Jasmine

I'm going with my husband to St. Thomas and we're staying at the Frenchman's Reef. Looking at a few of the comments, it seems like many would disagree with our choice, but we've already made it? Any suggestions on what to do/ where to eat????

Jasmine

Oh... and what beaches should we hit and where should we go snorkeling? I'm not interested in going to a nude beach, but are thongs acceptable?

Mike

Try doing a snorkel trip to St. John. It's a lot of fun. Also try Agave Terrace. The food is great.

katie

The beach at Frenchman's is excellent but a day trip to St. John is a must. Thongs are OK, nude not. Don't agree about Agave. Lovely view but we had to wait and wait to be served and the food was OK but very expensive. Heard later on that they change chefs a lot so it can be very inconsistent.<BR><BR>After checking out various sites on this forum, we were very impressed with the Toad and Tart pub on the East end. Excellent home-cooked food and very comfortable and friendly place. Would definitely recommend it.<BR><BR>Ate at Lime Inn on St. John one evening and although it was crowded we had a good dinner and a nice time there.<BR><BR>Tried a couple of places on the East end but weren't too impressed. Food at the Reef was typical hotel food so after one dinner we avoided it. Have a good trip.

Mike P

For casual food in a relaxed atomosphere, check out Molly Malone's and Duffy's Love Shack in Red Hook. There is also deli/market (can't remember the name) between Molly Malone's and the St. John's ferry that makes delicious breakfast/lunch baskets for day trips to St. John--cheap!

JP

Frenchman's reef is a very nice hotel with Marriott level and consistancy. I doubt you will be disappointed. We are making our second visit in as many years. View is world class. St. Thomas is underated. It's beautiful and the ocean swimming is great. Have a nice time.<BR>

Larry

Jasmine-<BR>I would suggest Secret Harbor both for the Beach and for the Blue Moon Cafe for dinner. If you are going before hurricane season, please call the Winifred for a great day sail and snorkeling trip to St. John. She sails out of American Yacht harbor near red Hook.

RichF

The Marriott is a lovely place to base yourself for a stay in St. Thomas. You will notice that St. Thomas can be quite a hectic place. <BR><BR>My suggestions are: a visit to Magens Bay for beauty, Coki Beach for snorkeling, downtown for history, bars, food and shopping.<BR><BR>If you want a change of pace, take a couple of easy day trips to St. John and Virgin Gorda (The Baths). Tortola can be somewhat busy.

Kari

Try eating at Raffles. I haven't been there myself, but I heard it's great.

Jasmine

Thanks for all the suggestions. Planning to visit St. John on your suggestions. Had two other questions:<BR><BR>1) Where is the best snorkeling off a beach on both St. Thomas and St. John?<BR>2) Where is the best place to go windsurfing?<BR><BR>Thanks!

Larry

Jasmine-<BR><BR>1)Best snorkeling on St. Thomas is probably Coki Beach next to Coral World.<BR>It gets crowded during cruise ship days.<BR>Any beach on St. John is good for snorkeling, but Trunk Bay has an underwater snorkel trail. It also gets crowded during cruise ship days.<BR>2)Windsurfing beaches on St. Thomas would be Sapphire Beach and Morningstar at the Frenchmans Reef.

John

Secret Harbor for snorkling. It is some sort of perserve, park or something. nice beach and good restaurant the Blue Moon Cafe. Windsurfing is at on East End and most resorts. Also rented from place in Red Hook. Day trip to BVIs to either e Baths on Virgin Gorda (powerboat) or Jost (sail) or public ferry for the day.

Bree

I highly recommed that you take a trip to Virgin Gorda just for the day. you will need your passports because its in the BVI and the price which is a little over $100 bucks will be well worth the trip. The boat takes a tour of the islands, stops at St. Johns to pick up passengers you get a little history of both the islands as you go to Virgin Gorda. There you will go to the Baths which is one of the seven wonders the world take a hike down a trail and your guide will take you in and out of large rocks that form caves and have mini mineral baths enclosed when you come out of the rocks you will see the most beautiful water and sand invented by God. You'll get to swim and take pictures, then you go back to the boat and have lunch. The boat then goes to Treasure Island where you jump off the boat ans scuba dive in out of the caves. ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!! An experience you will never forget. Do a search on Virgin Gorda, do help your mental picture.<BR><BR><BR>PS: DON"T FORGET YOUR WATER SHOES!!!!!!!!

beachy

don't know that Bree has ever been to the Baths. No mineral pools there just wonderful sea and batholyths that were deposited by earthquakes that formed the VI's. Where is Treasure Island in the VI's? Never heard of it. Norman Island is where the caves are located.

Jasmine

Thanks for the suggestions.<BR><BR>Wondered if any of you had suggestions on rental car. Should we get a sedan or jeep? There's a $130 difference between the two. Is it better just to get the sedan on St. Thomas and rent the jeep on St. JOhn once we get there (we're only going to spend 1 day on st. john)? And if so, any suggestions on who to call/where to get the car?

James

Dependable auto will let you ship over from St. Thomas to St. JOhn

chazz

I would go with a sedan, which is all you'll need on St. Thomas. For one day in St. John, a regular car is fine - it will get you to several beaches, including some that aren't as packed as Trunk Bay. You only need a 4WD for some truly out-of-the-way spots that you might visit if you spent a full week on the island.<BR><BR>I found that about half of the STT rental firms allowed their vehicles to go on the car ferry to St. John. The $27 RT includes up to three passengers, so it's a good deal (there is one ferry that charges more).<BR><BR><BR><BR>

Jasmine

Thanks for all the wonderful feedback.<BR><BR>We're now interested in going to St. JOhn for a day to snorkel/beach and have lunch. Any recommendations for lunch?<BR><BR>And since we're going to St. John, we're interested in the BVI boat trip that goes to the Baths. Any ideas of who to call?

Ronnie

If you are taking your car, drive over to Coral Bay and have lunch at The Shipwreck Landing. Nice place, nice view.I had some folks take the Limnos trip to the baths, they also stop at the caves at Norman Island. They thought it was a fantastic day trip!<BR>Ronnie

Don

You have gotten some good advice. I assume that the authors live on St. Thomas as I do.<BR> Definately try the "Toad andTart". <BR>One more thing that you might want to consider. If you have a car, drive up to Paradise Point(up the hill next to Budget car rental and opposite Havensight)It's where the tran goes. Go around dusk on a day that has scattered clouds(clear or rain is no good). You can park at the top and sit and have a drink or snack. As the sun goes down, the cruise ships are departing, and if your lucky, a seaplane may be landing or takin off(a photo opt must). It's beautiful and magical and as the sun goes down, the lights in town begin to twinkle on.<BR> Trip to the 'Caves' is a must see. A couple of days a week, they offer round trip the same day.<BR> A nice day sailing and snorkling , try "Salt Whistle Charters" 340-690-7141<BR> Enjoy!<BR>