Great news Nashville friends! A direct flight straight to St. Thomas is coming next year!
Southwest Airlines announced that it plans to add a direct flight between Nashville and St. Thomas beginning on Saturday, March 19th. The flight will leave Nashville at 10:25 a.m. and will arrive in St. Thomas at 4:30 p.m. The plane will quickly turnaround and will leave St. Thomas at 5:10 p.m. and will land at 7:45 p.m.
(The reason for the flight time discrepancy is due to the time change. The US Virgin Islands does not observe daylight savings time.)
As of this morning, the cheapest seat for that date is about $950. That’s a pretty big chuck of change. Let’s hope that price drops in the future.
Southwest began flying to St. Thomas earlier this year with direct flights from Baltimore and Tampa.
Want to learn more about St. John? Take an island tour with me!
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.
Low season is right around the corner. Due to the expected drop of visitors, the ferry schedule is set to be altered. The following changes will be in effect from Sunday, July 26th through Saturday, October 31st.
Red Hook/Cruz Bay Route
The 6:30 a.m., 7:30 a.m., and 8:30 a.m. ferry from Red Hook to Cruz Bay will no longer run. Instead, the ferry will leave Red Hook at 6 a.m., 7 a.m., and 8 a.m.
There will no longer be a 9 p.m. or an 11 p.m. ferry from Red Hook to Cruz Bay. The last ferry will still leave Red Hook at 11:30 p.m.
On the flip side, there will not be a 10 p.m. ferry that leaves Cruz Bay for Red Hook. The last ferry will still leave Cruz Bay at 11 p.m.
Charlotte Amalie/Cruz Bay Route
The route between Charlotte Amalie and Cruz Bay will also be affected during this time period. The Charlotte Amalie to Cruz Bay ferry will only leave at 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. during this period. The Cruz Bay to Charlotte Amalie ferry will only leave at 8:45 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. The last two ferries for each route will not run during this time period.
Crown Bay/Cruz Bay Route
It does not appear that this route will have any changes; however it is recommended that you purchase your tickets in advance.
Again, these changes will be in effect from Sunday, July 26th through Saturday, October 31st.
The temporary changes are highlighted in blue.
Want to learn more about St. John? Take an island tour with me!
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.
We’ve got most of the closings now. This list can change at anytime, so please check back often. Also, businesses may alter dates. I will continue to do my best to provide you all with the most up-to-date and accurate information.
Explore STJ Island Tours: Closed July 28th through September 8th
Banana Deck: Closing August 16th; Reopening November 1st
Beach Bar: Closed September 14 through September 27th
Cafe Roma: Closed September 29th through November 2nd-ish
Cap’s Place: Staying Open
Cinnamon Bay Campground & Raintree Cafe: Closed September & October; Food truck will remain open
Coco Jim’s Staying open
Colombo’s: Permanently closed. (Drifter’s is now in its place.)
Cool Desires: Will close mid-September through mid-October
Dave & Jerry’s: Closed permanently
Dazey’s Bayhouse: Closed September 22nd through October 15th; Will only be open for mornings starting the last week of July
De’ Coal Pot: Staying open, but with reduced hours. Will be open Monday through Saturday from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Closed on Sundays for off season.
Downtown Sips: Staying open
Drink: August 7th is its last night, and they plan to hold their annual Drink the Bar Dry party; Reopening on Halloween
Drifter’s (former Colombo’s location): Staying open
Giovanni Gelato and Coffee Shop: Will be closed from August 4th; Reopening on September 29th
Heading East: Staying Open
Hercules Pate: Staying open
Hillside Terrace: Staying Open
High Tide: They will be closed September 21-27. Reopening September 28th.
Inn at Tamarind Court: Hotel will remain open; The restaurant will close for breakfast September 1st and will reopen for breakfast September 22nd. The restaurant will be closed for dinner for the month of September.
Johnny Lime: Will close August 9th for a few days. They plan to reopen with a special summer menu that includes pizza, salads and more.
Karma: Staying open
La Tapa: Closed September through mid-October
Lime Inn: Last Day is August 14th; First Day Open is October 11th
Lime Out: Last Day is August 14th; First Day Open is October 11th
Little Olive: Closing early September; Reopening late October
Lovango Resort + Beach Club: Closed; Reopening in December
Lovango Rum Bar: Closing September 8th through September 22nd
Love City BBQ: Staying open
Love City Tacos: Will be closed September 13th through September 20th for repairs, maintenance, and a seasonal break.
Maho Crossroads: Staying Open
MidWay Bar & Grill: Staying open
Miss Lucy’s: Closed; Did not reopen for lunch or dinner this season; Thursday Night Open Mic will return this fall. Date TBD.
