St. John Must Do's

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.

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.

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 !!

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

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

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.

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?

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.

Love the cheeseburgers at Skinny Legs.

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

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="" />

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.

"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!

Re: Across the Street- Aw, I wondered why they were shuttered last Sunday. I just thought it was because it was Sunday.

Too bad... That was one of our real favourites! Great beer price... Great view!

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?

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.

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

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.

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.

Pad Thai? Now I have another thing on my to do list!

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

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

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??

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="" />

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!

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.