Frequently asked questions:
How can I pay for my camping/kayak adventure?
We accept checks and Paypal. Once you have paid for your requested
week, you will be locked in for that week. There is a minimum stay of
three nights. There is a $220.00 cancellation fee, for cabin rentals, for cancellations
made within 30 days of reservation. There is a $100.00 cancellation fee for cancellations made before that. There is a $500.00 cancellation fee for cancellations to Adventure Packages, made within 30 days of the reservation. There is a $200 cancellation fee for cancellations made before that. To get a confirmed reservation, you must
prepay. The tent cabin rental rates are:
$85.00/night/two people/one queen futon. $10.00/night/extra person. Air mattress
$525.00/week/two people/one queen futon. $10.00/night/extra person. Air mattress
$105.00/night/two queen futons/four people max. $735.00/week.
$999.00/Adventure Package/two people/one queen futon. $419.00/child only. Air mattress
$1888.00/Adventure package/two queen futons/two adults/two children only.
There is 8% VI tax, a $50.00 cleaning fee, and a security deposit of $100.00 added to all sub totals.
Do I need to rent a car?
You do not have to, but you should if you want to go to a grocery store, have dinner in town, or explore the island on your own.
Where can I hike?
You can go for a hike right from your campsite. There is a private trail
that goes through the valley, and winds up toward Mt Eagle; St Croix's
highest peak. There is a fresh water spring where you can find Crawlfish
and Mountain Mullet. You can hike to The Tidal Pools at Will's Bay. The
trail head is at Carambola Beach Resort, 1.5 miles away. You may have
heard this being called Annaly Bay, but Annaly is actually two or three
bays further west, and is a more difficult hike. But well worth it, with
a beautiful private cove. On a very flat day, we can slip in there with
a kayak for snorkeling and a picnic. Because Annaly is more remote,
there is less chance of being bombarded with jeeps full of tourists. We
have other hikes to share with you, some are well marked and others not
at all. The Adventure Package includes a half day hike to Will's Bay.
What sort of wildlife will I see at the base camp?
You will see and hear signs of Whitetail Deer. Many of the Sweetlime
Trees are used as their scratching posts. And from time to time, you
will hear a buck snorting. We have integrated the Green Iguana into the
101 acres that make up Cane Bay Plantation. Seven years ago we released
"Big Bubba" and "Lizzy" back into the wild, in hopes of them
repopulating the area. Since then, we have found many clutches of eggs,
and have seen small and medium sized Iguanas in the woods. Each morning
the Arnies, or "Black Witches", pass through the camp.You'll become
familiar with their distinct call. There are White crowned Pigeons,
Doves, tree frogs, humming birds, Mongoose, Woodslaves, and of course,
occasionally, the neighbor's chickens. Up the private jungle trail,
there is a natural spring with mountain mullet. From time to time, you'll find a Coqui frog in the bath house! Don't be alarmed, they are harmless and they eat mosquitoes.
Why are the trails cut through the forest, rather than the raised boardwalks I see in other eco camps?
We were very thoughtful when we discussed this idea, and made this
decision. Because the forest had so many exotic (foreign) vines, we
realized that we had to manage the forest or eventually, we'd lose it.
because man had already interfered with the region, we felt it was our
responsibility to undo some of the damage through stewardship. There are
at least five non indigenous voracious vines that had been choking out
the 250 year old Saman Trees, the Mangos, Kinips, and Mahoganys. Because
of the trails, we are able to reach the vines and cut them out of the
trees.
Why don't you use skirted, touring kayaks?
When Columbus wrote in his journal about the strange boats he saw, he
was describing the canoe. The Native Virgin Islanders migrated from
South America in canoes. In fact canoe is a Taino word. Kayaks that have
skirts over the enclosed cockpit are designed for the cold water. These
boats originally come from places like Greenland and the northern parts
of the world. Open cockpit, self bailing kayaks and canoes are more
suitable for warm weather. This makes it easy to get in and out of your
boat when snorkeling. It's also very important to stay cool in the
tropical climate; splashing water into the boat easily allows for this.
We have tried many, many different types of kayaks: from the surf ski to
the wave ski; from the inflatable to the see thru; from the wooden to
the glass; from day trippers to expeditions; and lastly from paddle to
pedal. Trust us when we we tell you that the boats we use are the most
efficient and most practical boats for our conditions. The boats we use
are the Hobie Mirage Series, and the Heritage Sea Touring Series.
How Far is the beach?
Cane Bay Beach is 5 minutes away from your
tent cabin on foot. The cabins are tucked in the forest, under the canopy, for shade and privacy. The commissary and bath house are 2 minutes to your cabin. This is the only campground or eco lodging on the
island with a sandy swim beach. There is world class diving right off our beach. It doesn't get any better than this. Nearby, Carambola Beach is 1.5 miles from
your cabin. All beaches on St Croix are open to the public, but not all
have sandy entries into the water. Columbus Landing Beach is 4 miles
east at Salt River Bay National Park and Ecological Preserve.
