St. John Island Tours & Daily Blog by Jenn Manes
Island Tour Info –> ExploreSTJ.com/tour
Go off the beaten path. See beautiful sites. Visit some of the world’s best beaches. Explore centuries-old plantations. Perhaps grab a cocktail at a tiki bar or two.
Explore STJ is rated “Excellent” on TripAdvisor.
My absolute best friend in the world is visiting for the first time next week, and I could not be more excited! I’ve been busy playing travel agent for his family, and I am confident that I have created the perfect long weekend itinerary for them. With flights being so inexpensive right now, it’s the perfect time to book a last-minute, long weekend trip to see us! And if you are lucky enough to be able to pull off a quick visit, here is a great little itinerary to follow! (Click here to read a recent post about all of the cheap airfare that’s currently available.)
Day 1: Arrival Day (Thursday)
Your first travel day is never fun, Chances are you woke up sometime in the middle of the night to make it to the airport for your early morning flight. The good news is that most flights arrive in the early afternoon, so you can still have fun on arrival day.
I suggest not planning anything too grueling on arrival day because you will undoubtedly be tired from the flight. Luckily happy hour and sunset have never been categorized as grueling, so add them to the list of must-dos for day one! When you arrive on St. John, check in to your hotel, villa or condo, freshen up and then head right to the beach in Cruz Bay. Belly up to the bar or grab a seat in the sand, and enjoy the good ‘ole Caribbean life. My friends are staying at The Grande Retreat at Grande Bay next week. It’s a perfect location for those that want to be close to all of the action. The Grande Retreat is a beautiful, three-bedroom unit that was purchased by frequent tour guests of mine, who I am now lucky enough to call friends. Click here to check it out!
Day 2: (Friday)
St. John is home to the best beach in the world, so that is where you should spend your first full day on island (provided there aren’t too many cruise ships over in St. Thomas that day – Click here to learn more about the cruise ships and how they can impact St. John). Trunk Bay is a quick 15-minute drive from Cruz Bay. Parking is extremely limited, so this is a beach that’s best to taxi to. It’s the only beach with an entry fee – just $5 per person, credit cards only – and it is well worth the price. Happy hour starts in the morning at Trunk Bay, so get there early if day drinking is on your agenda!
Trunk Bay has a great lunch spot, a full bar, snorkel and chair rentals, showers, and restrooms. It’s also home to the world’s only (I think!) underwater snorkeling trail. The trail is a bit of a swim, so I recommend bringing a noodle or a life vest along for the swim.
Later that night, you can take a dip in your pool, enjoy a great dinner in town, or perhaps check out the sunset again. If that sounds good for you, head up to The Windmill Bar. It’s only 10 minutes from Cruz Bay, and it has some of the best sunset views on island. Taxis regularly go there around sunset time, so it’s easy to visit if you opt not to rent a car. Insider tip: They also have delicious buffalo chicken dip!
Day 3: (Saturday)
Boat days are the best days! Considering my friends have never visited the island, I figured a boat day is a must! We’re opting to stay local for this trip, so the plan is to snorkel with the turtles at Maho Bay, grab a bite at Pizza Pi, and perhaps a cocktail at Lime Out. If the water cooperates, we may even do a quick visit to Water Island, which is just off of St. Thomas.
Have a nice dinner on night three. We have so many amazing restaurants to choose from. Click here to view Explore STJ’s searchable restaurant map.
Day 4: (Sunday)
Since we have two teens visiting next week, we are sending them over to St. Thomas (with their parents of course!) for a water sports day at Sapphire Resort and perhaps Coral World. Sapphire has parasailing, jet skiing and other fun motorized sports that you can’t find here in St. John. Sapphire is only a five-minute taxi ride from the Red Hook ferry, so it’s a very doable day trip.
