USVI-On-Line

Day 7

We got up around 6:30am and hit Leinster Bay about 8:00am where we set up a quick camp and snorkeled out to Waterlemon Kay. One of our best snorkels! Hundreds of starfish!







We were adopted by two adorable tiny fish who stayed with us the whole way from the beach around Waterlemon and back. We were sad when we had to say goodbye to our babies. We chatted with another couple as they headed out. They got a short way out and the girl pops her head out of the water and exclaimed that there were two tiny fish in front of her mask! We laughed and told them they would be with them the whole way.





From there we hiked back and stopped at Gibney beach. We checked it out, but since the tide seemed to be a bit high there was very little beach so we just headed for Hawksnest. The parking was easy but the beach was really crowed. We walked down the beach away from the crowds and camped there. We both forgot the suntan lotion so got a bit cooked even though we tried to hang out in the shadows. We really enjoyed reading, napping, and relaxing on the beach and in the water. We didn't do any snorkeling since we heard from our "neighbors" that it wasn't worth out effort.




Left around 3:00pm, stopped at Mongoose Junction and did a bit more shopping. We then got gas and back to the Villa for a dip in the pool, some munchies and cocktails on the deck followed by pasta, wine and a movie.

Day 8

Decided to take a day off from the sun today and do some shopping. Hit St. John Spice and saw Ruth and her husband Jeff. We stopped for lunch at the Beach Bar and had cocktails with Dominica and Chip who were on their way to the ferry to go home.




Home again where we watched a movie, and heated up some left over pasta and other snacks. Today was a particularly hot, humid day.

Day 9

Up at 5:30am, arrived at Salt Pond around 7ish. Hiked to Rams Head which wasn't quite as bad as we thought. Beautiful view from the top. Upon our return we elected not to snorkel at Cobblestone Beach because it looked too choppy. We snorkeled at Salt Pond but was pretty murky. We did see a huge lobster but he was too hidden under a ledge to get a decent picture.





We took a drive out past Vie's Beach and Snack Shack and snorkeled near a small private beach near the end of East End. Both Vie's Snack Shack and her beach were both closed to visitors.



We found another private beach down the road from Vie's and stopped for a quick snorkel.



Had lunch at Skinny Legs and did some last minute shopping then headed for the North Shore beaches. Still couldn't get a parking place at Jumbie Beach so stopped again at Gibney/Oppenheimer beach. The tide was lower and the beach was beautiful.




Not a whole lot to see while snorkeling, but the beach was really pretty. Went home to clean up and found the air conditioner in the Jeep turned into a heater. STJ Car Rental were happy to exchange the Jeep for a Suzuki and we headed to the next Forum gathering at the Beach Bar. Met up with Ruth again and a number of other Formulites. Had dinner at Rhumb Limes which was great! We shared a two pound lobster.

One more report to come...

I just can't get over the picture of all the starfish! I hope I get to see some.

Gotta backtrack and read the rest of your reports. Too bad you didn't snorkel at Hawksnest one of the best in my opinion. Theres a spectacular Elkhorn forest on the center reef with lots of fish. Did ya go all the way out to the rocks that jut out into the ocean on that east end beach? I thought it was really good out there. Had my smoothest snorkel ever there, the water was like glass that day.

Hey Mark,
I remember you and Jean talking about the little fish following you around right in front of your mask. They were cute. loved all the starfish pictures. Just like I remember them . They were a beautiful sight. Glad we got to see them too.

Very nice! Those little fish are so cute. John always attracts them when he snorkels.

Can you remind me when you were visiting the island again? The beaches look more crowded than I have ever seen them!

Love your pictures of the starfish and the two little fish! Thanks for the report.

Cptn Kirk, That's the last time I'm going to listen to some tourist on the beach!! This was our 4th trip to STJ and still haven't snorkeled at Hawksnest. Hmmmm, could be a reason to return sooner rather than later, eh?

Wanda, it was great meeting you guys as well. Hope you had as good a time as we did!

Liamsaunt, We were there from June 7 - 17. I was actually surprised by the crowded beaches a few times during our stay. The crowds mostly huddled around the National Park beaches. The parking lots were almost always full. The smaller lesser known beaches were fine. We were actually shocked by the number of people at Honeymood when we got out of the water from snorkeling around toward Solomon. It looked like a cruise ship had docked at the beach.

I just love trip reports with large colorful great photos!! Just what I needed. It's raining like crazy here.

What kind of fish are the small guys in front of the snorkeler?

I am just catching up on your trip reports. Fantastic! Wonderful pictures! I will be stealing some of those pictures... I hope that you don't mind

Hi Maggie, I have no idea what kind of fish they were. Sure were friendly. I think they considered us protectors.

SeaNile, I'm flattered you want to use them. Do I get a percentage?

Love the pix and the report, Mark. Your photos are clear and make us feel we're right there.

Robin

More great photo's! Aren't the starfish an incredible site when you swim over them. I love hearing my daughter try to speak through her snorkel yelling "WHERE DID THEY ALL COME FROM?"

Nice reports!

Thank you for the very nice report (I've been out of town and having a hard time catching up with the forum.)
Which beach is it you visited down the road from Vie's? Did you find easy parking for visiting there? If I

Hi Pickle, we passed Vie's as we headed east and noticed the beach near the end of the road - about a 1/4 to 1/2 mile past Vie's. The beach is right on the road and there is parking right across the street. I believe this is a privately owned beach, but according to the book "STJ Off the Beaten Track" it appears to be open to the public. It was a bit rough when we snorkeled around the rocks but on a nice day it it would have been a great snorkel.