USVI trip advice

VABuckeye, i was thinking on one of the beach resort days / open day taking the ferry to St John and just walking around, taxing to trunk or francis bay. i could probably rent a car for the day again if need be.

Any other suggestions on places to see? What about Drakes seat on st thomas, would that be worth taking a taxi to?

restaurant suggestions in the areas we are going to?

Thanks!!

My Review

You can probably get to 2 or three islands in BVIs in that time frame if you cluster around the islands closest to St. Thomas, say Jost and the northwest coast of Tortola. Cane Garden Bay is a fantastic little beach area. On the whole Tortola probably the least "scenic" of the BVIs but the northwest side has some hidden gems. If you go further a sea, as VABuckeye has suggested, would just focus on Virgin Gorda and the Baths, with maybe a stop at the Rhone wreck on way out or in.

Agree with less time on St. Thomas. No chance you can check out on Thursday from St. Thomas resort and spend Thursday-Sunday on either St. John or Tortola? Are you at all proficient with a boat (power or sail)? I only ask because the real joy, I think of those islands is being able to explore and spend every night at a different port of call. Not a deal breaker by any means, but its a cool experience.

Totally understand. When traveling with kids, always best to K.I.S.S.

In future, if you go back (even with kids) a captained charter boat is a great move. Find another couple with similarly aged kids (or not) and you can have a pretty great trip for about what you would pay in hotels.

Just got back...trunk is nice for beach bumming, for snorkeling maho bay is sea turtle and rays galore. Water lemon for fish

It's not three hours away. There's also a fast ferry from St Thomas to Tortola.

Tortola is alright. There are some good beaches. I like Cane Garden Bay.

You might just want to spend two days exploring St John if you really want to get to know the island.

You have time for two Painkillers while you wait for your luggage in Cyril King, the bar is beside the luggage chute.

There is a seaplane that will take you round trip to St. Croix for a day trip $175.00. Why? Ever been in a seaplane?

By far the best bar we found was La petite fenetre in French Town. Locals hangout with very friendly regulars.

The ferry to St. John is a WW II LST, which is cool.

St Thomas struck me as the dirtier of the two islands. Once there, I wanted to spend less time there.

But once on St John, I never wanted to set foot on St Thomas ever again. Since your plan for St John includes The Westin (according to your link), why not try to get a reservation there instead of whatever you have planned on St Thomas?

A week on St John was barely enough, so good luck making it a day trip.

Kids may only like the beaches. But some of the trails that include ruins can make it fun for them if you frame it as something Indiana Jones would do. The one on Trunk Bay, and Annaberg Plantation are easy walks for kids. Another hidden gem that you are likely to have to yourself are the ruins of Catherineberg Estate. You drive up via a dirt road. No employees staff this location. Kids will like the freedom to explore it themselves.

For food, get a burger at Skinny Legs on St John. It has a very beachy dive bar atmosphere.

Also on St John, Monday night is all you can eat lobster night at Aqua Bistro. It's in Coral Bay. I put down 4 for $50.

Take the kids to Blackbeard's Castle on St Thomas. Other than that, I have no other St Thomas recommendations.