Day trip to St John
 

We have a week planned in St Thomas. We are booked to stay in Watergate villa's at Bolongo Bay. We were thinking of going to St John for a day. This would also give us a nice ferry ride both ways.

Are there any ferries you recommend to go to St John? Also is a day trip worth it? What can we see/do during the day in St John? We have a car rented in St Thomas. I am assuming we would be better off to take the car with us for the day to St John?

Thanks

There is only one option for a car ferry, and that is in Red Hook. There are 39 different beaches, and 70% of the island is protected. Is it worth a day trip? It's worth 2-3 day trips!! The beaches of STJ will blow the beaches of STT away...

Bassguy66 I am travelling with a 15 month old, so trying to keep the trip simple by just staying on one island this time, but do want to see St John if possible. Even if its just for a few hours..:-) Is there anything we can do in just a few hours? or we wont be able to see anything at all?

You can take the people ferry from Red Hook. It will deposit you in Cruz Bay. You can take a safari to one of the north shore beaches- Cinnamon or Trunk. When you come back, you can wander Cruz Bay. The people ferry runs much later than the car ferry, so you can stay for dinner.

eastenderusvi thanks. I'll look into the safari options..

We could also go two days to St John (taking ferry back and forth each day). But I am not sure with so much to do in St Thomas itself, and this being our first time it would be worth going to St John for two days? Any thoughts?

Can't you wait and decide once you are there? (whether St John is worth more than one day)

With a 15 month old I'd be tempted to take the car ferry and your own transport.

There are online timetables for the Red Hook ferry. Buy single tickets (30$) so that you can use any of the companies to return (not wait for the same company).

I'd recommend driving further along the North Shore to Maho or even as far as Francis Bay (if you can arrive early in the morning) for less crowded beaches.. only about 15-20 mins from ferry

Check the cruise ship arrivals too.. pick another day ;)

I'd say your (easiest) way to see STJ if just for one day is to take your rental car and take the Red Hook ferry to Cruz Bay. Then from there it's a short drive to Trunk Bay beach which is the most popular, and has the most facilities which might be good to have for your 15 month old. The water and beach is perfect for a short trip....and having your own car allows you more flexibility to leave if needed for the little one. I agree with the above suggestion of checking the cruise ship schedule for STT, and try to go on a day with less ship in port.

Thanks all. I think thats what we'll do. Mostly likely take our own car and drive around to trunk bay beach. We were looking into some 2 hr safari tours and if we like one, so we'll see if we want to do that, or instead just enjoy the day driving around. Where can i check cruise ship arrivals?

I see the cruise ship arrivals for ST Thomas on the below link, but dont see any for St John..

http://www.vinow.com/general_usvi/cr...i=1&m=1&y=2015

They dock in STT, and ferry over to STJ. No cruise ships actually dock in STJ.....but the more popular beaches get busy when they are several ship in port in STT.

Bassguy66 Thanks!

While cruise ships don't dock at St John, some do anchor out and tender in.