St. Thomas/St. John: Now or Later?
 

Our family of three is looking to visit St. Thomas/St. John in early June 2008. From what I've read, we'll want to spend the majority of our time on St. John--looking at renting a villa for a week.

In the meantime, we're cruising over Christmas and have a stop in St. Thomas. Debating what shore excursions to do. I think that we should stick to St. Thomas, see/do what we can there during our stop there (7:00 AM to 5:00 PM), and then focus our June trip all on St. John. Advice? Suggestions for shore excursions on St. Thomas? Snorkeling, sailing, sightseeing?

get off your ship right at 7. get a taxi to magens beach. absolutely gorgeous but will be crowded with your fellow passengers by 11. at 11 taxi to coral world byb coki beach - an eco marine experience: http://www.coralworld.com/cwvi/
or from the dock at havensight walk to waterworld and take a snorkel trip on their catamaran the castaway girl.

If you go over to Magen's, make sure to eat at Indigo, which is close by.

I second the recommendation of Indigo. Good food, decent view. And if you do that, try the little creamery place nearby, which makes great milkshakes. Someone will have to help me with the name -- I think it's something simple like "St. Thomas Dairy."

St. Thomas Dairy ... the UDDER DELIGHT!
I posted this before but here goes. I would probably, if I wanted to shop, do that in Charlotte Amalie and check out the historical sites including a quick tour of the island - Drake's Seat, Mountain Top, etc. Have the cab drop you at a beach such as Secret Harbour which is lovely and has a great spot for lunch and beach bar, Blue Moon Cafe. Taxi can drop you off there and the desk will call you one to return if there isn't one there alrady. There is a tram across from Havensight if your ship docks there and at the top a bit of shopping, eating and drinking with good views down island or some shopping at Havensight if your ship docks there.
BTW, hear that you can get a good b'fast at Magen's if you don't have it on the ship before you go. There are also vendors for snorkeling/sailing but I would be tempted to save that for the return trip to St. John when you have all day and can really relax and enjoy - even head to the BVI's.

Yummm.... Udder Delight is very good.

Oh, also... I agree... Secret Harbour is great. Have lunch at the Blue Moon Cafe and do some snorkeling.