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“We haven't been to Maho Bay yet. Any advice on a car? Do we need 4-wheel drive? Does it make sense to rent at the airport, then take the car on the ferry, rather than renting on the st. John's side? Do we need a car at all? ”
— by M. Woodcock of Cleveland, Oh
(submitted on August 23, 2010)

“Maho Bay is the most beautiful place on earth. We stayed 8 days in a tent cabin overlooking big Maho Bay on one side and a view of St. Thomas on the other. It was so quiet and stunningly beautiful that I will never forget our visit-we plan to return next year if possible.

We co-habitated our tent with several Geckos and a team of 7 Iguanas. The Iguanas knocked on our door but we kept them outside. There was one big Godzilla Iguana and 6 smaller ones. They loved banana peels and we loved them.

The nights were breathtaking with the stars, rain, bug and frog sounds. We can't get used to being inside now that we are home. On the ferry back to St. Thomas we were sad and when the plane took off, my eyes filled with tears.

We love Maho Bay and are thankful that such a beautiful place exists on this earth. We look forward to a return trip next summer.”
— by Laura of Torrance, California
(submitted on August 16, 2010)

“i loved it best place i ever been i highly recommend going i will always go back ”
— by trevor of st.pete, fl
(submitted on August 4, 2010)

“We stayed at Maho during the last week of June. It was our second trip to Maho and St. John. St John is beautiful and truly one of our favorite places in the world- so pristine and relaxing, just perfect for a getaway vacation.
Maho was a little more worn out than our trip two years ago. The tent cabin needed some repairs, but any issues we brought to the front desk were taken care of quickly. In the end, we probably should have requested to change tents, but we stuck it out and felt a little sad that we put up with a tent that hadn't been maintained well. Looking back, the staff at Maho would have found a way to make it better if we spoke up more. The staff is friendly, the cabins are private, the conditions rustic, and the location superb. We're still debating if we'll make one more trip before the lease is up. ”
— by Regis of Oxford, MA
(submitted on July 21, 2010)

“Can anyone help me with the beach options at Concordia Eco Tents? Can you get to the beach from these units or do you have to get in the car and drive to a beach? What's the distance? We have 3 teenage children. Does anyone have any comments on how your teenage kids experienced St. Johns and Maho Bay? My wife and I visited Maho Bay Camp for three day about 10 years ago and loved it, but with five of us, It seems like we need to move to Concordia Eco Tents, since the Maho Bay Cottages only sleep 4.

Thanks for your help!

Adam”
— by Adam Potgiesser of Lawton, Michigan, USA
(submitted on July 18, 2010)

“maho bay will be the greatest exprinace of my life and i cant wait to go on the 14 of june and staying for ten days plan on snorkeling and doing alot of fun stuff dad went alot of times and he said was fun cant wait”
— by trevor of st.pete, fl
(submitted on June 10, 2010)

“We spent a full week at Maho Bay the first week of May 2010. It was one of our best vacations ever! It's not a vacation for those who like pampering, but perfect for us (we love camping and backpacking). Facilities are very clean; staff is friendly and helpful. The island is very pristine and there is always something to do. We especially enjoyed the wildlife and snorkeling was exquisite! One suggestion: if you mail food prior to your stay please send it via *priority mail* only. Our packages never arrived as we were not told to do this, so we sent it standard USPS. Food is not cheap on the island so this was a costly mistake. We'd go again in a heartbeat - it's a vacation we shall never forget!!!!!”
— by Bill & Sue Shattuck of Spring Lake, Michigan
(submitted on June 4, 2010)

“My husband and I stayed at Maho Bay April 17-24, 2010. We loved it so much I just booked our return trip for April 2011. This was our best vacation ever! Our only regret was w/ a full day of travel on either end, we only had 6 full days to enjoy & explore St. John.

St. John is the best because it's almost 3/4 National Park, the island is very undeveloped (beautifully steep green forested hillsides), 33 beaches to explore, great snorkeling in crystal clear blue water and very friendly people.

Staying at Maho Bay is fantastic because you are up close and personal with nature (trees, birds and lizards, and the bugs were much less of a problem than I thought). You have direct, easy access to at least 3 terrific northern beaches (Francis Bay, Little Maho and Maho) and also Whistler's Cay (easy island to kayak to from Little Maho) w/ some of the best snorkeling on St. John.

Don't miss taking a trip to Waterlemon Cay, Salt Pond or Drunk Bay either. Maho offers open air "taxi" rides for groups to various places each day. We found a jeep rental easier to get around on our own schedule (though I definitely would not recommend trying to navigate the steep almost roller coaster roads at night).

Staying at Maho is also really nice because of the conversations and connections you make by chance with other guests you might meet at dinner, on the beach, or recognize other places on the island. We found this experience refreshing and very different than what we've typically experienced at any other place we've stayed on vacation. It's the Maho "magic" that has everyone relaxed, very friendly and open.

