Westin St. John

[Hou-Tex Horn]

I'm going 7/8 - 7/13. What is there to do there activity-wise? I'd actually be happy with doing nothing...ie- eat, drink, sleep, but I am curious what there is if I get motivated.

Thanks!

 

[GM Platter]

About ten yrs ago we stayed at st thomas but spent most of our week in st john. Pick a beach a day and bring / rent snorkel gear - there's a good spot on waterlemon cay - swim to the right of the little island and go around it counter clockwise - it's a little hike from where you can park, but worth it.

The Westin's nice, used as a launch point for getting to the non-resort area of the island. Rent a jeep.

Have dinner or drinks at the beach at Caneel bay resort at sunset.

Beware of Cruzan 151...

 

[runner]

Ah- St. John. The best place on the planet.

I think the Westin has all the normal resort kind of activities, but there aren't any jet ski kind of things that you can rent (thank God). I would suggest renting a jeep and exploring the island. Waterlemon Cay as suggested is an excellent spot, and would be my top pick. Other beaches that are good are Hawksnest, Salt Pond, Francis Bay. Trunk & Cinnamon can be pretty crowded when the St. Thomas cruise ships come in. We also like to snorkle over to Peter Bay from Trunk Bay -- it's nice and secluded. All of these beaches are on the North shore of the island, where most of the best beaches are.

You should not miss Skinny Legs. It's a dive bar in Coral Bay that serves cold beer and hamburgers. My idea of heaven.

If you go to Salt Pond Bay, when facing away from the water, find the trail off to the right. It goes past a salt pond, and if you continue on, you get to the other side where the ocean is much rougher. Not really swimmable, but people have made beach people from all of the flotsam & jetsam. Kind of cool.

It really is a great place.

 

[Hou-Tex Horn]

Thanks for the input. I think we might also try 'The Baths' and Virgin Gorda as well.

Does Frommer's have a book on St. John?

 

[GM Platter]

the baths at gorda are cool, but overrun with tours when we were there. we took a tour boat that left from the westin and i enjoyed the boat ride and stops over and back better than the baths because of the crowds.

 

[runner]

Yes, Frommer's has a book on St. John. I'm pretty sure, anyway. I also like Feet, Fins and Four Wheel drive and St. John off the beaten track.

The baths at Virgin Gorda are pretty cool, too.