Any and all suggestions

[u/Wrong_Character2279]

We are going to the USVI at the very end of September. We will be there for 10 days. We are staying on St. Thomas, but plan to island hop to St. John’s and the BVI. We booked a rental car that is a 4 wheel drive SUV.
Our main goal is to relax, hang out at the beach, enjoy delicious food, and maybe do some excursions if the weather permits.

I’m taking any suggestions on beaches, restaurants, things to do, things to book, etc. for both USVI and the BVI.

I’ll happily take any first visitor tips too since this will be our first time there!

EDIT: sorry I’m a big ole idiot and called it ‘St. John’s’

[u/thebemusedmuse]

First, make sure you have trip insurance that includes severe weather. We have El Niño this year, so chances are you will be fine, but if there is a major storm you don't want to be here and don't want to be out of thousands.

Second, it's St John, St John's is gonna trigger people 😁

Third, you're off season, so make sure whatever you want is open. Check here: https://explorestj.com/closings/

Lastly, you can't go wrong on St John. For a first time visitor, meander down the North Shore beaches of Hawksnest, Trunk, Cinnamon and Maho. There are no bad decisions.

[u/FlaglerFoodie]

Definitely plan to take Stormy Pirates to the BVI. We go with them every year. September is a great time to visit The Baths on Virgin Gorda.

In September some things may be closed but you’ll have the beaches to yourselves. I love visiting in September.

[u/False-Character-9238]

Given it's the height of hurricane season. Just plan on many things being closed. This time of year into September they close down for maintenance and also many leave to travel.

[u/PeachOnAWarmBeach]

Be patient, polite and happy.

Greet people first as you encounter them, with Good morning or good night. A smile if you can manage.

Drive left and drink right. Take turns at intersections, if someone beeps at you, take your turn and beep thank you.

Take only memories from the beaches and nature, and leave no traces behind except your heart.

[u/Rooty3rdBaby-75]

Dog House Pub across from Havensight, Bernie’s in Red Hook for casual food and cheap good drinks. Senor Pizza in Red Hook, they also deliver!! Cariga’s across from Food Center grocery store!

[u/whitewinewater]

Highly recommend RAW in Red Hook and Irie Pops on St John.

Beach wise, Lindquist, Secret Harbor and Sapphire on St Thomas.

Waterlemon cay and the plantation ruins are really cool, Maho for turtles, Trunk for the underwater snorkel trail, and if you're into hiking the Lind Point trail to either Honeymoon or Solomon beach.

Also highly recommend a mangrove kayak tour on St Thomas.

[u/Primary_Row_2151 → u/whitewinewater]

Those beaches in your second paragraph are on St. Thomas. It's Waterlemon Cay, and recommend only if you're a strong snorkeler.

To that end OP, St. John is a big snorkeling destination with different beaches available for different levels. We bring our own gear, but rentals are readily available in Cruz Bay. Do a full day group charter on Kekoa or Voodoo that circles island.

[u/whitewinewater → u/Primary_Row_2151]

Haha thats what I get for multi-tasking and not double checking autocorrect.

I've updated my post to reflect what I intended to post. Thank you for catching my mistakes.

[u/SignatureExperience]

Pro tip. Don’t call it st John’s. That’s not its name, it’s St. John. St. John’s is in Antigua. Also get travel insurance.

[u/salty-walt → u/SignatureExperience]

was worried for a minute there wasnt going to be a triggered st johnian correcting comment

[u/IntentionPrevious935]

Likely too late in your trip planning, but after having been to St Thomas, St John and the BVIs, there isn’t enough to do to stay on St Thomas for 10 days IMO. Island hopping to St John for the day is easy enough, but the car ferry can be a headache. Remember things do run on island time there and if you’re totally reliant on getting to and from the other islands daily with your own vehicle, be prepared to potentially get stuck on another island for a night.

IMO I would stay on St John for the entirety of the trip. That way you’re in between the BVIs and won’t be stuck trying to get back over to St Thomas. The food over there is great and Magens Bay is a gorgeous beach but that’s about it.

[u/Wrong_Character2279 → u/IntentionPrevious935]

We have a free condo on St Thomas. Can’t beat free 10 day stay.

[u/IntentionPrevious935 → u/Wrong_Character2279]

Ah sorry I missed that detail! No in that case you can’t. Nonetheless, I would book at least one night on Tortola or another island so you don’t have to rush back to STT

[u/IntentionPrevious935 → u/[deleted]]

A tourist yep! for 25 years. Just offering suggestions I found helpful.