Finally heading to St John

My wife and I will be heading to the BVI May 25 thru June 4. Woohoo! We'll be spending the first 4 days with our kids, then just the two of us after that. This will be our 4th trip in the past 2 years, but the first time planning to hit St John.

We're thinking of spending the night Thursday June 1st and Friday June 2nd. We love snorkeling, and would like to have a nice dinner on shore one of those nights. We're not big on crowds. We're happy on the boat with our cocktails and pretty scenery! Also need moorings, as the wife isn't comfy anchoring at night.

Suggestions for first timers?!

Thanks!

Have a great time, but watch out for the grammar police, they should be here shortly <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" />

Ha!! Thanks for the heads up! Made the change :-)

We love St.John and if you love snorkeling head to the south side and moor at Salt Pond. St John does not allow anchoring unless you are longer than 60'. Salt pond is an incredible dive/snorkel spot. We eat on the boat, but Coral Bay is close, just not sure how to get there. I'm sure someone will chime in. On the North side Francis/Maho is our favorite spot, also excellent snorkeling at Mary's Pt. Have a great time, STJ is very laid back.

My wife and I love spending an evening on a ball at Caneel Bay and doing dinner there. Beautiful spot, we have had great meals and great sunset views. Another night at francis bay or maho would be nice too.

We talked to one of the volunteers with the park service last week and he told us that there is a bus that runs from Saltpond bay back to Cruz Bay. It starts on the hour at Saltpond bay parking lot and stops at Coral Harbour. He said it cost $1.00 per person and I assume that was just to Coral Harbour.

We've visited St. John on a 40' cat for a dozen years. Our favorite snorkel spot is Salt Pond Bay. There are maybe 6 moorings, so it's quiet. As you enter, stay to port or starboard of the rocks in the center of the entrance. Since there are only a few moorings, arrive early before they fill, particularly because the other south-side bays fill as well. The next real fallbacks require traveling a fair distance to the west.
Snorkel the grass in the center of the bay, along the east side, then cross to the rocks in the center and return to the boat.
If you want a nice dinner spot, take the ten-minute walk up to Concordia, a small ecoresort. Carry a headlamp for the walk back.
The Concordia Cafe has a beautiful setting and views. Their curry chicken is excellent. More information at http://www.concordiaeco-resort.com.

Both Lameshur mooring fields are less than 20 min. away from Salt Pond if it is full -- lots of moorings available there - excellent snorkeling too.
You could always sail down to Rendezvous Bay and anchor - very peaceful and free.

Caneel can be rolly, but if you're in a cat, no worries.

Maho / Francis bay has a huge mooring field. Good Snorkeling in Little Maho I hear.

Leinster Bay is also very nice.

Trunk Bay has day moorings and you can dingy in to a calm beach and even snorkel the underwater snorkel trail from the beach.

all of these are short on facilities and long on views and "remote feel" ambience.

Options for dinner ashore at Caneel (Caneel Bay Resort & Cruz Bay), Cinnamon Bay, Coral Bay and Salt Pond Bay. Coral Bay is out of you do not want to anchor.

For Salt Pond Bay, you walk up the hill to Concordia - http://www.concordiaeco-resort.com/cafe-concordia/

Cinnamon Bay has Raintree Cafe - http://cinnamonbayresort.com/dining-shopping/raintree-cafe/

There is a bus from Salt Pond Bay, stopping in Coral Bay and onward to Cruz Bay for $1. Note the hours. Taxis are unlikely to pickup/dropoff at Salt Pond Bay. http://dpw.vi.gov/vitran/

We anchor in Coral Bay and hit Indigo Grill for finer dining or Skinny legs for burgers. Aqua Bistro is a 3/4 mile walk from the Skinny Legs dinghy dock, or you tie up to a dinghy line and wade in.

Cheers, RickG

Thanks for the good info everyone!