USVI-On-Line

Unless a long lost rich relative dies and leaves me a massive inheritance I'm going to have to forgo a trip to STJ this year....we're spending a bundle to try one of those river boat tours in Europe. I'm getting my STJ "fix" by researching for next year's trip which will hopefully be a blow out family trip with our adult children and their significant others while we're still working. I've been looking at various villas, some with water access. One mentioned a place to tie up a dinghy so that got me wondering whether it's possible to rent a dinghy more economically than the 1/2 or full day rentals. And what would be the pros and cons? Is this even a practical situation if you aren't situated along the North shore? (The villa in question was on the South shore.) I know that the shoreline can be rougher in many places along the South shore but is it also too rough to navigate there? Are rental dinghys even allowed along the South shoreline? I seem to recall that other forumites have mentioned that you're limited to the North shore with only certain beaches allowing landing. I've never seen anyone mention doing anything like this so thought I'd ask whether this would even be possible. I'd love to see some of the beaches that can only be accessed by hiking in but don't want to take unnecessary risks to do it. Has anyone ever researched this? I'm curious after reading that villa description and wondering if it's
not really a practical perk to take into consideration. Maybe you folks who live on the island can comment. Thanks everyone!!

I guess my main question would be, why?
Are you intending to use the Dinghy instead of a jeep?
My second question is, have you rented one on STJ before? In my opinion, they are a pain in the butt. Not easy to get into when you are on the water and if you have to extert some effort when you pull it on shore.

All that aside, I do not believe that any company allows them on the South Shore and none offer an overnight (that they advertise)

Nope, not in place of a car - just thought it would be interesting to plan shorter excursions to different locations each day as weather permits and not have to cram it all into one day. And it's alway fascinating to me to see things from a different perspective. Like I said, the villa description just got me thinking since no one has ever mentioned doing anything like that. I'm curious as to why that was listed as an amenity if no one is able to take advantage of it.

In Fish bay the dinghys are used to get out to the moored sailboats kept there. I have seen dinghys go by the entrance to the bay and continue along the south shore but usually quite close into shore. I would guess they are heading to Reef Bay. It can get quite choppy around there however.

Dinghies are not prohibited along the South shore - anchoring is prohibited from the rock just outside Fish Bay all the way to Rams Head - there are some moorings in Reef,both Lameshurs, and Salt Pond.
If the dock is suitable for overnite use, probably by using a stern anchor ---- you could then easily access Great Cruz, Chocolate Hole, all of Rendezvous [including Ditleff beach] , Fish Bay and anchor in sand and the others to the East using a mooring or beaching it - which is rarely a great plan.
You may be able to rent a dinghy long term privately - maybe ask in an ad in Tradewinds or put a sign at Connections and Coral Bay, maybe even in Red Hook - consider contacting the bareboat charter companies, their dinghies are often unused and are gone for a week or more when they are used anyway - depending on the sea conditions, your skill level, the design of the vessel and fuel and time constraints there would likely be few days you couldn't go somewhere interesting.
Any of the rental companies are probably not going to rent long term,
The dock at the villa is likely for a sailboat dinghy or access - consider long term kayak rental too which is common and will give you plenty of time on the water.

I guess I need to clarify, RENTAL dinghies are not allowed on the South Shore, or at least the last time I checked.

Thanks Exit Zero! That answers alot of my questions.