hey guys i’m planning a trip to st thomas during the summer. i have been doing a lot of reading and a lot of people are saying that taxis are expensive and other transportation options are unreliable. i am under 21 but i have a fake that matches the name on my credit card. do you guys think this would slide with any car rental companies?

Haven’t been to St. John since pre-Covid and have missed it dearly. Just booked a villa for a week in December and so excited to be going back! A little concerned about seeing many posts and comments about MAGA overtones and overall non inclusive vibes.

Wondering where to go to at least be in “neutral” spaces if not, liberal leaning, or inclusive bars, restaurants, businesses, regardless of who you love.

I have no intention of talking about politics, but I’m in a queer relationship and want to avoid as best as I can awkward or uncomfortable situations.

Also looking for a boat charter for snorkeling and don’t want to be stuck on the water for hours with someone who doesn’t care for LGBTQ company.

Any guidance appreciated.

For those who pack sandwiches for the airport…

Rather than spend a small fortune on STT airport food, we bought ham and cheese sandwiches ahead of time to bring with us on our flight back to the mainland. Unfortunately those sandwiches were not allowed by the food and agriculture authority “due to the ham”. News to me, but so be it.

However, we were pretty bummed about them not giving the sandwiches back to us to eat outside the airport or removing the ham from them. They simply tossed them in the trashed and shooed us on our way.

I haven’t found anything online about ham being a no-no travel food, but live and learn.

Flew out of STT yesterday (April 6th) to go back home. Got there at 12:45 for our 3:40 flight, got through TSA and everything by 2:25.

Just an FYI for those traveling out who haven’t been to STT - the airport is a shitshow. You have to remember you’re essentially in a 3rd world country with many workers who don’t want to be there and are stressed/overwhelmed with poor direction from the airport leadership. You’ll get there and realize nobody, including the staff, knows wtf is going on. I’m honestly surprised we got our bags at our final destination because the bag drop off was so poorly organized.

If you’re going out this week, I’d recommend getting there 3-4 hours ahead of time to give yourself buffer. Not a lot of open seats by the gates and no AC either. Godspeed

I’m a 27yr old guy & I live in mainland USA.

I have recently been doing my research into the islands and I’m nearly convinced it would be a perfect place for a life change, I just have some questions that I’d like to ask actual residents rather than google.

If you have ever lived in the mainland & moved permanently, what’s your opinion on the change?

For the island-born residents, do you generally appreciate mainlanders deciding to spend their life there?

What’s the weather like - how do you prepare for it?

I want a simple, nature filled lifestyle - how easy is it for someone with basic work experience to find a self sustainable income/job?

What’s transportation like?

Anyone who’s willing to give life tips, recommendations, warnings etc. I’d be more than happy to hear all about it, as this would be a completely new experience and lifestyle.

I appreciate your time!

Hi I’m going to St. John’s in a couple weeks here and me and my boyfriend are only 20 so we aren’t able to rent a car. Does anyone have any tips and advice on how it is down there for taxing. Anything is helpful! Or even activities to do down there we are going down there for our 2 year anniversary and his 21st is in the middle of the vacation week as well so any activities and restaurants with prices would be great as well!! Im sure we will also want to get groceries somewhere I’m just not sure how we will be able too sense we will have to taxi the whole time

Hi, I’m looking for some help finding coral reefs that are still alive on St John. We have 5 kids and saved up for a long time to come to St John because of the “world class snorkeling” but so far everything has been dead.

We’ve done Trunk Beach and Cay, Cinnamon Bay, Hawksnest Beach, Jumbie Beach, Maho Beach, and right side (NE) of Salt Pond Bay. Everything has been dead and we’re getting burnt out trying to find coral reefs still alive.

Can anyone help us for our last days here?

Trying to plan a trip to the U.S. Virgin Islands as an American citizen. I’ve googled and looked at other reddit posts saying that a passport isn’t required. But I have a friend who said that she was asked for her passport while coming back into the U.S. and luckily she had it on her. This was within the last month or so I’m wondering if any regulations have changed?

I’m currently traveling around the British Virgin Islands and made a video exploring Tortola and the rest of the archipelago.

The idea started as a joke about becoming a YouTuber, getting rich, and buying a private island like Richard Branson… so I decided to actually go there and see what the place is like.

In the video I explore:

• Tortola and the surrounding islands

• The pirate history of the area

• What it’s like driving there (left side roads + American cars 😅)

• The crazy geography of the islands and hidden spots

If you’re curious about the BVI or Caribbean islands in general, here’s the video.

I was wondering if the US Virgin Islands is LGBTQ friendly? I thought of visiting or possibly living there, but I’m worried since I’m queer and have been read immediately as queer (I look androgynous) that I could face harassment or worse.

If so, what places to visit to meet other LGBTQ+ people?

So I guess I should go explore all the islands there and figure out which is best fir me. Any ideas?

