Caneel Bay

Does anyone know if there is access to the Caneel Bay property, for a 30-minute visit?

Here's my challenge:
We got married at Caneel in 2001.
It breaks our heart to see what the 2017 hurricanes did to this most beautiful place!

We want to return to Caneel and show our children (now 18 and 13) where it all began.
We have a family trip to BVI planned for August 15
Does anyone know if there's a way that we could get access to the property (via water or land) ?

Our goal would be to visit Turtle Bay Point for a photo op. And if possible, walk on Turtle Bay Beach.
We would only ask to be on property long enough to show our children, then we would leave immediately.

Does anyone have a contact that could possibly help us?

I have already emailed info@caneelbay.com
I tried reaching out to info@viecotours.com
ZoZo's website says they are opening in December 2022

On the caneelbay.com website, there is a recent legal notice posted:



To further complicate this excursion (IF we are given permission to visit)
We are flying into STT, arriving 12pm
Our goal would be to get to Caneel, photo-op, then back to Red Hook for the 6pm ferry to Road Town BVI
Is that suicidal?
Perhaps we can get to Caneel via private water taxi?

ANNND -- Would we be trespassing on the beach if we came in by water taxi? (I don't think so - I think the law permits high water line + 50')
But I think we would be trespassing (NPS land?) if we tried to go up the stairs to Turtle Bay Point (if the stairs are still there?)
Hmmm....
Local knowledge would be appreciated!!??

Thanks in advance to anyone who can help or advise!!

You can rent a dinghy in Cruz Bay and head over.

Cheers, RickG

Hi Rick,

Great idea!
Thank you!!

So this just may happen now.

And your suggestion got me thinking... perhaps water taxi as an option, instead of multiple ferries and taxis. And set it up to allow a 30-minute stop at Caneel.
Considering dinghy rental, and ferry Red Hook to Tortola, and round trip Red Hook to Cruz Bay, and $0 for taxi in Tortola because water taxi will drop us at the charter dock...
water taxi may save the day and simplify everything for only a small upcharge.
TY!

Water taxi from St Thomas to BVI with a stop along the way will be easiest. Note that you will NOT be able to access Turtle Point or proceed above the high water mark (there is security stationed on land). Contact Island Time or Chillout to discuss options.

While on a crewed charter trip, we spent my 50th birthday at Scott Beach, where we honeymooned in 1995.

As soon as my husband crossed the “line” security was on him immediately. He was sent back to the beach and told to stay there

I reached out to Island Time and they will not guarantee a stop will be permitted if they are "busy"
> I am not able to guarantee that it all depends on how busy we are on the 15th Aug and whether we would have a window to allow a stop at St John

No need to argue with them -- I will reach out to other water taxis. I was expecting a surcharge to be added to the fee. When a service provider comes back with "it depends on how busy we are" (a month from now?)
They just lost a booking.

I was quite surprised to receive an email from someone from Caneel - there is a possibility they can permit this visit - I'll know more tomorrow!!

They are all incredibly busy - you may need to ask about a half day charter rate instead of a taxi run with a stop.

We just got back from St. John and I've never seen anything like it. Lived there from '79-'84 when it was still an exclusive getaway with only a handful of restaurants and Caneel was the only hotel. We have visited regularly but haven't been since Covid. They have paved paradise and put up a parking lot....lots of them and they are all full.

Update (happy ending)
Caneel will let us visit from land entrance/main gate.
Chillout water taxi (BVI, Nanny Cay) will let us pay for a stop in Cruz Bay. No negotiating or begging. They quoted a fair price for the stop, and we will pay it. #ThatWasEasy
:-)

Enjoy!