When I was a child the number one thing I wanted to was travel. Now that I am old enough to afford traveling, we try as often as we can to see the world. Having children does make it a little more difficult. This trip we decided to go somewhere different, the US Virgin Islands.
This trip started off horrible. During a layover in Washington Dulles International Airport our airplane on United Airlines was delayed. After over an hour of being on the plane with no air-conditioning they finally gave us the option to disembark. Braeden just finally fell asleep for a nap, so Jolene decided to stay on board. Johanna and I got off the plane to cool down. They said the repair would only take another 20 minutes. After 30 minutes they told us in the terminal that it would take longer. The passengers remaining on the plane were not told it would take longer. They were served no beverages and left to remain on board without any consideration.
I had Jolene and Braeden’s tickets in my pocket so she could no get off the plane. Her phone battery had died so I could not call her. I spoke with the attendant at the desk after a hour and a half wait. I requested that she have my wife and 10 month old son taken off. He said he couldn’t do anything about it. I asked if they were being served water or drinks, to which he replied yes. After a few more minutes I went back and demanded they deboard the plane. Another attendant came over and asked why there were passengers remaining on the plane. I could see her concern for my family. At that moment a phone call came across that said the airplane had been repaired. We were finally allowed back on board.
I nearly punched the attendant for his simple disregard for human safety. If it wasn’t for the other attendant stepping in, I don’t know what I would have done. I’m pretty sure I would have stormed the airplane to get my wife off. When I got back on the plane Jolene had stated that she had nearly fainted. They weren’t made aware of the situation, nor served any drinks. The plane had to been around 100 degrees inside. You would think the airline would have offered free entertainment, or money back. Nothing, they did nothing.
Needless to say, that this didn’t make the trip off to a good start. That is neither here nor there. The Virgin Island experience was far better. I just needed to get that story off my chest in hopes that United Airlines addresses the situation to prevent incidents like this in the future.
Delayed on United Airlines Flight
When we arrived at the United States Virgin Islands, and more specifically the island of St. Thomas, my phone data plan was entirely used up. Google maps was sending us through side streets that were run down since my GPS wasn’t working. Last year two category 5 hurricanes ravaged the island. They have barely just started t0 repair the damage. The resort we were staying at, Pleasant Point Resort, had also been hit fairly hard. Most of the roofs had been destroyed. Most of which had been restored. During our stay two roofs had been replaced. Unfortunately that meant a lot of construction noise at 7:45 every morning.
Each day we visited a different beach. Each day we marveled at the beauty and color of the water. We have traveled to many places in the past, and the Virgin Islands has some of the best beaches I’ve have ever seen. Hawaii may have waterfalls, higher mountain tops, more activities, but the Virgin Islands wins for the most picturesque beaches in my book.
Our resort was right next to Coki Point Beach. It has some of the best snorkeling we have ever seen around the world. The small islands around St. Thomas block waves from being very big. In turn, Coki Pain Beach is a great habitat for fish. Coral World Ocean Park is also right off the beach. For a small fee you can enter the aquarium and learn more about the local fish. That’s a must if you have small children.
Coki Point Beach
We also visited Sapphire Beach. It is suppose to be one of the best beaches to snorkel. I am a avid snorkeler and can honestly say the reef isn’t as good as going to Coki Beach. Additionally, the sea weed is so thick that it disturbs your experience. We also visited Secret Harbour. In my opinion snorkeling is better there than at Sapphire Beach. There isn’t any seaweed bogging up the reefs or sand. The water is clearer as well.
Sapphire Beach
If you ever go to the US Virgin Islands, you have to visit Magens Bay Beach Park. The beach is spectacular. The snorkeling isn’t as good as other beaches, but it is fun for your children to play in calm waters. The calm waters can make it a great place to teach your children to snorkel. I’ve never seen a beach quite like it. You will get lots of photos.
I’ve flown drones before for photography, but last trip my drone broke. So I wasn’t able to use it. This trip, with a new drone in hand, I was able to capture a bunch of photos. Due to drone laws, only 1/3 of the island can you fly a drone. The islands are so small, that most of it is within a no fly zone of an airport. I was able to get a few photos here and there. Many of which I have posted on this post.
We also took a ferry over to St. John. St. John has a National Park that protects 2/3’s of the island. The beaches are amazing. Since the National Park protects most of the island the roads are better maintained. We visited Trunk Bay. Generally there is a fee to enter, but since the hurricanes hit they don’t charge. Once things are repaired, they will begin charging again. It has by far the most fish I have ever seen in my life. Most of the fish are small. So I can’t say it’s the best snorkeling I have ever had. It is unique though with the quantity of fish.
Fish in Trunk Bay
On the east side of the island near Coral Bay and East’s End, is where the hurricanes did most of their damage. Remnants of their devastation is seen everywhere. Million dollar boats are piled up in various bays. The National Park is doing nothing to have them removed. It is fairly sad. I didn’t even want to take photos of it, as it was very depressing. We did go to Hansen Bay Beach where we paid to park. There is some snorkeling you can swim to. There is a lot of sea urchins that have over grown the area. Since Hansen Bay Beach is outside of a no fly zone, I was able to get more photos and video with my drone. Hopefully I’ll get a video up of the area.
St. Thomas Virgin Island Panorama
The Virgin Islands have a lot of mosquitos, and no-see-um flies that bite. We have never been bit as much as we were bit there. Make sure to bring bug repellent and itch cream. Save your babies skin from them and prevent tantrums.
The island prices are astronomically high. Expect to pay 3 to 4 times as much as you would on the mainland. We went expecting to buy diapers, sunscreen, and other household products in the store so that we wouldn’t have to check another bag. We would have been better off paying to check in another suitcase instead. Sunscreen on average is $15. Baby food is $2 just for one jar. Diapers were 3 times as much just for a small bag of around 30 diapers. We went on to buy a couple items and spent $108. The items would have cost $30 at home. Right there, the $50 for a checked bag would have been worth it. Gas prices ironically are the same as California. That comes to show you how much taxes are in gas prices in California, when a place like the Virgin Islands can have cheaper gas, when everything else is 3 times as expensive.
Bring a sun shelter for your baby. Many of the beaches do not have shade. Keep your baby safe with a sun shelter when not in the water. The islands are planting trees near the beaches to replace those damages by the hurricanes. They will take a while to get a decent size for shade. Also I would advise bringing a sun hat for your children.
Check ahead with your resort to see if they have a crib for your baby. Our resort had a room available for 3 people. I called ahead to see if they would allow our baby as well, which they did accommodate. Otherwise it would have cost another $1000 for a room for 4. They brought a pack and play for $50 for the week. Otherwise we would have brought our GoCrib.
There is a lot of walking on the island. You might want to have a baby carrier. Since our boy is 10 months old, we opted for a umbrella stroller instead. He doesn’t like being in his carrier much anymore. So that would be a matter of preference.
We plan to go back to the Virgin Islands. We will probably wait a year or two until most of the repairs have been made to the island. Since there are repairs going on now, many things are closed, and resorts are offering good prices. When we do go back, I can’t wait to sit and relax on their beautiful beaches and hopefully teach Braeden to snorkel.
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