blue_water

Yes many folks do miss what STT has to offer because they are focused on Trunk Bay and that is a shame. However I will say that a day on STJ can be very nice, IF you DIY, and do not just go straight to Trunk Bay. Trunk is beautiful, but we’d not spend the extra 1 - 1.5 hours of travel time just for a beach when STT offers beautiful beaches. You’ve also read here of the North Shore/Historical tour the drivers offer, and that is something we’d recommend. After, you can get dropped at one of the less-frequented beaches, or near a hiking trail to a beach, or back in Cruz Bay. Cruz Bay is a nicer shopping and lunch experience than Charlotte Amalie, in our opinion (but we’ve been to CA countless times so we are a bit biased). Stop into St John Bracelet Co. and buy a nice quality Hook bracelet! We’ve had one custom-made while lunching nearby… With 10 hours in port, you can easily spend 3.5 - 4 hours on STJ, and still have a couple hours to see the highlights of STT from Skyline Drive and Drake’s Seat with a driver offering that on your return from Red Hook to the dock. Just something to consider, enjoy your day wherever you land!

It is gorgeous…we loved it when we were the only ones there for hours at a time… A few (5 or more?) years ago I was seeing lounges/umbrellas and other amenities set-up there for cruise ship excursions. I don’t know if day visitors can go on their own and rent the amenities or if you must take the ship’s excursion… Personally I would send friends wanting amenities to either Brewers or CGB, depending on the experience they wanted. But LB, Beef may have the desired amenities. Check the cruise line excursions! [EDIT] LB, Beef is a flatter taxi ride than the other two if that matters…

We have not, but tons of others have and you can find reviews easily. Definitely one of the top, well-respected BVI dive outfits… you will get more feedback on the BVI forum on TTOL - http://www.traveltalkonline.com/ubbthreads.php/forums/7/1/british-virgin-islands.html

LOL! your opinions matter ms411, but so do others’… And Senor Frogs is one of the most touristy and boring chains out there…just our opinion mind you 😉

Agree again crewsweeper…

I was agreeing with crewsweeper’s comment MS411…fun drinks vibe, etc… 😉

Yes if docked in CB that would be a good option

Duffy’s is a late night spot, or at least happy hour and after. We end our night there for sing alongs, fishbowl drinks, and fun! We like Island Time for pizza… Red Hook is not worth a special trip during a cruise stop…If you are going through after hitting one of the East End or STJ beaches it’s worth a walkabout, otherwise no…

We’ve always liked the Greenhouse too. It is not a “local” place, but does serve excellent local food, and is very popular with locals and visitors alike…

Info below from another thread, and as MS411 mentioned elsewhere taxi prices may go up but to give you an idea… Taxi from Havensight —> Red Hook ferry = $10/pp (~$11/pp from Crown Bay); Red Hook ferry <—> Cruz Bay = $8.15/pp each way, taxi to Trunk =$6/pp, Cinnamon = $7/pp. You can also take a nice island tour as mentioned, and then get dropped at a beach for ~$25/pp. That also eliminates the taxi cost to a beach, you just pay the return taxi to Cruz. So the total cost from Havensight to a beach on STJ is ~$50/pp, ~$68 w/ the island tour…From Crown Bay add ~$2…

The cruise line uses terms like that… I would skip the OBC and really go on your own…Since you’ve already been to STT several times you have a good feel for how reliable the transportation is there. The ferries are ultra-reliable so there is no reason to settle for a ship-sponsored excursion, unless that OBC means that much to you. Or unless you can use that OBC option to get there and enter Trunk Bay, and just return on your own??? I’d suggest spending some time in Cruz Bay for lunch and a nicer shopping experience…

Much of HB on STJ can be underwater during the winter months due to swells, but in March may be ok. We enjoyed the New Horizons sloop out of Sapphire Marina. Moored in Caneel Bay with a great Italian lunch, then off Great St James… But no beach time on HB due to swells…

But the STT beaches have always been busier…Lovers of STJ cannot be thrilled… We really miss Latitude 18 in Vessup Bay, especially enjoying Dick Solberg and his Sun Mountain Band along with great dinners! That remains closed I gather…

In most cases, but not all…it does happen even to folks on ship-sponsored tours… But yes you will be just fine with that timeline - Enjoy!

That is a shame what has happened to Maho…It’s getting more difficult for residents and land visitors (and cruisers) to avoid the crowds as the cruise industry continues to expand…

Research ideas for Cozumel. If you want a nice beach, snorkeling, an island tour with a beach stop, a cat sail, something more adventurous, or just sightseeing enjoy what Cozumel has to offer. You do have a nice, long visit, and that would allow you to enjoy the island from a catamaran and on land. Your time in port also makes an excursion to some of the best Mayan ruins and natural cenotes outside Playa Del Carmen very doable. But unless you are experienced in this you definitely want a reputable tour company that is expert at organizing these tours from Cozumel.

Looks like just 2 ships scheduled to dock in Crown Bay from 7 - 4 on 2/9 but still 10k day visitors… The better snorkeling beaches are on the East End, so you’d want to take a ~30 minute taxi to one of those beaches (Coki, Sapphire, or Secret Harbor). Our choice would be Sapphire - larger beach, less busy vibe than Coki, not as tight as Secret Harbor…Taxis are usually available for your return… Shopping in Charlotte Amalie on the way back, or after showering take another taxi into town… Another option is Brewers Bay which is much closer to he ship. We’ve not snorkeled Brewers, but have read several good recent reviews on that. Then you could hit your cabin shower before heading into town… As MS411 noted in another thread, you’d need the driver to return to Brewers for you, or call a taxi. She shared that info here -

Ms411 we haven’t been to Brewer’s Bay beach in some time - is there a public restroom nearby? Thanks

You are very welcome of course! 😄 I’ve never fished on VG but I’m sure there are options. I would let Capt Malcolm’s contact know you want that and I’m sure he could accommodate that as part of the trip. Most charters, even on catamarans, let you fish or troll during the sail or from shore.

Is a visit to STJ your first choice? Transportation there and back can eat up ~1.5 - 2 hours of your time. But if you make the 9AM ferry you would have 3 - 4 hours there depending on the return ferry you take (1 or 2PM). You’d definitely want to go on your own…actually you would be joining many others DIY’s who do that every visit! STT offers beautiful beaches as well if you want to spend more of your time at the beach!

Yes this is one of the most popular and they also offered charters to Jost. I’m glad to see they are still operating after Irma/Maria in September, 2017, and then the pandemic!

I know there are often changes but we’re seeing discrepancies between various sites. Is one site more reliable/accurate than others?