Hello There, I am newbie to both these boards and the Caribbean. I have lots of questions...... I would sincerely appreciate any advice or ideas you can provide.

My husband and I are going to STJ to stay in the Maho Eco-Tents this coming February for 4 nights and 5 days. We aren't experienced campers, but do love the outdoors. Here are a few questions I have:

What ferry do you recommend? I have heard there are two, and one is shorter than the other but a more expensive cab ride away. Which one do you choose and why?

What do suggest bringing to Maho? We don't want to spend a ton of money in supplies, but don't want to be under prepared either.

Is there one activity that you must do on St. John's? What is it? How do you get there/book it/what does it cost?

Have you had a massage at Maho? I love them and might splurge if they are good.....

What is your favorite restaurant on STJ?

What about nightlife? We might want to go "into town" one night seeing as Maho offers little after dark entertainment. What about taxis late at night back to the camp?

WHERE oh WHERE might I best be able to gaze a sea turtle? They are my most favorite animal and I think I would cry if I saw one.

What would you add that I haven't asked? LOL - but um - totally seriously....

Thank you so much for any and all tips and info you can share!

http://www.vinow.com/general_usvi/interisland_ferry/

I can only answer a couple of your questions. I take whatever ferry works out best with my flights arrival. The cost and time generally equal out.

I believe that Maho has a shuttle that goes into town for dinner. Not sure of the days or times. Other than that I think it will be tough to get a taxi back to Maho at night. I'm thinking those tents must be facing Little Maho. Big Maho is one of my favorite beaches on the island.

I don't really have a favorite thing to do on St John. Are you renting a jeep? I would do that for at least a day and explore the island.

As for restaurant, do you mean for dinner and what price range? Eating on STJ can get relatively expensive so we stick with lower end places. For lunch, Sun Dog Cafe, The Banana Deck, The Beach Bar are good in Cruz Bay. If you get to Coral Bay, definitely Skinny Legs for a great burger. We also liked Island Blues. It's a really nice spot on the water in Coral Bay.

There really isn't night life there or at least I am never awake to see it . That said, Woody's, The Quiet Mon Pub, The Beach Bar, Joe's Rum Hut are a few.

One ferry is from Charlotte Amalie to Cruz Bay - about 45 minutes and the other is from Red Hook - about 30 minute taxi ride and 15 minute ferry ride. I choose whichever is there first! The Red Hook one runs hourly

They provide most everything - I would take a small cooler to take with you to the beach and any special cooking things you might like or want - special spices, etc. - that might not be available on the island but the stores are well stocked. Things will be a bit more expensive - if I guessed, 20%. Many people take coolers of food or canned food but I'm not sure you are planning that. If you freeze stuff, it will stay frozen until you arrive - surprisingly or if it's a long distance techno-ice works well. Guests leaving leave their left over boxed and canned good there so you can pick from that too.

I took and used a sun shower. Hung it on the deck in the sun so I had a smidge of hot/warm water to rinse off with.

Most people rent jeeps and spend the days trekking from beach to beach. There are several hiking trails. Information is at the Nat'l Park Site for St. John and a good site for beaches is
http://www.stjohntravelforum.com/vie...2928cccd8f3bdb. There are also a couple of good books. Foot, Fins and Four Wheels is one, and lots of information on the web - virgin-islands-on-line.com is a very active St. John board.

Hard to get a taxi back to Maho but they did have a shuttle so you might want to check with them about going into Town. If you had a jeep you could head to Coral Bay too.

Maho's meals are pretty good but limited and always a veggie choice and usually after they have some sort of presentation, sometimes by the Park Service, or talk and socializing.

Take and use lots of bug spray!

The best sighting I've had of turtles were at Haulover and Waterlemon Cay but the best is out at sea.

Oh thanks for this info. Can anyone recommend a brand of strong bug spray that isn't completely riddled with yucky chemicals?

I don't mind spending some $ on one special evening, so I guess if you had your choice - what would that place be?

http://barnako.typepad.com/news_of_s...nts/index.html

Here is a link to some useful restaurant info on St John. There was a recent poll on this newsletter and Stone Terrace came in first solidly with 41% followed by Zo-Zo's with 25% and La Tapa with 9%. We have eaten at all three, but only appetizers at Stone Terrace. All were very good. Our favorite is La Tapa of the the three but it lacks ambience as it is on a busy street. Zo-Zo's is a really nice place for a sunset dinner. Asolare also has nice views. Chateaux Bordeau was highest rated on the Coral Bay side. Stunning views here as it is the highest point on the island.