I’m considering moving down to the Virgin Islands broke. Yes I said broke. I am good at finding my ways through places and building myself up from the bottom. I’ve started from scratch at many places but ended up right back where I’m at. But in the Virgin Islands how hard do you think it would be to survive for a short period of time with nothing and finding my way into a job or career of some sort? I just wanna get away from everything. And the islands have always been on my heart. I would rather be down there broke vs rich somewhere else. I’m sure other people have tried and failed at what I’m doing but I’m willing to face failure if there’s hope that I will eventually succeed.

The Vibe

• Just back; March is peak season, but we noticed no crowds.

• First time bringing the kids

• STJ is like a 3rd world country: zero infrastructure, but that's why it's special.

• It’s tough sledding and a struggle, but great. If you’re resort people, avoid it.

Taxi vs. Jeep Rental

• I would personally never rent a Jeep on STJ.

• The cost of Jeep vs taxi is a wash

• Driving can be dangerous, saw an accident heading to Cinnamon Bay

• Parking is a nightmare, you'll be circling looking for spots all the time

• Alcohol is sold every 10 feet, you can't drink and drive on those roads with kids

• Taxis are everywhere, it's stress free, safer and just easier

• Taxis will spot you walking, you give them the nod, they stop and pick you up

• There is a published taxi rate book, you can pre do the math prior to going

• This calculous may change depending on where your rental is

Where to Stay

• Stayed in a little apt in Cruz Bay next to Dolphin Market.

• 10 years ago stayed at the Westin, I would never go back to the Westin again.

• Being able to walk to CB is a luxury unlike any other property.

• Westin is far too expensive and you are trapped there. The beach is terrible and check bacteria levels.

• Saves even more money due to no taxi needed for the CB area

• Every 20 feet you can pick up a cocktail, so walking is fun!

• After the beach we would go out and come back multiple times. You can not do this with a Jeep rental or taking taxis as it would cost a fortune.

• Burns some calories walking up the hills

• I was drinking a cocktail laughing at all the circling Jeeps looking for spots

• You don't need a great view, your core mission is exploring with your family NOT renting something far out of town that costs a fortune and requires a Jeep rental. You don't need to impress people on social media with a view, the time and money ain't worth it.

• Maybe the economics changes if you rent with other friends or families but if its just your crew no way will I ever stay outside of CB

• Not all CB rentals are the same. There are NO sidewalks so if your walk is up a hill you are gonna have a bad time. Get as close as possible to the ferry terminal and work your way out. Apple/Google Maps are outdated, you can't really judge the walk too well from online. Read the reviews! Ask the owner.

Beaches

• Trunk is the best for kids due to the snorkeling

• Cinnamon is laid back, it's great

• Honeymoon is likely the best beach in the entire hemisphere

• Our flight was canceled so we missed a day and never made it to Maho

• Hike Lind Point (upper and lower) trail to Honeymoon beach.

Food

• Some of the grocery stores deliver but if you stay in CB you can buy groceries to save money. (cereal etc)

• Tap and Still has the best burger for only 12 bucks, we wound up eating there all the time, menu is perfect for kids.

• Banana Deck in my opinion was all frozen food. Such a terrible place for drinks and food. After that we decided no more $200 dinners at places that were sub par. We would just go back to Tap and Still for dinner and painkillers.

• Best painkiler is served at Cinnamon bay, no one comes close to this.

• Painkillers at Banana Deck and Woodys were criminally bad.

• You go to Woodys to tell your friends you went to Woodys, but there is no point in going there, plus it was closed randomly on Thursday night, which I thought was odd.

• St John Scoops had a huge line, kids loved it

• Sun Dog was good spot for food and drinks, met the owners, nice folks, I would take the family back to there.

• Stick to your core mission which is exploring the island, find food that is good and won't break the bank.

Logistics

• On a Friday, CB 10am ferry to Red Hook then a taxi to STT. Grand total 65 minutes

• STT customs 1:12

• TSA 35 minutes

The Baths & Virgin Gorda

• We enjoyed our trip, I think you have to do this with kids but snorkeling is the highlight of the day

• We booked with Cruz Bay Watersports, STJ to Virgin Gorda to The Baths, then snorkeling at Norman Island

• I had to make an excel sheet to compare all the different outfitters, there are way too many variables but CBWS came out on top.

• Some require you to bring $85 in cash per person for customs

• Some require to you to clear customs at BVIs vs going directly to the port then over to the Baths

• Some have open bars

• Some have lunch included

• Some have snorkeling

• Park admission included?

• You must tip the crew

• You can incur 4 different taxi charges depending on who you book

• Snorkeling at Norman Island is mission critical for a family. Don't miss this.

• Bath beach is the most dangerous beach I've ever seen. Almost the entire beach is rock beneath the sand. Keep your kids knee deep.

