One of the commercials that runs incessantly says "Find your beach".We've found two that qualify, Solomon Bay beach and Honeymoon Bay beach, and we returned there today on this, the last full day of our Winter Getaway. The photo is of Honeymoon Bay beach.
Getting to the beaches is part of the charm. First we walk down a really steep hill from our Hillcrest Guest House, walk through downtown Cruz Bay to the National Park Service headquarters, and then walk another mile or so on the very rocky Lind Point trail. You meet all sorts of folks on the trail, even some runners doing what looks like extreme sports on the rocks.
Once at the beach we settle down, unpack the snorkel equipment and wade in to the blessedly warm Caribbean. Today we started at Solomon Bay beach. At both beaches the snorkeling is good, with plenty of the colorful tropical fish in their natural environment, coral growing on almost every rock and in many varieties. We packed a lunch, so after a bit we ate, dried off, and did some reading. (The ads are true -- the Kindle can be read in direct sunlight!)
This was the first time we went to these beaches in the afternoon and found that about 2 pm, a herd of charter boats (well, maybe three) full of guests move in. The crowd now in the water is the sign that it is time to head back, retracing our steps and walking up that steep hill. (We've been averaging about 6 miles a day, which can't be bad for increasing our endurance.)
Tomorrow we leave St. John. Of the three US Virgin Islands and the two British Virgin Islands we have visited, this is our favorite. I think we'll be back.
