USVI-On-Line

7/23. Salt Pond was our goal,so we arrived early before it got too hot.My daughter by this point of the trip was done with water activities so she enjoyed the shade with a beach chair.I snorkeled for a while and ran across a 4 ft. Nurse shark.I had my camera with me ,but it was turned off.By the time I turned it on and focused it was long gone! Oh well,at least it didn't eat me! I didn't find much more than that. No turtles,rays,ect.I had decided to hike to Blue Cobblestone beach.I took off alone and came to the overlook to Blue Cobblestone and Ramhead.I've never seen this view before.It was beautiful!I realized that I had no drinking water with me ,so I headed back. {The next time I go to S.T.J. i'm hiking to Ramhead!!}Once back at the beach my 9 year old son Tyler was trying out snorkeling. Man does that make a father proud! He spent most of trip trying his mask on,but without the tube. Now he realized that he could spend more time underwater.He and I looked for fish and discovered Barracuda,and a Flounder.Boy that made his day-mine too!After Salt Pond we dropped in at Concordia Camps.I have been watching the progress of this Camp since last year and just had to see it.It's a nice place with a lot of hard work going into it.The bathrooms there are roomy.I even liked the store. After our visit with Concordia,we stopped at Mosquito Bites for desserts.What a great place that is,yummy!!We set off for the cottage and had lunch. Everyone but me was tired out, so I took off for Maho Camps.The one thing I wanted to do most on this trip was to kyack to Whistling Cay.It took about 14 minutes to paddle there.I only had about 12 minutes to enjoy the cay be fore I had to head back.I tried to use the camcorder but the battery took a dump.So all I had left was the digital. I loved the cay and the ruins.Next time I want to stay longer and snorkel the N.W. side.I met a man there who had kyacked there from Cinnamon Bay Camps.It took about 24 minutes for him to get there.His kyack was a lot nicer with a back rest.I will have to check that out next time.As far as the views go,it was "tops".Soon after I followed Mary point back and stopped at a rocky beach on the tip of Mary point.After that I paddled back enjoying views of America Hill ruins,Maho Bay,Francis,and big$$ yahts!Later that eve. we had dinner at Pastory Gardens.We met Mary Lou from Gibney Cottages and exchanged hellos.Yes, we did play miniture golf.That was a FULL day! Parafins....

Parafins! I have a question for you. Did you find it easy to kayak over to Whistling Cay depsite the currents? I've always been worried about the currents and the Tortola ferry but I've heard there is amazing snorkeling over there. Also, why did you only have a few minutes to spend?

Thanks for the report and pictures.

My questions would have been the same as Liamsaunt's plus don't ya' just LOVE the sound of the water flowing out of the rocks on the Blue Cobblestone beach??? That is one of my favorite sounds in the world!

nothintolose

p.s. still lovin' your reports!

Liamsaunt,I had no problems going to the cay.It was windy and I paddled by rump off,but had no major problems.At the rental place they told me that I would spent more time coming back that going.They told me to hug the shore of Mary Point on the way back.Well,I did that for a short time,then decided to head out for the middle and return that way.Smooth sailing, and I still can recall the wonderful views.Ahh i'm in my happy place now This is a view towards Mary point from Whistling Cay.Is this not a great view!!!Man I want to go back Parafins

just finished reading 5,6,&7..really enjoyed your pics...we have yet to try some of other east end beaches for snorkeling..GREAT REPORT !!


Cruzan Chris

Great report!!!

We are staying at the Concordia Studios for a few days
(thanksgiving weekend) ... Did you have a chance to look around? How do the studios look? Can you walk to Salt Pond from there? We snorkeled at Salt Pond last year and loved it.

Thanks
Pam

Onthlake,I just drove up to the parking area and walked through the dinning area and out to the picinic tables.I also viewed the large Yoga platform as well as the bathrooms,and store.I could see the cabins up on the hillside,but never visited.I wish I did.One other thing I didn't see was the pool.I would bet that there is a trail down to Salt Pond and Drunk Bay from the camps.Take a close look at the dinning room pic.It looks like it might be a long hike.Also I have viewed a small video of the cabins on Youtube.You might want to take a look at that. P.S. I love you user name! Parafins

Enjoyed the report and especially the pics. I really like Salt Pond, never many people there, if any. Where did you rent the kayak?

UF Prof, I rented the kyack from Maho Bay camps.It's located on little Maho Beach.You also can rent from Cinnamon Bay Camps.Maho Bay rents from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.Cinnamon Bay rents from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.? I like the kyacks from Cinnamon Bay.Much nicer,but remember it will take you 10 minutes longer to arrive.If you want a private beach,check out the tip of Mary Point.It's rocky, but you may have it all to yourself! Parafins.

Parafins, would you mind emailing me some pics of Samuel cottages. Also do they have a website? my email is karens1971@hotmail.com

Thanks,
Possible future residents of samuel cottages