Do I need to worry about animals like snakes or spiders?
St Croix doesn't really have snakes. So no, you don't have to worry
about them. But, being in a tropical forest, you will have visitors at
your tent cabin. There are some fascinating burrowing spiders, that glow in the dark, in our east yard. You have to remember that this is camping in a tropical
forest. My suggestion is that people who are afraid of insects, may not
want to camp. You can stay at one of the nearby hotels and still buy
the eco-adventure package. $699.00/couple for 5 activities.
What should I bring camping?
You should bring:
-
a good headlamp and a flashlight to maneuver the trail and bath house at night
- a sturdy pair of all terrain shoes (ALL TERRAIN)
- a pair of slip on shoes
- beach wear
- outdoor wear
- hat, sunglasses, sunblock and a beach towel
- a reusable water bottle and a daypack
- snorkel gear if you don't want to rent
- fishing gear if fishing
- traveler's checks (many island businesses don't take credit cards)
- a good book.
The commissary has basic items like sunblock, ice, drinking water, some
food, drinks, bugspray, headlamps, charcoal, propane, coffee, paper
towels, and toiletries for sale. DO NOT BRING rolling luggage, as you
need to carry your gear to your tent cabin. There is an all terrain
wagon for those who don't have backpacks, but there is no bell hop or
room service. Remember, this is camping.
Should I bring my computer? What about food?
Unless you absolutely must, I don't suggest a computer. Because this is
an active, camping vacation, we suggest you do not bring any valuables.
You will need your cell phone, but there is no phone or internet at the
cabins. We can show you where to get a cell signal. Although you are
welcome to, you don't need to bring food. There are several restaurants
in easy walking distance, and the commissary sells basic items. See
above.
Do the tent cabins have electricity? What about hot water?
The tent cabins and the bathhouse do not have electricity. They come
with two camp lanterns, a propane stove, and a large cooler. The bath
house has 75 degree, cool water. You can rent a solar shower if you
want. The commissary has lockers where you can charge
electronics. Ice, drinking water, propane, matches and other necessities
are sold at the commissary.
What kind of person should camp at Cane Bay Campground?
The person who wants to be close to nature, but not be way out in the
middle of nowhere. Because of it's proximity to Cane Bay's lively
atmosphere, the camp offers the best of both worlds. Someone who loves
to camp, but doesn't want to sleep on the ground. Someone who wants to
have some structured activities at their doorstep, and also wants some
free down time. You should do this if you want to hike trails and kayak
to places most people haven't been. Someone who wants to learn about
native art and crafts. Someone who wants to be a little more
environmentally friendly on their vacation. Someone who likes to camp
out in the outdoors. This isn't for you if you need air conditioning,
paved sidewalks, internet, or sterilized environments. This is camping
in the tropics, in a screened in tent cabin, in a tropical forest. It's not a hotel.
Can we chose our own itinerary?
Because there might be others participating in the sea kayak adventure
package, we take individual desires into consideration, and then we make
the final itinerary based on the ability of individuals, weather and
logistics. We will try to design your excursions to suit your desires and abilities. One thing you need to remember is that guided tours are GUIDED, so you need to be comfortable with following your guide. If you prefer to take off on your own, you should just rent a cabin, and not do the Adventure Package.
Can I book the whole campground?
Yes. If you have a group of eight people. This way, you could customize
your itinerary. For example, you might want to: have a women's yoga
retreat; book a college backpacker club, a women's boot camp;
circumnavigate the island; or host a guy's fishing trip.
Can I just rent a cabin and not do the adventure package?
Yes! You can rent cabins by the week, for two, $525.00. Or by the
night, for two $85.00. Three night minimum. $10.00 per night for additional persons. There is
a $50.00 cleaning fee, and a security deposit.
Is there a bar there?
The campground does not have a bar or restaurant, but there is a
restaurant on the property. There are several great places to check out
in the neighborhood. All are reasonably priced, and some offer free
wi-fi. There's Eat at Cane Bay; Sprat Net; Off the Wall; The Waves at
Cane Bay; Bogey's; Slyvia's; Above the Cliff; Rowdy Joe's and Carambola
Beach Resort.
How do I get there?
Airlines fly into St Croix through Miami, Atlanta, San Juan, Puerto
Rico, and St Thomas. The airport code for St Croix is STX. Getting to
Cane Bay campground is easy by taxi van or car rental. We are located on
RT 80, across the street from Cane Bay Beach. Please get directions
from us! You will need additional direction if you are getting in late.
The campground is located behind Virgin Kayak Tours and Cane Bay Dive
Shop. There are taxi vans waiting at the airport. Please also note that
we drive on the left in St Croix! Because we are a US Territory, you do
not need a passport to come here.