 St Thomas & St John - fun hotels/resorts?
In article <3t6231dqd0vaansl41hptouko8inmdq0c0@>,
Jaz <booterchevski@yawho.com> writes:
Here is some information on St John beaches.
There is taxi service readily available to the north shore beaches.
A bus runs to Salt Pond. Find taxis and the bus near the ferry dock.
For the other beachs or if you like to go it on your own, rent a car.
Also, if you have a car you can drive to the Starfish market and Pick
up a sandwich for lunch. (Or bring one from St Thomas.) Or for a
unique St John experience, drive to "Skinny Legs" for lunch or supper.
If you rent a car on St Thomas, be sure to check that you are allowed
to bring it on the ferry to St John. Not all car rentals will allow
this. Driving on St John is on-the-left, British style, and the roads
are narrow, very steep, and replete with hair-pin curves. There are
places on paved, public roads where four wheel drive can be a necessity.
BEST BEACHES
The Park Service office will provide beach information for you.
Ask at the ferry dock for directions to the Park Service office.
Their borchure is a serviceable map, but some of the roads it
shows are not-existent or questionable.
Along the north shore.
From west to east along north shore:
o Hawksnest beach -- no charge; minimal facilities.
This is my personal favorite.
o Trunk Bay beach -- charge (includes admission at Annaberg
Sugar Mill ruins) There is an interesting snorkel trail
here. Fast food, showers and bathrooms available.
o Cinnamon Bay beach -- there is a campground here. There is
also a restaurant, but It has never been open when we
were there.
There are also several beaches that are not marked and have
limited parking. It can be fun to try them -- they may be
less crowded -- nearly deserted.
If you want a bit of adventure, take the "road" along the water
just before the end of the road at Anaberg (just past the parking).
4WD recommended. You can drive about a mile, and then park and
walk another 3/4 - 1-1/2 miles. There is a nice, little used
beach at about a mile. Another 1/4 mile (+/-) takes you to a
point from which you can snorkel to a nearby island. This is
a lovely snorkel, but I recommend it ONLY if you have a bit of
experience and are comfortable and confident in the water.
If you drive to Coral Bay and take the right turn (South) you come
eventually to a parking lot for Salt Pond. There is a short walk to
a nice beach, and trails beyond to Salt Pond and the southern point.
The beach has minimal facilities. It is not as nice as those along
the north shore, but it is sheltered and will generally have calm water
when the north shore beachs are rough.
I you continue past Salt Pond, the road becomes a bit less of a a road.
Some of it is unpaved, and some of it is *very* steep. As of 2004, the
steep part is paved, and the road is all passable by car, although
four wheel drive is advisable. Follow the road and keep the the
left at the fork. This takes you to Lamishure (spelling?) beach.
This is, in my opinion, the nicest beach on the island that can be
accessed by car. Few people; beautiful sand; reefs and many fish
within easy snorkeling distance from shore.
--
Charlie Hammond -- Hewlett-Packard Company -- Ft Lauderdale FL USA
(hammond@not@peek.ssr.hp.com -- remove "@not" when replying)
All opinions expressed are my own and not necessarily my employer's.
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