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St. John Must Do's #74058
11/07/2015 01:37 PM
11/07/2015 01:37 PM
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 663
Vail, CO/St. Thomas, USVI
caribbeangirl13 Offline OP
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caribbeangirl13  Offline OP
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 663
Vail, CO/St. Thomas, USVI
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

[Linked Image]
BVI Sponsors
Re: St. John Must Do's [Re: caribbeangirl13] #74059
11/07/2015 01:58 PM
11/07/2015 01:58 PM
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 5,884
St. Thomas, USVI
Nutmeg Offline
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Nutmeg  Offline
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Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 5,884
St. Thomas, USVI
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.
Re: St. John Must Do's [Re: Nutmeg] #74060
11/07/2015 03:17 PM
11/07/2015 03:17 PM
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 663
Vail, CO/St. Thomas, USVI
caribbeangirl13 Offline OP
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caribbeangirl13  Offline OP
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 663
Vail, CO/St. Thomas, USVI
Quote
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

[Linked Image]
Re: St. John Must Do's [Re: caribbeangirl13] #74061
11/07/2015 11:00 PM
11/07/2015 11:00 PM
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 251
North Oregon Coast
SoggyDollarScott Offline
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SoggyDollarScott  Offline
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Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 251
North Oregon Coast
Uncle Joe's chicken, Woody's fish sandwich, and some of the best bar-b-q outside the continental U.S. is Wayne at the Barefoot Cowboy Lounge..... Come Getcha Sum !!

Re: St. John Must Do's [Re: caribbeangirl13] #74062
11/08/2015 09:24 AM
11/08/2015 09:24 AM
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 514
Pewaukee, WI/St. Thomas VI
goozee Offline
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goozee  Offline
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 514
Pewaukee, WI/St. Thomas VI
We were on St John a few weeks ago. We went snorkeling on Little Cinnamon Bay and found it very nice. A little less crowded than some of the other popular beaches.

Goozee

Re: St. John Must Do's [Re: goozee] #74063
11/08/2015 10:25 AM
11/08/2015 10:25 AM
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,951
St. John, USVI
RickG Offline
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RickG  Offline
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,951
St. John, USVI
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
Re: St. John Must Do's [Re: caribbeangirl13] #74064
11/08/2015 11:24 AM
11/08/2015 11:24 AM
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 5,884
St. Thomas, USVI
Nutmeg Offline
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Nutmeg  Offline
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Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 5,884
St. Thomas, USVI
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.
Re: St. John Must Do's [Re: Nutmeg] #74065
11/08/2015 10:22 PM
11/08/2015 10:22 PM
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 663
Vail, CO/St. Thomas, USVI
caribbeangirl13 Offline OP
Traveler
caribbeangirl13  Offline OP
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 663
Vail, CO/St. Thomas, USVI
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

[Linked Image]
Re: St. John Must Do's [Re: caribbeangirl13] #74066
11/09/2015 01:58 PM
11/09/2015 01:58 PM
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 850
C
Cleobeach Offline
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Cleobeach  Offline
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 850
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 smile 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.

Re: St. John Must Do's [Re: Cleobeach] #74067
11/09/2015 03:17 PM
11/09/2015 03:17 PM
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,040
Charlotte, NC
N
NCSailor Offline
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NCSailor  Offline
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,040
Charlotte, NC
Love the cheeseburgers at Skinny Legs.

Re: St. John Must Do's [Re: NCSailor] #74068
11/09/2015 10:48 PM
11/09/2015 10:48 PM
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,609
Woodstock, GA
RickinAtlanta Online content
Traveler
RickinAtlanta  Online Content
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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,609
Woodstock, GA
Quote
NCSailor said:
Love the cheeseburgers at Skinny Legs.


Any place that advertises as having "same day service" I gotta LOVE.

Re: St. John Must Do's [Re: Cleobeach] #74069
11/10/2015 07:16 AM
11/10/2015 07:16 AM
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 5,884
St. Thomas, USVI
Nutmeg Offline
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Nutmeg  Offline
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Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 5,884
St. Thomas, USVI
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.
Re: St. John Must Do's [Re: NCSailor] #74070
11/10/2015 08:53 AM
11/10/2015 08:53 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 969
NC, USA
capndar Offline
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capndar  Offline
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 969
NC, USA
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
Re: St. John Must Do's [Re: capndar] #74071
11/12/2015 11:01 AM
11/12/2015 11:01 AM
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 98
Virginia
B
BVIShuga Offline
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BVIShuga  Offline
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B
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 98
Virginia
"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.
Re: St. John Must Do's [Re: BVIShuga] #74072
11/13/2015 05:23 PM
11/13/2015 05:23 PM
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 5,884
St. Thomas, USVI
Nutmeg Offline
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Nutmeg  Offline
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Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 5,884
St. Thomas, USVI
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.
Re: St. John Must Do's [Re: Nutmeg] #74073
11/13/2015 05:43 PM
11/13/2015 05:43 PM
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 124
Victoria, BC, Canada
J
JD_Midnight Offline
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JD_Midnight  Offline
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J
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 124
Victoria, BC, Canada
Too bad... That was one of our real favourites! Great beer price... Great view!

