St John Booked!

Just returned from a fun wedding week on Anastasia Island Florida. While there my wife and daughter decided it's time for a return trip to St John this summer, booked everything last night after flying home! We think it's been 9-10 years since we last did a land based trip there. Quick google searches this morning we noticed a few of our favorite places no longer exist, but many still do! If you have any new restaurant/bar recommendations we'd appreciate it! In the past we liked Lime Inn, Morgans Mango, Zozo's, Sweet Plantains, Shipwreck, Skinny's etc. The Wind Mill Bar looks like a must do?! Now we wait. Cheers!

Hey Beerman, we have been sailing the BVI for the last many years but have decided to try a USVI charter this time. Didn't want to deal with all the covid restrictions that the BVI is requiring. This trip will actually be my retirement party as I am finally hanging it up in June. We will be chartering with Island Yachts starting 6/21 until 7/3. I was curious if you have any suggestions for anchorages or other destinations that are good stops around St John or St Thomas. I have a general idea of where we will be stopping but haven't spent any time in the USVI for many years. Any ideas would be welcome.

Thanks, Allen

Allen, congrats on retirement, I've been in that mode for a year....perfect timing with sheltering in place this year!

FYI, our last BVI sailing trip was almost 4 years ago, uggh! That trip on s/v Orion included a couple days on St John, I wrote a trip report which included stories/pics of St John. We have been to St John many many times land based and boat , started around 1981 when I was 18! Favorite overnight mooring fields are Maho, Leinster and Francis (Bring what you need!). Provisioning was done in Cruz Bay, have anchored outside of the National Park channel and also grabbed a ball near Caneel and took the dingy in. We have only been on friends boats/day sails that entered Coral Bay, always had a personal mooring their. Salt Pond has a few balls, as well as Lameshur's...could be hit or miss daily now with more boats around. I wouldn't want to tell you what's available outside of Cruz Bay because it's been a while and things change, perhaps others will chime in. Maho, Francis and Leinster are all about peace and quite, turtles! calm swimming waters and beautiful beaches. If you or the crew are runners or just like long flat walks it's there. Annaberg Ruins is an easy walk from Leinster. From Salt Pond the Ram Head hike is great. Lameshur has the Reef Bay trail ruins with petroglyphs!

Hope some with recent info will chime in!

The BEERMAN family returns to the white sand and blue water!
Enjoy!

Sounds like a fund trip! St. John is busy this year with visitors who might normally be in cruise ships or in other COVID-restricted spots. It is worth getting reservations at must-visit restaurants; many are reducing hours due to lack of staff and staff fatigue. You should expect some summer restaurant closings, even with a crowded island.

Windmill Bar is great. There are also more local / West Indian options than in the past; I pulled together a Google Map to show those options - https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/2/edit?mid=1SE5oaKMkzyghwt4DDSGhjpSzNkS39FWQ&usp=sharing

Cheers, RickG

Nice job on the map Rick. Bookmarked and will use at a later date. Thank you.

Thanks Rick! We do love West Indian! Funny story, many years ago we were at Sweet Plantains, daughter probably 8, she wanted wings, they were very spicy with scotch bonnet sauce. Waitress sees her face orange with sauce and says oh my are your eating those? daughter licking her lips replied they're goood! She loves spicy. Looking forward to this land based trip.

Thanks for all the input. We are really looking forward to this trip as we haven't been down to sail in three years. And this will be the first time I don't have to stress about work when we come back home.

Allen, after my “first” retirement after a 30 year career I took a month off before taking another J.O.B....it was a great feeling! Went back to work for 3 years and last year when I fully retired it felt just as good. Covid put a wrench in it, as far as travel, but staying busy has been the trick. Have a great trip, you earned it!!

Hey Rick, can you give your recommendations on provisioning, we normally went to Dolphin mostly, but pricier starfish had it all. Dolphin used to have best beer prices! Is the fish market still open for fresh fish? Who has best wine selection/prices? Appreciate the local knowledge Cheers!

RickG,

Great Map - Thanks!
Sure wish Vie's Shack was still in operation.

Shaibu's Garden Oasis in Cruz Bay was hands down, everyone in my group's favorite restaurant.

Is Shaibu's where the Texas barbeque place was? or inside?

Here's a Google Maps pin -=> Shaibu's Garden Oasis

Thanks, I saw it was in Meades, website doesn't show much. Is it inside the plaza or indoor/outdoor seating?

The entrance to the building is from the plaza side and the restaurant seating is in an outdoor & enclosed garden. Basically a separate world from everything that surrounds it.

Sounds cool, thanks!

Cruz Bay Landing is where JJ Texas Coast Cafe was. Shaibus is where Rhumb Lines used too be, with entry on the ferry wharf side.

Cheers, RickG

Windmill is awesome. Was there 4/18. Going back 11/4~9/2021

Thanks Rick, the website says Meades Plaza? Not Wharfside....thought Meades was center of town..I know where Rhumb lines was! I see Rhumb lines might have moved to Coral Bay?

Meade's Plaza is the building next to Cruz Bay Landing on the left, on the other side it is across from Long Board / Cafe' Roma with a mini mart.

Cheers, RickG