Virgin Islands Honeymoon - Help!
 

Hi. My fiance and I are going to be going to the Virgin Islands on April 3rd, 2004. We are spending the first three nights at the Marriot Morning Star and then 7 nights at the Gallows Point Resort. We are so excited, and are really looking for some advice on what we should plan while we are away. What things are there to do on St. Thomas and St. John? We are wanting to figure out things that we absolutely MUST do - like visit the BVI (the bathes, soggy dollar bar, etc). We have never done any traveling before, and any advice you could give would be so great. We dont even know where to begin! All we know is that we have a representative from the Marriot picking us up from the airport and bringing us to the hotel. Then, after our stay there we take the ferry over to St. John and have another representative take us to the other resort. Thats all we know! Please please please help us. What type of itinerary should we have? Thanks so much to all!

As a multi time visitor to both St. Thomas and St. John and planning to return again next fall, I have recently purchased two books that I feel you would find most helpful. "St. John Beach Guide" has outstanding pictures of numerous St. John beaches and other gorgeous scenes along with great information and facts. "Explore The Virgin Islands" has the most information about all of the islands that I have seen. After just having received these books, I have become aware of many, many things that I have not seen, but certainly plan to include as much as possible in my next itinerary.

I purchased them from Amazon.com, where after selecting the St. John book, I received a discount on the Explore book, in addition to free shipping.

You and your fiance will love these islands. Morningstar is a great choice. I have not stayed at Gallows Point, but everyone that I met who stayed there had very good things to report. You have made a wonderful selection to start your new lives together.

BATHS ARE A MUST,THE CAVES OF NORMAN ISLAND,PETER ISLAND,JOST VAN DYKE,ALL THE BEACHES OF ST JOHN ESPECIALY CINNAMON BAY.IF YOU CAN GET OUT OF STAYING ON ST THOMAS DO IT,IT SUCKS,SCUM BAG ISLAND(REMINDS ME OF JAMAICA),JUST LAND THERE AND PASS THROUGH,STAY ON ST JOHN OR ANY ONE OF THE BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS.PETER ISLAND IS BEST PLACE IVE SEEN YET ESPECIALY BEACH FRONT ROOMS.

First, congratulations on your forthcoming wedding.

You didn't mentioned if you would be renting a 'jeep' or not. If not, reserve one. St. John is too beautiful of island not to see all of it. Most of St. John's beaches are great and relatively easy to get to. If you really want a secluded honeymoon beach try Little Lameshur on the south east coast.

There are other beach/exploring books at this site in addition to a wealth of USVI information.

http://www.usvi-on-line.com/usviforum.html

THE BATH on Virgin Gorda are a must-do! Take your snorkeing gear with you and check for the ferry schedule at www.bviwelcome.com. Don't forget your passport as you have to go through customs entering the British Virgin Islands.
FOXY's bar and restaurant on Jost-van-Dyke is also very famous, if you have a chance to go, don't miss it.
Regine/KATITCHE POINT GREATHOUSE

Promise me you will have dinner at Asolare in St John. It is overlooking Cruz Bay (and Gallows Point). Book a table outside at the sunset seating...You will not be disappointed!

As far as renting a car, Jeeps sound great, but know you are not allowed to put the top down. It also seemed that prices can be negotiated (we got a Suzuki 4 door for $60). I can't remember who we rented from, it was a local man.

I just did a trip report if you want to check it out(we just returned last week), had such a great time even though weather was horrific (Tropical Storm Odette!)

St John is a perfect honeymoon spot, best wishes to you!

Some other thoughts I had concerning St. Yhomas and St. John. While I do prefer the island of St. John, St. Thomas has a charm of its own. Things that I enjoyed on St. Thomas are as follows:

A tour around the island can be arranged at your hotel Stops along the way included, St. Peter the Great with an iutstanding view and three acres of trails through their botanical gardens, Mountain Top and some other outstanding scenic vistas, acompanied by a driver who added information about the island and its history.

A four island BVI trip which included The Baths and Jost Van Dike. We used New Horizans II which made for a great trip.

Shopping in Charlotte Amalie. Best access is with the water taxi from adjacent Frenchman's Reef which traverses over crystal clear blue waters with close-up views of the enormous docked cruise ships.

Restaurants that I enjoyed are Tavern on The Beach, located on Morningstar Beach - good food, elegant dining acompanied by live music, Old Stone Farmhouse - outstanding gormet food, Herve's, excellent food and outstanding view especially durining daylight hours,
Windows at Frenchman's Reef for breakfast- It's fun to watch the cruise ship round the cliff so close that they almost appear touchable - lunch poolside at Frenchman's Reef good salads with a picture postcard view.

I would also advise that you buy your own snorkeling masks from someone who will fit you and guarantee that they will not leak A non-leaking mask is esential for enjoyable snorkeling. If you have never before snorkeled, you may want to practice in a pool to gain your confidence and expertise before jumping off of a boat in fifty feet of water. Don't be embarassed to do so. I swim laps with my mask and fins just to be in shape for my ocean trips. However flotation devices are available at most hotels and trips for you security and safety.

Some good places to eat on St. John are Zozo's at Gallows Point, Stone Terrace, just down the street and Lime Inn which is also close. Good shopping at Mongoose Junction and wharfside. There is a great waterside bar with great Caribbean flavor next to Low Key Watersports. If you enjoy hiking, there are many trails indicated in the books mentioned above. Reef Bay Trail can be taken through the National Park service, and it may be advisable to make a reservation before arrival as spots fill fast.

Have fun.

Some good advice from Diane except the part about St Thomas having a charm of its own.Unless you want to waste time triket shopping, the only charming thing about St Thomas is leaving.

I would add Magens Bay to your list of things to do on STT. It's a lovely beach, esp. if you walk down away from the crowds near the entrance.

Another intimate activity is to book a day sail on a privately owed ship like the Winifred in STT or the Gypsy Spirit on STJ. They take a max. of 6 people and include lunch and snorkeling at some places that can only be accessed by boat. You will not be disappointed.

Magens Bay on St. Thomas is pretty, but you will likely have to share it with hundreds of cruise ship passengers on any given day. I would suggest spending all of your honeymoon on St. John. That way you don't have to pack up and move after 3 days. If you really want to, you can take the ferry for a day trip to St. Thomas, but once you get to St. John, the odds are that you won't want to. Congratulations on your wedding.

Obviously most people that give St. Thomas a bad name have not taken the time to enjoy the island for what it is. The Virgin Islands are beautiful and each one has its own personality. I enjoy St. Thomas.
Lisa

Another Vote for St. John, it is a perfect island for a honeymoon. Although we rented a villa, Gallows Point gets very good reviews. They say to ask for a unit that is furthest away from the Harbor. You hear more noise from that end. It's a pretty little resort.

I agree about St. Thomas. Shopping is very overwhelming....Tons of jewelry stores with store owners standing outside trying to lure you inside their shops. I understand they want one's business but it was very annoying. We ended up buying on St. John in the shopping area called Mongoose Junction. Beautiful shopping area with lovely stores.

The beaches are what St. John is all about. There are lots of them and the island itself is very picturesque.

Have a wonderful honeymoon.