Re: St. John Must Do's [Re: JD_Midnight] #74074
11/22/2015 09:53 PM
11/22/2015 09:53 PM
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5
B
beachpoet Offline
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beachpoet  Offline
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5
This might sound paranoid, but we are going to St. John for the first time, staying at a friend's apartment in Coral Bay. We have years of experience in the BVI. We like remote places and were looking forward to exploring a little "off the beaten track" but someone mentioned today that we should be careful where we go because of possible crime. We are an older couple - 74 and 63 - any advice?

Re: St. John Must Do's [Re: beachpoet] #74075
11/22/2015 11:39 PM
11/22/2015 11:39 PM
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,347
USVI
LocalSailor Offline
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LocalSailor  Offline
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,347
USVI
I think the normal amount of thoughtful vigilance will be fine - unless you are real late night bar people - and if something feels uncomfortable somehow just be aware.
Your friend may have some specific places to avoid because they live there but I can't think of any myself - STJ overall is very safe on the crime levels.

Re: St. John Must Do's [Re: LocalSailor] #74076
11/23/2015 09:25 AM
11/23/2015 09:25 AM
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,951
St. John, USVI
RickG Offline
Traveler
RickG  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,951
St. John, USVI
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
Re: St. John Must Do's [Re: RickG] #74077
11/23/2015 12:30 PM
11/23/2015 12:30 PM
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 850
C
Cleobeach Offline
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Cleobeach  Offline
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 850
Beachpoet - we have been going to STJ for 20 years and go out every night. I agree with localsailor and RickG, its generally very safe as long as one isn't looking for "trouble" (whether its drugs, being a misbehaving drunk, etc.) late in the evening.

Re: St. John Must Do's [Re: caribbeangirl13] #74078
11/30/2015 11:12 AM
11/30/2015 11:12 AM
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 82
Thunder Bay, Ont Canada
BarbandRon Offline
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BarbandRon  Offline
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Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 82
Thunder Bay, Ont Canada
Quote
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.

Re: St. John Must Do's [Re: BarbandRon] #74079
12/04/2015 05:28 AM
12/04/2015 05:28 AM
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 414
Memphis, TN
beerMe Offline
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beerMe  Offline
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 414
Memphis, TN
Pad Thai? Now I have another thing on my to do list!


Life involves risks, take some prudent ones (NOT with the BVI ferries)!
Re: St. John Must Do's [Re: beerMe] #74080
12/04/2015 11:12 AM
12/04/2015 11:12 AM
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,951
St. John, USVI
RickG Offline
Traveler
RickG  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,951
St. John, USVI
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
Re: St. John Must Do's [Re: RickG] #74081
12/04/2015 11:17 AM
12/04/2015 11:17 AM
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,951
St. John, USVI
RickG Offline
Traveler
RickG  Offline
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,951
St. John, USVI
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
Re: St. John Must Do's [Re: RickG] #74082
12/04/2015 12:05 PM
12/04/2015 12:05 PM
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,609
Woodstock, GA
RickinAtlanta Online content
Traveler
RickinAtlanta  Online Content
Traveler
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,609
Woodstock, GA
Lime Inn is where I had my first seared rare tuna WAY back many years ago. Loved that place but we haven't been on STJ since 2001. Is Rick still there??

Re: St. John Must Do's [Re: RickinAtlanta] #74083
12/04/2015 12:26 PM
12/04/2015 12:26 PM
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,493
VIRGINIA
B
BEERMAN Offline
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BEERMAN  Offline
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B
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,493
VIRGINIA
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!

Re: St. John Must Do's [Re: BEERMAN] #74084
12/04/2015 03:28 PM
12/04/2015 03:28 PM
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,609
Woodstock, GA
RickinAtlanta Online content
Traveler
RickinAtlanta  Online Content
Traveler
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,609
Woodstock, GA
Quote
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="" />

Re: St. John Must Do's [Re: RickinAtlanta] #74085
12/12/2015 10:22 AM
12/12/2015 10:22 AM
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 21
Toronto, Canada
A
AquaMusic Offline
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AquaMusic  Offline
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Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 21
Toronto, Canada
Add us to the list of votes for Rhumb Lines and The Longboard! We were there two weeks ago and loved them both. The Longboard tacos were spectacular. The skirt steak taco was our fave! We adored the ambiance at Rhumb Lines and the service was fantastic. We shared the Pad Thai and items from their tapas-style "Pu Pu Platter" menu. Everything was outstanding.

If you want to go for a moderately easy hike, follow the Lind Point Trail to Salomon Beach (just over half an hour including photo stops). There was only one other person there for a little while when we went and Venus, the boat designed for Steve Jobs by Phillipe Starck was anchored in the bay! Great memories. I will post a trip report soon!

Enjoy your stay! Happy travels!

Re: St. John Must Do's [Re: AquaMusic] #74086
01/21/2016 09:26 PM
01/21/2016 09:26 PM
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,925
Milton, MA
JudyG Offline
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JudyG  Offline
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Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,925
Milton, MA
In Coral Bay, I am surprised to not see Shipwreck Landing; a consistently great place to eat. I personally find Skinney Legs overrated. Aqua Bistro is special. Miss Lucy's and the Sunday brunch is perfectly relaxing and yummy.


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