Hi USVI TTOL'ers. This is, I think, my first post here, as I am usually on the BVI site, and I have a question. Due to the ferry fiasco the wife and I are thinking of spending our last few days of vacation on St. Thomas instead of Virgin Gorda, where we have been going for 24 years. And the question is: where are the best snorkel spots on St. Thomas? And, who to rent a car from for a day or two. It has been 24 years since we spent any time on St. Thomas, but for the last few years we have been flying into STT and taking the ferry over to the BVI, which looks iffy now. Any advice/help appreciated... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/circle.gif" alt="" />

We've stayed on both St Thomas and St John - I'd suggest St. John for a couple of nights - ferry service between St. John and St. Thomas is quite reliable.

Lots of great beaches and snorkel spots.

Hmmm, sounds good. Any suggestions on where to stay for a couple of days on St. John? Only times I been there we were anchored on a boat.

We stayed with friends at a town house at the Westin. They do have regular rooms too - its a nice resort, but the beach isn't all that great - we didn't really spend a whole lot of time there though.

Not sure where else to stay as that's the only time we stayed there and have visited by boat as well. They do have their own ferry which is very convenient.

http://www.westinresortstjohn.com/

St.Thomas and St.John have some awesome diving and snorkeling. Staying St.John would require a car rental to see all the great beaches, way easier and cheaper then taxis. If you stay in the Red Hook (east end) of St.Thomas, most of the hotels have snorkeling on or close by.

Charlie: We would welcome you back with open arms. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> There are many good snorkel spots. Some of the more popular ones are Coki and Sapphire. Some of the less well known ones are Hull and the western end of John Brewer's Bay. There are plenty of condos on the east end- Sapphire, Crystal Cove, Secret Harbour, etc. I am not as knowledgeable about car rentals... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" />

or safaris <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />

Especially safaris!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Hairy.gif" alt="" />

There is good snorkeling at Secret Harbour just off their beach...

we stayed at the Grand Bay Resort in Cruz Bay. They're really more like apartments but ours was clean, affordable and an easy walk to Cruz Bay for restaurants and nightlife. Taxis/shuttles run up and down the north shore beaches. Reliable ferries go to both Red Hook and CA. You can rent a car in Cruz Bay but make sure you've got a place to park it overnight.

I'll second the recommendation for the beach at Secret Harbour. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

Is not best off beach snorkeling in St Thomas off Coki? We have thought so in past years.

Coki has the best walk in scuba place. Jashae's chicken wings are excellent as well

I spent 4 months living at Sapphire last summer and hands down it is one of the best places to snorkel on St Thomas for seeing turtles/rays. If you swim out from the beach (quite safe very little or no current) into the turtle grass and just criss cross the turtle grass areas I guarantee you will see turtles. I have tons of photos of turtles there and a couple where they actually let me touch them! Now, I don't harass the turtles, but if you follow slowly and are patient they seem to get use to you and even come up to you sometimes. My husband can't believe how often they let me "pet" them. We have also regularly seen spotted eagle rays in addition to tons of southern rays. Standing on the beach the point out on the far left has a fairly healthy coral/ soft coral area that makes for a great time but do pay attention because there is a current sometimes out at both points.