Jay Pennington posted a great list that is saved on the USVI Boaters and Cruising Facebook page. Jay is the GM of CYOA and a long-time contributor here, and my buddy. I recommend the figure eight - clockwise around St. John and then counter-clockwise around St. Thomas. There is a LOT to see and you could easily spend two weeks. We'll be back in Coral Harbor by Halloween, say hi!
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Cruising St Thomas & St John - Jay PenningtonBuck Island, St Thomas (south of Charlotte-Amalie Harbor) as a day stop. Turtle Cove and Shipwreck Cove.
Christmas Cove, Great St James, A great place to spend the night, snorkel the cay in the middle of the harbor, and share a Pizza from Pizza Pi with your crew.
Cruz Bay, St John, Moor your boat at Lind Point or off of Caneel Bay on a national park mooring. Dinghy into town to see the attractions. Dinning and Limin for every budget. Shopping from trinkets to T-shirts, Jewelry, and provisions. Everything in one funky little town.
St John National Park, The interactive Marine Resources guide. (Google this map) This has it all the mooring fields, snorkeling spots, pretty much anything you want to know about the Park.
Hawksnest Beach, St John, Named for the Hawksnest Turtles that call this home. A white sandy slice of heaven. We could tell you about Mermaid’s Seat but it is a secret.
Trunk Bay, St John, One of the most photographed beaches on the planet. It really is that pretty. Check out the snorkel trail around Trunk Bay Cay.
Trunk Bay with the Underwater Trail is a great place for beginners and anyone who wants to learn about marine life by reading the plaques along the trail. The trail follows the west side of Trunk Bay Cay for about 300 feet before making a U-turn back to the beach. The coral and fish are well represented here. The reef continues beyond to the cay's northern tip, however do not venture past where you are in view of the lifeguards. The farther out you go, the rougher the water is.
Cinnamon Bay, St John, Hang out with the rich and famous as well as the turltes and Conch. Spectacular water views, snorkeling and views of some of the most incredible Vacation Villas in the Caribbean.
Francis Bay Beach and Maho Bay Beach, This is a two for one deal. Two great beaches in one great anchorage. This spot pretty much comes with a turtle viewing guarantee.
Maho Crossroads In their own words. “A minimum footprint pop-up village at Maho Beach in St. John, USVI. Enjoy the Paddle-In Tiki Bar, Love Maho Beach Boutique, and Terrapin Beach Club.”
Leinster Bay and Waterlemon Cay, Did we mention snorkeling? This spot can keep your whole crew in the water for hours. You can snorkel around Waterlemon Cay, Snorkel the reef along the shore or dinghy into the shallows in the mangrove area and look for juvenile fish. There are more starfish here than any other place we have ever been. Get dropped off at the beach and walk to the west and visit the Annaberg plantation that is manned during season and interpretive signs are spread throughout. If you want to hike head east up the hill to the ruins of the Murphy plantation. If you keep going it is an advanced hike to Coral Bay.
Coral Bay, St John, The little village time forgot. Don’t come here looking for commercialized attractions; it is not that kind of town. You can find art, food, and drinks. A dive shop and a floating Taco Bar. It is that kind of town.
Lime Out, Coral Bay, Speaking of floating Taco Bars, because who doesn’t want to go to a swim up Taco Bar with Rum Drinks? This one speaks for itself.
Hurricane Hole, Coral Bay St John, Made up of several day mooring areas in the National Park, this is a great place to spend the afternoon. Swim and snorkel along the mangroves on shore to see countless juvenile fish and sea life.
Salt Pond, St John, This one is a secret so do not tell anyone. There are a limited number of moorings (5) surrounded by unlimited beauty. The reef to the west of the moorings is great as well. Rams Head Trail, Salt Pond, St John This hiking trail runs from the beach at Salt Pond to the top of Rams Head. Pack some water and comfortable shoes. The views are spectacular.
Great and Little Lameshur Bays, Quiet coves, snorkeling oh and did we mention stargazing? With almost no light noise from shore due to the remote location in the park this is like taking a walk around the milky way. Make sure to put a stargazing app on your phone or tablet. It is good for hours of fun. You can hike from here to the Petroglyphs if Reef bay is full, 2 hrs each way on the old plantation road, There is a dock at the University of the Virgin Islands remote station to lock up your dinghy and pay for the mooring in Great Lameshur. Snorkeling at the point between the bays is recommended or south of Great Lameshur.
Reef Bay, St John, Limited to two moorings this is an advanced hike.“By Ken Wild
Within the deep interior of the Reef Bay valley rests one of St. John’s most important clues to a lost culture from the island’s past, the petroglyphs. This captivating place is located at the base of the valley’s highest waterfall, surrounded by the island’s lush tropical vegetation. Here, mysterious faces are found carved into the fall’s blue basalt rock. A spring fed pool beneath reflects a 20-foot wide panorama of carvings year-round with other petroglyphs visible nearby. For those who may be unfamiliar with the term petroglyph, the term petroglyph refers to rock art carvings whereas pictographs are rock art paintings.
Red Hook, St Thomas, Does your crew want to spend a little time in town? In Red Hook you can either anchor out or get a slip in the Marina for the night. Either way there are a dozen or so Bars and Restaurants. Some diverse shopping opportunities and even a Grocery Store.
Magens Bay, St Thomas, Take a nice down wind sail around the north shore of St Thomas. You will get to view lots of small cays like Hans Lolick on the north side on your way to Magen’s. This is a truly magical spot with a large crescent beach located between two peninsulas. Anchor in the middle or closer to shore. The pelicans are sure to put on a show.
Way Out West, St Thomas, As you leave Magens you can continue on your down wind sail around the west end of St Thomas. Once you have cleared the west end it is back up towards the anchorages west of Charlotte Amalia.
Brewers Bay, St Thomas, The first of the western anchorages. This anchorage is tucked in by the University of the Virgin Islands. It features a large sand beach and a very protected area for swimming.
Lindbergh Bay, St Thomas, Next up is another large sand beach. The hotel located on shore has a small beach bar and restaurant. This bay is home to lots of turtles and conchs.
Druif Bay, Water Island, Home of Honeymoon Beach, a great spot to waste a day snorkeling and swimming with the turtles and rays. Lime away the afternoon at a beach bar. Then have sundowners watching, wait for the spectacular sunset to the west.
Cheers, RickG
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