I have to say that this week was definitely an experience unlike any other. We stayed May 20-28th at Maho Bay Camps. I read all the reviews and I did my homework before I went and I thought I was prepared. So I thought I would write this review to help someone else be prepared for an experience like mine.

- It's all true.... If you are not a "Camper", this is not a place for you!!

-If you don't like 200 steps to the beach (from the Registration Desk), this is not a place for you!

-If you feel inconvenienced because you have to get up in the middle of the night to use the restroom and climb up 6 flights of stairs to get there... this is not a place for you!!

-Now, if you can handle this and you don't mind a little inconvenience, then this is a great place! It is located within a small distance from everything else,so it is very quiet and relaxing. The accommodations are like everyone else has said in the past "luxury camping", but remember you are still camping! If someone tells you to get a tent in the E Section (unless you want total seclusion at the top of the mountain and the stairs (approx. 350 steps to the beach)... ask for A Section, they have the best views of the beach and the sunset). I think A13 was the best view spot....We stayed in A22 ( it was only 48 steps). It was also real nice.
Don't expect people to wait on you, because it doesn't happen! If you switch tents (like we did) don't expect them to give you new linens until Tuesday!! I made the mistake of asking housekeeping for new linens after we moved tents (because the new tent did not have them) and I thought she was going to bite my head off!! It wasn't like I asked her to make my bed for me (gosh!)... Anyways the rest of the staff was very friendly, but housekeeping definitely needs to be reminded that they live in paradise and we are the ones that have to go back home to the same rountine, gimme a break!
Anyway... The beach was perfect and the scenery was amazing. That made up for any inconvience that I may have had. We went out a couple nights into Cruz Bay which was so fun!! If you get the chance, go to the BEACH BAR. We made some great friends there and had a blast, get a BBC (very good). I do not suggest drinking to much in Cruz Bay and taking a taxi back to Maho late at night... it is quiet scary in the dark!
Now about the travel.... Getting from St. Thomas to Maho was pretty simple, with the exception of some of the people at the St.Thomas side of the Red Hook ferry. They really don't like tourists at all. If you can take Charlotte Amalie... I would suggest that. The ferry is longer, but the taxi ride isn't. There not to much to see in St. Thomas. It is pretty much run down. Pack light if you can, the taxi cabs charge $3.00 per bag, plus remember you have to carry that bag up and down alot of stairs when you arrive to the camps!!
Now things to bring to Maho... Bugs Spray, Bugs Spray, Bugs Spray!!!! and Ramen Noodles(of course). Things are pretty expensive at the store (ex. $5.00 for "yesterdays" sandwiches)... yeah I know, crazy huh? Expect to drink hot/lukewarm water (with only 3 potable drinking water spigots located around for all 114 tents, unless you plan on buying a bag of ice or block of ice every morning). However, the restauant is excellent and the service was good. They say prices range between $14 and $22 (well more like $19-$22), so please be prepared! The food is very good for the price though, but I rathered save my money for the cab ride back to Cruy Bay for food and its a little cheaper once you got there. All in all, you would spend about the same... but you can do more in Cruz Bay (if you like).
Snorkling is great Maho and I think Little Maho Bay is one of the best beaches on the island. So, we really enjoyed ourselves. It is a great place to go on a budget!! I probably won't be going back, but the experince was definitely an adventure. I totally recommend this place for avid campers and wilderness "girls"!!! As you can tell... it's just not for me, but will always be a wonderful memory. One more thing... Please read all reviews, do you homework, expect the worse and you will be pleasantly surprised! Please know what you are getting into... like one other review said, if you see the word "tent" in the title, make sure you realize that. Have FUN!!

I first went to Maho Bay as a child with my family and went back with my husband and it was a marvelous experience. You definitely have to be prepared to forsake standard luxuries but it is a wonderful way to experience the beautiful nature of St. John. The staff is helpful, the programs are great and the food is yum! Only downsides are the bugs after evening and the wait for the taxi to get into town or to the far side of th island.

This is our second trip to Maho Bay Camps and love is really better the second time around. We did all the things on this trip that we wished we had done on our first. We brought our own snorkle gear and used it every day. We went out for a 1/2 day snorkle tour and sail on the "Pepper" a replica of a VI working sloop. Great captain (Fred) and crew (Rene) who made our initiation in to "real" skin-diving a blast! Next day we went out on "Lion in da Sun" a 26-foot power catamaran, captained by the very capable Jordan. This got us out to the BVI (around Tortola, customs and lunch on Jost Van Dyke, and then snorkeling at Norman Island and the Indians) and back to Cruz Bay to clear US customs. We rented a kayak at the Maho Bay watersports center and cruised over to Francis Bay, Cinammon Bay and Big Maho Bay. The rest of the time we "beached" and snorkeled right off Maho Bay.

The tent cottages are great, except for the one evening when we brought back some ants in our day pack! After an ant-version of the St Valentine's Day Massacre (with the ants being the "massacre-ees") we rested well. It was dry but the winds were up so we never felt hot. The stairs and walking did us good! Both of us are in our late 50's/early 60's and after a week we were in much better shape!

Food was without a doubt a bargain, and excellently prepared. Get there early (like we did) for the 4:30 - 5:30 Happy Hour and enjoy a drink and fresh popcorn. We brought our books and relaxed at "our" table with drinks before dinner.

Don't expect 5-star treatment, but do expect courtesy and help from all the staff. It takes a day or two to get into "Maho time" but once that's accomplished things go oh so smoothly.

Our transportation "routine" has been: arrival - fly to St Thomas, cab to Red Hook (give yourself an hour), then ferry to Cruz Bay. Frett's taxi is usually parked in one of the last slots on the left of the wharf. Ask for Frett and you'll pay $6-8 per person, depending on luggage. We always pack light - one large day-pack and small/medium duffle each. Hey, you don't need much when all you are doing is wearing bathing suits, shorts, t-shirts and sandles or flip flops all day! Departure: Frett's taxi back to Cruz Bay (regular schedule is posted at the registration desk), then ferry to "downtown" or Charlotte Amalie in St Thomas. From here we usually grad a good breakfast or lunch depending on flight times. It's onlly a 15 minute cab ride to the airport. Departing STT airport can be a major pain due to the check in lines followed by the customs lines, THEN followed by the securing check in lines. So, give yourself a couple of hours to arrive at the airport BEFORE your flight departure. Pick up some great Cruzan Rum at the duty free shop, which is to the right of the main entrance at the airport. Get it before you check in as I don't think the liquor shop is inside the gare area.

Can't wait to get back!

After a rough ride in our rented car through the beautiful terrain of St.Thomas, and a short ferry ride to St.John we eventually arrived to a prestine and tropical campground, This trip was a trip of many new things, flying, a tropic environment and the crystal clear aqua blue waters that surround the island. The walk to the tent was a little rough with the many bags and such but it was worth it when we reached the surprisingly cozy tent situated conviniently close to the bathrooms, another highlight would be the beach and the water that sat in front of it, if your like me and don't like to sit on the beach all day then you can simply grab a mask and dive into what seems like another world, there you'll see a diverse selection of tropical fish designed with beautiful blends of colors. When the sun goes down you can take a short walk up to the resturaunt above the campground and enjoy a small yet delicious selection of food, after dining you will be lulled to sleep by the soft and soothing sounds of the waves hitting the seashore. Overall this trip was a one to remember and we plan to stay at the concordia tents next year.