USVI-On-Line

Hi everyone. I have been a lurker on this board for some time now. I love this board. Very helpful. My husband and I are going to St. John in 1 day and 21 hours....Can you tell I've really been counting ? We are staying at Caneel Bay but I would like to surprise hubby and rent a jeep/car for our anniversary to check out the other side of the island. What should we not miss...restaurants, beaches etc on the other side? Also, if we rented a car instead of a jeep, would it still be possible to navigate the roads? Thanks for your help...

Why not just rent a jeep instead of a car? (Most rentals are automatically jeeps anyway..)

One of the most wonderful things to do on STJ is to simply drive and enjoy the views, so might I suggest going all the way out to the East End, to enjoy view after exhilarating view... While out there you might stop into Vie's for a conch fritter or a bottle of water.

I would want to sample everything if I only had one day, so after turning around and coming back into Coral Bay,
I would check out Skinny Legs, then take a left to go out toward Salt Pond. At John's Folly, you can stop in and see Mr. Sweet and buy a bottle of water or something.

Check out Miss Lucy's-- lunch or a drink.

Shipwreck Landing for a drink that really takes in the view.

If you stay through the evening, Sweet Plantains for a delicious West Indian-flavored meal in a space that is sumptuous and romantic with breezes blowing in off the water.

Happy Anniversary---you will have a wonderful time.

If it was me I'd rent the jeep for more then one day there are so many things to see that you can't see them all in one day. I guess I like the freedom to go where I want when I want Caneels beaches are great but there are so many more that i like better i couldn't think about missing out on some others. So I say rent the jeep for the week.
Tom

I agree with Waterguy - you should go ahead and rent the jeep for the entire week. I promise you will be glad you did. You can visit a different beach (or two) each day.

Happy Anniversary!!

I vote for renting the car at least two of the days so that you can explore the island. Please get a copy of Feet, Fins and 4Wheel Drive (available here at top of page). It will take you on a guided tour via your jeep. Do get a 4wd vehicle, trust us. Happy Anniversary and have a wonderful time on STJ.

I second the recommendation for lunch as Island Blues. Yummy!

For beaches, I'd say visit Salt Pond Bay. It's really different from the sandy beaches you will be seeing at Caneel--Salt Pond's a little scrubby, a little rocky, but has great snorkeling. We always see turtles here, and I've found eagle rays a couple of times too. Plus, if you are into hiking, you could hike out beyond Salt Pond to Ram Head for amazing views. On the way, stop at Drunk Bay and check out the "coral people." Don't swim at Drunk Bay though--the ocean is too strong and it is dangerous.

If you want to do something really different, you could snorkel the mangroves at Princess Bay. It is very interesting to see all of the baby fish hiding in the mangrove roots. There are big starfish there too.

How long will you be at Caneel? You'll want plenty of time to enjoy their beaches too!

Happy anniversary!

Make sure you find the sea grass beds at Caneel... we swam with a couple of huge turtles and it's pretty deep so they would swim to the surface and then dive deeply and it was beautiful to watch! At the same time there were 7-8 varying size rays swimming around the bottom together. It was the highlight of our snorkeling and it was right off caneel in what they called the sea grass beds. Everyone is right, though, do not stay at Caneel the entire time or you will miss the St John vibe that only comes from driving through the island and stopping at the incredibly different beaches!

OH, and there is something really funky about eating at Shipwreck Landing looking out over the water while a rooster runs around under your feet. While I was there, one jumped up and in one quick move stole the top bun off of someone's sandwich and ran out with it! It was hysterical and everyone just went right on eating and relaxing and, of course, laughing...

Shipwrecks Landing is my favorite!!! Try the Fish & Chips with the Tartar Sauce (not really tartar but a dill sauce). You will be in Heaven

XOXO
Bug

One of our favorites too Bug...love those fish and chips. Unfortunately they will be closed for our September trip. ...mia

Gee... You waited til the last minute to be a NON LURKER! You should rent a 4w/d in Cruz Bay for your entire trip however long that is. You REALLY need wheels if you want to enjoy everything the island has to offer. I don't think you can even rent a "car" in St John as 4w/d is a MUST! You should reserve a vehicle in advance which means.... NOW!
I use Cool Breeze. They are right by the dock. Call 340/776-6588, you will probably talk to Alfonse. He can be a little short but they are busy! You will not get a "pristine" vehicle BUT in St John you do not want one. Get a BEATER that is a reliable mountian goat and the rental company does not care as long as you return the jeep in one piece. A 2dr Suzuki 4w/d is $330 a week and insurance is included.
You are going to have a BLAST!!!!!

Wow..thanks to all for the advice. I think that we will rent a jeep for 2 days. We will be at Caneel for a week so we want to allow some time there as well. Probably will go to town for dinner as I have read some pretty bad reviews of their restaurants. I have read Feet, Fins and 4WD. It is a great book. I really want to check out the East End. Shipwreck Landing sounds great. Will try to figure out how to post photos when we get back.....19 hours and counting.........