USVI-On-Line

Can anyone tell me what Carnival week is like on the island? Is it very hectic most of the week - making parking, etc... impossible, or is it fun? I know the big action happens on July 4th, but just wondering what it's like leading up to that. Thanks!

Hey there!
We were there last year during Carnival week. We had a GREAT time. Its busy in the summer anyway...we never had problems getting in to restaurants, parking...no issues at all. VERY fun because a lot of the locals are selling art work, jewelry, ect. We brought some great things back after that trip. In fact, we'll be there next year over the July 4th holiday...

Carnival is AWESOME!!! It's very busy during the parade, but what parade isn't? They have the Jouvert parade at 4am. We're a bit too old for that, but the noon parade is fantastic. The nighttime music at the ferry dock is great fun. The field is surrounded with food booths, and of course each booth sells drinks!

The weather is gorgeous that time of year and it's not as crowded as the winter. You will definitely need to rent a car WELL in advance. Many folks come in from all over the Caribbean islands for the celebration. It's pretty quiet in town during the day. The action happens at night.

When we go down to work on our place, we always make sure to be there on July 4. Oh yeah, they have an incredible fireworks show in Cruz Bay harbor. They shoot the fireworks from one of the car barges. They glisten on the bay. Just wonderful.....

We are always gone by the 4th but have been there through the 2nd. We park at Courtesy so no problems there but we do tend to either go to Coral Bay for dinner or places in Mongoose as town does seem a bit more crowded.

We do like to wander through all the booths in the square though.

Also went over 4th last year. Agree with everything seagrape said. We passed on parade (couple hours late) went to beach.

Only issue a lot of restaurants are closed on the 4th check ahead we also parked in rental car (ST John) lot. We eat at High Tide (right by the dock) had one of better meals there. Waited till 9am and watched fireworks

We were at carnival in 2002.

I remember the weather the entire trip being fanatastic - hot, dry and breezy.

I don't remember town being particularly crazy except on the day of the 4th. Parade day was mobbed. I sort of have issues with crowds so take my opinion with a grain of salt.

The parade was fun but long, very long. It started hours late, which is apparently the norm, and we broiled in the sun. Town was packed during the day and that evening.

We ate on the street that day and the food was memorable. Hubs was particularly delighted with the roving vendors selling ice cold $2 Heinekens.

It was fun and I am glad we went to town that day but I would describe the actual 4th as a bit of work.