USVI-On-Line

I was looking for suggestions of beaches to go to if we rent a dinghy other than the North Shore beaches.

If we are gonna do it, we would want to go to beaches we don't normally go to.

Has anyone ever gone to any of the South Shore Beaches or in the East End or Coral Bay? Can you even take the dinghys to those areas? If so, was the snorkeling good?

I know it's alot of questions. Any info would be appreciated.

We just want to go somewhere other than all of the North Shore beaches if we are gonna do it.

If you try the rental dinghies from the Westin they MIGHT allow you to go up the South shore,seeing Chocolate Hole - Rendezvous - Fish Bay - Reef Bay - the Lameshur Bays, Salt Pond -- but I doubt rounding Ram's Head would be allowed.[or a good plan] -- To explore the E end or Coral Bay from either Cruz or Great Cruz Bay you would need a bigger boat or you can do it, staying inside the Round Bay area, by kayak from inside Coral Bay which is fairly protected and quite remote.

Thanks Exit Zero, we were thinking we would probably have to rent something bigger, and you just confirmed it.

For some reason, I thought I remember someone from the forum going to different beaches than the North Shore in one of their reports. Maybe it was someone who rented from Crabby's.

Hi NTL - Could have been me. Back when Crabby's used to rent dinghies, you could do the entire Hurricane Hole area, but even then, the 'approved area' stopped short of LeDeux Island. And definitely not past the East End! Too rough for little boats. That's why they say the old time sailors would pull their boats across at Haulover. I understand that Crabby's now only rents kayaks, which would be fun. But I don't think I'd want to be out in the middle of Coral Bay in a kayak. Nice close to shore, but not so much in 3 foot waves.... Jenrale

Thanks jenrale - I thought I remembered someone going to Hurricane Hole

Hi NTL,

We rented kayaks from Crabby's (back in Jan.) and for a small fee he dropped them off in Princess Bay for us. We kayaked around Princess Bay, Otter Creek, and Water Creek. It was a bit too windy/choppy to go around the point to Elk Bay etc., but we had a great time staying around the Princess Bay area. Then we just pulled the kayaks out when we were done and Doug from Crabby's picked them up later. It was fun - I recommend it!

nothingtolose, the thing that always worried me about dinghies was getting back in if we were on a mooring ball or an anchor. That no ladder thing could be a challenge, especially for those with a low center of gravity and not much upper body strength. But, you're an athlete and a warlord and could probably just bench press me.

Is it warm in NoLa yet?

Cheers, RickG

Rick!!!! I LOVE you!!! You always crack me up!

You KNOW I am YOUR warrior princess

The whole getting back in thing is definitely something to think about. What I want to know is, do any of you ever use the motor to climb up (obviously while it is not running ) and get back in the dinghy? Seems we used to do that in the past here.

Oh and Rick...I am freezing my a$$ off it's so cold here...NOT!!!! It's 10pm, and I just took Rudy outside and came back in drenched from the heat and humidity!