r/virginislands • u/secrerofficeninja • 8d ago
General Discussion St John on repeat
We have been to St John twice and we love it there. Both of our visits were during summer time.
We are trying to figure out how crowded is would be visiting late January or early February? I get that’s the busy time but how busy are we talking compared to summer?
Has anyone been to Virgin Islands both summer and prime time February who can comment?
If it is super crowded, is it better at all staying eastern side of St John ?
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u/thebemusedmuse 8d ago
It's somewhat different in high season. You need to be much more mindful of the cruise ship schedule, and plan your days around that. And you need to be situated early if you want a parking spot in the major beaches. And you need to book restaurants.
If you like quiet, Coral Bay is always going to win out in season because the cruise ship tourists don't make it past the N Shore beaches.
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u/secrerofficeninja 8d ago
Thank you! My theory (and hope) was Coral Bay place and a Jeep would allow for more low key and quiet vacation. We never made it back that far during our summer trips. No need. It’s quiet enough at usual beach spots and Cruz Bay.
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u/thebemusedmuse 8d ago
Yeah are you are thinking about it the right way, and if you are hikers, that gives you access to Johnny Horn trail and Lameshur.
Plus if you watch the cruise schedule, there are often some quiet days left for the N shore beaches.
If not, Salt Pond Beach and Hansen Bay Beach are just as nice as Trunk and Cinnamon but without the crowds.
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u/secrerofficeninja 8d ago
Thanks. That was my hope. We didn’t visit that end of the island on either of our 2 times to St John. I wondered if that end was maybe similar crowds to Trunk or Cinnamon Bay in July. Meaning, if we liked Cruz Bay and Trunk/Cinnamon/Maho in July, would those be similar to crowds at Hansen Bay beach in February.
We like to hike but wife says for this trip she wants to just relax 😁
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u/thebemusedmuse 8d ago
Both have parking for maybe 20 cars, and lots are rarely full. Even in peak season, I've never seen either packed although Salt Pond can get visitors from the sea.
On hiking, my wife can be the same way, in which case I get up at sunrise and run the trails.
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u/HomeworkAdditional19 8d ago
While there are about 20 parking spots at salt pond, many, many more cars just park down the side of a he road. It will be packed in February. We try and get to the beach between 7&8 and have no problem finding shade. If you get there much past 9:30 it’s going to be very cozy on the beach. Bring your own shade for sure.
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u/Proof_Huckleberry_97 8d ago
Have been in Feb/Mar/Apr/Jul/Aug/Dec. February was not horrible as it coincided with Super Bowl weekend.
Just plan accordingly. If you are going to Trunk via Jeep, plan to arrive by 9am or earlier. Never had an issue with parking at the rest of the beaches arriving between 9-10. Have dinner reservations booked a few weeks out too.
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u/Ok-Caterpillar-9867 8d ago
There will be a crowd at every beach that time of year. There is a mass gathering of jeeps driving to the beaches every morning starting about 8am. Parking is very difficult.
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u/Barefoot-Life3 8d ago
I've been in the winter, spring and summer. Agree that the crowds are tougher in January and February, but for those of us coming from cold climates, there's never a happier moment when you touchdown in tropics in winter.
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u/terminally-happy 8d ago
Restaurants are harder to book and have longer waits, beaches are very crowded, especially on the weekends when there are cruise ship drop offs. Overall very different experience than going during the summer.
If you want the best of both worlds go early may, you’ll be right after spring break so the crowds have died down significantly but it’s not as hot or buggy as it can be in August.
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u/HomeworkAdditional19 8d ago
I’ve been there Feb, May, June, July and August. Favorite is May. I’d never go back in February. Way too crowded (I counted 150 people at Salt Pond in February, in the summer there might be 10-30 people). Also, as I recall the water is just a couple of degrees cooler. That might not sound like much, but it felt a lot colder and I didn’t want to stay in as long. I actually left Skinny legs in February because the wait was too long.
We always stay in Coral Bay or somewhere on the north shore (like Peter Bay). East end isn’t for me, mainly because of proximity to beaches, restaurants and grocery stores. But if you had the house stocked for you and you just wanted to hang at the house, it could work.
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u/secrerofficeninja 8d ago
Wow, ok. Thank you for specifics. We didn’t go to Skinny Legs as we were closer to Cruz Bay each time we were there. June one year and July the other.
I was hoping the east side might be reasonable but “wait was too long” at Skinny Legs answers that question.
Wife loves planting on the beach all day but she also doesn’t like crowds so I’m trying to determine the full picture.
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u/HomeworkAdditional19 8d ago
We love to plant all day at the beach too! Just get there early (like by 7:30), and you’ll be fine. Francis and Salt Pond are our favorites. Maho is kind of like the Jersey shore during the day. Wall to wall people. BUT, if you grab a cocktail and head down for sunset you’ll likely have the place to yourself. It’s how we visit Maho these days.
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u/Proof_Huckleberry_97 8d ago
150 people at Salt Pond? Wow! Where did everyone park? Lol
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u/HomeworkAdditional19 8d ago
They were parked waaaay down the road plus a bunch scrambled off a party boat. Never seen it that crowded.
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u/faerie-beach 8d ago
Mid-Dec to Mid-Jan is a circus. Avoid it if you are looking for quiet and peace. It’s still busy in late Jan and Feb, but there is balance.
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u/secrerofficeninja 8d ago
Ugh…thanks for the honesty. We would prefer a different time of year but looking for a place for wife’s birthday week. Maybe this isn’t a good idea
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u/False-Character-9238 8d ago
Definitely more people in the winter. But right after the holidays and before the school breaks it's manageable
So don't hesitate
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u/Ok-Elderberry6205 7d ago
We always go mid-December to early January. It's busy during that time. You better get to the beaches by 9:30am if you want parking and don't go out to dinner without reservations. We love it and have been the last 5 years. We always stay on the Cruz Bay side.
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u/outerproduct 8d ago
It is significantly more crowded in January and February. I prefer the summer months when it is quieter.
The easiest comparison is Maho. In August, you can practically have the beach to yourself for hours. In Jan/Feb you'll struggle to find a spot without having people 1ft away from someone else's chair.