If you prefer to spend your last full day on St. John, I would suggest visiting another one of St. John’s beautiful beaches, or perhaps take an island tour with me! Together we can explore some lesser-known spots, including secluded beaches, historical sites and so much more. You can learn more about Explore STJ’s Island Tours at www.explorestj.com/tour
Relax over at Mongoose Junction that evening and get your shopping on. Mongoose has dozens of stores that sell a variety of items like hats, t-shirts, upscale clothing, ornaments, note cards, home goods and more.
Day 5: The Walk of Woe (Monday)
All good things must come to an end, right?
Enjoy a nice breakfast at either Cruz Bay Landing or High Tide before you do the walk of woe over to the ferry dock. But don’t worry, I’m pretty confident that you’ll start planning your next visit before you hit the dock in St. Thomas.
Looking for more information on a visit to St. John? Feel free to email me at jenn@explorestj.com.
Have a great day everyone!
Want to learn more about St. John? Looking to take an island tour?
Learn more here –> www.explorestj.com/tour See the island of St. John with a resident. See the nooks and crannies that many visitors miss. Explore the beaches, historical sites, perhaps a tiki bar or two, and much more. Full & half days available. Rated “Excellent” on TripAdvisor.
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I apologize for being a few days late to the party regarding today’s story. Dalton had school vacation last week, and we were up at 3:30 a.m. traveling today… hence why I am posting a story at night. 🙂 That being said, I have more news regarding the Caneel Bay situation to share with you all. Better late than never!
Just as many of us expected, EHI Acquisitions – the private equity firm that operated the Caneel Bay Resort until the 2017 hurricanes – has asked the judge to reconsider her decision to award the Caneel Bay property to the National Park. This isn’t an appeal, but rather a “Motion for Reconsideration.” According to the filing, the motion “is based on the need to correct clear error or to prevent manifest injustice.”
Manifest injustice is defined as an outcome in a case that is plainly and obviously unjust.
EHI believes that the judge erred in her decision and stated that the RUE (type of lease) that the Caneel Bay Resort had been operating under actually did not expire last September. A good chunk of the court case revolved around the fact that the RUE had expired, and, as a result, EHI no longer had an interest in the property. EHI clearly disagrees with that and stated in their filing that “the RUE cannot lapse or expire so long as a mortgage is in effect on the Property, and there are mortgages on the Property. This was one of the rare points that both EHI and the United States agreed upon.”
EHI believes that because the RUE did not expire (in their opinion due to the mortgage), that the “title to the improvements should not be transferred to the United States because mortgages remain recorded against the Property and therefore the RUE has not expired.”
On the flip side, the superintendent of the Virgin Islands National Park stated publicly last month that the Park intends to “work immediately toward transitioning the property to the National Park Service management, in keeping with the court’s decision and Laurance Rockefeller’s vision for Caneel Bay.”
The United States has yet to respond to this motion, nor has the judge issued a ruling on it.
Click here to read the Motion for Reconsideration in its entirety.
I have a feeling this is going to be a very long road, folks. I will keep you posted.
Want to learn more about St. John? Looking to take an island tour?
Learn more here –> www.explorestj.com/tour See the island of St. John with a resident. See the nooks and crannies that many visitors miss. Explore the beaches, historical sites, perhaps a tiki bar or two, and much more. Full & half days available. Rated “Excellent” on TripAdvisor.
Follow Explore STJ on Social Media
–> www.facebook.com/explorestj
–> www.instagram.com/explorestj
Earlier this week, I told you how Trunk Bay was named the best beach in the world… in the world! Well today I would like to let you know that one of our amazing vacation rentals here on St. John was also just named the best in the world! This is an incredible honor, folks!
Villa Cin Cin is an ultra-luxurious villa that’s perched atop Ditleff Point on St. John’s south shore. This stunning vacation rental property has unparalleled views of the Virgin Islands National Park, an array of nearby islands and bays, as well as the sparkling turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea. I have seen a lot of vacation rentals over the past decade here on St. John, and Cin Cin (pronounced “chin,” Italian for “cheers”) is one that truly takes my breath away. And the people over at Vrbo clearly agree, as they just named it the Vacation Home of the Year.
