Ms411

Picnic tables still there. 2 chairs with shade is $20, I think. Still an entry fee.

It's something I've always wanted to do, but something always comes up. I'll be looking for your review in this forum.😊

TT, that was my intent. But, the results are usually a few days after the test and beaches are usually clear by then. The beaches with the most issues aren't the ones that are popular tourist beaches. The beach at Margaritaville is often on the list, whereas most of the others may be on the list after heavy rains which are predicted for this weekend.

I sent an email to the government entity that monitors the beaches asking them if they can email when testing is done, just like other sites that will add you to their mailing list. So far, no response, though this is 21st century.😊

The 2017 hurricanes interrupted their tours, but they were very popular before that. The storm disturbed many underwater sites that had to be cleaned up before they could safely operate again. If you can find out what underwater site(s) they go to now, and what you can expect to see. They may operate under a different name on other islands so try search for underwater scooters.

The taxi drivers at Crown Bay will indeed take visitors to Hull Bay, and "anywhere you want to go." That’s great to hear because visitors can go to beaches that may be new to them. Brewers Beach is getting mentioned because of the many sea turtles. Taxis at Havensight may not be willing to go there, but though it's not on the taxi rate chart, that's another beach option. No chair rentals, but there's a restroom and food trucks. Bring your snorkel gear if you want to see 🐢 turtles.😊

Most contaminates come from water on land flowing into the ocean, and the water can still be clear. The runoff can contain chemicals like motor vehicle oil, pesticides and other chemicals, animal waste, etc. It usually flushes out of the water after a day or 2. If the water is contaminated at an extremely high level, they close the beach. That RARELY happens. Like maybe every few YEARS and usually only at a few beaches. Some tourists get in the water where locals won't go - like the beach at the St John ferry dock. Too many boats that may contaminate the water. I saw a YouTube video about the swimming pigs in the Bahamas, and how the pigs poop in the water when people are feeding the pigs. Most disgusting thing I can think of, yet people love it, but it's not a healthy environment for humans. That video prompted me to let people know that USVI regularly tests many beaches.

Have you tried this one? Since they accept same day bookings they should be more likely to have add ons. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeDaTJd9G05GBvn5-M5dkCtAOrMqSZlAhNj9j0rL5TIoFz-Qw/viewform

Yes, they take them, but I'm pretty sure they take other payment forms, because the bar/restaurant does.

The taxi "safari" vehicles can't accommodate car seats that I know of. No seat belts to secure them. The children are either on someone's lap or on the bench type seating preferably in the middle with adults on both their left and right sides. Speed limits are very low so fewer high impact accidents on taxis.

Also EPA requires USVI regular water testing for many popular beaches, and the standards are pretty high. I'll see if I can find the site to check which beaches didn't meet EPA standards during the latest check, and post in a separate thread. Beaches that don't meet standards during the test might be a concern for immunity vulnerable people, but usually fine for others. If beach has high levels it will be closed to everyone (or should I say those who heed precautions).😊

Blue_water, that's a great explanation. If you look at island maps for many of the Caribbean islands, many of the beaches on other islands are not in protected coves so water conditions may be less predictable. Travel articles are usually written to promote a location, and many of the Caribbean articles give the impression that most Caribbean beaches are the same. If calm water is a priority, look for smaller protected beaches by looking at the island's map.

The ship schedules have changed this season with more ships arriving later than they did in the past. The other Monday ships at Havensight/WICO and Crown Bay weren't scheduled to arrive until 11:00 and later. There are some that are still coming early, though.

It depends on where your last port was, and when Customs/Immigration clears the ship. It usually takes longer if ship arrives from a foreign port.

Interesting that they have Hull Bay on the list. Very few taxis want to go there.