We are headed down to St. John next Friday. (Can't wait!!!)Was wondering how the snorkeling was and where was the best place to see marine life! We are staying at Villa Claudia. Anyone stay there? And how is the new car ferry? Any problems i should be aware of??

One of my favorite snorkeling spots is Hawksnest, which is one of the first beaches you will come to. Easy to get to. Trunk bay is hard to beat if no ships are in. Go early or late. If you've never been to St. John, and like to hike, the national parks Reef Bay hike is terrific. You get the islands history, snorkeling, and a boat ride for around 20 bucks. It may be too late to get a reservation though... we got in on a waiting list last year. have fun! http://www.nps.gov/viis/InterpProgram.htm

Oh yeah, we always rent our jeep in st. john, so no need for a car ferry. We had friends that bought a round trip ticket from St T to St. J, and didn't realize there were several companies, so when the went home, OF COURSE, they got on the wrong ferry company, so paid another one way ticket to catch their plane. I can't see where it would be worth the hassle to ferry over...

Ok, so life is good...I'm on STJ right now.

We snorkled at Haulover (both sides) today and it was fab. Waterlemon, Salt Pond Bay, Little Lamesur are also favorites of mine.

Weather has been fantastic here since last Saturday...and forecast is all good. Getting ready to head over to "town" for dinner at ZoZo's in a little while.

We rent our 4WD on STJ...not worth it to mess with the car ferry IMO.

Have a great trip! We've got one more week to go! Trish

Trish,
I am so jealous!!Even though I just returned from Grand Cayman. I just need to move to the Caribbean somewhere!!

Have a great trip!

Christie

I am leaving tomorrow. Can't wait. Thanks for the Reef Bay Hike tip. I am going to check it out when I get there.

Teton630 - We are going on a Limnos day sail to the BVI - Virgin Gorda and the Baths are a must.

I would also visit Cinnamon Bay which I favor even over the famous Trunk Bay. Snorkeling is good around the point between Maho Bay and Francis Bay. Both beaches are beautiful so it doesn't matter which one you snorkel from. Have a wonderful time. If you run into TPatricco, say hello for all of us at Fodors.

thanks so much for the tips. We are really looking forward to going. We were there in January, but the airlines lost our luggage and we really couldn't enjoy ourselves as much as we wanted to, plus we didn't do much but argue on the phone all day for 5 days. So this time we are doing carry on!!! You guys have been great and I have been reading all about everyone's vacations. They all sound wonderful! 3 more days!!!

Just got back. We love easy shore snorkeling. We went to Trunk Bay (very good, literally hundreds of thousands of minnows which are interesting to watch as they move in tandem at times, plus other typical tropical fish, baraccuda (my wife saw one) and a tarpon (I saw that). Also went to Salt Pond and enjoyed that.

Also wanted to recommend Ms. Lucy's for dinner (east side, on 107, north of Salt Pond) Great lump crab cakes and chicken breast with spinach and cheese.

OOHHH! I miss that chicken stuffed with goat cheese and spinach!

I forgot to mention the chicken is drizzled in cherry cabernet sauce. I'll bet Trish is enjoying it right now!

now i can't wait 2 days, i want to go now!!! yummy cherry cabernet sauce!

Right, Tuxedocat. It's goat cheese. And that sauce is incredible. I even put some on my crab cakes.

Mmmm...maybe for dinner tonight! Trish

Has anyone stayed at Villa Claudia on St. John? I read an old post back from May of 2006 from teton630 and he/she was going to stay here. If you are still around on this site, could you post a review of the villa?

Thank you!

Denise

The trick wth the cars on ferries is that you don't always need a 4-wheel drive. It's possible you might slip a bit on the switchback above Trunk, but you can rent a car on St. Thomas for hundreds less than the beat-up 4-wheelers on St. John, then take it over on the ferry - but you have to check it's one of the companies that will let you. We've done this twice while staying at Maho.

It's also handy if you have kids or a lot of luggage, because you load the car once in St. Thomas, rather than take 2 taxis and a ferry hauling all your stuff.

Miss Lucy's.... sigh.