Morgan’s Mango: Last day open is August 30th; Reopening October 8th
Nella’s: Staying open
North Shore Deli: Will likely close the last two weeks of September
Ocean 362: Closed for the month of September; Reopening in October
Our Market Smoothies: Staying open
P&P’s: Always call ahead
Paulie’s Luncheonette: Staying open
Ronnie’s Pizza: Closing August 7th; Reopening date TBD (probably September-ish)
Sam & Jack’s: Closing the month of September; Reopening October 1st
Shaibu’s: closed starting August 8th; Reopening TBD (probably mid to late September)
Shambles: Will be closed September 1st through September 14th; Reopening September 15th
Sharky’s By the Water: Closed permanently
Skinny Legs: Closing August 8th; Reopening on Halloween
Soggy Dollar Bar: Closing August 26th; Reopening October 7th
Sosa’s Food Truck: Staying Open
St. John Back Bar: Staying Open with Limited Hours in August & September
St. John Provisions: Closing dates TBD
St. John Scoops: Staying Open
St. John Speakeasy: Closed August 1st through September 30th
Surf Club Cantina: Closing the week of September 20th
Sun Dog Cafe: Staying Open
Tap & Still: Closing two to three weeks starting August 17th
The Grub with Chef Tad: Staying open. Hours are Monday through Friday 7:30am to 3pm
The Longboard: Staying Open
The Parrot Club: Staying open
The Tap Room
The Terrace: Last day is July 31st; Reopening in October. Exact date TBD
The Upstairs Bar: Staying Open
The Windmill Bar: Staying Open
Trunk Bay: Staying open
Uncle Joe’s BBQ: Staying open
VI Wine Shop: Will be offering small plates Monday through Friday through the end of August; September TBD
Woody’s: Undecided
ZoZo’s: Closed until December
I contacted the following business and am waiting to hear back.
1864 The Restaurant
Bajo el Sol
Blind Donkey
Cruz Bay Landing
Extra Virgin Bistro
Flavorful Delights
Greengo’s
Mooie’s
The Island Refinery STJ
Please check back for updates.
If you are a restaurant owner or manager, and you would like to update your listing, please email jenn@explorestj.com.
Want to learn more about St. John? Take an island tour with me!
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.
The new Raintree Mini Mart is now open in Cruz Bay.
Sometimes it’s the little things in life, you know?
The island has been buzzing about a brand new grocery store in Cruz Bay. Raintree Mini Mart recently opened in the former Baby’s location, and the store truly looks great!
Raintree is owned by Neil, who also owns all of the Dolphin Markets around the island. And I have to say, he did a great job with the renovation and choice of products inside. Take a look…
Raintree Mini Mart is a great addition to the island and especially for those of you who stay at Grande Bay, Gallows Point, Wharfside Hotel and Cruz Bay Hotel. If you are unfamiliar with its location, it is located beside the Catholic Church, which is roughly a three-minute walk from the ferry dock.
Raintree Mini Mart is open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Want to learn more about St. John? Take an island tour with me!
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.
We are in the midst of St. John’s annual Festival celebration. The timing coincides with the Fourth of July, but our festival isn’t celebrating the Declaration of Independence. It is honoring one of the most important days in St. John’s history – emancipation.
The Danes took control of St. John in 1718. At that time, they brought enslaved people to the island to work the sugar plantations. The enslaved people were finally freed on July 3, 1848. July 4th is celebrated so widely on St. John, because it was the first morning of freedom for the formerly-enslaved people. July 3rd is Emancipation Day and will be honored with a ceremony at Slim’s parking lot later today. J’ouvert – an event that celebrates the first sunrise of freedom – was held this morning.
A pic from this morning’s j’ouvert
How Word of Emancipation was Spread
Captain Ingjald Mourier was the owner of the Lameshur plantation in 1848. He arrived in Cruz Bay from St. Thomas to alert everyone about the pronouncement of Emancipation. He quickly informed Police Master Carl Hanshell of the news, and the pair set off on horseback to inform people across the island. The enslaved population on Estate Adrian – which is about three miles up Centerline Road – were the first to learn of their newfound freedom. From there, word of emancipation was spread plantation to plantation.
J’ouvert
J’ouvert is a street party that celebrates the first sunrise of freedom. This celebration is typically held at daybreak on July 4th, but has been held a day or two early the last couple of years. During j’ouvert, people dance through the streets while celebrating freedom. J’ouvert was held in Cruz Bay this morning.
Kid’s Carnival
Tonight is the last night of Kid’s Carnival. It is happening from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. beside the baseball field and playground in Cruz Bay. Tickets for each game are $1.
July 4th Parade Details
The parade is scheduled to start at 11 a.m. Think island time, my friends. Wear comfy shoes and loose fitting clothes, because this is a hot and long one.
The parade starts behind the ball field in Cruz Bay. It continues in front of Mongoose Junction and toward Cap’s Place and the Post Office. It takes a right at the Post Office and goes toward the ferry dock. It then takes a left up the one-way past Pelican Post. It will then continue up the hill past Woody’s and Extra Virgin until it reaches the roundabout.
July 4th Fireworks Information
The fireworks are usually set up from one of the barges in front of Cruz Bay harbor. Cruz Bay beach is a great spot to watch them. The Cruz Bay overlook is too. The fireworks are scheduled to start at 9 p.m. You may be able to see them from one of our webcams. See them all at www.explorestj.com/webcams.
Music
The music this year is not to be missed! Stop by the Village tonight and tomorrow night for great music! Here is tonight’s lineup:
It’s a great time to be in St. John!
If you are unable to be on island, you can check out some of the island’s webcams to see the celebration. View them at www.ExploreSTJ.com/webcams. You may be able to catch some of the fireworks on St. John Spice’s Spice Cam.
Enjoy everyone! Happy Festival! And Happy Fourth of July! Stay safe!
