After reading about all of the different stinging jellyfish, sponges, rays, etc on the National Park website, we are wondering where are the safest places to snorkel so that we may not encounter these animals. (I know it's the ocean and some marine animals are more mobile than others.) In St. Martin, we snorkel right off of Orient and don't really worry about it except a few barracuda. Any ideas would be appreciated. 21 days and counting.

No worries at all:)

We have nearly 20 years of VI trips under our belts during winter and summer seasons. Snorkeling off the beaches is one of the biggest draws to the VIs for us.

We have never encountered jelly fish. Our only sting ray encounter was during this February and it was stand off-ish and didn't concern us. You will see lots of turtles but they are friendly .

We snorkel off all the beaches with no worries. We have a 7yo that has Been snorkeling with us since he was 4 yo so no worries about "critters." As imam super overprotective about my child. If I don't worry about going out with him, it must be safe!

Over the years we have had good snorkeling from all the north shore beaches. Feet fins and 4 wheel drive book is a great resource for from the beach snorkeling.

The one place I would use caution but only because the current is Waterlemon.

I agree. Been living on our boat in the VI for several years. Current at waterlemon can be strong, but rays, turtles,dozens of kinds of fish have not been a problem- they've been a pleasure.

I believe jellyfish are more of a summer thing.
Maybe a local can chime in?

Many thanks for your reassuring words. We now are really looking forward to snorkeling as much as possible. Many thanks. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Banana.gif" alt="" />

We did buy that book and it is great. Many thanks <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Thank you all for your responses. Now can you recommend some of your favorite restaurants to us. Much indebted.

Jellies seem to be summer visitors. The main ones are moon jellies and not hugely venomous. There is another group of creatures that look like jellies, but have no sting. They are more frequent this time of year. I don't know what is on the park website. Sponges are not dangerous to us, but we are to them. Rays are only a problem if you step on them, so keep buoyant. If you don't touch stuff, you'll be fine. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" />

Favorite restaurants? My current favorite is Fish Tails. And for an inexpensive meal and floor show, Cariga's.

Are you staying on STJ?

Yes, at the Westin. Many thanks

This is the go to list for the most up to date seasonal closings -

http://www.stjohnspice.com/stjohnrestaurants.htm

Our favorites in no particular order -

Morgan's Mango
Lime Inn
Ocean Grill (lunch more than dinner)
Rhumblines

In February, we had good enough meals at the High Tide and Banana Deck.

Sam and Jack's Deli in the Marketplace complex has very good take out.

LaTapa, ZoZo's, Uncle Joe's Barbeque, Sweet Plantains...

We had a wonderful dinner at Morgan's Mango Friday. Their market strategy of staying open while everyone else closes is working very well! Also like La Tapa, but they are closed until November. Will wait and see what the new Zozo's is like.

P.S. The Castaway is, I learned Friday, "a Boston bar." I was thinking that meant Cheers, but it was more like Boston Strong signs everywhere.... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

Would love to see those Boston Strong signs. Many thanks. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/usflag.gif" alt="" />