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New Arrival Day Pickup Meal Option Available

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Let’s be honest, a travel day to St. John is never fun. You most likely have to wake up in the wee hours in the morning before taking one or possibly two planes, a taxi ride and ultimately a ferry just to finally get to your favorite piece of paradise. By the time you step foot off of the ferry dock, you’re exhausted, and the last thing many of you want to do is either make dinner or sit down at a restaurant. Well I have great news for you all today . Sun Dog Cafe is now offering arrival day dinners to go!

Sun Dog Cafe is offering a variety of pickup dinners, including Jamaican jerk chicken fajitas, shrimp scampi pasta, chicken roti, vegan bowls, and more. All pickup dinners serve four people, and they must be ordered at least 24 hours in advance.

Here are a few of the items offered for arrival meals…

These meals can also be ordered during your stay. Going on a boat trip all day and want to grab a meal on the way home? Well here ya go! I don’t know about you, but I think this is such a great idea!

–> If you would like to see the full menu, please click here. 

–> If you would like to go ahead and order your arrival day meal, please click here. 

Enjoy! I hope to see you all soon!

Want to learn more about St. John? Take an island tour with me!

Learn more here –> www.explorestj.com/tour

See the island of St. John with a longtime 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.

Click Here to Email Me with Questions.

Click Here for Real-Time Availability & to Instant Book. 

 

 

Land For Sale: Owner Financing with 20% Down

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This view can be yours!

If you are looking to purchase land in St. John, you will want to check this out!

I have a great property listed for sale for only $199,000. The owners are extremely motivated to sell, so they are offering owner financing with only 20 percent down to qualified buyers.

This half-acre parcel – 6-o-37 Hansen Bay – is located in the Dreeket’s Bay neighborhood on St. John’s quiet East End. It has panoramic, 180-degree views of the British Virgin Islands, VI National Park & Round Bay. This property faces north/northwest, so it enjoys the island’s incredible sunsets in addition to its spectacular daytime views.

180-degree views!
Sunset views too!

The Dreeket’s Bay Estates subdivision has paved roads with beautiful stone walls and underground utilities. There is access from above & below the lot, making construction easier & more accessible. The property also has a deeded special waiver of HOA setbacks to maximize build area due to its narrow site. The property is less than five minutes from Haulover and Hansen bays.

Click here for more details and pics. 

If you are interested in learning more, please email me at jenn@explorestj.com or call/text 203-376-3786. I am a licensed real estate agent with 340 Real Estate.

Stay in Cruz Bay at Serendip St. John: Beautiful Sunset Views, Pool & Backup Power

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Serendip St. John has 10 spacious and well-equipped units, views, amenities, solar back-up, and is close to Cruz Bay.

Are you looking for the perfect place to vacation in St. John? Do you want to be close to the conveniences of Cruz Bay, but in a private and peaceful setting? How about one that has great amenities, a pool, incredible views during all day long and especially during sunset, plus that all-important backup power? Well look no further than Serendip Vacation Condos…

Serendip Vacation Condos consists of 10 spacious one-bedroom and studio suites. Each unit is well-equipped with everything you need for your time on island, including a large, private enclosed veranda. Each of its 10 units, however, offers its own unique charm, decor and sleeping configurations to accommodate either couples, families or friends traveling together.

Serendip has a great location. It’s located just above Cruz Bay in the Bethany neighborhood, and getting here is a cinch. Simply drive past The Marketplace and E-C gas station, and then take your first left at the top of Jacob’s Ladder. Serendip just a few properties down from there.

For guests staying at Serendip, you will have access to a full array of onsite amenities, including a pool, grill and laundry. Serendip also provides beach chairs and snorkel gear because we know you will likely spend several days exploring one or all of the island’s beautiful beaches. And for those of you who prefer to rent a Jeep, there is plenty of parking available.

The world famous Trunk Bay beach is just 15 minutes away.

Now let’s talk about the elephant in the room – power. Yes, St. John has power outages from time to time. It’s no fun, but it’s a part of life here in the islands. Serendip recently installed solar backup power, so no more sweaty nights over here or stumbling around in the dark!

