USVI-On-Line

We arrive on St.John on July 4th. We are wondering what the best time would be to arrive via ferry. Can anyone offer more details in regards to the parade and what roads will be closed and for what time span. We are picking up our rental vehicles and staying in Coral Bay. Thank you!

July 4th is a pretty zany day on island. The parade starts around 11-ish. It starts behind the National Park Visitor's Center and goes up toward the roundabout. Last year, it lasted about six hours - no joke. The fireworks happen around 9-ish.

Where are you renting from?

We are renting from Mr. Piper's Jeep rental. Staying in Coral Bay.Trying to decide if we should head over real early or late afternoon. With a family of seven , luggage etc. we don't want to have to drag all of that around a huge crowd.
Thanks for your input.

I'd ask your vehicle rental company what they advise. They've seen this before and can recommend accordingly.

Cheers, RickG

We were there last year. I forget how long the roads are closed but it is a long time and they are closed to normal traffic well before the parade starts. Rick's suggestion to ask your rental car company is a good idea. It is a crazy day on St. John - in a good way but super crowded. They were running 4 passenger ferries last year.

We are thinking about renting our vehicles on St. John instead and taking the car barge over as early as possible. Looks like the earliest on a holiday is 8:00am. We have never taken the car barge. Where is the car barge ferry dock in St. John located and will we be able to drive out from there on July 4th?

Mr. Piper's Jeeps is located past the roundabout. That means you will have to about a five minute walk from the ferry dock through the crowds up to their place. It's definitely doable and being that the parade is on a Saturday, changeover day, a ton of people will be doing the same thing. Justin, who owns Mr. Piper's, is great to work with. Just ask what he suggests.