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St. John Must Do's
#74058
11/07/2015 01:37 PM
11/07/2015 01:37 PM
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 678 Vail, CO/St. Thomas, USVI
caribbeangirl13
OP
Traveler
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OP
Traveler
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 678
Vail, CO/St. Thomas, USVI
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We will be staying on island for the week of Christmas. Part of the plan is to check it out as a place to call home once our youngest 2 are through college, however we are there on a family vacation. Haven't been to St. John in years so wondering if anyone has some good suggestions of great beaches, beach bars, a good place to have Christmas dinner or anything else you feel we need to check out.
Sue s/v Ripple Leopard 40
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Re: St. John Must Do's
[Re: caribbeangirl13]
#74059
11/07/2015 01:58 PM
11/07/2015 01:58 PM
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Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 5,884 St. Thomas, USVI
Nutmeg
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 5,884
St. Thomas, USVI
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As you know the only beach bars are in Cruz Bay. Okay, Cinnamon has a little hut. I know people who have already made Christmas dinner reservations. Everyone will be busy. Have fun! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/xmas032.gif" alt="" />
[color:"red"]NUTMEG[/color] Today is the tomorrow you talked about yesterday.
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Re: St. John Must Do's
[Re: Nutmeg]
#74060
11/07/2015 03:17 PM
11/07/2015 03:17 PM
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 678 Vail, CO/St. Thomas, USVI
caribbeangirl13
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Posts: 678
Vail, CO/St. Thomas, USVI
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Nutmeg said: As you know the only beach bars are in Cruz Bay. Okay, Cinnamon has a little hut. I know people who have already made Christmas dinner reservations. Everyone will be busy. Have fun! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/xmas032.gif" alt="" /> Thought so but was going to check out Coral Bay (possible spot for a live aboard scenario) and wondered if there were any fun beach type bars (or boaters' bar) there that were a must stop.
Sue s/v Ripple Leopard 40
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Re: St. John Must Do's
[Re: goozee]
#74063
11/08/2015 10:25 AM
11/08/2015 10:25 AM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,956 St. John, USVI
RickG
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,956
St. John, USVI
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In Coral Bay, we like Skinny Legs and Aqua Bistro. Indigo Grill is new. The dinghy dock behind Skinny Legs makes it a gathering spot. The Tourist Trap and Concordia are fun. We like sunsets at Concordia. Its high season, so dinner reservations are a good idea. We're fans of happy hour in Cruz Bay at Joe's Rum Hut with food and drink discounts.
Angels Rest is a floating beach bar that is usually anchored at Hansen Bay Campground (just past Vie's on the East End). You can swim aboard.
For liveaboard, water and fuel are challenges in Coral Bay. I'd seriously consider sufficient solar and a DC water maker. I like to be able to swim off the boat, so I'd be spending a good bit of time at Hansen Bay.
There's a Coral Bay Community Group on Facebook.
Cheers, RickG
S/V Echoes, 2003 Beneteau 423 Grenada
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Re: St. John Must Do's
[Re: caribbeangirl13]
#74064
11/08/2015 11:24 AM
11/08/2015 11:24 AM
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Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 5,884 St. Thomas, USVI
Nutmeg
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 5,884
St. Thomas, USVI
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I don't think any of the places in Coral Bay are really beach bars- maybe Skinny's? Miss Lucy's is on a beach of sorts. Re: live aboard life. That is a difficult life in the USVI. Mooring permits are few and far between. I'm not sure what the deal is in Coral Bay but here is an interesting article on a clean up of wrecks in the bay.
[color:"red"]NUTMEG[/color] Today is the tomorrow you talked about yesterday.
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Re: St. John Must Do's
[Re: Nutmeg]
#74065
11/08/2015 10:22 PM
11/08/2015 10:22 PM
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 678 Vail, CO/St. Thomas, USVI
caribbeangirl13
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Traveler
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OP
Traveler
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 678
Vail, CO/St. Thomas, USVI
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Rick: I knew you would have some good ideas. Thank you! Nutmeg: Thanks for the article. Very interesting. My husband words for the Forest Service here in Colorado and our hope is that he would be able to continue his career in St. John some day, so he was especially interested in the article.
Thinking I might need to make reservations for Christmas dinner prior to getting down there. Any recommendations on a place to get fresh lobster near Cinnamon Bay that will be open for either Christmas Eve or Christmas night?
Sue s/v Ripple Leopard 40
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Re: St. John Must Do's
[Re: caribbeangirl13]
#74066
11/09/2015 01:58 PM
11/09/2015 01:58 PM
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 857
Cleobeach
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 857
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Some years back, I remember people talking about The Fish Trap (in Cruz Bay) as a source for lobsters. I know two years ago we requested them for a villa dinner and the chef couldn't buy any. If you are able to buy lobsters, report back because I would love to find a supplier. Definitely make reservations for Christmas. In Coral Bay, we like the Shipwreck for lunches/afternoon drinks. Skinny Legs is polarizing People either love it or not. I personally am a "not" but I will say it did seem much improved during our last trip. (our friends love it so I go with the flow) The bars along Cruz Bay are fun for happy hour. As RickG said, Joe's is a fun happy hour. There is also High Tide and the Beach Bar. For more upscale (by STJ standards) Drink! is great. A nice wine by the glass list and great cocktails. By "upscale" I mean Drink! is the type of place you get a real glass as opposed to a plastic cup like the Beach Bar, Joe's, etc. We have a very good meal at Waterfront Bistro in July. Apparently one of the chefs from La Tapa moved over to Waterfront Bistro. A forum friend talked us into trying it and we were very happy we listened to her, it was great. Extra Virgin (the old Tage/Fatty Crab location) is getting lots of extremely positive praise.
