USVI-On-Line

First off, our family of five are coming to STJ for the first time in early June. We've rented a villa (Le Lapin) and 4wd vehicle and have found this board to be an awesome resource.

We're used to vacationing in Mexico (both coasts). The typical beach set up usually has chairs and umbrellas for rent yet I don't seem to see any umbrellas in posted pics. Can/do people rent these at the more popular beaches (Trunk or Cinnamon)?

I've seen some posts where villas furnish beach chairs. What do you all do for shade on the beach?

Also, is there an accepted practice for staking out your section of beach. It seems like a lot of the STJ beaches are not very populated and I presume people on a deserted beach would expect new arrivals (such as our gang) to just give people some space not to mention peace and quiet. Just asking.

I've read the carry on versus checked luggage and need some experienced counsel. We have 45 minute windows in both Dallas and Miami and I'm scared of checking luggage. Kids are 17,14 & 11 so they can fend for themselves. Really leaning toward carrying on but ready to hear other views. We have 3 sets of snorkel gear but wonder if we should just bring masks & snorkels and rent fins. Again, please weigh in.

Finally, I've also read some discussion about preferred modes of transport from airport to ferry and vice versa. Thoughts and advice?

I am desperately trying not to over plan this trip and let it flow but not having much luck.


All input welcomed!

JP

WOW!

1st....most villas DO have beach chairs, and most STJ beaches are of the do-it-yourself variety. As I think back almost ALL beaches have places you can stake out that have tree/shrub shade, I've never found it a problem, so I'm not the best to speak on renting umbrellas.

2nd Early June I think you might be lucky if you see other people on the beach Just give whomever you see some space, but don't miss the opportunity to meet people...they might make nice islandmates for the week!

3rd I am a die-hard believer in checked luggage, and, god bless, have never lost a piece. I might even think, that since you have only 45 min in miami (if your miami flight is not delayed) that going all carry-on might hold you up if you have to leave the terminal and go thru TSA again. Everyone has an opinion about this, so it's up to you to make a judgement I think. Also, if Trunk and Cinnamon are the only beaches your thinking, then you might even want to skip the flippers, depending on your swimming levels.

4th This is a good question. We went private taxi last year. He ended up having to wait 7 hrs for us due to a delay in Miami, and was there when we got there, BUT there was also a couple on the same plane that went public taxi and got to Red Hook right before us, so..tossup. If the CA ferry is working then, you might want to try it.


RELAX!!!! IT'S VACATION!!!!!!

Welcome JP!!!

There should be no need for staking out a place. I have seen pics of crowded beaches in Mexico and Europe and the beaches on STJ are NOTHING like that...especially in the off-season.

I think that Caneel and the Westin have chairs and maybe umbrellas but other than that, you are on your own for shade. Most of the beaches have trees that you can rest under...just make sure they are not machineel tress and around dusk the no seeums seem to hang out in them.

We just take a taxi from the airport to the ferry. The taxis are vans that you share with other travellers. We have never had a problem doing this.

We always check one bag - just can't do carry-on only. I always carry on my mask because on year a member of our group had their mask packed well with stuff wrapped all around it, and it was shattered when he got to STJ.

Have a great trip, you are GONNA love it!

nothintolose

The way people stake out the beach pretty much goes like this: walk down the beach until you find a place that you like and isn't too close to other people. There's not much to it...we go in the summer and the beaches are uncrowded enough then that we never worry about "beach space"...however, if you do arrive at a beach and find that it is too crowded for your liking, just head to another beach...there are so many great ones to choose from

We don't do the umbrella thing, and most people use the trees along the beach for shade...though some people do bring umbrellas...I'm not sure if they're available for rent or not, as I've never paid attention.

As for the luggage thing, I personally could never not check luggage since the liquid restrictions went into place...bug spray, sun block, shampoo, etc...there's no way I could do it. The bugs are so attracted to me that just my husband and I go through around 4 cans of bug spray each trip!

I always pack a bathing suit, flip flops, cover up dress and hat in my carry on bag. Also my husbands bathing suit, tee shirt/board shirt and flip flops are in my bag.
My husband always carries on our large snorkel back pack, it is large enough to fit 4 sets of snorkel gear, my travel backgammon board, 3 pairs of water shoes, and a couple of books. He has never been denied carrying it on. Nothing will ruin a trip faster then not having these essentials. You can always stop at the market for toiletries that are lost.

Our villa in January had an umbrella for the beach, send your rental agent an email and ask if Le Lapin has one. The house should have plenty of beach towels, chairs and coolers! You can usually find a palm tree to camp under for shade too. The hardware store at the Marketplace, under Starfish market has beach umbrella's for sale for anound 15 dollars. They were out of stock a few weeks ago it was reported on a trip report that I read, you could always call them and see if they would hold you one if it is important.

It is not that busy on the beaches and most people are respectful and set up there spot a good distance from others. There are always the few exceptions, we ran into them at Trunk Bay, about 10 people from a cruise ship parked right in fromt of us, needless to say we got up and left

If the timing is right with your flight arrival, I prefer the Charlotte Amalie ferry
http://www.vinow.com/general_usvi/inter ... Cruz%20Bay
This is the ferry schedule

I have to go make hubbys dinner, good luck, I am sure you will get many more responses.

One of the things I like best about STJ beaches is that you can always find shade, and don't have to worry about carting an umbrella along.

We have been to the beaches in STJ many times and most of the shade has been taken. Esp with the number of people in your group, you may not find that much shade. Every trip to stj, we have gone to the drug store at The Marketplace and purchesed a $12 beach umbrella, then left it at the villa for the next guests. We stay all day on the beach and could not have done so without our beach umbrella!! Some beaches do have more shade than others tho. On our trip this past April, there was not a beach umbrella to be found in Cruz Bay!!! The drug store was out of them and we searcherd and searched. FINALLY found one at Big Planet, but took it home with us this year because it cost alot!
Maybe I should run away to STJ, and open a beach umbrella stand!