Villa Cin Cin was selected from more than 2 million properties available worldwide on Vrbo. It was selected due to its stellar star ratings, rave guest reviews, incredible spaces inside and out, and because of its exceptional guest experiences.
“Hospitality means everything to us,” owner Christine Fano told Vrbo. “Our family has a delicious welcome dinner prepared for guests on their arrival day so they can relax, go to the beach, play in the pool, and enjoy the jacuzzi at sunset without worrying about dinner.”
Villa Cin Cin is a custom-built estate which boasts more than 10,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor living space. The home has five identical king en suite bedrooms, ensuring that everyone gets the best room in the house. Each bedroom has a private veranda and balcony with expansive sunrise and sunset views.
Villa Cin Cin features a large Great Room with a gourmet kitchen and three, nine-foot luxuriously plush, family-friendly sofas. There is also a large game room inside the home that has an indoor/outdoor bar with a roof-top deck and 270-degree views.
One of my favorite features at Villa Cin Cin is its outdoor space, including its large, heated pool that is covered in sun all day. I don’t know about you, but I would love to float here all day while taking in the beautiful Caribbean views.
Pretty incredible, isn’t it?
Villa Cin Cin is located less than 10 minutes from Cruz Bay. It’s a promise location that’s close enough to the fun, but far enough away to feel completely quiet. Ditleff Point even features a small, sandy beach that is accessible by a nearby beach path.
Want to see more of this exquisite villa? Check out this quick video below:
Villa Cin Cin can accommodate up to 20 guests, making it perfect for large gatherings, family reunions, weddings and more. Weekly rates start at $18,900. Please visit www.villacincin.com to learn more.
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Hello everyone, and happy Wednesday! One of the top questions I receive here at the blog is, “How do I get to Lime Out?” For those of you who are unfamiliar with Lime Out, it’s the world’s only floating taco bar and it’s located right here in St. John!
Lime Out is located out in Coral Bay, which means you need to take a boat to get there. Today I’d like to tell you all about an affordable way to visit this super fun establishment – the Fly Out to Lime Out shuttle.
Our friends over at Flyaway Charters are shuttling folks out to Lime Out for just $30 per person. No reservations are needed, and you can spend as little or as much time out there, although Flyaway Charters recommends at least two hours. The shuttle operates Sunday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The last ride out is at 3 p.m.
The Fly Out to Lime Out shuttle can take up to six guests at a time. If you have more than six in your group, no worries! They will drop off the first group, and then they’ll swing back around and grab the rest. One great things about this shuttle is that you will always have a seat in the water, as Flyaway Charters has its own float that it can attach to Lime Out if need be.
Ready to check it out? All you have to do is wander into Pirate’s Cove in Coral Bay, and they will set you up. Pirate’s Cove is a fun little retail and rental shop that’s located directly across the street from Skinny Legs. It’s also owned by our friends at Flyaway Charters, and it’s just a few minute walk from the dinghy dock where the shuttle picks up and drops off.
Ok, so now that you have discovered this new, affordable way to visit Lime Out, you are probably thinking, “Ok, but how do I actually get to Coral Bay?” The most affordable way is to take the Vitran bus. The bus leaves Cruz Bay numerous times a day and drops off right at Pirate’s Cove. And even better? The bus costs just $1, according to Vitran’s website.
Click here to see the full St. John Vitran bus schedule.
Another option is to hire a private taxi driver. You can see a full list of taxi drivers at www.explorestj.com/taxis. This is a pricier option, but may be an easier one.
Have I mentioned how quiet the island is? This is a great time for a visit! Go ahead and start planning your next vacay, and be sure to add the Fly Out to Lime Out shuttle to your must-do list! Looking for more info on the shuttle? Click here to visit Flyaway Charters’ website.
Want to learn more about St. John? Looking to take an island tour?
Learn more here –> www.explorestj.com/tour See the island of St. John with a resident. See the nooks and crannies that many visitors miss. Explore the beaches, historical sites, perhaps a tiki bar or two, and much more. Full & half days available. Rated “Excellent” on TripAdvisor.
