USVI-On-Line

Now that we have 8 weeks to go it's time to start planning which beaches to visit (I've started to read my St. John Feet, Fins & Four-Wheel Drive). Has anyone with older teenagers walked to Waterlemon cay? Or is it safer to skip the walk and listening to hot teenagers and go to beaches with small walks? I want to see sea turtles!

Our first day will be Trunk Bay, (a Sunday however no ships in town). Thinking about Caneel the 2nd day. Does it get busy when ships are in-town (3 on Monday June 30) or Waterlemon (because of the ships)?

My wife and our 2 girls would like to go to Westin one day (activities), Also plan to go to Hawksnest or Cinnamon Bay or Vie's.

On July 4th has anyone watched the parade or should we go to the beach?

I didn't have a problem walking with either of my to sons. But I have better luck seeing turtles at Maho or Francis. then waterlemon

My kids have been doing the Leinster/Waterlemon walk since they were 5 1/2, and were in backpacks before then. No problem. It is shaded until at least noon and is not hot.

I recommend Mount Gay rum for whining. Taken internally, it reduces the pain for the listener. Leinster Bay is very nice and I recommend for first thing in the morning.

Cheers, RickG

Walked it with a 12 year old and 16 year old in June 2007. They complained about it. Their parents (my husband and I) did better than they did. My daughter and I are planning a 2009 mother/daughter STJ trip and she already said she doesn't want to hike.

We did the hike with 10 and 17 year old male cousins last August. We'd been out there snorkeling for awhile and were tired when we walked back. The 10 year old only complained for about the last 2 minutes. We'd taken water with us, but had run out and we were all pretty thirsty. Make sure and take something to drink. Other than that, the boys really liked hiking.

HIKE IT !!! You will be sorry if you don't! Its a mile for goodness sake...good exercise..flat... my teenage girls love it ! Just watch out for the donkey doo doo.

We did the hike with 4 kids ages 9 - 12, and we were all carrying loads of stuff. (Each kid had something to carry, including snorkel gear and a boogie board.) No problems.

They did complain that day when we hiked the Johnny Horn trail and did the spur to the Windy Hill ruins. The spur was really overgrown with lots of thorny plants and catch-and-keep. But you don't have to hike the Johnny Horn (and certainly not the spur trail) to get to Waterlemon bay. It's worth the short hike to get there! Especially when you round the point and see the sandy beach ahead. ahhh

If they complain just remind them that they are more fortunate than 99.9% of kids their age who will never get to see the awesome beauty of Waterlemon Cay

It is a great hike and they will love it. Don't forget that Maho is a great place for turtle spotting. We've been there every weekend for the past month and have seen at least two each day. They love that grassy area.

Waterlemon is a great little hike - we took 2 15 yr old girls last summer. With the wooded areas, then out on the beach area about 3/4 of the way around, you can float to cool off before continuing the to your "put in" point across from Waterlemon. You'll probably see donkeys and the little mongoose who'll get into your food if you don't have it secured and off the ground. We laughed so hard last year as we watched them eat a young couples sandwiches, chips and cookies as the humans were snorkeling around Waterlemon. Our girls didn't complain at all.

We also did July 4th in Cruz Bay - not to be missed! Parade soon come 2 hrs after it was supposed to start. After standing in the gazebo for a long time, we decided to track back to the starting point and followed the parade. S/O enjoyed drinking all the Cruzan samples as he did a strange "crab/sideways" dance down the street. The girls almost wet their pants laughing at him. End of parade and crowd dancing behind steel pans all the way out of town.

Hope this helps!

It is a flat, one-mile walk. No big deal. Well worth it. Well, it can be hot, though.

We jokingly refer to it now as the "Forced March of Fun" (our older son's reference).

As others have said, take water and enjoy it.

Great hike, beautiful water and fantastic dive...we do it every trip!! Kids love it too.

The title of this thread is enough to scare you by itself.

Thanks everyone had my kids read thread last night.
Teresa – my youngest (11) said good point
Rick – my son (18 ) said the rum would keep him from whining.
My middle one girl (15 going on 20) said fine she will walk, (mind you she’ll run 8 miles for track).
So Trunk first day and Waterlemon second day.

We take our teen age kids to Waterlemon so they can carry our stuff.