First timer with basic questions (St.John)
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First timer with basic questions (St.John)
Hi gang, I just got back from our 4th trip to Kauai and am beginning to think about next year. We'd like to try something different and St. John has been suggested as being much like Kauai. We will be travelling in April. Basic questions:
1. What is the air route from Seattle?
2. Is there a "best" area to stay? (not interested in luxury)
3. Is there one guidebook that stands out?
Thanx for any help. Harry
1. What is the air route from Seattle?
2. Is there a "best" area to stay? (not interested in luxury)
3. Is there one guidebook that stands out?
Thanx for any help. Harry
#2
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Hey Harry!
Small world eh? We are also planning our first trip to St. John next June. We are staying at Caneel Bay and then renting a villa near Francis Bay, but considered staying at one of the B&Bs in Cruz Bay too. Estate Lindholm sounds like a great place. You will find the St. John experts here very helpful (unlike us Kaua`i Klubbers).
These sites have been heplful:
http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/
http://www.caribbeanvilla.com/index.asp
http://www.stjohnbeachguide.com/index.htm
Someone here suggested that I buy the book "St. John - Feet, Fins & Four Wheel Drive". It is a great book!
We are flying from SFO to St. Thomas with a plane change in DC.
Hope this helps.
-Bill
Small world eh? We are also planning our first trip to St. John next June. We are staying at Caneel Bay and then renting a villa near Francis Bay, but considered staying at one of the B&Bs in Cruz Bay too. Estate Lindholm sounds like a great place. You will find the St. John experts here very helpful (unlike us Kaua`i Klubbers).
These sites have been heplful:
http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/
http://www.caribbeanvilla.com/index.asp
http://www.stjohnbeachguide.com/index.htm
Someone here suggested that I buy the book "St. John - Feet, Fins & Four Wheel Drive". It is a great book!
We are flying from SFO to St. Thomas with a plane change in DC.
Hope this helps.
-Bill
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Ferry. There is one from Red Hook and one from Charlotte Amalie on St Thomas.
http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/ferry.shtml
-Bill
http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/ferry.shtml
-Bill
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I can't address any Seattle to St. Thomas questions, but I can answer the other two questions. For #2, can you please describe your criteria for "best"? For me, it would be based upon the three "c's" cleanliness, comfort, and convenience. If you are interested in renting a villa, there are many villas which satisfy the three c's. As for a "best" area, that's more difficult. The south and east parts of the island tend to be quieter and farther from the main town of Cruz Bay. These are my favorites because there is just less people around. The west and north parts are busier with people and day tourists due to Cruz Bay and the world famous northside beaches. But all of St. John is pretty laid back and safe. How many of you will be coming? What are your favorite activities?
For question #3, iamq gives a great suggestions. I also like St. John, Off the Beaten Track by Gerald Singer.
For question #3, iamq gives a great suggestions. I also like St. John, Off the Beaten Track by Gerald Singer.
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Thanx Tuxedo, I totally agree with the 3 C's. In addition, best for me would include less people. A villa would be my first choice...we always rented private cottages on Kauai. We are both in our late 50's...occasional snorkelers but love vegging on a gorgious beach. We also like to walk/drive wherever we have to to experience the local cultures and history. I am a serious ameteur photogrpher so beautiful scenery and sights are important.
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The air route from Seattle depends upon the airline you are flying on. Continental is either SEA-NEW-STT or SEA-HOU-STT, American is SEA-DALL-MIA-STT, USAirways is SEA-CHAR-STT or SEA-PIT-STT.
STJ is a small island with 2/3 Nat'l Park. There is no "best" area....it is all good, with the quieter side being Coral Bay and the busier side being Cruz Bay. The north side of the island has many of the best beaches in the entire Caribbean.
You can take a ferry to STJ (Cruz Bay) from either downtown Charlotte Amalie (recommended) or from the East End (Red Hook). It is about $8 from downtown, and is a scenic trip along the south shore of STT. Some prefer a shorter boat ride and choose Red Hook, but since you are from Seattle, you must be used to our fabulous ferry services and would like the longer more scenic ferry to STJ. Keep in mind, the vessel isn't very big and looks a bit dilapidated. Not quite up to the ferry standards we are accustomed to here in Seattle. But it'll get you there! We always sit up on the bow with a couple of cold Heinekens.
STJ is a small island with 2/3 Nat'l Park. There is no "best" area....it is all good, with the quieter side being Coral Bay and the busier side being Cruz Bay. The north side of the island has many of the best beaches in the entire Caribbean.
You can take a ferry to STJ (Cruz Bay) from either downtown Charlotte Amalie (recommended) or from the East End (Red Hook). It is about $8 from downtown, and is a scenic trip along the south shore of STT. Some prefer a shorter boat ride and choose Red Hook, but since you are from Seattle, you must be used to our fabulous ferry services and would like the longer more scenic ferry to STJ. Keep in mind, the vessel isn't very big and looks a bit dilapidated. Not quite up to the ferry standards we are accustomed to here in Seattle. But it'll get you there! We always sit up on the bow with a couple of cold Heinekens.
