We have some suggestions – based on what we like to do and what our guests have also enjoyed – so here is an itinerary for a week long stay at Coral Bay Outlook
Go see the turtles …
Take your snorkeling gear (or rent it from Crabby’s Water Sports at the bottom of our hill) and go to Maho Bay (head west up Centerline Road and take a right at Colombo’s Smoothie roadside stand and then go straight when the road forks.) Maho has calm water, very little surf and you can always spot turtles here if you snorkel. Even if you don’t put your head in the water, you will see the turtles when the poke their heads up to get some air. At the far end of Maho you can rent paddle boards, kayaks and even get rum drinks and hot dogs. It is one of the few beaches on the island that has any facilities. For dinner, try Skinny Legs – always an island tradition.
Explore the south side …
The beaches on the south side of the island are only accessible from Coral Bay. Driving south, the first beach you will come to is Saltpond Bay. The beach is about a 10 min walk from the road and it has good snorkeling along the right side and for a long ways out. At the far end of the beach, there is the Ram Head Trail – trail #15 (about 2 miles) a moderate walk with lovely views at the top.
If you want to be more adventuresome, drive past Salt Pond to Lameshur and then Little Lameshur Bay for sunning, swimming and snorkeling; (Little Lameshur is along a very rough dirt road as far as you can go by jeep.) From its parking lot you can hike up to see the petroglyphs – 1.5 miles – trail #18 on NPS trail guide. On your way home, stop at the Pizzabar to bring home some dinner. If you call ahead, they can get it ready 340-201-1183.
See the wildlife!
Have coffee on the deck and put sugar water in a bowl for the bananaquits; wait just a few minutes and several of these little birds will join you (bring the bowl in when you leave or they will make a mess). Make sandwiches, go to Leinster Bay (near Francis) and hike all the way to the beach (about a 15 minute walk from the parking lot). Right off the beach you will likely find sea turtles eating the eel grass and usually rays. Go to Waterlemon Cay (hike further along the beach or swim a fairly long way) and you will see starfish and coral. On your drive back home, stop at Francis Bay, another lovely beach with a 1/2 mile boardwalk through a bird sanctuary. Stop at the Johnny Lime for barbeque and maybe some live music.
Explore the island!
Go to Cruz Bay to shop and eat lunch. Take the North Shore Road on the way back and stop at all the most famous beaches on St John -like Hawksnest, Trunk Bay, and Cinnamon Bay. If you don’t want to wear your bathing suits all day, you change at Cinnamon Bay where there is a campsite and public bathhouses. There is a nice short hike here – Cinnamon Bay self-guided trail #5 – that will take you past an old sugarcane factory. Come home along the North Shore Road, stopping for a smoothie at Colombo’s at the tin shack at the top of the hill before descending back to Coral Bay harbor and drinks on the deck watching the sunset.
Get out on the water!
Rent kayaks and paddle to Hurricane Hole or sign up for a charter sail and snorkel trip; or take a ride on a powerboat; or go visit one of the British Virgin Islands by private boat or inter-island ferry service. Crabby’s Watersports at the bottom of our hill is a great source for boating information. If you are particularly relaxed, take the boat to Lime Out – the floating restaurant in the center of Coral Bay and lounge on the floats for tacos and rum drinks. In the evening, go experience the island’s music scene – if it’s Thursday night, it is likely to be open mic at Miss Lucy’s or closer to home, on Fridays Johnny Lime may have some music.
Hike the hills – or ‘jeep’ them if you prefer
Bordeaux Mountain Trail #17 has amazing views. The hike to Brown Bay #11 to #12 has been recommended by friends; although we haven’t tried it. Or go to Ram’s Head Trail #15 for its sunset views. Or you can drive up Bordeaux Mountain – along another incredible St John road – and then go to the furthest east end where you will get wonderful views of the British Virgin Islands as well as looking back across St John. If you go to the east end, visit Sloop Jones “wearable art gallery” – it is fun to see his workshop even if you find his T-shirt art too pricey to buy. Relax tonight at Rhumb Lines – good food, very pleasant atmosphere.
Do whatever you love best on St John!
Or there is still time to try something new. For those of you with special interests: there is horseback riding at The Carolina Corral, just past Skinny Legs; deep sea diving (see Crabby for more information); and a host of other activities which you can find by looking at the comments in our guest book, St John visitor guides, and by chatting with the friendly residents.
Whatever you do, we are certain that you will have a great time. We haven’t found anyone who didn’t fall in love with St John, and we’re sure that you’ll agree that Coral Bay is the best spot on this wonderful island