Thinking of spending a full week in USVI on next sailing trip. St John's anchorages are familiar to me but looking for advice of where to go on/ around St Thomas and of course, any areas to avoid.

Thanks

The best anchorages would be Christmas Cove, Brewers Bay, Lindberg Bay and Charlotte Amalia harbor. Personally, Christmas Cove is a good stop for a snorkel and some pizza, the rest of St. Thomas can be skipped your not missing anything. If your looking for something different head over to the Spanish VI's.

Hans Lolich island has a beautiful safe anchorage on the N. side.
Magens Bay is a wonderful anchorage and beach.
Hull Bay is worthwhile and has a great beach hangout.
Inner Brass has a protected western anchorage.
Santa Maria Bay has incredible snorkeling.

These are located on the North side of STT and you must be aware of the Atlantic swell conditions in most cases - that is true in STJ and the BVI too.
A circumnavigation of STT is a wonderful week cruise - Water Island and Buck Island offer very good overnight anchorages as well, the West side of Hassel Island is good too.
<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/smashpc.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/smashpc.gif" alt="" /> the rest of St. Thomas can be skipped your not missing anything.
I feel that is very unfair - I have lived and sailed in St Thomas for over 40 years.
Like many of the places in STJ --- plan to eat on board more often -- but there are some beach bars and restaurants accessible.

We couldn't agree more. We love sailing the virgins.

St John and STT are definitely different from BVI and the is why I want to spend some time there. Going to the Spanish Virgins may be great for the same week .

The second week will begin with picking up a few friends in STT and will be spending second week in BVI.

Brewers is a seldom used anchorage just inside the airport runway. It's really not that loud, and it's interesting watching the jets come and go.

Brewers bay is sandy,secure anchoring, mostly calm,has great swimming and snorkeling and a spectacular beach with clean water and easy dinghy access, road access for taxi or rental car,close by the airport for guest arrival/departure, or reprovisioning with the new supermarket just east of UVI.
There is airport noise during the day but much quieter than many STT bays that have traffic,sirens or boat noise.

Brewer's is also on the campus of UVI and is the back yard of the Marine Science program. Lots of scientific stuff going on there. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" />

Good point Nutmeg -

One point about brewers... don't anchor too close to the balls in the SE corner. These are used by University.

Boats will often come in later in the day, grab a ball, and skedaddle, perhaps leaving you uncomfortably close.

Good info there on the mooring balls.
There are no free or open moorings there so anchoring only. I highly recommend the western of the 2 food trucks - great pates and $2.00 ice cold beer. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" />
I hope the new "sin Tax" doesn't affect the prices much.