mrsr11312

Hello, all! This is my first post here - been a lurker for quite some time but just joined.

My fiance and I are getting married in November and looking to have our honeymoon in the USVI, specifically St. Thomas. We would like to go from Nov 5 - Nov 11. Our main concern is the snorkeling. We had a travel agent tell us that water could be "rough" in that area in November. What exactly does that mean?? Help!

Also, we are looking at staying at Sugar Bay Resort on St. Thomas. Has anyone stayed here? What do you think?

Thanks in advance for your responses!

Mrs R

Jimmie

I'm a little surprised by that since I think of early November as the tail end of hurricane season and a little early for the winter storms that create the swells that make north facing beaches rough (and that includes Sugar Bay). I suggest you look at Secret Harbour, which is in a protected, southeast facing cove. Decent snorkeling there too. Though it's not as "resorty" as Sugar Bay.

mrsr11312

Thanks for the reply!

We'd like to try and stay AI if at all possible (I know I didn't mentioned that before). Is Secret Harbour AI? Just trying to get the best bang for our buck. Our budget is $2,000 per person MAX, including airfare.

KVR

Just wondering why you picked St. Thomas for your honeymoon?

We went in 2005 and did stay at the Wyndham Sugar Bay. Only because at that time the Marriotts were not offering an AI plan. I would go with one of the Marriotts over the Wyndham. We did not care for St. Thomas and would not go back.

You might want to check out http://www.vinow.com/

They also have a forum like this one.

http://www.vinow.com/wwwtalk/list.php?4

Weadles

I don't mean to be rude, but there are so many places in the Caribbean that are far nicer than St. Thomas. Have you read about it and checked it out online? Also, make sure you check weather stats. We've had vacations in the area totally rained out in the islands in early November. So sorry to be negative, but better to know, right?

qwovadis

Congrats on your HM and welcome!
Used to own a condo magenspoint.com
Snorkel far better on St John maho.org
Westin spg.com deals for me in the past
bid priceline.com from $80 spirit.com cheap flightsdown.
Secret and Bolongo just so so for snorkel.
weather2travel.com Nov rain storm season
ABC isles far better then or Hapuna Prince
Konaweb.com for me then FAR less rain. priceresortshawaii.com
from $1K pp all in for me in the past priceline.com
Not a fan of AIs bookit.com for deals on those.
almondresorts.com Morgan nicest to the south.

Happy Hunting!

xkenx

Secret Harbour on STT has a protected bay for calm-water snorkeling. Having said that, St.John is much nicer. If you can splurge, Caneel Bay Resort on St.John is a honeymooner's paradise. 171 rooms, scattered about 170 acres, on 7 tree-shased white sand beaches, all with great wade-in snorkeling.
If one beach is choppy, another will probably be calm. All this is within the National Park--no commercialization to be seen anywhere. Unspoiled and uncrowded. For snorkelers, and tropical beachfront living, Caneel is paradise on earth.

eastenderusvi

Mrs R: All inclusive isn't really a popular option in the USVI. If that is what you had in mind, maybe another island would be better. However, if you want to fix breakfasts and lunch, go out to dinner, St Thomas has lots of condo/hotel properties. You would have a full kitchen, living room, etc. Some have restaurants on the property, all on a beach. Some to look are include: Sapphire Beach, Sapphire Village, Secret Harbour, Elysian, Cowpet East and West. All of these are near Red Hook where there are lots of restaurants, bars, and the ferry to St John. ;-)

mrsr11312

Thanks so much for the replies, everyone! I didn't realize how daunting this all would be. We are now considering expanding our circle a bit to include the entire Caribbean, and possibly even the Riveria Maya area of Mexico. From reading quite a few threads here, it looks like Riveria Maya and DR are popular AI spots. We just want to not have to DO anything but eat, relax and snorkel! Interestingly enough, I just received one of my Caribbean magazines over the weekend and the cover story is about the best spots to snorkel in the Caribbean. So, back to square! I'm going to start researching some of the areas you all have been so kind to mention. I appreciate it!