I will be there around the same time. This will be my 4th time! Here's my take:

Take the longer ferry from Charlotte Amalie. It is a shorter cab ride from the airport. The ferry from Red Hook is a 45 minute cramped cab ride filled with other folks and minimal air conditioning. The longer ferry ride has lot of fresh air. You'll have less motion sickness on the longer ferry.

One activity that you must do is snorkling. Go everyday if you can. There are lots of options and it doesn't cost anything if you bring your own gear. Try to get out for a sail; I recommend Cap't Bob http://www.angelfire.com/ut2/sailing/prices.html. His boat takes 6 people. The first time I booked, it was just me and my hubby. He's got his dog on board and charges $50 for a full day of sailing/snorkling. You bring lunch, he supplies soda, beer and rum punch.

As for favorite restaurants, I'll go with Fish Trap in Cruz Bay. For lunch, I love the Beach Bar in Cruz Bay and Shipwreck Landing in Coral Bay. I've been to Skinny Legs and I won't go back. The place is hot, no breeze or fans, service is slow and the food good, but not worth the bother.

I've seen sea turtles snorkling on the east side at Salt Pond and Little Lameshur Bay.

Hope you love the island as much as I do. Have fun!

I had a very pleasant week at Maho in early Dec. After three days of the stairs, I was very happy to get a 1/2 hr.leg and foot massage! It was great! The food at Maho was just fine and the Fri.prime rib was terrific. We took the Reef Bay Hike with the Natl Park service and enjoyed it very much. Had a lot of rain that week, but enought sun to enjoy the snorkeling. Plan to take cash for the taxis. I don't like driving in St.John and was glad to taxi. Also- my verizon cell phone worked just fine on the island. Have a great trip!

It has been many years since I stayed there, but one thing probably still holds true: Take DEET. 100% Deet comes in a very small bottle, yes it's "yucky chemicals" but IMO will make the bugs bearable. Deet was not around when I stayed there, and the bugs came up through the floor boards of the ecotents, even got bitten through long pants tucked into socks.

Have a great time!

More recently, we encountered turtles at Waterlemon Cay. A don't miss snorkel spot!

they sell a natural oil spray called "shaz's" right in the gift shop (and probably other places on the island.) i prefer it to deet which i reserve for places where there is malaria. you'll smell nice and the bugs will be at bay.

i suggest a terry cloth dress or coverup because the showers are public and you won't get completely dry before walking back to your tent. this way you can slip the cover up on and change in your room.

there was a st. john article this autumn in one of the travel magazines that listed restaurants, etc. and some hikes. it's probably online still.

kerikeri

thanks for the tip keri keri! good idea!

i am so lucky to have some experienced maho folks here.

now onto cooking at maho. we want to try to conserve money, but i don't want to spend my vacation cooking or cleaning up.

i think i read you have to boil water to use to clean dishes. is that right?

what about the grills? is there charcoal there or do we need to buy and bring it?

the taxi that goes to maho bay - does anyone know how late they travel?

The taxi question has been coming up lately on another forum I frequent. The concensus seems to be to arrange something beforehand with the taxi driver to take you back. They don't routinely go as far as Maho at night. This goes for any other "out of the way" places too. I don't know how often or late the Maho shuttle runs.

http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.co...fbf4d8c6986fd4

Check out his forum for some STJ experts.

I had to send a note to the site admin - for some reason I am having a problem registering to post.

On other notes - do they sell alcohol at Maho other than wine? Like mixed fruity drinks? Frozen pina coladas anyone?

:/giggle

Charcoal is available at the Maho store, mixed drinks at the bar,yes you need to heat water to wash dishes. For the 4 nts you will be there, you will want to eat in the pavillion at least a few nights- the food is good and the view can't be beat. The walk to the campground from the beach at big Maho is not long (if taxi's won't take you all the way)but you will want to have a flashlight and bug juice. Have fun! And give us a trip report.....