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Posted by Competitivefingerpainter on May 2, 2008 at 3:14:41 pm EDT
In reply to Camping & hiking on St.John US Virgin Is. posted by arborrider05 on April 24, 2008 at 5:34:21 pm EDT

I spent several weeks around New Years '06 on St. John and the BVI's. At the time there was a ferry to St. Thomas from Puerto Rico, that docked in Charlotte Amalie on St. T, however if I remember correctly it is was a fairly long ferry (weather permitting, 2-4 hours). I suggest you take an inter-island flight to St. Thomas, or better yet save yourself the time and money and fly directly to St. T, most flight on the eastern seaboard can connect you pretty easily, (and the cheapest route) through Charlotte, NC. From St. Thomas you need to take a taxi over to Charlotte-Amalie and catch the ferry over to St. John which docks at Cruz Bay (the ferry is pretty simple to catch, and costs something like $5) it operates pretty close to the times posted (unlike other businesses that operate on "island time"). You can catch a taxi to wherever from there ($10-12 to the other side of the island).
As far as accomodations, someone who posted is correct there are two campgrounds, one at Maho (the private one) and the national parks operator at Cinnamon Bay. I stayed a Cinnamon Bay, and they have more than just primative sites, we stayed in a canvas/screen tent on a wood deck with cots and cooking supplies etc. (side note, BRING A FLASH LIGHT/headlamp if you are going out in the evening, or even if you think you are getting back around twilight...when the sun goes down it gets DARK, we got very very lost on the trail to our tent one night and literally had our hands out in front of us for 30 minutes feeling for our tent... and the trails are rocky, so that isn't fun in pitch dark) The anole lizards come in the tent, but they are harmless, tarantulas don't come out until dark and they won't come in the tent, same for the hermit crabs they can't get up on the deck. Mongoose and iguanas tend to not go that far up the hillside, rather hang out close to the shores and in open areas with good sunning spots. BTW, the canvas tents/decks are worth the extra comfort... the ground is rocky, and sleeping on a bare site would be tough even with a sleeping pad.
Maho, I learned is very nice. The people I met that were there tended to go back as opposed to returning to Cinnamon, but if you are on a tight budget as we were Cinnamon is plenty nice. Maho was more for families. Cinnamon Bay has a little camp store to pick up essentials, but my suggestion is to walk up the hill from the dock where the ferry lets you off, there are 3 grocery stores within 4 blocks that have considerably cheaper groceries (for essentials like rum, bottled water, plantains, PB, whatever). The nice part about the canvas tent sites is they provide pots and pans so you can cook meals at your site... saving a lot of money...A LOT. Don't try to camp off the grid, in a hammock or on the beach or whatever, there is a lot of private land, a few shady characters on the island, and since the island is pretty small and EVERYONE knows EVERYONE, someone will hear about where you are squating and come rip you off. Don't worry though the island is really safe compared to neighboring ones like in the BVI's... too many Rasta's.
As far as hiking goes, there are a lot of trails, and some of the terrain is very steep and challenging especially in the middle of the island, it is like climbing wet stairs. Try not to walk on the roads or for very long (you will see why) they are really narrow, and the truck/taxis won't see you around a bend... which every road is continuously bending. You should be able to hike every trail on the island in a week to a week and a half, if that is your goal, but you will need to catch taxis back at the end of the day... also easy, just prearrange it with a taxi driver each day... he'll come get you... eventually.
If you want to see turtles, make sure you go to Leinster bay/Watermelon bay (despite what anyone tells you)... almost a guarantee to see turtles there, there are grass beds the like to peck around in, you will see them pock their heads out of the water on occassion.
You can't go wrong in St. John, the place is great, local, and not touristy like St. Thomas. If you want a beer, go see St. John's Brewer's, they make a half decent pale ale... well atleast it's cold... seriously it is pretty good. Make sure you try to meet Kevin, he is one of the brewers and a really cool guy for conversation and to drink a beer with.
Enjoy your trip. Pura vida- Mateo
PS pass on any travel knowledge you pick up when you get back, travel-karma always comes around

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• Re: Camping & hiking on St.John US Virgin Is. - arborrider05 21:45:42 05/02/2008

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