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USVI w/ little kids #277952
03/16/2022 11:54 AM
03/16/2022 11:54 AM
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 139
Houston, TX
Matt W Offline OP
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Matt W  Offline OP
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Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 139
Houston, TX
Hi all!

Never been to USVI. Considering a quick, land-based trip for ~4 full days. Two families with kids between 6 months and 5 years. Want to stay at a vacation rental instead of a resort.

What should we be thinking about when deciding between St Thomas and St John? Any areas in particular? Will a ferry to St John be too much trouble?

Thanks in advance!!

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Re: USVI w/ little kids [Re: Matt W] #277954
03/16/2022 12:28 PM
03/16/2022 12:28 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,469
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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Carol_Hill  Offline
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,469
Central Florida!
What are your air connections to STT? I assume, without knowing, that you can get a nonstop flight to STT? To me, with two little kids, for such a short trip, I would recommend you stay on STT, as, even if you have a nonstop flight to STT, I can't imagine adding the extra step of a ferry, for that short a time.

If you can't do a nonstop flight, I wouldn't bother..


Carol Hill
Re: USVI w/ little kids [Re: Carol_Hill] #277958
03/16/2022 12:49 PM
03/16/2022 12:49 PM
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 139
Houston, TX
Matt W Offline OP
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Matt W  Offline OP
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Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 139
Houston, TX
Originally Posted by Carol_Hill
What are your air connections to STT? I assume, without knowing, that you can get a nonstop flight to STT? To me, with two little kids, for such a short trip, I would recommend you stay on STT, as, even if you have a nonstop flight to STT, I can't imagine adding the extra step of a ferry, for that short a time.

If you can't do a nonstop flight, I wouldn't bother..

Yes - nonstop flight from Houston. Thanks Carol.

Re: USVI w/ little kids [Re: Matt W] #277959
03/16/2022 12:51 PM
03/16/2022 12:51 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,469
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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Carol_Hill  Offline
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Central Florida!
OK, good luck. Hope you find what you are looking for.


Carol Hill
Re: USVI w/ little kids [Re: Matt W] #277960
03/16/2022 01:00 PM
03/16/2022 01:00 PM
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 833
Houston, Texas
louismcc Online content
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louismcc  Online Content
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 833
Houston, Texas
(from a fellow Houstonian...)

I know you said you didn't want a resort but I'd still suggest you take a look at Secret Harbour. We stayed their a couple of times when our kids were younger and it was great. The beach is right outside your door (if you have a beachfront condo) with great snorkeling right off the beach.

It is also just around the corner from Red Hook which makes it easy to take a ferry over to St. John.


Louis from Houston
Re: USVI w/ little kids [Re: louismcc] #277963
03/16/2022 01:30 PM
03/16/2022 01:30 PM
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 139
Houston, TX
Matt W Offline OP
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Matt W  Offline OP
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Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 139
Houston, TX
Originally Posted by louismcc
(from a fellow Houstonian...)

I know you said you didn't want a resort but I'd still suggest you take a look at Secret Harbour. We stayed their a couple of times when our kids were younger and it was great. The beach is right outside your door (if you have a beachfront condo) with great snorkeling right off the beach.

It is also just around the corner from Red Hook which makes it easy to take a ferry over to St. John.

Thanks for the tip Louis, we'll check it out!

Re: USVI w/ little kids [Re: Matt W] #277977
03/16/2022 03:14 PM
03/16/2022 03:14 PM
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 850
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Cleobeach Offline
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Cleobeach  Offline
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If renting a house, be prepared to rent a vehicle and drive to the beach. True beach front house rentals are rare and pricey.

I love STJ but with such a short trip, I would stick to STT. Continuing on to STJ will add another 2-3 hours to your travel day each way.

I second the Secret Harbor recommendation.

