Another trip report from a St. John lover pt 2
Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2007 7:40 pm
We have been to St. John many times before and each time have found new beaches and snorkeling spots to explore. This time was no different. In fact, we had very little time to go back to our favorites: Honeymoon, Waterlemon, Salt Pond, etc. Here is a recap of some of our new favorite spots!
Brown Bay- Nice hike followed by good snorkeling. No one around for miles. The beach is not much for lazing around on but that wasn't what we were there for. If you have never gone- and like to hike- try this one out!
Denis Bay- We were actually going to go to Gibney but no parking so we decided to park at Peace Hill and trek down To Denis. Once again- all to ourselves. The snorkeling around the cay was wonderful!
Lameshur- the first day we headed past Salt Pond and to the end of pavement. But, we have the Wrangler so nothing was stopping us! Of course, after a short rutted road, we were back on pavement and at a nice spot to park and get out to snorkel. I had forgotten the Beach Bible (St. John Off the Beaten Track)so we just decided to dive in and see what we could see. We swam for quite a way and marveled at how we never get tired of snorkeling. The beach here is rocky so we just snorkeled and went on our way. When we got back home and consulted the Beach Bible my hubby announced that we had done it wrong and would have to go back. So a couple of days later we headed back past Salt Pond and to the same spot. This time, however, my hubby insisted that we walk over the beach scramble to the beach area that we had swam to before ( I believe it is called Donkey Cove but I could be wrong). The scramble was a bit invigorating as I am not the best rock climber. Once there we swam around the end- saw two juvenile black tip reef sharks and decided to head back! Yes, I am a bit of a chicken. On the way back I announced that I would rather swim that scramble so I lazily backstroked back while I watched hubby handle the rocky shore. Next time- definitely swim the entire way!
Maho- oh, I know, Not very new but we almost always bypass this beach because there is either no parking, too crowded or because it is just so close to the road. But we were now pooped from all of our hikes and just wanted a beach that was close (remember- we are staying in Coral Bay) where we could read, swim and watch the sunset. We went around 3:30- my new favorite time to hit beaches! It was lovely.
Speaking of time- in the past we would get up, pack a lunch and head to 2-3 beaches then drag our selves home around 4 p.m This time we would hike to an out of the way beach early then head back for lunch- take a nap or read then head back out at 3:00 to one of the usual haunts ( Cinnamon, Francis, Trunk, etc.). It was amazing how nice so many beaches were from 3-6p.m! We loved watching the sun go down, the fish jump from the water and the quieter beaches. It also helped to keep us from getting those awful sunburns!
Next time- trip on Wayward Sailor and the woes of airline travel this summer.
Brown Bay- Nice hike followed by good snorkeling. No one around for miles. The beach is not much for lazing around on but that wasn't what we were there for. If you have never gone- and like to hike- try this one out!
Denis Bay- We were actually going to go to Gibney but no parking so we decided to park at Peace Hill and trek down To Denis. Once again- all to ourselves. The snorkeling around the cay was wonderful!
Lameshur- the first day we headed past Salt Pond and to the end of pavement. But, we have the Wrangler so nothing was stopping us! Of course, after a short rutted road, we were back on pavement and at a nice spot to park and get out to snorkel. I had forgotten the Beach Bible (St. John Off the Beaten Track)so we just decided to dive in and see what we could see. We swam for quite a way and marveled at how we never get tired of snorkeling. The beach here is rocky so we just snorkeled and went on our way. When we got back home and consulted the Beach Bible my hubby announced that we had done it wrong and would have to go back. So a couple of days later we headed back past Salt Pond and to the same spot. This time, however, my hubby insisted that we walk over the beach scramble to the beach area that we had swam to before ( I believe it is called Donkey Cove but I could be wrong). The scramble was a bit invigorating as I am not the best rock climber. Once there we swam around the end- saw two juvenile black tip reef sharks and decided to head back! Yes, I am a bit of a chicken. On the way back I announced that I would rather swim that scramble so I lazily backstroked back while I watched hubby handle the rocky shore. Next time- definitely swim the entire way!
Maho- oh, I know, Not very new but we almost always bypass this beach because there is either no parking, too crowded or because it is just so close to the road. But we were now pooped from all of our hikes and just wanted a beach that was close (remember- we are staying in Coral Bay) where we could read, swim and watch the sunset. We went around 3:30- my new favorite time to hit beaches! It was lovely.
Speaking of time- in the past we would get up, pack a lunch and head to 2-3 beaches then drag our selves home around 4 p.m This time we would hike to an out of the way beach early then head back for lunch- take a nap or read then head back out at 3:00 to one of the usual haunts ( Cinnamon, Francis, Trunk, etc.). It was amazing how nice so many beaches were from 3-6p.m! We loved watching the sun go down, the fish jump from the water and the quieter beaches. It also helped to keep us from getting those awful sunburns!
Next time- trip on Wayward Sailor and the woes of airline travel this summer.
