USVI-On-Line

Hi - Our first full day in STJ will be a Saturday in one month (and counting). We will be with our 4 yr old. What beaches 2 beaches would you recommend for our first day and a Sat. too. Thanks.

Well, that's a great question. The best beaches for a four year old will also be the most popular beaches, but not crazy crowded. We did a trip in November 2006 with lots of little people. The favorite beaches for that gang were:

- Hawksnest - lots of parking, short walk, very busy on weekends, the far right side has lots of shade, can be rough if the swell is up, sometimes the pavillions have parties, decent snorkeling on the reef in the middle

- Maho - long beach with moderate shade, wider beach to the right gives you more space, very soft sand and very gradual grade, short walk if you park near the wider end (East side, towards Coral Bay), great snorkeling on the right point toward Maho Bay Campground

Francis Bay - moderate parking, long wide beach, picnic tables, some grills, room to spread out, fair snorkeling to the left, great snorkeling if you swim to the left fringing reef at Lille Maho

Have fun! Four years old is a great time to be on the beach.

Cheers, RickG

Ricks suggestions are great. One thing to keep in mind Mahoe does not have toilets. You will find Port a Johns at Francis.

PS

None of the beaches excpet Trunk and Cinanmon have running water so its a good idea to keep a gallon jug of tap water in the car to rinse off the little feeties.

We have a four year old and an eleven year old. Our first day beach has always been Francis. We get there early enough to snag the picnic table at the far left side of the beach (when looking at Francis from the parking lot) which is located under a tree. The rocks slightly to the left of the table provide a great area to snorkel for young ones. There are little tidal pools among the rocks. I second the suggestion on water for rinsing at Francis. Lameshur also has a great picnic table in the shade and you can park your car right next to the spot. Snorkeling is fun for kids out to the rock (you'll know what I mean), and to the right of it in shallow water. This beach is farther away but always worth the drive. Again, bring water for rinsing.