On one cold and windy day in February my wife and I decided we would go to a beach and since the Virgin Island National Park in the St. John Island has multiiple beaches it fit the bill.  This is one national park that I always said that we would never visit.  Never say never.

In this write-up I hope to show all of the mistakes we may have made.  First of all we noticed that one had to pay $500/night for a room on a beach in St. Thomas.  One normally flies into Charlotte Amalie on the island of St. Thomas then has to figure out how to get to St John.  We decided to rent a car then use a ferry at Red Hook to cross over to St. John at Cruz Bay.  Maybe not the best decision.  We found a $150/night room up in the mountains which had a great view but not very accessable.  Did I mention that the US Virgin islands are volcanic with narrow steep roads and many switchbacks?  There are three main islands:  St Thomas, St. John and St Croix.  St. Croix was never a part of the discussion. We packed our beach ware and snorkels because we knew there were lots of beaches and coral reefs.to enjoy.  We would have enjoyed them quite a bit had there been decent parking.  We knew parking was an issue but did not know the extent.  We hardly ever got wet -  just waded in the shallow water with clothes on.

I should mention that no passport was required.  I should really really mention that our rental car had the wheel in the usual place but on the road one had to drive in the LEFT lane.  The LEFT lane!!!  I stilll haven't recovered from that!

March 21, 2024

We checked into the Island View Guesthouse which was up in the mountains.  We found out why it was cheap. Near the Guesthouse was a one lane road that lead to the small, small guest parking lot.  The procedure was: Before going up the road, blow your horn a few times.  If no response then proceed hoping to not meet anyone coming down the narrow road.. Otherwise risk your life meeting another vehicle.

March 22, 2014

 On to he national park!  Drove thru Charlotte-Amalie to get to Red Hook to board the ferry.  Noticed a passenger ferry that we probably should have used. When we docked at St. John we found the NP Visitor Center fairly easily but found only about 6 parking spots where two appeared to be used by park personel. Other parking spots used by visitors.  So we circled and circled and circled until a spot opened up. Then started driving to the first beach stop.Guess what?  Small parking lot and no open spaces.  Drove past and tried to turn around --- almost no places to turn around so went to the next beach.. No parking so drive to the next beach.  So sparce parking spots and very few places to turn around.  Not a good combination.

Visited:

Annaberg Sugar Mill Ruins,  beaches: Cinnamin Bay, Hawsnest Bay

March 23,,24  2014

Decided to explore St. Thomas

Coral World Ocean Park(neat), Charlotte-Amalie, Mountain Top(Great view,souvenirs) ,Phantasea Tropical Botanical Garden(neat, don't miss it}

So, in conclusion, it is not  easy to visit these islands. At least not for people of our vintage.

Since it is so expensive to rent ($500) for 3 days we noticed that many people do not rent a car, they just call a cab. So take a cab from the airport to the motel. Take a cab to go to the passenger ferry to go to St John.  On St John take a cab to the beach of your choice (see how parking spots do not matter.).  Take a cab from the beach to the next beach or back to the ferry.  Take a cab back to the motel of your stay.  Does this sound like fun?

I will admit that we finally saw a public bus that went from beach to beach but they only ran during certain hours but I think they were free.   Your poison.

To repeat and to emphasize:  Marilyn was driving but we both said this as we got in the rental car:  LEFT, LEFT,LEFT,LEFT, LEFT L:ANE!!!!!!!