Follow Explore STJ on Social Media
I’ve been saying this for years, folks. Trunk Bay is simply one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Well the people over at Banana Boat clearly agree with me, because they just named Trunk Bay the best beach in the world!
Banana Boat, a company that offers reef-friendly, but not reef-safe sunscreen, released its annual list of the World’s Best Beaches today, and Trunk Bay topped the list! Trunk Bay beat out stunning locales like Grace Bay (Turks and Caicos) and Seven Mile Beach (Cayman Islands), as well as spots in Seychelles, French Polynesia and Australia among others.
Here’s what they had to say about Trunk Bay:
Trunk Bay is the quintessential Caribbean paradise. Visitors praise the incredibly soft sand and the crystal-clear, pool-like waters, but what truly distinguishes Trunk Bay from other Caribbean destinations is its setting within the stunning Virgin Islands National Park. The protected status of the area ensures the absence of loud commercial activity and large buildings, allowing instead for lush greenery and local wildlife to flourish as a natural backdrop. Additionally, its sheltered location protects it from the Caribbean tradewinds, resulting in calm waters that are perfect for swimming. Named after the Leatherback turtle—locally known as “trunks”—which is native to the area, Trunk Bay also features a vibrant reef that attracts snorkelers eager to swim among schools of colorful fish and experience the unique underwater snorkeling trail.
Trunk Bay is the only beach in St. John that has an entry fee. It costs $5 per person to entry, and they only accept credit cards. Trunk Bay has showers, restrooms, lunch offerings, a full bar with happy hour in the morning, and a rental hut that has chairs, snorkel gear and life belts.
Looking to spend the day at Trunk Bay? Click here to read a recent story I wrote that details all of its offerings. You can also click here to read all about Trunk Bay’s food and beverage offerings.
Click here to see what other beaches made the top 50.
That’s all I have for today, folks! Stay tuned for information tomorrow on an easier way to visit Lime Out, our floating taco bar!
Want to learn more about St. John? Looking to take an island tour?
Learn more here –> www.explorestj.com/tour See the island of St. John with a resident. See the nooks and crannies that many visitors miss. Explore the beaches, historical sites, perhaps a tiki bar or two, and much more. Full & half days available. Rated “Excellent” on TripAdvisor.
Follow Explore STJ on Social Media
There’s a cool new place to eat lunch in Cruz Bay! And even better, it’s affordable!
Our friends over at Cafe Roma started serving lunch last week. I stopped by last Friday, and it was delish! For those of you who are unfamiliar with Cafe Roma, it’s an Italian restaurant that’s located in Cruz Bay just one block away from the ferry dock.
Cafe Roma’s lunch is pretty simple – pizza, salad and sandwiches. They serve cheese and pepperoni pizza by the slice, three different salads and several subs. The most expensive item on the menu is only $15. This is a steal for St. John, folks!
We stopped in on Friday and had two slices of pizza, a caesar salad and the roast beef special. It came out quickly, tasted great, and it was only like $30-something dollars! (Sorry I can’t remember the exact price – lol.)
Cafe Roma has plenty of seating, and it’s even air conditioned. That’s great news for these super hot days we’ve been having lately.
Cafe Roma is serving lunch Tuesdays through Fridays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Happy hour runs from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday too. During that time, you can get a slice of pizza and a Bud or Bud Light for only $6! This is available until they run out.
Cafe Roma is open for dinner Sundays through Fridays from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Want to see exactly where Cafe Roma is located? Click here to check out Explore STJ’s searchable restaurant map at www.explorestj.com/restaurantmap.
Tag: lunch in Cruz Bay
Want to learn more about St. John? Looking to take an island tour?
Learn more here –> www.explorestj.com/tour See the island of St. John with a resident. See the nooks and crannies that many visitors miss. Explore the beaches, historical sites, perhaps a tiki bar or two, and much more. Full & half days available. Rated “Excellent” on TripAdvisor.
Follow Explore STJ on Social Media
