Hi - Are there any islands that are similar to St. John with respect to mellow nightlife, hiking and great beaches BUT with lodging on the beach? I had my heart set on St. John but can't afford Caneel Bay and really want to be on the beach.<BR><BR>Thanks, Erin

A coupleof suggestions - <BR><BR>1) Bequia in the Grenadines - my top suggestion - very nice beaches, some places right on the water. Two suggestions for places to stay - Gingerbread and Frangipani - both on the water, though not really a beach - beach is a short walk away. Reasonable rates - about $90 per day in off-season (until mid-December; about $140 per day in winter.<BR><BR>2) One of the British Virgin Islands<BR><BR>

Hi, Erin -<BR><BR>Just a suggestion. Don't be hesitant to visit St. John if you cannot be directly on the beach. Our feelings were the same as yours when we first visited 8 years ago. We always stay at resorts &quot;right on the beach&quot; but we have so enjoyed the magnificent views and breezes from atop the many villas we have stayed in, that it would never deter us from visiting this beautiful island. Additionally, there are some villas for rent that are directly on the beach albeit not a tremendous amount. Check out the Donald Shell villa rentals on the USVI website page. He has several villas for rent right on the beach if you truly feel this is a must. This year will be out 9th annual trip to STJ. It is our very fav island in the Carribean and you must drive to the very best beaches anyway because they are within the National Virgin Island properties, thankfully, where hotels cannot be built.

HI ERIN, SORRY I CAN'T HELP YOU MUCH. LAST TIME I WAS IN THE BVI'S- I WAS 11YRS OLD, BUT I MYSELF, LIKE YOU ARE TRYING TO FIND A PLACE ON THE WATERS EDGE. HOWEVER I WAS THINKING TORTOLA MIGHT HAVE NICER BEACHES AND MORE ACCESSIBLE NIGHTLIFE (WOULD LIKE TO AVOID EXTRA COSTS OF RENT-A-CAR). WHAT MAKES YOU CHOOSE ST. JOHN OVER TORTOLA? I DO WANT GOOD SNORKELING- IS THIS PART OF THE REASON? OR DOES ANYONE HAVE INFO TO COMPARE THE 2?

Thanks for all the Info - I am drawn to St. John b/c it is the only island that people rave about. We have officially decided to go based on the excitment of other people who travel here - no other island creates such a buzz that there must be something special about this place!

If it is beaches, snorkeling and beachfront accomodations there are certainly better spots than Tortola in the BVI. Given the choice of St. John vs Tortola for the beaches and snorkeling from them, the tip of the hat would definintely go to St. John rather than Tortola. Even Anegada and Jost with very mellow nightlife and the more populated Virgin Gorda with some great less expensive accomodations on the beach might work and certainly have a wider variety and choices of beaches than Tortola.

We stayed at Long Bay on the beach in Tortola and loved it. We ferried to Jost, VG and took puddle jumper to Anegada. Loved the nightlife on Cane Garden Bay. We had no trouble driving around the island- actually thought it easier than St John. There is less cruise ship traffic in the BVI at some times of the year- that made it most appealing to us. People disagree on what a &quot;great beach&quot; is, but we loved several on Tortola (Smuggler's, Brewer's) and White Bay on Jost is awesome.

Agree with a couple of the posts. Our 1st trip to St. John we wanted to find a villa on the beach and were disappointed by the limited choices. Once we were there it wasn't a big deal, in fact we prefer a hillside villa with a view now. Also, there are so many great beaches you don't want to be tied to one. We're going for our 5th time this year and looking forward to a great hillside view of Cinammon Bay

I'm looking for villas myself lately on St. John for this Nov &amp; there are some really nice ones close to Cruz Bay with beautiful looking views. I thought for us it would be good so we are within walking distance of restaurants,etc. Wonder if we can get away with renting a car only for part of the week to save $. Also wondering if going NOV is OK weather wise- Anyone???

Hi, Christie -<BR><BR>We have visited STJ November every year we have traveled there and the weather is beautiful - temps in the high 80s, low 90s by day and you don't even need a light sweater at night. Take only shorts and maybe a &quot;sun dress&quot; for one of the more special restaurants, i.e., Chateau Bordeau, Asolare, Stone Terrace - not that they would turn you away, but this is the easiest vacation I ever pack for.<BR><BR>I think you absolutely need a car even if you were to stay close to Cruz Bay. All of the wonderful beaches you want to visit can only be accessed by car or taxi and a vehicle gives you so much more freedom. Just my opinion, but try to allow the $355/week for a small 4-wheel drive even if it seems a splurge. Our fav place to rent is St. John car rental. They are very nice people and quite accommodating and seem to have some of the better vehicles. Some of them have a lot of miles on them and they are hard miles on this island with all the hills and switchbacks. Also, a trip to Coral Bay is a must. Some fun places to eat and have a few drinks like Shipwreck Landing, for instance.<BR><BR>Good luck with your search and enjoy the island.

klqkauai- Thanks for your help. I've been finding latley really nice villas in Coral BAy area, but am a little apprehensive of the 30min drive to Cruz Bay (so they tell me). If we stay in this are will we regret having to make this drive often after dinners at night and/or having a few drinks in a bar, etc. We're very cautious about avoiding drinking &amp; driving.

Christie, I think you will regret the drive, it can be dark, and windy. Our short trip from Cruz Bay back to Caneel is about all I would want to do. Its very dark, and if it rains the roads are super slick with lots of run off!<BR>Cruz Bay is a fun, funky little town!

What Penny said was right. And the drive IS 25-40 minutes. We love the Coral Bay area(and you should visit) but not for a first timer unless you wanted total peace and quiet without going back and forth to Cruz Bay.

Agree -Coral Bay will be too far for you. One year we stayed at Reef Bay, and by the end of the week the drive into Cruz Bay was getting too long. You can do some great day trips to Coral Bay: Salt Bay Pond Beach, Skinny Legs or Vies Chicken Shack for lunch, horse back riding.

Christie -

I have to agree with the other posters, especially for your first trip to St. John. Coral Bay is lovely and we always spend time there, but it is a good drive from Cruz Bay and most of the restaurants and shops. Each year, we say we are going to stay at Coral Bay, but this is our 8th trip (haven't missed a year since our first) and we still have not stayed at Coral Bay. Just my opinion, but try to choose one of the many villas for instance overlooking Rendevous Bay or Chocolate Hole. You're only 10 min. from town and not far from most of the beaches. Unless you want to choose a villa even closer to town, however, so many of the views from Gifft Hill and surrounding areas are spectacular. Also, some of the villas on the North Shore are spectacular as well although there are not nearly as many and they seem to be a bit pricier probably b/c of the law of supply and demand, but good luck, and, if you have any specific questions, do not hesitate to contact me.