The last thing I would check in is my snorkel gear. If the Evil Empire Airline lost my bag, I can function without a bunch, but not the flippers, masks,etc. Before the TSA regulations went into effect we always did carry on, even for as long as 3 weeks.
Every villa we've rented had chairs, coolers sometimes floats, etc. Last year there was a small umbrella, but we never used it, never felt a need, as most beaches do have shady areas. Have fun.
I don't get the private taxi thing. We walk out of the airport, there's like 20 taxi vans, tell 'em we want the "downtown ferry" and 10-12 minutes later we're at the CA ferry dock.
Have fun, keep left!

No worries my friend. All will be well.

First off I can't go anywhere without checking luggage, especially with the liquids and gels ban since that pretty much keeps me from carrying cosmetics and sunscreen on board. BUmmer.

However, I do max my use of the 1 Qt bag option and I carry enough on with me so I can survive for a couple of days without my luggage. Let's face it, even if they do lose it and your staying for a week--you'll most likely get your bags within 48 hours.

This means a bathing suit, basic snorkel gear (pack the fins in the checked bags), undies, a t-shirt or two, sunglasses and a pair of flip flops. Plus a small 3 oz size sunscreen and bug spray that go in the quart bag, plus mascara and lip gloss. If this is all I have with me I can survive. Granted not as happy as I would be if I had all my stuff, but I can manage.

As for the umbrella and sandy real estate: Finding a spot on the beach isn't usually a problem. Not like it is other places. However my personal rule is if there are too many cars in the parking lot, I keep going until I get to a beach that doesn't have that problem.

We never bring an umbrella -- never thought of it. I guess if I had a baby I would bring one of those little tents but I've never seen the need for the umbrella because of our daily routine, which is:

Up at the crack of dawn-- the sun coems up so bright and early I can never sleep in. We roll out of bed (no shower) and head to the beach. Therefore we get there early enough to snag a choice spot. So we're there at like 9am. We hang out and swim, nap, sun until about noon or 1 o'clock when the sun is really strong and then we leave the beach to get lunch somewhere like Skinny Legs. We chill out there for a while and by the time we head back to the beach people have usually roasted themselves and are headed home. SO we get another good spot from 2-4. Again, "good spot" is relative since there isn't the kind of crowding you see elsewhere.

As for the private taxi. The only time I'd even think about recommending this is if you have a huge group of people and really want someone waiting for you. Like the others, we have never had any problems snagging a taxi-- just go to the captain, tell him how many people and bags you have and whether you want to go out of CA or RH and they'll get you where you need to be.

Whatever you do, no matter how chaotic the taxi situation is and the ferry situation is, do not get bent out of shape. They have their own system and will get you and your stuff where you need to be. I have seen too many tourists and first timers lose their minds because they are afraid their stuff will be left or stolen or whatever. Just be polite and clear about what you want and leave the rest to them.

Planning and knowing what to expect takes away half the anxiety as far as I am concerned!

We usually spend the entire day at the beach so must have shade. We have bought inexpensive umbrellas at BJ's and shipped them down ahead of time and then just leave them there. Last year we found that you could buy beach umbrellas at Cruz Bay Watersports. They're not very durable and after a week or two they're ready to be tossed.

Just wanted to reference something that the poster said. If you are arriving on either of the Miami flights, the downtown CA ferry will probably not be available for you to use. The Miami flights usually arrive at about 5PM and 9PM. I could be wrong but I think the last downtown to Cruz Bay St John leaves at about 530 PM, and there is certainly not a downtown to Cruz Bay from the 9PM flight.
If you arrive at about 5, by the time you get your luggage, hopefully the traffic will have cleared a little and you could make the 7PM Red Hook easily. If you arrive at 9PM it is doubtful that you will make the 10PM Red Hook and you will probably be on the 11PM ferry.
In light of this and since you will be traveling most of the day, it might be advisable to get a private Taxi if you have kids or older folks along. Also you will want to make certain that you can contact the place where you are staying so that they will be waiting at the ST John ferry dock for you, and that they will have your cars or other transportation waiting as the car rental agencies on St John close at about 6PM. One of the nice things about a private cab is that they will usually be able to use their phone to contact your St John rep right from the Red Hook ferry dock, especially if you have a tight connection there. You should inquire about what private St Thomas Taxi service your St John contact usually works with and they can no doubt arrange this service for you. Since you are traveling in a group, you dont want part of them to "miss the boat"
Have a great vacation.

JP I would love to hear about LeLapin upon your return it is on our short list of villas.

jp ---sw mississippi! We are moving to Lake Village, AR this summer (feel free to let me know if I'm crazy). You may be a little north of us, but I'd like to know. We're heading to STT tomorrow. We've rented L'Esprit de la Vie Villa and it looks awesome. I'm taking sheets per Jorge (from the forum) and some "off", swimsuits and ,money.

We are all so excited! Which SEC Team are you a fan of?

JP -

When traveling with connecting flights, I think it's important to always take a carry on with a bathing suit, essential toiletries/medicine, and a change of clothes - for EVERYONE. The last thing you want to do is a spend a full day of vacation shopping for a new bathing suit and an outfit for Timmy.

When it comes to packing, don't let anyone put all items in one suitcase. "Cross-pack" so that if one suitcase is lost, it doesn't have only one person's stuff in it. That way, no one gets stuck without clothes.

alw1977 - the "cross packing" idea is awesome! Thanks for the tip! Gonna try to convince the SO to do that from now on!

nothintolose