karenesl79

We went on our own a few years ago. Loved it!!!! You get off the water taxi and walk up the street to the beach and Lazy Lizard. Snorkeled right there, watched a local guy do artwork (burning) on a coconut and using a magnifying glass. Checked out the small town, ate at a bar on the water, a guy was cleaning lobster out the back on the dock. FRESH food, reasonable. Very few people. The only downsize it, it is a 45 min ride to get there. I would go back in a heartbeat.

We went to Secret Harbor last Feb., we wanted to snorkel. Unfortunately, we couldn't see more than a foot in front of us. Very cloudy water. I was not impressed by the beach either. So my DH and I walked out and eventually found a shuttle that took us to Coki. The water was crystal clear here.

Three years ago, we went to Sapphire. Beach was nicer and snorkeling was okay, water was clear. It was a little wavy, but not too bad.

Not sure if it was the wind or the direction from it, but we will not return to Secret Harbor. We researched and were very excited, but greatly disappointed. (just our opinions).

In 2011 we went with Herod on the sea tour. We waited at the dock for 45 minutes as his boat was not there and was broke down. His employee had a phone and kept contact with him as he found a replacement vessel. We were picked up in a huge catamaran for our very small group (15-20 people). It was a great and relaxing trip along the coast, going into and out of the ports and sites. We made it to Jalousie and enjoyed snorkeling, which is some of the best snorkeling around. Herod made sure we were well taken care of, even though I know he most likely lost $$$ that day. We were returned in a speedboat.

In 2013, we booked the land/sea tour with Spencer. We were picked up in a van, taken to a banana plantation, a bakery, past sulfur springs, stopped and were able to see the volcano where people were covering themselves in mud/ash/? which is suppose to make you years younger. We then loaded back up and went to Soufriere where we were put into a boat and taken to Jalousie beach. In all, we got in and out 4 times, "2 side road shops, banana plantation and the volcano".

Last year, Feb 2014, we took the sea tour with Spencer. It was cool and raining hard when we left the ship, we stood under the canopy deciding weather to even go or not. We were pelted by rain nearly half the way to the pitons (made for some good pictures). Once we got there, the sun came out and it was beautiful. We were the first ones there. The snorkeling was great. I hear it gets cloudy later in the day from all the snorkelers.

Whether you go with Cosol, spencer or herod, the pitons and jalousie beach is all the same. To the left of the dock is the area where we are allowed to use the beach chairs. Yes, they are old, the beach is short and it is very rocky (bring water shoes). The bathrooms are also not up to date. It is not an area where you want to lay out and work on your tan as most of it is under the trees. Everyone is allowed to walk across the whole area of the beach (even in front of the hotel). There is a hotel on the right side of the dock where you can rent a chair if you would like to. It is a beautiful beach and everyone is welcome to use the restaurant if they like. If you want to see some beautiful pitons and get some great snorkeling in, then you will enjoy this place. Spencer's dinner was very good the day we went (both times). It was some rice, chicken and salad. Every meal was packed in a container. We had adequate beer, water, pop and rum punch. We returned in a high speed boat ride back. Spencer drove us there and back on our last trip and was very informative about his business.

Personally, we have done the land tour already and feel we don't want to do it again. It was great to see once. The scenery is beautiful and it was great to shop. But the roads here are narrow, some bumpy and windy. The back of a van may not be the most comfortable. I am going to try and book with Spencer again for our upcoming cruise. I'm interested in the boat ride to Soufriere. We didn't get to see much in that area as we just used it to get into a boat.

I hope if you decide to go to Jalousie, you can see the good things it has to offer and oversee the shortcomings.

We have been to both Cockleshell and South Friars Bay. The last time we were in St Kitts in 2011, we grabbed a taxi to South Friars Bay and stayed at Carambola. It is beautiful!!! We relaxed and my husband snorkeled (but he said he didn't see too much). We had met our cruise critic friends that had booked a tour. It took them to the same place. While there, we walked down the beach to Shipwreck Beach. Here we found our other friends. The Shipwreck looked old and less desirable. The umbrellas were made of palm trees and the chairs were old and stained. (We are not fancy people either, we just enjoyed the newer nicer place) We plan to return to Carambola's in Feb.

The first year we did the catamaran over to Nevis. We had a blast because everyone on the boat was fun. The other time we went there, we took a taxi to Cockleshell. We stayed at Reggae Beach Bar. They had a pet pig (wilber) and a goat. Locals brought monkeys around for pictures. Chairs were not that nice here either but we just laid our towels over them. We also walked up the beach to the other end. Here was Lions Rock Bar (which I think is now Spicemill). The waves appeared bigger here and I didn't see anyone snorkeling.

Here is a website to the 5 major beaches in St Kitts with some pictures and a description. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destination/stkittsandnevis/78344/St-Kitts-beaches.html

Here are our pictures of the beaches. The first two are Carambola. You can see one of the beds in the background if you look closely. Third one is Shipwreck down the beach from Carambola. You can see the difference in the sand and the umbrellas. Forth is a view of Cockelshell from above with Reggae and fifth is Lions Rock down the beach. You can see Reggae further down the beach in the background.

I hope this helps and doesn't confuse you more. :)

Have fun and good luck!!!!

Doug and Karen

Our friends and us met up here. They wanted $10 a chair and $10 an umbrella. Someone talked them down to $20 for 2 chairs and an unbrella. It was well worth it. This was a beautiful spot. There was a cove for those who wanted to snorkel. We walked down to ship wreck and it looked run down and old. We went back, bought some $2 beers in-between. Spent the whole day there at Carambola. Their bathrooms were amazing. Very clean and granite countertops. Showers to rinse off. Food available. We would return there for any future stops.

Karen

We were in San Juan 2/5/11. This guy came desperately across the road. "Do you speak English?" I said yes. He began his spiel with the warning of not crossing the bridge near the fort. He said this is the dangerous area of the island. He and his father were down there and were mugged. His Dad was hit over the head with a gun and is in the hospital. The police are not helping him at all. He was looking for $8 for cab fare. Thank goodness I had heard about this guy before meeting him. I said, Hey, I read about you on the internet. People are talking about you. He appeared to have meth scars/scabs on his face from picking. He said, You may not believe me, but I sure didn't do this to myself. He then went on his way, off to warn other people of his fake story. Sad that so many people get sucked into his lies.

We love to watch the intoxicated people return from ports. I especially like it when we are side by side another ship and we yell back and forth. On one trip, both ships were cheering on the returning drunk runners. Felt like we were at a horse race. I truly love that people just want to relax and have a great time.

6 MORE days

Karen

Hi,

I've been reading these boards for months. So far priceline has not accepted any of my bids for 01/31/09. I started bidding in May

San Juan-

Resort-started with many low bids then

$146

$151

$157

$162

4 star

$123

$126

$136

$142

3 star

$96

$106

$116

$121

All denied

Am I just not going high enough? I have read many lower bids. Do you feel it is worth the $5.00 insurance that priceline offers? I appreciate any help someone can give me.

Karen