Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
MONGOOSES
There are no poisonous snakes on St. John. The
mongooses imported to kill rats feeding on sugar
cane, have taken care of that problem. Since the
mongooses have no natural enemies on the island
(no cobras), they have multiplied and are fre-
quently observed darting across the road.
Do not pick, pick up or eat small
green apples which grow on
machineel trees
throughout the
islands. These apples and even the
tree's sap are extremely poisonous.
Locals refer to them as “death apples.”
Organized Watersports
Scuba
The Cinnamon Bay Water Sports Center
may be the best on the island. You can rent
snorkel gear and join their “Round St.
John” snorkeling tour. The National Park
Service offers a two-hour snorkel tour twice weekly. Sign up
here. Bring your own gear. Scuba diving is well organized
and both introductory and PADI certification courses are
given. Windsurfing boards can be rented.
(340) 776-6330.
Low Key Watersports
at Wharfside Village is another
good choice. It is a PADI Five-Star training center and offers
beginner and refresher dives. Competent snorkelers can join
trips to uninhabited cays and protected reefs, while certified
divers can explore the wreck of
The Rhône
, used in the film
The Deep
. They can arrange sportfishing trips and gear
rentals.
(340) 693-8999, www.divelowkey.com.
Cruz Bay Watersports
is another reliable operator. It is a
PADI and Naui training center and offers daily reef and
