St. John help!
 

My husband Steve and I love going to remote, quiet islands every May with great beaches and snorkeling, and not many tourists. We love getting immersed in the culture, so big resorts and tourist activities are not appealing at all. We're considering a villa rental on St. John (we've never been there), or perhaps Eleuthra (we've been to Exuma), or maybe even going back to Anguilla for the 3rd time! Any preferences or suggestions? If so, let us know any great beaches or snorkel sights. Thanks!!

We enjoyed the underwater snorkel trail at Trunk Bay on St. John. Other posters have also recommended Cinnamon Bay.

You will love St. John! Stay in a villa with a view and rent a jeep and explore the island.

The best snorkeling on the island (in my opinion) is at Waterlemon Cay and Salt Pond Bay - way out in the bay where you can see the exposed coral. There is also good snorkeling at Cinnamon Bay around the small island just off the shore. Trunk Bay was so packed with cruise ship passengers that we never even stopped. We were having so much fun at the other beaches, we didn't feel the need to pay the admission and fight the crowds. Also, you should spend some time at Francis Bay. If you are patient, you'll see some turtles around the grassy areas. Swimming with those turtles was one of the coolest things I've done.

You can rent a dinghy from a shack beside the Beach Bar ("Noah's Little Arks") and visit several of the north shore beaches in one day. That way, you can decide which ones you want to go back to in your jeep later in your trip. We had a blast that day in the dinghy! They provide a cooler with ice - just bring some drinks, pack a lunch and you are all set!

In addition, I highly recommend the books, "Feet, Fins and a 4 Wheel Drive", as well as "The St. John Beach Guide". They were a great resource for our trip.

And, there is TONS of information on St. John on this message board:
http://www.usvi-on-line.com/usviforum.html

Have a great trip!

St. John is beautiful, but my vote would be for Eleuthera!!! most beautiful beaches (yes, even nicer than St. John). Harbour Island (Pink Sands), etc. Can't go wrong.

St. John handsdown. We went to Harbour Island a few years ago. It can't even compare to St. John. I know there are a few people who hype up HI but to us, it had a very pretty beach but that was it. We stayed next door to the Pink Sands. Pink Sands was lovely but very very stuffing people. It just couldn't compare to a villa......

There were so many more gorgeous beaches on St. John....Great town for shopping and eating out. We actually barbecued most nights at the villa because it was so romantic watching the sunsets and also enjoying the pool in the evening with total privacy......

St. John is so much more picturesque and so many gorgeous beaches. We ended up getting married on Trunk Bay. We looked at tons of island and after going to Harbour Island we were so glad we chose St. John.

Renting a villa is the way to go there. The agency we ended up choosing was:
vacationvistas.com. Although we didn't stay there because we needed a 4 bedroom. Take a look at Splendore Villa on that site. It gets raves.

I really don't think you will be disappointed in St. John. It's glorious. Has exactly what your looking for.

I agree with the poster above. The USVI online forum is the best. It's how we chose St. John, planned the wedding and chose our villa from the great people on there. It more than exceeded our expectations.

I would like to hear about the Exumas? Would you go back and which resort would you recommend. We want low key, just beach, snorkeling and a little golf. I hear the Four Season is opening there soon. St. John does not have golf and we want just a 4 night getaway.

Would love to hear about it.

Good luck and hope you choose St. John.

PlS. Trunk Bay is desolate early morning and after 4:30pm when the cruise people leave. It's one of the most photographed beaches in the world.

We're going to St. John for the first time at the end of October. At USVI-Online I ordered 'St. John Off the Beaten Track' by Gerald Singer. Great source for beach trails and snorkeling locations.