USVI-On-Line

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I can help a little bit. I have not been to Europa in years... The closest you can get by car is the end of the road at Little Lameshure Bay. If you go right at the end of the road you end up on the driveway for a Ranger's residence. There is an access road that has a gate and a "No Crab Hunting" sign. You can park there and walk to the cobblestone beach at Europa. Frankly, its not a great beach. But, if you want to go au naturale it is an isolated option. Kiddel Bay is a less bad option for that kind of thing as its not in the National Park.

When I was there last the snorkeling was just okay on the right point fringing reef, but it was probably a 200 yard swim with nowhere to rest. Kiddel and Grootpan bay are also isolated, easier to get to and better snorkeling.

The hike from Europa to the Reef Bay Great House is exposed to the South and East, steep, dry and hot. This is the only trail on the island that is a definite heat stroke candidate for me. Going from the Reef Bay trail back to Europa, Lameshur, Salt Pond is much easier. For the average hiker a great hike is from the Centerline Road start of the Reef Bay trail to Salt Pond Bay and take the VITRAN bus (when/if it shows) back to Cruz Bay is a good alternative. Check out the Trail Bandit maps for a route.

http://www.stjohnbeachguide.com/Lameshur_Bay_Trail.htm
http://www.seestjohn.com/beaches_europa.html
http://www.stjohnbeachguide.com/Beaches/europa.html
http://www.trailbandit.org/

If you check out Europa please let us know!

Cheers, RickG

Little Lameshure has always been one of our favorites. Europa is a nice diversion and a good beach for beachcombing. Snorkeling the west side of any south shore beach is not for the faint of heart. The water can be deep and rough but most dives will offer spectacular rock walls and a profusion of fish. Go on a calm day.

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Chet wrote:Little Lameshure has always been one of our favorites. Europa is a nice diversion and a good beach for beachcombing. Snorkeling the west side of any south shore beach is not for the faint of heart. The water can be deep and rough but most dives will offer spectacular rock walls and a profusion of fish. Go on a calm day.

Ja, listen to Chet. If there is a current the next stop is 300 yards West at the white cliffs. Either way, its a serious swim. Better to snorkel Yawzi point or Tektite if you are filling like hanging it out.

Cheers, RickG