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Halloween Festivities Begin Today!

Jenn Manes October 30, 2025

Halloween is not until tomorrow, but the festivities start today! Here is a quick rundown of what’s happening for Halloween in St. John this year.

The Tap Room – Thursday, October 30th

The Tap Room is holding its annual costume party tonight from 8 p.m. to midnight. There will be prizes for the best costumes and drink specials. The Tap Room is located on the second floor of Mongoose Junction in Cruz Bay.

The Windmill Bar – Thursday, October 30th & Halloween Night

The Windmill Bar is having a haunted house this year. In fact, they plan to have two separate haunted houses! This is happening tonight and tomorrow from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Donations will support the St. John Revolving Fund. The Windmill Bar is currently decked out with dozens of pumpkins, so stop by and check it out if you are able to.

HALLOWEEN DAY & NIGHT

Mongoose Junction

Mongoose Junction will host a trick-or-treat event on Halloween from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Trick-or-treaters can go business to business to collect delicious Halloween treats.

Trunk or Treat

There will be a large trunk or treat event at the gravel lot in Cruz Bay. This is a great family event. This event begins at 4:30 p.m. and continues until 7 p.m. The no see ums so come out around sunset, so bring your bug spray.

Skinny Legs, Coral Bay

Skinny Legs will reopen for the season Friday night with its annual Halloween party. The party and music starts at 7 p.m. The costume contest will begin at 9 p.m.

Cruz Bay Bars

Several Cruz Bay bars will have Halloween parties and costume contests Friday night, including Drink, Lovango Rum Bar, Upstairs, and more. The Beach Bar and Parrot Club typically get into the action too. Chances are, if you wander Cruz Bay Friday night, you will stumble on a Halloween party rather quickly.

Saturday, November 1st – Johnny Lime Haunted House

Johnny Lime will host a haunted house on Saturday, November 1st at 5:30 p.m. There will be a kid’s costume contest at 7 p.m. There will be live music and drink specials too.

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 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 Book Now.

Two Affordable Parcels Listed For Sale; Owner Financing May Be Available

Jenn Manes October 29, 2025

Are you looking to build a home here on St. John? Are you looking for gentle breezes and views of the harbor, British Virgin Islands or lush valleys, all while being close to Skinny Legs, Lime Out and all of the other great restaurants and shops in Coral Bay? If so, you may be interested in one of the two properties that I recently listed for sale.

I am a licensed real estate agent with 340 Real Estate.

8-36 Emmaus, Coral Bay

This quarter-acre lot is located in the Seagrape Hill subdivision, which you enter from Route 10 (Centerline Road) just before Skinny Legs in Coral Bay. This property is priced to sell at $99,000. Owner financing may be available to qualified buyers, making this an even more attractive buy.

This property is accessed from fully paved roads, and there are utilities nearby. It has westerly views of Coral Bay harbor in addition to lush valley views. This property is peaceful and private, yet still close enough to the action of Coral Bay. You could walk to Skinny Legs if you want to, although you probably wouldn’t want to walk home uphill. 🙂 But it’s that close that you can!

Seagrape Hill is located near Skinny Legs and across from the fire station in Coral Bay.

Great breezes and beautiful views toward Coral Bay harbor and Bordeaux Mountain

The restaurants and shops of Coral Bay are minutes away.

Here is a link to the full listing: https://www.flexmls.com/share/CzzmB/8-36-Emmaus-Coral-Bay-St-John-US-VI-00830

This property – 8-36 Emmaus – is listed with me, Jenn Manes, for $99,000. I am a licensed real estate agent with 340 Real Estate. Please contact me at jenn@explorestj.com or 203-376-3786 for more information.

10-25F Carolina, Coral Bay

This .35-acre parcel has beautiful views of Coral Bay harbor, the Sir Francis Drake Channel, the British Virgin Islands and beyond. This lot is located on Bordeaux Mountain and faces east. Access is relatively easy, as well. If you are in Coral Bay, you would drive up Route 108. From there, you would take the second left and the property will be on your left. It is currently a bit overgrown due to the amount of rain the island has received over the past several months, but a little clearly would reveal amazing views.

10-25F is the lot located on the left side of this road.

A little clearing would reveal beautiful water views.

The current owners have expired house plans that they would provide to the new owners. Obtaining architectural plans is an integral part of the house-building process, so this is a big advantage that will save you time and money.

10-25F Carolina includes expired plans for a two story home.

This property is also priced to sell, and owner financing may be available to qualified buyers. This property – 10-25F Emmaus – is listed with me, Jenn Manes, for $115,000. I am a licensed real estate agent with 340 Real Estate. Please contact me at jenn@explorestj.com or 203-376-3786 for more information.

Want to know what else is listed for sale in St. John. Click here to search the current MLS listings, which include homes, condos, land, commercial and fractional properties. You can search these properties 24/7 at 340realestate.com/mls.

🏡 Are you looking to purchase a home, condo, vacation rental or land on St. John? Interested in what businesses are currently available for sale? Are you a current home or land owner who is looking to sell? If so, I would love to help you! I am a licensed real estate agent with 340 Real Estate.

I have been a licensed tour guide on St. John for more than eight years. I know this island extremely well. I would love to help you on your real estate journey, whether it be buying the property of your dreams or selling a current one you may have.

Please feel free to contact me at anytime by email at jenn@explorestj.com, or via text/call at 203-376-3786.

1st Cruise Ship of the Season Arrives Near Cruz Bay

Jenn Manes October 28, 2025

The Star Pride as seen from The Windmill Bar on Monday, October 27th.

