general information

Hi coming soon.

I can't think of any place with nice enough pavement for roller blading. If you wish to use a bike as your main means of transportation you should consider that drivers here do not yield to bicycles, roads are steep and narrow, and it is legal to drive while drinking. It's quiet here now and will be quieter when school starts so many business owners go on vacation in September. October is when restaurants, bars and other tourist industry jobs do much of their hiring for high season.

I will arrive in St. Thomas on Oct. 1. Hope to chat with you so I can learn more as well! Lori - LG75@aol.com

Hello,

You could try roller blading on the Charlotte Amalie waterfront apron. Using a bicycle as a main means of transportation isn't really an option, primarily because the island is mountainous. You'd need to be an athlete/strong bike rider to have a chance of making it work; or live and work in one of the few flat areas like between UVI, downtown and Havensight.

--Islander

Hold on it is legal to drive while drinking? Are there limitations to this law? That just seems odd

eric - there isn't an open container law in the USVI, but there IS a blood alcohol limit law. You are allowed to be drinking while driving but you are expected to know your limit and not drive drunk. On STX, it isn't uncommon to see a cop drinking a Heineken while driving his police cruiser... which I really think is something they should not allow!

Thanks for the info so far. I was also wondering if there is a mountain biking trails available either on St. Thomas or St. John and if there is roller-blading possibilities on St. John. Is it possible to kayak between St. T and St. J?

I am looking very hard to find a 3 bedroom to rent preferably as close to the ocean as possible or with a pool. I am willing to pay a finders fee. I will not be on St. Thomas until Sept. 18 but my girlfriend is there now so she can look at it. She is not having any luck. Thanks

comingsoon:

Bicycling, not for the most part. Mopeds sometimes OK in some areas. Roller-blading no. Mountain biking trails on STT or STJ, no. Kayaking between STT and STJ, no. Even powered dinghies only very rarely make that passage through the Pillsbury Sound which can be what we call the witch's cauldron.

Jobs? Well, that's a whole 'nother issue right now. Things have changed rather drastically in the last couple of months. Talk to your friend who's already here.

Hope this helps!

coming soon: You are moving to a very mountainous island in the Caribbean. Mountain biking on the roads would be pretty exciting, an X-game possibility in fact! Make sure your health insurance is paid up and that you have medical evacuation insurance for the really big boo-boos! Also, the trails on St John are for pedestrians only.

No rollerblading, in fact it is specifically prohibited in many areas. Islander, are you sure it is okay on the apron??

Now, on kayaking, I will respectfully disagree with STT Res (welcome back, BTW 😉 !) If you are a strong kayaker, you could do anything! Most people just paddle around near shore, but I have seen people between islands. I'd make sure to have a method of communication, 'tho. There is a kayaking outfit that takes people to Peter Island and they paddle to Jost Van Dyke, so it CAN be done!

You may want to learn a new sport like wind surfing, kite boarding, sailing, surfing...

Re: your housing needs...Your friend is on island and can't find what you need? Where is your friend staying currently? Maybe you should change your requirements?

Hello,

East Ender - Rollerblading on the waterfront apron.... *-), I don't know that I have ever seen any signs that say its not allowed. Haven't looked for signs either, so perhaps they are there. Do you or anyone else know if roller blading is a no-no on the apron?

Coming soon - No mountain bike trails on St. Thomas or St. John that I know of. Some leads to look into; on St. John I believe the watersports concession at Cinnamon Bay rents bikes. I've never asked where they suggest people ride but would be something to ask, maybe they know a trail? Also on St. John, Arawak Expeditions have a bike tour - again not sure where they go. Here is their website http://www.arawakexp.com/biketrips.htm. There is an annual event on St. John called the Love City Triathlon which includes biking. You could get in touch with the organizers, I believe some of the participants get together from time to time to bike, usually early in the am when there is little traffic on the roads. And then on Water Island (a short ferry ride from St. Thomas) you could do some biking there. Its a quiet island with not much traffic. There is a bike tour there, its along the roads and I believe they have one part that is on a trail. You can see some photos of the Water Island bike tour on their website at http://www.waterislandadventures.com/. Endurance Sports sells bikes on St. Thomas & St. Croix and they have a Cycling Club, you can check their website for more information http://endurancesportsvi.com/. Their site also includes information on cycling races in the VI.

--Islander

I do see rollerblading on the apron too. No signs. Mostly crew members from the cruise ships I think.

RL

I just want to thank everyone so much for taking time out to be so helpful. You guys rule! And If I ever run into any of you out to lunch or a bar I am for sure buying your first drink. Thanks again!!!!!!!!

Re rollerblading....

I would be afraid of falling into the water if I bladed on the waterfront!

Try the road that tracks the airport. i walk there most days and have seen joggers and rollerbladers. plus, no water to fall into. 🙂