Some recommendations on tent cabins- We were in the A section where we had a "front seat" ocean view and heard the constant soothing sound of ocean surf! That alone was worth any slight inconvenience of having to take about 77 stair steps to the beach, 83 stair steps to the bathroom and about 100 to the restaurant/check in area. We found our tent cabin basic, functional and thankfully dry in the rain. A couple times we took a simple breakfast or dinner to the beach and had it pretty much to ourselves- what bliss!

Regarding meals... by all means to keep costs down pack or mail what you can for : cereal, snacks, and lunches. The camp store was well supplied for other things we needed: milk, orange juice, grapefruit,
eggs, some lunch meat, cheese and bread. We also bought a big jug of spring water there which we could refill w/the same. (We didn't like the "chlorine" taste of the free drinkable water at Maho). These things were only slightly more expensive than at home. Soft drinks and ice cream were very expensive but a necessary treat from time to time. It's likely you can pick up peanut butter, jelly and condiments for free from the "free leftovers" cupboard that people leave behind when they check out each day.

Maho's restaurant had EXCELLENT and ample food for dinner! The two of us ate very well with only 1 entree that included salad bar, and a 2nd purchase of the salad bar- about $24 total for dinner for 2, and my husband has a BIG appetite.

Other don't miss places to eat- Miss Lucy's (dining beside the water, listening to great Caribbean Jazz, out past Coral Bay) for Sunday brunch, and Vie's Snack Shack, also past Coral Bay- each about $45 for 2, but well worth the experience and delicious food! Each of these places opens at 10:00 and gets crowded so go early!

We found Cruz Bay ok for shopping & if you like bars, but very confusing to get around, esp. to find a gas station or grocery store. Available parking is almost nonexistent. There's a safe lot to park in (for a fee) near the police station that's a couple blocks from the center of town.

The usual flashlights, hats, sunglasses, bug and sun lotion are a must. I am very fair and didn't get burned at all because I used a 50-60 strength sunscreen that I applied liberally each morning before going outside and app. every 1-2 hrs. after that. I also wore a T-shirt in the water over my bathing suit when snorkeling.

By all means bring 1/2 the clothes you think you will need! Two bathing suits, a pair of shorts and 1 pair of pants, plus tops, and maybe 1-2 sundresses plus underwear will be fine. Bringing your own snorkel gear will save you rental fees. A very good set w/ it's own carrying case can be bought for between $50-60. from LL Bean.

St. Thomas to St. John- plan on about $24 per person (not including tip for luggage) for taxi and ferry either from Red Hook or Charlotte Amalie. Plan on it likely being crowded and chaotic waiting in a long line to buy tickets for the ferry at either end. They will only start selling tickets for the ferry you want to leave on, 30 minutes before it leaves so don't bother waiting in line any sooner.

Customs- Choose the time of your return flight so you have ample time to get from Maho to Cruz Bay (minimum 30 minutes), then 30 minutes to buy your ferry ticket, then about 60 minutes combined for the ferry and taxi ride to the airport in St. Thomas, then minimum 2 1/2 hrs. to get through customs at the airport- that's at least 4 1/2 hrs. before you can get onto your plane when you leave!

Recommended tent platform sites at Maho: centrally located between beach, bathrooms, and checkin/restaurant w/ great views: A-31, 32, 34, closer to bathrooms w/ views A-20, further away but possibly more privacy and great views: A-12, A-14, A-15, the most amazing views but furthest away and in the sun, little if any shade: A-8, A-9, A-10. These looked the best to me, but I'm sure there are many other great sites as well.

Best resources for planning your trip to Maho & St. John: Read the guest comments on the Maho website from the past couple years, and purchase these two books from Amazon (as these are not typically found in other bookstores) St. John, Feet, Fins and Four Wheel Drive by Pam Gaffan (2009) (a totally honest, funny, precise description of all you want to know about what to do, where to go and how to get there on St. John), and St. John Off the Beaten Track by Gerald Singer (2006) for info. on trails, beaches and island history w/ photos. ”
— by Sharon Beaufait of Enfield, NH
(submitted on May 25, 2010)

“I have been to Maho Bay this May for a duration of 7days. My 7 year old daughter and I absolutely loved it. We are already planning our next visit. Can hardly wait to the next vacation at Maho, St John.”
— by magdalena mixon of New York City, USA
(submitted on May 18, 2010)

“Won't be long now. Coming back to Maho next week. May 18th for 10 days in paradise. This will be my 3 visit and I absolutely love, love, love Maho and St. John. Bringing my daughter , granddaughter, 2 friends from Mi.
My granddaughters 1st trip to the island. Can't wait to share the wonderful ocean w/ her.
See you soon. ”
— by Kathy Cassady of Allegan, Michigan
(submitted on May 12, 2010)

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