If you were lucky enough to be around Cruz Bay yesterday, you may have noticed that there was a cruise ship anchored near Cruz Bay. The Star Pride, a luxury cruise ship operated by Windstar Cruises, was anchored off of Honeymoon Beach for most of the day and could even be seen from some of the island’s webcams, including a very popular one located up at The Windmill Bar.

Cruise ship visits to St. John are not super uncommon. It is normal to see some of the smaller luxury ships like SeaDream or the Ritz Carlton Yacht Collection anchored off of Cruz Bay during the high season months. I was surprised to see one visit us in October. I believe the first one that visited last year came in late November.

The cruise ships that anchor off of St. John are usually small. Star Pride, for example, can only carry a maximum of 312 guests. They transport guests to shore using a small tender. The larger cruise ships that carry thousands of passengers have to dock over in St. Thomas.

Want to see what’s happening around St. John in real time? Check out Explore STJ’s webcam page at www.explorestj.com.webcams. We have more than 20 live-streaming webcams for you to view.

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 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 Book Now.

Cinnamon Bay Campground Reopens Saturday

Jenn Manes October 27, 2025

There are three options for camping at Cinnamon Bay – eco tents, cottages and tent sites.

The campground at Cinnamon Bay will reopen for guests on Saturday, November 1st, following two months of its annual closure. Not only will the camping sites reopen, but the restaurant beside the large rain tree will reopen and programing like its popular campground chats will return.

Cinnamon Bay is the only campground in the Virgin Islands National Park. It’s located on St. John’s north shore, between Trunk Bay and Maho Bay. (Peter Bay is to its west, but that beach does not have public road access.) Cinnamon Bay is less than 20 minutes from Cruz Bay, and the taxis go there regularly.

The campground has three levels of camping. They have basic tent sites, large eco tents that are complete with beds, fans and outlets, as well as concrete cottages. This is one of the most affordable ways to stay on St. John. There are some sites that are only 40 steps from Cinnamon Bay beach, so if you want to stay on the beach in the National Park, this is a great way to do it.

In addition to the restaurant, there is a snack shack near the beach that is open. They have a few lunch opens as well as non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages. There are also watersports rentals available onsite too. Cinnamon Bay has very clean restrooms in addition to a spot where you can wash the sand off of your feet. It’s a great place to spend the day. And lastly, they have a fantastic gift shop.

Cinnamon Bay is one of my favorite places to visit. Be sure to check it out on your next trip.

Pizza is Returning to Coral Bay!

Jenn Manes October 21, 2025

I have such great news to share with you all today! Pizza is returning to Coral Bay! It’s the little things in life sometimes. 🙂

Like many of you, I was bummed when I learned that Pizzabar in Paradise was forced to close earlier this year due to lease renewal issues. Pizzabar was the last spot to serve pizza in Coral Bay after Salty Mongoose closed a few years back. Well today. I am excited to tell you that Johnny Lime is now offering pizza in addition to their regular Caribbean BBQ menu. How exciting!

Johnny Lime is a great little Caribbean BBQ spot located across the street from Coral Bay harbor. It’s in the former Oasis location and right beside Surf Club Cantina and Sharky’s (the old Salty Mongoose location). It’s an open-air spot with great views, breezes, and, of course, great food.

Johnny Lime holds lots of fun weekly events, including open mic nights every Tuesday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. They also host trivia every Wednesday, although I do not believe that has started yet this season. But when it does, it is definitely the place to be every Wednesday night.

For those of you who plan to be on island this Halloween, Johnny Lime is having a Haunted House on Saturday, November 1st. There will be a kids costume contest at 7 p.m. in addition to live music and drink specials. A portion of the proceeds raised at this event will supports Kats, St. John’s Kids and the Sea sailing program.

Johnny Lime is open daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. It is closed on Thursdays.

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 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 Book Now.

A Closer Look: Blind Donkey

Jenn Manes October 20, 2025

Blind Donkey is a new bar that is located in the former Quiet Mon Pub space.

Over the summer, we told you how a new bar – Blind Donkey – opened in the former Quiet Mon Pub location. I finally had a chance to check it out for myself, and I really liked it! Here are the details…

Blind Donkey is the newest endeavor of Todd Beaty. Todd is the owner of Cruz Bay Landing, a great little sit-down restaurant with gazebo bar that’s located in the park across from the ferry dock in Cruz Bay. He and his twin brother Chad also owned Woody’s back in the day. (They sold that back in 2013.) Well Todd recently decided to get back into the bar scene, and opened Blind Donkey with his friend Patrick Rooney last summer.

Blind Donkey is located in the former Quiet Mon Pub spot, and it has been completely transformed. There is a new large bar, and plenty of seating throughout. There are televisions scattered around the bar, so it’s a great place to watch a sporting event while indulging in a cold cocktail or two. Check it out:

I absolutely love sitting outside on the rail. People watching is great up here!

Be sure to check out Blind Donkey during your next visit!

Blind Donkey is just a bar, so only drinks are served. They have an extensive wine list, which always makes me happy! They also have a variety of cocktails, frozen drinks, beers and seltzers. They have draft beer too!

Blind Donkey opens at noon daily. They are open until midnight unless people are having too much fun to close. In that case, they will close when they close. 🙂

Blind Donkey has happy hour from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. daily. During that time, they have draft beer specials and two-for-one Moscow Mules.

And lastly, Blind Donkey is holding a Mutt Mixer to raise funds for the Animal Care Center on Tuesday, November 11th from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. I will be there, and I hope many of you will be too!

Want to see what’s happening over at Blind Donkey? Be sure to check out their new webcam! You can see this, plus more than 20 other St. John-based webcams on Explore STJ’s webcam page at www.explorestj.com/webcams.

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 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 Book Now.