We just returned from a family vaca to Water Island. First time on W.I., but not STT. We stayed at the above mentioned Flamingo Point Estate and it was INCREDIBLE!!! The owner's are so friendly and helpful. We wanted for not. A big plus is that they give you a truck to use during your stay and it is by far and away the nicest vehicle on the island. For our family it was better to have a vehicle to use than a little golfcart which is what most homes come with and if you aren't staying right on top of Honeymoon beach then you are in for some serious hiking.
The property managers who live on the island were gracious and incredibly informative regarding local island customs and critters. Not to mention that they sing beautifully. We swam out to the swimming dock in the bay off of Honeymoon beach one night and listened to Joe's Beach Shack Bar come alive with music and singing and we sang right along with them. You go Mary!
I was reading some of the other comments and I'm such a boob. I never even considered asking one of the locals for a ride to Crown Bay on one of their dinghy's, but now I wish I would've because that is my biggest complaint. For a large family travling to and from the islands became an large expense rather quickly and yes, we purchased the punch passes. Matter of fact, we purchased LOTS of punch passes, but when you have to do laundry in Crown Bay and buy all of your food supplies at the Pueblo and rent a dvd at Nisky Center it just adds up.
FYI, you'll need cash for most everything! We met locals who say that even the Peublo market is too expensive, but that is really the best deal for groceries nearest Crown Bay and when you are on foot and its hot and humid you'll think Peublo is perfect. We hated going into the Gourmet Gallery as the checkers were COLD and not social at all. take into account that they are very preicey in there we just avoided that placed like the plague.
Tickles restaurant became a haven of sorts. Drinks and snacks while laundry is tumbling in the building next door. Time to get out from the severe rain storm. Nice for live music some nights, but guess what? The ferry RUNS your life!
Hurry hurry, we'll miss the ferry and then its a 2 hour wait. Wait wait, no dinners out as there is no ferry to get you back home. Oh, there is actually, but they charge DOUBLE per person and it is only 2 nights per week and only at their time. I tell ya..............the ferry became our nemisis!
The Pirates Ridge Deli is closed for the season and Heidi's snack shack is always on the beach in the afternoon ands she is a good cook. She hosts the movie night on the beach that was a big hit with our kids, but we didn't do her Saturday night dinners on the beach because we had given all of our spare moola to the ferry.
The Safari taxis are tricky at first because they all claim to be a safari cab, but ask a local and they will tell you. We found the locals very helpful if you were polite, which we always try to be. Here's a hint: Look for an open aired cab that has mostly locals on it and then you'll know for sure that you are on the dollar cabs.
We enjoyed shopping at the Yacht Harbor Grand and even the tent city was fun for souvinors and such. We got our hair braided there. Magens Bay is the best on STT. The taxis are organized and no local vendors hassle you like on Coki beach. Man, that place freaked the kids out because the vendors fight amongst themselves over you and they are always hassling you to go to their booth and it was DIRTY! The beach was simply nasty.
On that note, we had the best family vacation! It was a dream trip and I would love to return to W.I., but I want a dinghy to go with the next house I rent..............no more ferry!