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Re: St. John Must Do's
[Re: NCSailor]
#74068
11/09/2015 10:48 PM
11/09/2015 10:48 PM
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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,614 Woodstock, GA
RickinAtlanta
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,614
Woodstock, GA
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NCSailor said: Love the cheeseburgers at Skinny Legs. Any place that advertises as having "same day service" I gotta LOVE.
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Re: St. John Must Do's
[Re: Cleobeach]
#74069
11/10/2015 07:16 AM
11/10/2015 07:16 AM
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Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 5,884 St. Thomas, USVI
Nutmeg
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 5,884
St. Thomas, USVI
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There is a great deal of diversity in the bars in Cruz Bay. $1 drinks at Across the Street and $12 at Extra Virgin. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />
The best thing about Cruz Bay is that you can walk around and see which place is for you. For example, I am not a fan of Joe's Rum Hut(sorry Tom B.)but then I don't like TVs in bars! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" /> I do like Morgan's Mango, though. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" />
[color:"red"]NUTMEG[/color] Today is the tomorrow you talked about yesterday.
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Re: St. John Must Do's
[Re: NCSailor]
#74070
11/10/2015 08:53 AM
11/10/2015 08:53 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 969 NC, USA
capndar
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 969
NC, USA
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agree on Skinny's Cheeseburger - also a good place to watch football. Another - "should do" - Last week we visited the Danish ruins around Leinster Bay - very nice! Go between 10-2 Tues-Fri and they have live people explaining things and baking bread in the oven.
Capndar Masters 50 GT Sail/Power/Towing 3rd generation sailor
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Re: St. John Must Do's
[Re: capndar]
#74071
11/12/2015 11:01 AM
11/12/2015 11:01 AM
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 98 Virginia
BVIShuga
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 98
Virginia
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"Across the Street" bar has closed. It is suppose to be opening again as a sushi place. We ate at Longboard last week and liked the food and drinks there. For the people watching go to Quiet Mon and get a beer, sit at the rain and watch all the people down below. You see some funny stuff!
Love sailing the BVI's with friends.
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Re: St. John Must Do's
[Re: BVIShuga]
#74072
11/13/2015 05:23 PM
11/13/2015 05:23 PM
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Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 5,884 St. Thomas, USVI
Nutmeg
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 5,884
St. Thomas, USVI
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Re: Across the Street- Aw, I wondered why they were shuttered last Sunday. I just thought it was because it was Sunday.
[color:"red"]NUTMEG[/color] Today is the tomorrow you talked about yesterday.
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Re: St. John Must Do's
[Re: LocalSailor]
#74076
11/23/2015 09:25 AM
11/23/2015 09:25 AM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,956 St. John, USVI
RickG
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,956
St. John, USVI
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As long as your not out late looking to buy drugs you should be fine. Cruz Bay has some tough spots after hours, but Coral Bay is pretty darn quiet and most folks are home by 9PM. Use common sense, don't leave valuables in your car in plain sight. Use the safe to store your valuables when away.
Cheers, RickG
S/V Echoes, 2003 Beneteau 423 Grenada
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Re: St. John Must Do's
[Re: caribbeangirl13]
#74078
11/30/2015 11:12 AM
11/30/2015 11:12 AM
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Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 82 Thunder Bay, Ont Canada
BarbandRon
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 82
Thunder Bay, Ont Canada
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caribbeangirl13 said: We will be staying on island for the week of Christmas. Part of the plan is to check it out as a place to call home once our youngest 2 are through college, however we are there on a family vacation. Haven't been to St. John in years so wondering if anyone has some good suggestions of great beaches, beach bars, a good place to have Christmas dinner or anything else you feel we need to check out. We have always had great meals at Rhumb Lines. Expensive but well worth it great pad Thai. The entrance is in a small convenience store on King St.
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Re: St. John Must Do's
[Re: BarbandRon]
#74079
12/04/2015 05:28 AM
12/04/2015 05:28 AM
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 414 Memphis, TN
beerMe
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 414
Memphis, TN
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Pad Thai? Now I have another thing on my to do list!
Life involves risks, take some prudent ones (NOT with the BVI ferries)!
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Re: St. John Must Do's
[Re: beerMe]
#74080
12/04/2015 11:12 AM
12/04/2015 11:12 AM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,956 St. John, USVI
RickG
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,956
St. John, USVI
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Their Pad Thai is sparky, great if you like it hot. Just be warned, much hotter than traditional. Rhumblines has good food, service and drinks. Its in an interior courtyard, so can be quite hot if its a hot night.
Cheers, RickG
S/V Echoes, 2003 Beneteau 423 Grenada
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Re: St. John Must Do's
[Re: RickG]
#74081
12/04/2015 11:17 AM
12/04/2015 11:17 AM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,956 St. John, USVI
RickG
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,956
St. John, USVI
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Reading back, no one mentioned Lime Inn for lobster. Morgan's Mango has lobster as well (usually). I always end up getting the whole grilled fish at Lime Inn.
Cheers, RickG
S/V Echoes, 2003 Beneteau 423 Grenada
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Re: St. John Must Do's
[Re: BEERMAN]
#74084
12/04/2015 03:28 PM
12/04/2015 03:28 PM
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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,614 Woodstock, GA
RickinAtlanta
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,614
Woodstock, GA
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BEERMAN said: I would 2nd,3rd or 4th the Lime Inn recommendation, love it! Rick I stopped in August to say hey to Rich, the bartender said he wasn't there yet, so he's still hang'in.
I would also recommend a hike to Rams Head, if youre there over a full moon it's a great experience to watch the sun set and the moon rise! Rich helped me pull a great one on a member of our 12 person dinner group way back. Rich had his young daughter walk up to one married couple in our group and announce loudly, "Mr. ___ you still owe me the $25 from last night!" <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />
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