI. Is there any sea life we should avoid? Tarpon, Barracuda, sting rays? Is it safe to be in the water when these are around? Spiders? What kind? Dangerous? My husband has bad allergies and asthma. Does STJ seem to make matters worse for any of you with asthma or allergies? What do you do with all your stuff, money, credit cards, iPhones, cameras, etc. when your out swimming or snorkeling? I'm sure I'll think of more question but I'll leave you with these for now. Thanks ahead!

Welcome to the Obsession,

In short an answer to your questions

1. Not too late
2. Rent a car for the whole trip, lock valuables in the car
3. Sea life shouldn't be a problem
4. Spiders, scorpians iguanas, mongooses or is it mongeese...donkeys, goats, cows yep
5. Squeeters and noseums and the biggest worry at times

Enjoy

We are arriving to STT on a friday at about 5 pm the end of April.
Is this a busy time of year in the USVI?
--Yes it is a reasonably busy time.
Will we still be able to catch a ferry over to STJ, or is this to late?
--No it is not too late for the Red Hook ferry which runs hourly until midnight
What ferry should we take, CA or Red Hook?
--Red Hook
We are staying for 4 nights at Concordia eco tents and a week in a villa.
We weren't going to rent a car but wonder if this is a mistake.
-- I would not stay at Concordia without a vehicle. Concordia is beyond Coral Bay located in a very remote part of the island.
It will be just my husband and I and we're pretty athletic, but still, is this a mistake?
-- I think you will regret it
Are taxis available all over the Island?
--Not readily
How much is a taxi from Ferry dock to Concordia?
--Not sure...
Do you have to call for a taxi or can you just flag them down.
--They are available in Cruz Bay and at most of the North Shore beaches, but you would probably have to call for service elsewhere
Can you catch a taxi pretty much 24/7?
--No
Are the taxi drivers honest and safe?
--Yes
From Concordia is there any place to walk to to eat or have a drink or do you need a vehicle?
--There is an on-site restaurant at Concordia, and the Tourist Trap is a 5 min walk; you would need a vehicle to go anywhere else.
Would it be worth it to just rent a car for half our trip?
--Absolutely! You may want to consider it for the entire trip depending upon where your villa is located.
I have also heard different stories about passports, we don't need one correct?
--Correct
Is there any sea life we should avoid? Tarpon, Barracuda, sting rays?
--Fire coral and sea urchins; luckily both are stationary
Is it safe to be in the water when these are around?
--Yes
Spiders? What kind? Dangerous?
--Tarantulas, very shy, not dangerous, in fact you will probably never see one
My husband has bad allergies and asthma. Does STJ seem to make matters worse for any of you with asthma or allergies?
--Not sure about this one
What do you do with all your stuff, money, credit cards, iPhones, cameras, etc. when your out swimming or snorkeling?
--It is best not to bring much and to keep what you can with you. Some people have someone watch their things, others bury them in a container, and some don't worry about it. We have never had a problem.

I second the recommendation of renting a Jeep for your entire stay. I don't believe you can get a taxi out by Concordia. There is a bus that goes near there. If you do a search on this site, for "bus" you'll find that it looks inconvenient/unreliable.
There's a great outdoor place to eat right by concordia, called The Tourist Trap. Very friendly, fun spot with great food!
I have asthma and have never needed my "rescue" inhaler on St. John. I keep it with me everywhere, though, because it's hot, sometimes humid, and we're pretty active on island.
Never had a problem with bugs or animals other than mosquitos. Bring or buy insect repellent.
Have fun planning!

Good answers...not much to add except....don't screw around, you're spending a lot to get there from the northwest and 10 days in STJ aren't cheap. Get an SUV so you can get the most out of your vacation, and better start looking quickly, there are a limited amount available. This part is a no brainer to me.....

But....be that as it may, we picked up a couple two weeks back who were hitchhiking for their entire stay on STJ, and seemed very happy. This would drive me nuts, but to each their own!

We have never traveled in the Caribbean without a vehicle with the exception of Mexico. You tend to miss too much if you do not have your own transportation. So my vote is rent a small SUV.

I have asthma and always take two inhalers with me, leaving one as a back up where I am staying, and the other never leaves me. I have never had a problem with increased symptoms but normally tend to vacation on islands with drier weather. Humidity works well for some asthmatics but the opposite for me.

I would recommend having an Otter Box or other small waterproof container that can carry an inhaler while snorkeling along with your car key, credit card, cash, etc. They make them to go around your neck or your wrist, etc. You could get an Otter Box that would carry both your camera and phone.

The only water creature I would add to the list already named is a lion fish, since I have been reading of sightings in various areas of St John.

I think your questions have been addressed perfectly, but I would add a comment about your arrival time and how you get to Concordia. Arriving on STT at 5 would not be a problem if you were staying in or near Cruz Bay. Potentially, if you do not rent a car, you may have difficulty getting to Concordia. Taxi driver may not want to drive out to Concordia by the time you reach Cruz Bay. Others can chime in on my comment to add more.

Plus some rental car offices close at 5. I normally wouldn't recommend a first timer renting a car on STT, but you may need to because of your 5 o'clock arrival. If you miss the 6 o'clock boat you arrive on STJ at about 7:30.

Yes get a car some of the rental car agencies will leave the keys in your car with a sign on it with your name you come back the next day to sign the paper work being a first timer it will be intresting to travous the island in the dark on the left and find concordiaa.

Great answers! I only have a couple of things to add... if you lock your valuables in your car, be sure they are out of sight! Although STJ seems like paradise, there are always a few bad apples wherever you go in this world. It's best not to tempt them by leaving your camera or anything else valuable in view. It doesn't happen often, but there have been thefts.

Don't worry about sea life. Yes there are tarpon, barracuda and rays, but they won't bother you if you don't bother them. They usually swim in the opposite direction when they see you coming. And don't worry if you see a nurse shark or two, they're pretty docile and won't chase you. They're usually snoozing on the bottom of the sea.

Have a wonderful time!

Ditto the answers above and I too would stress renting a vehicle. Part of the STJ experience is exploring the island, throwing your stuff for the day into your jeep and choosing the next beach to visit on the fly.

I do want to add that you will be required to go through customs when you leave. You will be required to show a certified copy of a birth certificate and government issued photo identification like a driver's license if you do not have a passport.

I suffer from bad allergies and athsma too. I've never had problems on St. John and I'm convinced the constant salt water I accidentally snort while swimming helps.

-Sandy (yes, rent a vehicle)

In hind site and getting to the Rock after 5pm our first trip and it got dark quick(even the Villa Greeter got lost going up Ridge Rock Road), you might consider a first night Stay at Emerald Beach by the airport and then take the CA Ferry to STJ in the morning and you'll be rested...less stress...and you can see Cruz bay for the 1st time in the daylight.

And most importantly, you won't be driving in the dark for your first time on an Island on the left.

Bigcheeze had a good idea or better yet make a reservation at the Crystal Palace.

http://www.crystalpalaceusvi.com/

A nice bed & breakfast in Charlotte Amalie. Ronnie, the proprietor (and a hoot to boot) will pick you up at the airport and in the morning you can walk down the hill to the ferry. No cab fares and a reasonable price for an overnight.

On the allergy/asthma subject:
I have mild asthma and allergies too, both of which seem to disappear on island! At home my nose runs constantly, but down there I don't even have to carry tissues. And never once needed to take my inhalor either. Loves it
Hope you have a wonderful trip!