redsoxfan

My girlfriend and I are thinking of going to either St. Croix or St. John in February for a 6 night stay and we're looking for advice on which island to choose.

We are both mid-30's and would like a combination of everything (i.e. good accommodations, pool, beach, outdoor activities, dining and nightlife. Any opinions?

Also having difficulty deciding where to stay. Cost is a factor but not a sole determinant as I don't want to wish I'd paid more for something better or feel I got hosed. Thoughts on the Buccaneer, Carambola, Gallows Point, etc.?

FYI, I like kids but I don't necessarily wish to share my vacation with them.

Thanks for the help.

cagney

Definitely have an opinion - two years ago we rented a house on St. Croix for two weeks during Xmas and New Years. We have also been to St. John at least five times, including this May for two weeks. I was incredibly bored in St. Croix - their beaches are not as nice as the ones in St. John and shopping and restaurant availability is very limited. There is one casino there - but it's not much to speak of.

I have been to all the resorts you mentioned. I think both of the ones listed for St. Croix are definitely the best they have there - Buccanner is closer to town and more restaurants. We stayed in May at Gallows. They are nice island style condos but no real beach. They do have a small pool and an area to sunbath by the water and also a floating raft to swim out to but it is extremely rocky. We took taxi's and went to local beaches each day. The beaches are much nicer on St. John and it's an inexpensive ferry ride to St. Thomas for a day trip. There is also more availability for sailing and snorkel trips on St. John. Go out on Scubadu - he was a great Captain and Cook - he'll take you to Jost Van Dyke and Virgin Gorda and snorkeling. Worth the money!

island_breeze

cagney,
What price range is Scubadu? How many people in the group? Small boat or large with shade and restroom/changing room?
My biggest gripe of tours is when the captain caters to the whiners and spoils the trip for the other guests on board.

cagney

This is a privately owned boat - catamaran - very nice and fully equipped. I believe he only takes up to 8 people. We went with just us and another couple. I avoid tours and book private boats. Here's the website: http://www.sailvi.com.

You can also use this link for list of recommended charters. http://www.vinow.com/stthomas/SandL/

Theresa

redsoxfan

Theresa,

Thank you for the response very helpful. If we chose St. John would you recommend Gallows Point or somewhere else?

Also, how long does it take from the time you land in St. Thomas to get to St. John? We'd be coming from Maine which is convenient to nowhere (except Canada) so we would be getting in to St. Thomas that early.

Thanks again for the help.

TedTurner

St. John vs. St. Croix =
Bosox vs. Lowell Spinners
Yaz vs. Rico Petrocelli
Pedro vs. '86 Mets (would've been a different outcome)

St. John is superior to St. Croix on every count except affordability. SJ is higher demand and smaller, so it costs more. But it's worth it.

redsoxfan

TedTurner - Thanks for the response, but please no talk of '86... the pain hasn't gone away yet. However, I'm strategically scheduling my vacation to depart the day after the Super Bowl so I can witness the Patriots third championship here in New England.

Anyway, any opinions / recommendations on where to stay on St. John?

By the way, you're not a soul selling Yankee fan trying to steer me wrong are you.

TedTurner

RSF: I'm a dyed-in-the-wool Cubs fan, born and raised to keep looking ahead even when all seems hopeless...only Cubs fans can truly understand your pain....1908 was a looong time ago. Heck 1919 was practically yesterday.

I haven't stayed in a condo on SJ, only the 2 major resorts. Condos are the way to go if you want maximum value and you don't need the resort pool (Westin) or don't want to pay top dollar for world class beaches out your door (Caneel Bay). Good luck. SJ is a really great getaway if it fits your needs. Nightlife is minimal, food is good, beaches tough to beat anywhere, beautiful island/water scenery, quiet, minimal crime, etc.

Kristen1206

St John

Diana

We stayed at Gallows Point last year for a week and really enjoyed it.

(If you don't want kids around, this is the place.)