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gr8yt,
I have been to Kauai and St John.I thought that I would let you know that St John is NOTHING like Kauai..so please do not go there expecting Kauai.I love BOTH for different reasons.
IMO..St John has nicer beaches than Kauai with calmer waters.Better snorkeling also.
Kauai has the beautiful waterfalls,canyons,Napali Coast.
Both have the lush,mountainous views and friendly locals.The nightlife is about the same on both.
To answer question #2..if you want to be close to stores,restaurants and the North Shore beaches on St John...you should stay in or near Cruz Bay.
For more of a get away feel..stay in Coral Bay.I like both Cruz Bay and Coral Bay.
Good luck and have fun!We are on our way back to St John in 3 weeks! We are much closer to STJ than Kauai.
I have been to Kauai and St John.I thought that I would let you know that St John is NOTHING like Kauai..so please do not go there expecting Kauai.I love BOTH for different reasons.
IMO..St John has nicer beaches than Kauai with calmer waters.Better snorkeling also.
Kauai has the beautiful waterfalls,canyons,Napali Coast.
Both have the lush,mountainous views and friendly locals.The nightlife is about the same on both.
To answer question #2..if you want to be close to stores,restaurants and the North Shore beaches on St John...you should stay in or near Cruz Bay.
For more of a get away feel..stay in Coral Bay.I like both Cruz Bay and Coral Bay.
Good luck and have fun!We are on our way back to St John in 3 weeks! We are much closer to STJ than Kauai.
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Hi gr8yt! Can't help with the air part of your trip but villa is the way to go with rentals. The majority of the accomodations on STJ are villas, and almost any location is good as most are a short drive from great beaches & activities.
Our favorite area so far is the south side of the island. Salt Pond Bay out past Coral Bay. Note this area is quieter. If you want easiest access to "town" aka Cruz Bay you might want something nearer to that area.
Feet, Fins & Four Wheel Drive by Pam Gaffin is my favorite & most usefull guidebook to STJ, although I trust tuxedocat's rec's so the book she recommends is not to be missed as well.
Happy trip planning! STJ is one of our favorite destinations! Trish
Our favorite area so far is the south side of the island. Salt Pond Bay out past Coral Bay. Note this area is quieter. If you want easiest access to "town" aka Cruz Bay you might want something nearer to that area.
Feet, Fins & Four Wheel Drive by Pam Gaffin is my favorite & most usefull guidebook to STJ, although I trust tuxedocat's rec's so the book she recommends is not to be missed as well.
Happy trip planning! STJ is one of our favorite destinations! Trish
#11
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Thank you all for your replies. There are so many villas to choose from.....this is going to be fun! You will be hearing from me again I'm sure.
No Christiegr, I've never stayed in Kapa'a. We usually get a rental in Hanalei or Poipu. Thanks again, Harry
No Christiegr, I've never stayed in Kapa'a. We usually get a rental in Hanalei or Poipu. Thanks again, Harry
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Okay, in another one of my insomnia modes, I have revisited some of my favorite rental sites for St. John. I think you will find these ineresting. Most are either on the water or within close walking distance to. Are in the Coral Bay area so are away from the madding crowd.
stjohnvillarental.com
Siempre Azul
What a drop-dead location and such
a convenient looking villa!
caribbeanvilla.com
Sea Spirit
Okay, does it get better than
this? If this is where I think
it is, the "neighborhood" beach
is the gorgeous Great Lameshur.
carefreegetaways.com
Paper Moon
Great little beach for snorkelin
and watching the kids take
sailing lessons on Saturdays.
Only drawback is no AC listed.
Meritage Cottage
Not too close to the water, but
still a very nice place and it
does have views and a pool.
Enjoy looking at these... I sure did! Now that I've slowed my mind down with these soothing images, I can fall asleep and dream happy St. John dreams. I never have insomnia in St. John.
stjohnvillarental.com
Siempre Azul
What a drop-dead location and such
a convenient looking villa!
caribbeanvilla.com
Sea Spirit
Okay, does it get better than
this? If this is where I think
it is, the "neighborhood" beach
is the gorgeous Great Lameshur.
carefreegetaways.com
Paper Moon
Great little beach for snorkelin
and watching the kids take
sailing lessons on Saturdays.
Only drawback is no AC listed.
Meritage Cottage
Not too close to the water, but
still a very nice place and it
does have views and a pool.
Enjoy looking at these... I sure did! Now that I've slowed my mind down with these soothing images, I can fall asleep and dream happy St. John dreams. I never have insomnia in St. John.
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