Hello everyone,
We're planning a trip to Saint Thomas in Mid July this year (I know it's not the best time of year)for the one's who have visited the Island, can you tell me the pros and cons of this Island versus other Carribean Islands. We are two familes with 3 teen age kids. Also I'm really concerned about sandfleas, last time we went to Saint Martin, we were all misreable with bug bits. Anyone has any suggestions?
Thank you all in advance for your help

Though I have not tested this...I was told that fabric softener sheets are the way to go to keep insects (even invisible ones) away.

Joyfully- St. Thomas is a great island, I was just there in the fall. If you have a chance, stay at a villa (depending on your budget) because, in my experience, they do tend to be better maintained and with more controlled use, sandfleas and the like are not as much of an issue. There are a couple of villa companies you can choose from, we booked through Caribbeanway and had a wonderful experience.
The island itself is good for you as well because in Charlotte Amalie you have a good mix of shopping, restaurants and, throughout the island, lots of activities, especially watersports.
The only con is if you are staying too close to Charlotte Amalie, it was a little too "beaten down" to want to stay there. If you can find a villa that meets your needs in Peterborg, that is the way to go!

hi joy, do you have a place to stay yet? if not with the 3 teens my advice would by wyndham sugar bay. all inclusive so they can eat, drink and do stuff to their hearts content.
st. thomas is busier than most islands. the shoppping in char am is fabulous. there is a wonderful outdoor market at the east end of town not to be missed. i attended a wedding in june 05 and had no problem with fleas. some mosquiotoes at dusk and dawn. regular buy spray with deet fixed this. a day trip to st. john to go to the beaches and to snorkel is easy to arrange. the ferry from red hook takes around 25 mins. there is a imho 5* excursion available from www.newhorizonscharters.com from st. t to st. j then the baths, lunch at a pussers on marina cay (cuban cigars avail here) then snokeling then home. you go all the way around tortola and get to see a lot. this is done in a reconfigured cigarette boat which goes way fast thus allowing this long trip to be done in a day. book this asap if you are interested as they are very popular and book months ahead. (passports needed)
coki world is probably a good place to spend a day. interactive exhibits with turtles, rays, etc. and a good snorkel beach.
i too would not want to stay in char am. it's just too busy and you don't want the kids thinking they should be wandering town at night.
another idea with teens is www.bolongobay.com - kind of known for being a party spot with fun bars.
not sure if this is the kind of info you are seeking. if you have some more specific questions fire away - lots of fodorites have visited and a couple live there, or did.

No-see-ums or sand fleas love shady places. They are most prevalent near growth along the beach and come out in droves at dawn and dusk. It's actually not the sand they are interested in. I bring a nice big can or bottle of insect repellant everywhere when in the islands. If you notice any bugs, apply repellant immediately. The folks that get bitten are usually the ones that left the spray back at the villa or in the car. A little vigilance and you'll be fine.

Thank you all for your response, you've all been great help.
I don't feel too bad anymore about sandfleas. As for lodging we're renting a Villa from Carribeanway, it's suppose to be over looking Megans Bay, hopefully it's a good area of the island. While we're there we would love to visit the surrounding islands, from what I understand the only way to get to st. john is by ferry. My younger daughter gets very sick on ferries, is ferry the only way to see the other islands??

I think the ferry is a short 20 minute ride away. Will she get sick in 20 minutes? What about having her take some non-drowsy Dramamine or Bonine... and have her take some ginger capsules to settle her stomach?

Oops... I see the ferry takes 25 minutes per Virginia... sorry.