St. Thomas for a week

[mike_s]

St. John has little diving compared to St. Thomas. Also, because it is mostly state park, it is quieter and less to do. Great place to chill out on and spend time on the beach.

hmmm.... I'd say that have plenty. A lot of the sites that St Johns operators dive are the same sites that operators out of the RedHook area on St Thomas dive. The operators just don't dive all around the island on St John because most of them are located in one spot and dive spots closest to their dock location.

Crime in St. Thomas is no worse then anywhere I've lived in the states (Gary, Chicago, Reno).

I wouldn't call those good comparisons to cities in the US in regards to crime.

Chicago is known for crime, but then again most big cities are.

Gary Indiana for example had the highest per capita murder rate in the United States at one time. 8.75 times the national average. It also is listed as the 5th most dangerous city in the US to live.

I would say that St Thomas is safer than that.... but look at what you're comparing it to.

I'd also like to suggest bringing a passport and doing a day sail to Virgin Gorda and visiting the Baths. Great day trip and beautiful little island.

this too is a great suggestion.

 

[Gesekee19]

i cancelled wynhdam and booked Marriott...then after reading more reviews, i ended up switching to a oceanfront suite at Secret Harbour Beach resort on the other end of the island next to red hook and the ritz carlton...what do you think about Secret Harbour?

 

[Shaka Doug]

Check out Pete at Coki Beach Dive Club...he runs a really fun dive operation.

 

[mike_s]

Coki Beach in my opinion isn't worth diving if you've got a better dive opportunity closer to your hotel.

I mean it's not a bad dive, but there are just much better dives out there.

 

[jeanedz]

I lived in ST Thomas for 2 years and completed most of my dive training there. I would suggest 2 dive operations there. You can always go where most of these others have suggested but they mainly focus on tourist/cattle boat diving and these other places are where most of the locals dive.
If you want beach Dives then head around the Island and go to COKI beach Dive it's just past Redhook.

COKI BEACH DIVE CONTACT INFO
Toll free number (U.S.A.): 1 800 474 COKI
Tel: 1-340-775-4220
Fax: 1- 340-776-4607
E-Mail: info@cokidive.com
COKI BEACH DIVE CLUB - P.O. Box 502096 - St. Thomas U.S.V.I. 00805

The owners are Laura and Peter Jackson. I my husband used to be a dive instructor for them.


Also the very BEST boat diving is in Crown Bay which is on the other side of the Island but they specialise in small groups. NO cattle boat experiences here. They also have some of the best wrecks around. The also do Nitrox which most of the others dont do.

Snail-Mail Blue Island Divers
Suite 505, Crown Bay Marina
Sub Base, St Thomas, 00802
United States Virgin Islands

Phone ++1-340-774-2001
Fax ++1 (340) 777 9600
Email dive@blueislanddivers.com
The owner is AItch LIddle and he's a great guy.
The primary dive instructors/dive leaders are Ian and Deidra..Both wonder people.

Marina market is a good place to get food. Stay away from Pueblo if you can avoid it.
The GreenHouse on the waterfront is great but dont go there alone. The tourist are targets after dark. The best burgers are at the SHipWreck Tavern by the Havensight Mall right by the main harbor where the Cruis Ships pull in.
I would honestly suggest renting a car. The Taxi's will break you. The rides are per person and there are set rates to all the destinations. You can expact 10-15 per person per ride. That will end your trip early. Just book a car with Tri-Island renta car you can pick up your car at the airport and they give you a map of how to get around the island. Since ST Thomas is 14 miles long by 4 miles wide there arent very many roads. The biggest challenge is driving on the left.
If you have any more quesitons feel free to ask...
Jeanne
Tons more info can be given if your interested.
Oh, and by no means drink any of the TAP water... They dont have fressh water access on most of hte island. Rain is collected in cisterns, which usually has tons of bacteria. SO make sure to always ask for bottled water. Most mixed drinks are Ok since the alcohol kills the germs.

 

[wreckchick]

Hi Jeanne!

Just FYI, Blue Island was sold last year and is under new management and has a completely new staff so it's not the same Blue Island you remember.

All the bars and restaurants I know of have a water purification system so the mixed drinks are fine because they're fine, not because the alcohol is killing the germs. Bottled water is always safe but you may find more filtered water than you'd expect.

Absolutely second the burgers at Shipwreck, they're totally awesome!

What are you considering a cattle boat? Blue Island, Admiralty, and St. Thomas Diving Club are all running the exact same boat, a 30' Island Hopper.

Rachel

 

[wreckchick]

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