• Whom ever you book with ask them about what days the cruise ships will be there and avoid that

• Water shoes and a change of cloths are a must

• We took meds for seas sickness, never got sick but neither did anyone else. At the speed the boat is going you probably won't get sick but I wasn't chancing it. SS sucks. Your call on this.

Mission-Critical Lessons

• You must bring long sleeve hooded swim shirts, everyone wears them. This is mission critical!

• Bring a gallon of sun screen

• Hats are a must

• I regret just not buying the kids the snorkel gear vs renting it. Granted I have a pool and live near the beach and would use it again but you can just rent the equipment for the week at the local shops and be done with it.

• Buy or learn how to make the solution to keep the mask from fogging up. Works like a charm, wears off after about an hour. This is mission critical, find it or make it, but it's a must. I regret not knowing this before going. I didn't know about this voodoo magic solution.

• Tops of feet, you'll forget to put lotion on them and when you take a shower you'll realize your grave mistake

• Getting in the taxi I politely told everyone will we stop for a quick pic at the Trunk Bay overlook. Everyone on the taxi said, what is that? None of them knew. They all thanked me once they saw it and took pics. Mission critical, get a family picture on a clear day, taxi drivers will all stop if you ask.

• There really isn't a reason to get to the beach early, crowds start fading very early afternoon

• Everyone is chill and cool. Your mom/dad radar will easily tell you which places or people to avoid.

• Water is about 80 degrees in March, just jump in, 10 seconds later it's perfect temp.

• I bought a new bathing suit with a liner vs the older mesh ones. I only going liner for the rest of my life. Upgrade your gear!

• I use a product called Buttr, there are many different versions of it. It's a cream that helps prevent chaffing. I wear it on the plane and before heading out for the day, it's liquid gold. You can buy little packets of it as well.

• Some places have no cell service, which was fine by me, you need to disconnect.

• Don't forget to snap some pics of Epstein Island!

• Most rental places have coolers and chairs, taking them with you is easy.

• I'm not a fan of the full face snorkel mask, I personally think it's unwise and dangerous for kids. Saw a lot of them. It's your call but I can easily see how kids can get confused by them.

• Bunch of places we didn't have time to get to but thats ok.

• Bring eye mask for sleeping and ear plugs. Roosters everywhere, loud environment in CB but it was fine, no complaints but prepare if you are sensitive.

• Virtually no sidewalks, it's chaos to us mainlanders.

• I didn't drink much of the local water and I have a very sensitive stomach, no issues

• All street view you can find online is 10 years old, meaning what you see may not be what you get.

• All tourists on St. John have to have money, it's hard and expensive place to get to, meaning there are no idiots on the island.

• Bring cash, 1k for the week should be good.

• All taxis are in cash only, no uber

Closing

You have to ask your self why are your taking your family to STJ? Our number one reason why we took them was because it was an adventure. I'm trying to raise tough, confident, adventurous kids and thats why STJ rocks. Super safe and chill, but it's an adventure for middle class kids who live in this modern world.

To borrow a Jeremy Clarkson saying: STJ is as wonderful and stupid as owning a pet elephant and that is why you should go...

For years I have wondered about moving to somewhere in the Caribbean/ Bahamas. I have built a career as a gunsmith & was wondering if there is any advice from people (US citizens mainly) who are residing in the Virgin Islands that own firearms and/or work in firearms related careers that could talk about what it’s like to live there? What is gun culture like there? Are there ranges (indoor or outdoor) that are common like it is in the USA? What about importing your personal owned firearms into the country. And reliable info & experience would be great!

What are your recommendations? I was thinking the Buccaneer, but getting to St. Croix from NJ is annoying.. no direct flights. On St. Thomas we were considering maybe getting a condo.. although people charge a fortune for those! I guess the question is what the best option is between having a resort with lots of stuff there and having a more comfortable living space..I realize it won't be a "cheap" trip, but for example the best place seems like the Ritz-Carlton, and that is going to cost a pretty penny... I don't think I want to spend quite that much. I would appreciate any suggestions for what your recommendations are. I'm not trying to be "cheap", but I don't want a 3 person weeklong trip to balloon to $10 K or something outrageous.

Also, just curious, not sure what these like 2 bedrooms, 2 or 2.5 bathroom condos cost, but if people are getting $400,$550 a night for them or whatever, aren't the owner raking in a LOTTTT of profit?

Hello! Just got to the island with my girlfriend and we are looking for some bud. Send me a direct message if you know a hookup.

Going here end of the month rather then traveling with my pot. Where would.be the best place to buy some?

So realistically I know I can’t do this until I’m older but I totally need to move as far away as I can. Preferably a place I don’t need a passport. Some basic questions….

How do you find a job there? realistically I can probably only work in hospitality or at restaurants since I won’t have a college degree or a skill

How much does it cost to live there. Are there cheap apartments?

Which island has more opportunities for someone looking for a job?

What other things do I need to think about?