Where to go in St John???

[marshalls1963]

We are cruising July 1st and were hoping to go to St John instead of St Thomas. My question, we heard so much about Cruz Bay and that was the plan, until someone in our group read you can't really swim in the water there. Just wanted a little feedback from those of you that may have gone there. Is it a nice beach to swim and spend the day.

[golfadj]

We are cruising July 1st and were hoping to go to St John instead of St Thomas. My question, we heard so much about Cruz Bay and that was the plan, until someone in our group read you can't really swim in the water there. Just wanted a little feedback from those of you that may have gone there. Is it a nice beach to swim and spend the day.

 

Go to port of call page for st thomas and will see what you are looking for.

[mikel24m]

We are cruising July 1st and were hoping to go to St John instead of St Thomas. My question, we heard so much about Cruz Bay and that was the plan, until someone in our group read you can't really swim in the water there. Just wanted a little feedback from those of you that may have gone there. Is it a nice beach to swim and spend the day.

 

we did the champagne catamarran through carnival

 

alittle pricey but all the rum punch or champagne you want on the trip back along with snacks

 

there were maybe 20 people on the entire beach

 

i will do this one again our next visit to st thomas/st john

[Ron_L]

Yep... Lots of info here...

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=133

 

Cruz Bay is the main town on the island and where the ferry from St. Thomas will drop you off. There is shopping, bars and restaurants. Depending on what you are looking for lots of folks go to Trunk Bay which has a beautiful beach and decent to good snorkeling.

 

Here's a web cam from St. John Spice, which is right at the base of the ferry pier in Cruz Bay...

 

http://www.stjohnspice.com/spicecam/

[marshalls1963]

I did take a look- there wasn't too much, would love feedback from those who have experienced this beach

[tada]

You can rent a car in Cruz Bay and see the sites of the island. We visited Trunk Bay, Cinammon Bay, Annaberg Plantation, snorkeled an underwater trail at Trunk Bay, and even had time for lunch at Cruz Bay. We used the ferry from Red Hook which is reached from the port by taxi.

 

Here's a picture my wife took at Trunk Bay:

[Ksea1961]

There is a small beach at Cruz Bay, but it's not good for swimming. That is where the ferry boats come and go, as well as some dive boats, etc. If you are a first timer I would suggest Trunk Bay. Just grab a taxi at the Ferry dock. It's just a short drive. They have bathrooms, showers, snack bar and a snorkeling trail.

 

Cruz bay is great for food, drinks and shopping. Be sure to visit St. John Spice and Freebird Jewelry. Mongoose Junction (very short walk) has really nice stores and good places to eat/drink too.

[mikel24m]

this is what we did

 

http://www.carnival.com/Activities/Excursion/434013

[golfadj]

I did take a look- there wasn't too much, would love feedback from those who have experienced this beach

 

There should be a thread there by a CC host that has tons of info on what to do and how to get there.

[H82seaUgo]

We are cruising July 1st and were hoping to go to St John instead of St Thomas. My question, we heard so much about Cruz Bay and that was the plan, until someone in our group read you can't really swim in the water there. Just wanted a little feedback from those of you that may have gone there. Is it a nice beach to swim and spend the day.

 

if you want to swim, grab a taxi to take you to trunk bay. turquise water and white sand, with facilities.

[TravelerMK]

We are cruising July 1st and were hoping to go to St John instead of St Thomas. My question, we heard so much about Cruz Bay and that was the plan, until someone in our group read you can't really swim in the water there. Just wanted a little feedback from those of you that may have gone there. Is it a nice beach to swim and spend the day.

 

We went on an excursion to Trunk Bay for snorkeling and hanging out at the beach and absolutely loved it! Postcard beautiful, it's a National Park.

 

Mindy

[zqvol]

Here is a picture of Cruz Bay. Beautiful, but I don't want to swim there.

 

[Aplmac]

Here's a picture my wife took at Trunk Bay:

FABulous shot! --------- Well done, wifey. ;)

.

[marshalls1963]

Thank you all so much for taking the time to answer my question!! Loved all the photos too! Trunk Bay for swimming, Mongoose Junction for shopping- that's the new plan!

