What exactly is there to do in STX?

STX has many beautiful beaches.
Being of the older generation, I love the laid back feeling of STX and don't party a lot. We went to STT once a few years ago. Took the first sea plane over and booked the last flight back. Left early, could not stand it. I admit we only took the covered taxi around the island and then the rest of the time were near the tourist areas. Hated the shop owners trying to get us to come in their shops. Felt like a carnival with the carnies hawking their games.
Have passed through on the way to STJ a couple of times and opinion did not change.
Probably if I were there a week or more I could find some nice spots away from the tourist areas.
To each their own.

Whether we like it or not, tourism drives our economy unless you have another industry to bring in money and the people to spend it.
If STX and STJ had a huge natural protected harbor, they'd be inundated with cruise ship tourists during the 4 months that is our high winter season.

I rarely go to downtown CA. I go once a week to do my shopping and check the mail and other chores. I've got numerous lovely beaches within a very short drive, a nice home with fantastic views and sounds of the waves from the Bay below, a quiet neighborhood with 7 homes on a dead end road, there's lots of activities to do if you choose or nothing much if you choose that as well.

It really boils down to individual choices and preferences. No one island is better than the other. It's just a matter of what floats your boat. An active person will always find things to do.

Each island has its own separate charms and drawbacks.

Thanks for all the info Pilatesgirl! GREAT to hear from someone who's lived on both. As a diver and an ocean lover - STX to me is better diving I'll agree there but we do have some great spots. Although yesterday I did my favorite dive at stragglers reef and every time I go I just fall in more in love with it... Still don't think it beats the wall thou and nothing competes for me with the pier as I am into macro life.

Speaking of diving - I got run over by a hawksbill turtle yesterday lol. Was too funny. http://youtu.be/cym__1jbfWk

Awesome video! One of the first things I need to learn how to do once on island is filming while diving! Can't wait!

T minus 25 days. Currently in NY on our trek across country so far.

Ah it's easy. Good buoyancy, keep breathing and a go pro lol. I have a go pro mounted to a camera tray with my camera mounted next to it. It's a little ghetto - but works awesome. I usually just B roll the entire dive and the edit the boring stuff out. It's nice just letting camera roll while I focus on photos.

It was HILARIOUS I totally got camera snubbed this week on the dive boat! Guy had a big fancy rig and me with my little TG3 point and shoot/go pro mix. How looked at it and laughed - then later was all proud of a shrimp photo until he saw my photo and was like WOW. lol. Not always about the camera really but knowing how to use it is what makes the difference. Speaking of - I added new STX pics in my gallery. www.photosVI.com 🙂