Serendip even has an onsite property manager who is available to assist you with any need that may arise during your stay. Want to know which beach has the best coral? He can help you with that. Looking for the island’s best mahi sandwich? He can help with that too!

Now I know that you know that all of this sounds great. But want to make it sound even better? I am excited to tell you that my friends over at Serendip are offering a sizable discount to those of you who read my blog! If you book a minimum of five nights between July 6th and September 30th, you will receive 20 percent off, plus two complimentary Serendip sun shirts. You must use the promo EXPLORESTJ when booking. You can book your stay online at serendipstjohn.com or by calling 340-776-6646. Rates start at $225 a night.

Want to learn more about Serendip Vacation Condos? Please visit serendipstjohn.com for more information and to see a gallery of images.

Please Pull Over

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Have you seen these new signs on island?

If you have been lucky enough to be on island recently, you may have seen a few new signs that have popped up on utility poles out in Coral Bay. They say, “Hell Yeah! You’re on vacation. Please pull over for those who aren’t.” It’s a colorful little sign that’s definitely not meant to offend people.

Route 10, also known as Centerline Road, is the main road that connects Cruz Bay and Coral Bay. Many of our residents drive that stretch when they are headed to drop off their children at school, when heading to work or even when they’re going to a grocery store, gas station, hardware store or to the car barge. Residents are often in a bigger hurry than those of you who are lucky enough to be vacationing here. They also may be driving a little bit faster, because they’re familiar with the roads and comfortable with driving on the left.

So what’s the best thing you can do when someone is on your tail? Simple pull over, and let them pass you. I do it all of the time when I am on island tours, and you should too.

If you are driving and someone behind you honks twice, that’s them saying they’d like to pass you. Two beeps after you’re passed is their way of saying thank you. 🙂

So please do not stress when someone is following you a little too closely. Chances are, they’re late to something, so simply pull over.

Thanks all!

Want to learn more about St. John? Take an island tour with me!

Learn more here –> www.explorestj.com/tour

See the island of St. John with a longtime 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.

Click Here to Email Me with Questions.

Click Here for Real-Time Availability & to Instant Book. 

St. John 2026 Festival Celebration Schedule

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St. John’s festival celebration kicks off next weekend. The annual festival celebrates freedom here in the United States Virgin Islands. The enslaved people were finally freed on July 3, 1848.

Here is this year’s official schedule:

  • Sunday, June 14th: Pan-O-Rama kicks off the celebration at 4 p.m. in Franklin Powell Park, which is located across from the ferry dock in Cruz Bay.
  • Saturday, June 20th: Royalty Show begins at 6 p.m.
  • Sunday, June 21st: Food Fair starts at 1 p.m. at Franklin Powell Park and the road beside the ferry dock.
  • Sunday, June 21st: Boat races begin in Cruz Bay at 3 p.m.
  • Saturday, June 27th: Beach Jam starts at 3 p.m. on Cruz Bay beach.
  • Sunday, June 28th: Village opens at 6 p.m. The Village – Knight’s Ville – will be located in the Custom’s lot, which is across from the post office. Village will be open every night through July 4th.
  • Friday, July 3rd: J’ouvert will begin at sunrise.
  • Friday, July 3rd: Emancipation Day Program begins at 11 a.m. in Slim’s parking lot.
  • Friday, July 3rd: Torch Light Parade at 7 p.m. at the entrance to the Village
  • Saturday, July 4th: Parade starts at 11 a.m. … allegedly. I wouldn’t count in this starting anywhere close to on time based on history. 🙂
  • Saturday, July 4th: Fireworks at 9 p.m. over Cruz Bay

*I am not certain when Children’s Village opens this year. I will update when I get that date.

2026 Seasonal Closings List

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I’ve been getting a lot of questions regarding the 2026 seasonal closings list. Most restaurants have not decided on their closing dates at this point, as it is too soon. That being said, I have three for you, plus one that is permanently closed.