Re: USVI w/ little kids [Re: Matt W] #277985
03/16/2022 04:36 PM
03/16/2022 04:36 PM
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,493
VIRGINIA
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BEERMAN Offline
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BEERMAN  Offline
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VIRGINIA
Today, we just started considering a week on STJ early summer, fairly last minute as usual! Couple things to think about..I believe most villas might have a 5 night minimum? If you can find a place you will need to reserve a car/jeep rental? unless you rely on the taxi's? Vehicles book up fast, the 2 week window we are considering I found one car rental is already booked up and need to call others now. If I were to try a 4 day trip with 2 families with kids I would probably stay at Gallows Point (walking to restaurants/shops) or the Westin for the beach and other amenities. Not sure I would try it, staying on St Thomas sounds more stress free and you could always pick a sunny day to ferry over to STJ, taxi to Trunk Bay for beach time with good amenities, taxi back to Cruz Bay and check out the shops before heading back to STT. Good luck planning!

Re: USVI w/ little kids [Re: BEERMAN] #277994
03/16/2022 05:39 PM
03/16/2022 05:39 PM
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 1,126
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MIDiver Offline
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Originally Posted by BEERMAN
Today, we just started considering a week on STJ early summer, fairly last minute as usual! Couple things to think about..I believe most villas might have a 5 night minimum? If you can find a place you will need to reserve a car/jeep rental? unless you rely on the taxi's? Vehicles book up fast, the 2 week window we are considering I found one car rental is already booked up and need to call others now. If I were to try a 4 day trip with 2 families with kids I would probably stay at Gallows Point (walking to restaurants/shops) or the Westin for the beach and other amenities. Not sure I would try it, staying on St Thomas sounds more stress free and you could always pick a sunny day to ferry over to STJ, taxi to Trunk Bay for beach time with good amenities, taxi back to Cruz Bay and check out the shops before heading back to STT. Good luck planning!


I would not stay at the Westin for the beach - kids should not be swimming in the water there. It is routinely flagged for issues. Gallows is not very child friendly. If I were doing a quick stay on STJ and wanted a beach I would see if there were fill in slots at the Gibney Beach Cottages. Pricey but true beachfront. A vehicle will be key.

Villa Solaire on St Thomas is run by the folks at White Bay Villas on Jost. Waterfront and walking distance to Secret Harbor if you are looking for more of a private experience.

Re: USVI w/ little kids [Re: MIDiver] #278003
03/16/2022 06:59 PM
03/16/2022 06:59 PM
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,493
VIRGINIA
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BEERMAN Offline
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BEERMAN  Offline
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Great point about Great Cruz Bay (Westin) water quality, scratch that! We've never stayed at Westin, but thought about the kids...but forget that water trampoline if it still exists!! We did stay at Gallows many years ago, why is it not kid friendly to you MIDiver? just curious? I can think of some villas with beaches, like Gibney but not sure if they'd do a 4 day stay?

Re: USVI w/ little kids [Re: BEERMAN] #278013
03/16/2022 10:38 PM
03/16/2022 10:38 PM
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 1,126
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MIDiver Offline
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Originally Posted by BEERMAN
Great point about Great Cruz Bay (Westin) water quality, scratch that! We've never stayed at Westin, but thought about the kids...but forget that water trampoline if it still exists!! We did stay at Gallows many years ago, why is it not kid friendly to you MIDiver? just curious? I can think of some villas with beaches, like Gibney but not sure if they'd do a 4 day stay?


Hey Beerman - I have heard from friends that have stayed at Gallows that kids being kids are not always appreciated at Gallows. The villa set ups aren’t really ideal for families either.

Some villas will do shorter rentals if there are holes in their calendars. We typically stay up on Bordeaux so I can’t offer advice on specific properties “beachfront”.

Last edited by MIDiver; 03/16/2022 10:57 PM.
Re: USVI w/ little kids [Re: Matt W] #278045
03/17/2022 11:20 AM
03/17/2022 11:20 AM
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 850
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Cleobeach Offline
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Cleobeach  Offline
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At one point, there was an age restriction (4 or 5 yo) at Gallows as I remember looking into Gallows when our son was around 7yo. The was nearly 10 years ago so it may have changed.


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