Favorites on the Coral Bay side of the island

Travel discussion for St. John
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Carolyn
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Post by Carolyn »

Looks like you have plenty of food and beach suggestions. I just wanted to say we stayed at Island Dreams and I think you will love it. It is a nice location, easy to get around from and quite a lovely villa, nicely appointed. We stayed there before the lower level was complete, so all living was on the main floor. The grounds are lovingly cared for as is the house itself. If you have any specific questions I'd be more than happy to answer offline.
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splash
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Post by splash »

All of the above! Also across from Lily's market is the Big Ben's Deli (formerly Big Belly, I believe). They bake delicious chocolate croissants. Get there around 8 AM to get them oven hot. Yumilicious.

Cheers,
Splash
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cool breeze
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Post by cool breeze »

Just returned from a week on Coral Bay and I will not stay anywhere else on the island from now on. This was our first time staying in Coral Bay and absolutely loved it! Saw innervisions across the street from Island Blues and they were great, meet some awesome locals and Sharon one of the bartenders at Aqua Bistro is the best and I must say that the Bistro Grouper at Aqua Bistro was the best I have ever had! We have stayed on the Chocolate Hole side of the island the last four years and although those trips have their own special meanings Coral Bay is a whole different mind set that I love reminds me of living back in the 60's & 70's. Anyhow have a fantastic trip :) .
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54b
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Post by 54b »

Agree on all the items above, especially Vie's and Tourist Trap in regards to the food and I'm big a fan of the Rams Head Hike/Blue Cobblestone beach snorkel...only other thing I didn't see was a stop by Sloop Jones gallery.

If you're looking for something uniquely STJ, his colorful clothing line is a good start.

The gallery is another much further past Vie's.
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Sunny
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Post by Sunny »

Thanks so much for all of the great information.

Question about Blue Cobblestone - do you hike to get there? The deep water snorklign sounds great - I love to observe from a distance :D I have always heard of it but it is a beach we have never visited so not sure where it is.
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lawmom
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Post by lawmom »

Here's another vote for Tourist Trap. We are there every day of our trip around 4ish except for Sunday and Monday when he is closed. Some of our best memories from our trips have been made right there. And Larry's grouper tacos are positively delish!
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mahojim
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Post by mahojim »

HOLY CRAP.
We're gonna' be there tomorrow.
Holy crap.
Aqua Bistro & Shipwreck are my mucho favorite haunts...
Conch fritters at Shipwreck are making me drool, and the atmosphere at Aqua Bistro is, as well.
Holy Crap.! Tomorrow!!!
Smiles-
MJ
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Need2GetAway
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Post by Need2GetAway »

SHIPWRECK
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Need2GetAway
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Post by Need2GetAway »

One thing about Vie's beach -- I felt it had less shade than other beaches (if that's an issue for you). The couple of shade spots were quite crowded with chairs, not affording much privacy. Just so you know.
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augie
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Post by augie »

mahojim wrote:HOLY CRAP.
We're gonna' be there tomorrow.
Holy crap.
Aqua Bistro & Shipwreck are my mucho favorite haunts...
Conch fritters at Shipwreck are making me drool, and the atmosphere at Aqua Bistro is, as well.
Holy Crap.! Tomorrow!!!
Smiles-
MJ
Jimmy - when you goin'?

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Come see us!
54b
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Post by 54b »

Sunny, regarding Blue Cobblestone...the cobblestone beach is about the halfway point (half of mile by land) on the hike out to the tip of Rams Head, in fact about 300 yards of the trail is actually on the Cobblestone beach.

You can snorkel all up and down it, but I believe most people like to enter from the very right side of the cobblestone beach (if looking out into the bay) and snorkel back towards Salt Pond Bay beach. There are a lot of steep cliff walls going way down into the water, like 30 or 40 feet deep in some places.

You can also get to this point swimming directly from Salt Pond beach out the right side of the bay, but that's a pretty good swim distance wise.

One sidenote: My wife and I encountered a ton of mini jellyfish out there the last time we did it. They didn't sting, but kind of freaked my wife out a little.
It’s not about yesterday or tomorrow...It’s about today, for come what may – Sun, rain, or hurricane – we've only time for a smile, and none for sorrow
54b
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Post by 54b »

Sorry, meant the LEFT side of Salt Pond Bay above to get to Blue Cobblestone
It’s not about yesterday or tomorrow...It’s about today, for come what may – Sun, rain, or hurricane – we've only time for a smile, and none for sorrow
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mahojim
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Post by mahojim »

Steve-
Holy Beans.
Holy Moly.
Holy Crappo-
Wish you'd be there!
Holy crap... 8)
Smiles-
Jimmy
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Chicken
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Post by Chicken »

I third the Ponzu!!! And it was on Friday nights when I was there in the fall. The appetizer portion is big enough and a lot cheaper.

Also, try Kiddle Bay for snorkeling.

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Chicken
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Post by Chicken »

PS. I'm pretty sure Big Ben's is out of business now. A friend of mine that lives out by Concordia said they closed and the building was for sale.

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