  • ZoZo’s: Closed until December
  • Lovango Resort + Beach Club: Closing July 17th; Reopening in December
  • High Tide: They will be closed September 21-27. Reopening September 28th.
  • Dave & Jerry’s: Closed permanently

Explore STJ’s 2026 Seasonal Closings list can be found at www.explorestj.com/closings. I will update this list as often as I can.

*** The 2025 Seasonal Closings List was last updated on September 4, 2025. The list below gives you an idea as to when they may close again for 2026. 

  • 1864 The Restaurant: Closing August 29th through October 3rd
  • Banana Deck: Last night is August 17th; Reopening date TBD (usually in late October or early November)
  • Beach Bar: Staying Open
  • Cafe Roma will be closed September 21st through October 5th.
  • Cap’s Place: Staying Open
  • Cinnamon Bay: Restaurant & campground closed in September & October; Food truck staying open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily
  • Coco Jim’s Staying open
  • Colombo’s: Closing a bit in September
  • Cruz Bay Landing: Will be open from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily during August, September & October. Will resume regular hours November 1st.
  • Dazey Drive In: Closing July 23rd: Reopening in November
  • De’ Coal Pot: Staying Open
  • Downtown Sips: Staying open
  • Drink: Closing August 7th with its annual Drink the Bar Dry party; Reopening date TBD
  • Extra Virgin Bistro: Closing August 3rd through mid-October
  • Giovanni Gelato and Coffee Shop: Currently closed; Reopening September 29th 
  • Greengo’s: Staying open
  • Heading East: Staying Open
  • Hercules Pate: Staying open
  • Hillside Terrace: Staying Open
  • Inn at Tamarind Court: Restaurant will be closed the month of September; Hotel will remain open
  • Johnny Lime: Closing August 10th; Reopening October 6th
  • Karma: Staying open
  • La Tapa: Last day is September 7th; Reopening October 24th
  • Lime Inn: Closing August 17th; Reopening October 6th
  • Lime Out: Closing August 15th; Reopening October 12th
  • Lovango Resort + Beach Club: Closing July 17th; Reopening mid-December
  • Lovango Rum Bar: Closing September 6th through the 21st
  • Love City BBQ: Staying open
  • Love City Tacos: Closing August 29th through September 23rd
  • Maho Crossroads: Staying Open
  • MidWay Bar & Grill: Staying open
  • Miss Lucy’s: Closed; Did not reopen for lunch or dinner this season
  • Morgan’s Mango: Last day is September 3rd; Reopening October 9th
  • North Shore Deli: Closing September 15th; Reopening October 1st
  • Ocean 362: Last night is August 31st; Reopening October 9th
  • P&P’s: Always call ahead
  • Parrot Club: Staying Open
  • Paulie’s Luncheonette: Closing September 6th through 14th
  • Pizzabar in Paradise: Closed permanently
  • Rhumb Lines: Permanently Closed
  • Ronnie’s Pizza: Closed fr season; Reopening date TBD
  • Sam & Jack’s: Closing for September
  • Shaibu’s: Closing August 23rd; Reopening early October
  • Shambles: Closing August 23rd; Reopening September 2nd
  • Sharky’s By the Water: Staying open (weather permitting)
  • Skinny Legs: Closing August 7th; Reopening on Halloween
  • Soggy Dollar Bar: Closing August 29th; Reopening October 4th
  • Sosa’s Food Truck: Staying Open
  • St. John Back Bar: Closing August 10th for about four weeks
  • St. John Provisions: Closing for the month of September
  • St. John Scoops: Staying Open
  • St. John Speakeasy: Last day is August 8th; Closed through October 1st
  • Surf Club Cantina: Closing September 15th through September 21st; Closing on Tuesdays only from August 19th through October 30th
  • Sun Dog Cafe: Staying Open
  • Tap & Still: Staying Open
  • The Tap Room: Staying Open
  • The Longboard: Staying Open
  • The Refinery: Staying open as of Aug. 12th
  • The Terrace: Last day is July 31st; Reopening September 10th
  • The Upstairs Bar: Staying Open
  • The Windmill Bar: Staying Open
  • Trunk Bay: Staying open
  • VI Wine Shop: Open Monday through Friday for the month of August (closed Saturday & Sunday); Regular hours resume in September