[DaDivaMom]

In addition to Trunk Bay there is Cinnamon Bay just above it also in the state park. It had a small store that sells drinks (including beer & such), a cafe and restrooms. No charge to use the beach. Trunk & Cinnamon are both gorgeous! Cinnamon will be less crowded.

 

When you leave the ship you will need to take a cab to Red Hook on St. Thomas to take the ferry. I think round trip used to be about 11 bucks each. You will land in Cruz Bay like folks said and will need to cab it again to one of the bays. That will cost you again about ten bucks per person round trip. Count on between 20-30 bucks for transportation per person.

We HIGHLY recommend the food & drinks @ Woody's in Cruz Bay for some local flavor and fun.

 

The sunset sail is also a great excursion!

[njoyndride]

If you like to hike there is a great trail behind the V.I. Parks building that takes you to Honeymoon or Solomon beach. It's mostly flat, a little uphill at the very beginning. We stayed at the beach then went to Caneel Bay to catch a cab, had lunch in town and then hopped back on the ferry. It was a great day. Here's the trail map..

 

http://www.stjohnbeachguide.com/Lind%20Point%20Trail.htm

[golfadj]

We need to do this next time we go to st thomas.

[ItsAllAboutTheSass]

We went to STJ on our first trip to STT in 2002. After many trips to STT it is time to go back STJ in Oct.

[ATLP&J]

We went to Trunk bay and was awesome. Some of clearest water you have ever seen and it's not "overly touristy" yet like Orient beach so you'll need a towel to sit on instead of rows and rows of rental chairs. We were just up to our knees in the water and saw a lot fish and a stingray swimming around us, which was pretty cool. They also have showers, bathrooms and a little shop (where you can rent snorkeling equipment) and a little hut with drinks and food there. But be prepared, it's going to take a little bit to get there. 30 mins or so taxi ride, then 20 min ferry, and then another 20 min or so taxi. Then you have to buy a beach pass, so take your wallet.

[Dr. Pokealong]

From St. John you can take a boat over to Virgin Gorda and visit "The Baths". It's a national park and it's very cool. There are all of these giant boulders and caves right down at the water line near the beach. You can wade in between the boulders. Here's a link:

 

http://www.stjohntraveler.com/adventure/the-baths-virgin-gorda/

 

[H82seaUgo]

From St. John you can take a boat over to Virgin Gorda and visit "The Baths". It's a national park and it's very cool. There are all of these giant boulders and caves right down at the water line near the beach. You can wade in between the boulders. Here's a link:

 

http://www.stjohntraveler.com/adventure/the-baths-virgin-gorda/

 

 

usually people visit there from tortola, being it's a different country.

[zqvol]

From St. John you can take a boat over to Virgin Gorda and visit "The Baths". It's a national park and it's very cool. There are all of these giant boulders and caves right down at the water line near the beach. You can wade in between the boulders. Here's a link:

 

http://www.stjohntraveler.com/adventure/the-baths-virgin-gorda/

 

 

 

Be aware that this excursions takes a long time and REQUIRES a passport, so if you are cruising on a BC and DL don't even think about it.

[rickstas]

Trunk Bay is incredible....been there 3 times. You can take the cab to and from Red Hook and then the ferry, but it's much easier to pay a few bucks more and take the cruie line snorkeling excursion. You will board a ferry boat as you get of the cruise ship and it will take you directly to St John. You will not have to take cabs to and from Red Hook or worry about cabs on St John....couldn't be easier.

It should also be noted that if you book it thru the cruise line you are guaranteed that you will not miss the boat when it leaves St. Thomas !!

[H82seaUgo]

Trunk Bay is incredible....been there 3 times. You can take the cab to and from Red Hook and then the ferry, but it's much easier to pay a few bucks more and take the cruie line snorkeling excursion. You will board a ferry boat as you get of the cruise ship and it will take you directly to St John. You will not have to take cabs to and from Red Hook or worry about cabs on St John....couldn't be easier.

It should also be noted that if you book it thru the cruise line you are guaranteed that you will not miss the boat when it leaves St. Thomas !!

 

you can also take a ferry from downtown charlotte amalie.