Thanks for the recommendation. We are doing snuba and I booked through VI Snuba Excursions.

Renting a vehicle on STT for use on STJ can inject a little drama in your vacation.
https://stthomassource.com/content/2021/04/28/motorists-temporarily-stranded-aboard-barge-after-ramp-malfunction/

SJ is all about the beaches. We really like Hawksnest (especially all the way down to the right by the rocks). Trunk Bay is nice too, but a little more crowded usually. Maho Bay used to be one of our our favorites, but we don't care for how they redeveloped it after the hurricanes. There are tons of other beach options to explore as well.

A boat charter is a great way to explore the island. We chartered a boat last summer and snorkeled a few place on our way to Lime Out in Coral Bay. Lime Out is a floating taco boat with a swim up bar. The tacos are really good and cocktails are great. I think the only way to access it is by boat though. Other than that, For snorkeling, Waterlemon Cay is usually very good. It is a bit of a hike to get there though and the currents can be strong on the backside of the cay. For hiking, Ram Head is pretty cool.

Unfortunately, BVI is effectively inaccessible for now so that eliminates White Bay and the Soggy Dollar. If something changes between now and your trip and BVI opens up (I'm guessing very unlikely), I'd highly recommend it if you can get there via private, or group charter. The Baths are also neat, but a long haul.

Has anyone traveled recently and uploaded all their test results. If so any hiccups? We travel July 6th so just checking prior to see how the experience has been. We're doing 6 nights on St. John

TitanAGGIE09 said:

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Has anyone traveled recently and uploaded all their test results. If so any hiccups? We travel July 6th so just checking prior to see how the experience has been. We're doing 6 nights on St. John

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We didn't have any issues. They were checking vaccination records, checking temperature when we got off the plane, etc. but the process was smooth and we pretty much walked through it.

We flew back on a Sunday and the lines were horrendous. We were able to skip them with global entry and TSA pre check.

Also, they are pretty serious about wearing masks. We were buying sandwiches from a food truck at Maho Bay, and even there, we had to be masked. They were vigorous about enforcing it, too.

Thanks!

Was the food truck asking for masks or were you just required to wear it outside? From reading online it seems to be a lot like just around here.. Wear it walking in but not sitting etc. was hoping it'd be fairly Relaxed but maybe not

Why is there so much angst over the possibility of needing a mask? We're over a year in to this, have one handy. smh

The people with angst over masks are the ones who think they're needed..

TitanAGGIE09 said:

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Thanks!

Was the food truck asking for masks or were you just required to wear it outside? From reading online it seems to be a lot like just around here.. Wear it walking in but not sitting etc. was hoping it'd be fairly Relaxed but maybe not

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Food truck wanted us to have it when we were at the window.

We've now got a couple of days to kill after getting off a 5 night charter around St. Thomas.

Should we stay in ST or go over to SJ? Recommended places to stay, explore,...?

Personally I would stay in STJ. We just got back from 4 nights one STJ and two on STT and wish we would've done just the night before our flight back in STT.

Any recs?

We stayed in a villa that we rented through AirBNB that was very close to Cruz Bay. We had a Jeep so were able to get around the island easy so we visited a lot of the beaches. One of the days we rented a Dingy through Wharfside Watersports and spent the day cruising the coast and snorkeling. Having a boat will get you access to a couple private beaches (Scott's) that you cant access without. We really enjoyed the snorkeling around Waterlemon Cay. As far as beaches we enjoyed Honeymoon, Trunk, and Maho the best for just hanging out and drinking. Maho has the best snorkeling if that's your thing due to the turtles you can find in the area. We usually spent the evenings after the beach at Beach Bar. They have $4 painkillers from 4-7pm so we would just post up there until our dinner reservations. They had some pretty good live music as well if you stay later than 7pm. We only spent one day over at Coral Bay but it was nice as well but doesn't have the same access to restaurants, bars, etc. as Cruz Bay.

We ended up booking at Secret Harbour in ST. We're still wide open as to what to do for 3 days.

for st thomas, can anyone recommend a fishing excursion and a boat-for-a-day .

had captain jugs recommended to me...but wanted some options

captainjug.com

I'm on St John now. I came to swim an open water race and I may never leave. Someone sell all my crap in Houston!!

You must eat at Morgan's Mango. La Tapa is really good as well.

For sailing charter or a booze cruise checkout https://blacksailsvi.com/.

It's a really cool boat with a neat history. Yeti did a documentary on them. Tell the Tequila guy from Texas sent you.

Rent a dingy one day to hit a lot of beaches. Lots of fun. We are off to Trunk bay for the morning then probably Watermelon key after that.

Life is good today.

Morgan's Mango is really good as is The Lime Inn. Great drinks at the Banana Deck. We're headed to STX next Saturday. I think we were there one time when that race was happening.

Is a Covid test required to return from the VI to the US? The info I've found online has been clear that a test is required to visit the VI but I'm getting conflicting information on the return trip. TIA.

No

Geez I'd wish they'd accept a vaccine card for entry vs a negative test.

TP Ag '87 said:

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Geez I'd wish they'd accept a vaccine card for entry vs a negative test.

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They also accept an antibody test up to four months. We already have ours and submitted info to portal today.

Were you able to get a car without much trouble?

We are headed to StT in a few weeks. Wife and I have our antibody test results and are ready to rock. Just gotta keep the kids clean.

The jeep was hard. Seems like we
Rented the last one available. Should be better now that Memorial Day is over. Start calling now!

Flight booked. Condo booked. Just need the Jeep reservation and the hurricanes to stay away during labor day week.

I'm in St. John right now. Bring your mask as you seem to have to wear them while inside any building. Even have to wear it riding ferry to St John. I haven't worn a mask in about 6 months. Recovered from the virus last October and still have antibodies. Many locals here are afraid of the virus. They constantly tell you to put your mask on or motion you to do it. Talked to a local today and he said cases are spiking here. It's still beautiful here and I will be coming back again. Just disappointed in the mask policing.

Back again this year in a couple weeks. This time instead of a jeep we are getting a zodiac for 3 days to hit as many beaches as we can. We did a dingy last year and it was our favorite day. Already have all the dinner reservations.

2022 - Beach to Beach Power Swim

When are you going? Family is going in June. I haven't been back since the storms.

We leave the 26th of May. Last year it was a bit crowded at the restaurants because people couldn't travel. Beaches were no problem at all.

You'll be disappointed in the reef since the hurricanes. They, and all the humans did a number on it.

Apparently still a pain in the ass to go to BVI so we'll skip the trip to Soggy Bottom Bar.

STJ-bound on Saturday.

Will y'all still be there on the 26th? Come hang out at the race on the 29th. Band, food etc.

We are going second week in June. Was looking to play golf but they never reopened it.

Yes, we will be. We've been there before when the swim was happening. We had no idea until we got to the northshore road.

Very well attended this year. Hopefully it's the real after party this year. Last 2 have been no party due to the Rona. Haven't seen details this year yet.

We like to stay at Gallows Point. Walk to town. Listen to the waves at night etc. counting on Taxi and the Zodiac this year.

We're headed down to St Thomas and St John in mid january and looking for some input. We'll be staying on St. Thomas at the Westin (formerly Frenchman's Reef) because of a personal connection, but likely to spend a full day or two on St. John too.

Any specific recommendations for a boat rental for a day? A friend of mine owns/runs St. John Brewers so we will definitely go see him and hang at a beach or two over there, but not sure what else needs to be on our agenda.