There’s a brand new webcam on island. If you like Coral Bay, this one’s for you!
The Coral Bay Community Council just launched its sponsored webcam that is perched high above Coral Bay. You can see Coral Bay harbor, Lime Out and more 24/7. And if that marina ever comes to fruition, you can see that too.
You can see this webcam, plus more than 20 others at www.explorestj.com/webcams. In the meantime, check it out below:
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.
Well folks, summer is unofficially over now that the Labor Day holiday has passed. I hope you all had a great Labor Day weekend, and hopefully many of you enjoyed a nice three-day weekend. I am back on island after my summer break, and I have to say, it’s great to be home. The island is unbelievably quiet right now. It’s such a lovely change of pace. With that being said, here’s a quick little update.
Let’s start with the obvious – we are in the thick of low season. We have visitors on island, but not many. There were about 10 people on Hawksnest this morning, and only three cars in the parking lot at Trunk Bay when I drove past it this morning around 10 a.m. There was only one car beside me at The Windmill Bar when they opened, although there was a cow wandering through the parking lot when I arrived! Check out the video I posted over at my Instagram page – @explorestj.
Despite it being low season, there are still a good amount of restaurants open. High Tide, Karma and The Beach Bar are still open on the beach in Cruz Bay. The Tap Room, Scoops, Sun Dog and Greengo’s are open over at Mongoose Junction. And around town you have Cap’s Place, Uncle Joe’s BBQ, Woodys, Cafe Roma, and Downtown Sips to name a few. The concession at Trunk Bay, and the bar and food truck at Maho Bay remain open too. Check out the full list of seasonal closings at www.explorestj.com/closings.
After being in a drought for months, the island is finally getting some rain. It’s not a ton, but it’s a good start. I saw a lot of puddles while driving around today, and I even saw a peacock drinking out of one over in Frank Bay. Puddles are good because it provides water for our beloved donkeys, the deer and other animals throughout the island. It’s also helping to green up the island, which is much-needed.
Speaking of donkeys, I saw three at the Westin yesterday. It’s unusual to see them over there, so it was a treat to catch a glimpse of them on my way home.
My son Dalton starts school tomorrow – third grade! Time certainly flies!
Explore STJ island tours are back in operation again. You can learn more about my island tours at www.explorestj.com/tour. We are rated “Excellent” on TripAdvisor.
That’s it for today. Chat tomorrow!
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.
Tropical Storm Dolly formed yesterday, and it is currently headed toward St. John. But there is no reason to worry, as Dolly looks like she will fizzle out before arriving in the Virgin Islands. If the current forecast holds true, Tropical Storm Dolly will be downgraded to a tropical depression by the time it arrives in the Territory this Sunday. This means that St. John will receive much-needed rain and very little wind.
St. John, and the Virgin Islands as a whole, is in the midst of an extreme drought. The island is dry, brown and crunchy looking. We desperately need rain, so Dolly is somewhat of a blessing. According to Windy.com, it looks like we could get almost an inch-and-a-half of rain between Monday and Tuesday. Fingers crossed that happens.
The rain forecast from Windy.com Friday morning.
The island is extremely quiet at the moment, but for those of you who are on island, here are a few things for you to do in the rain.
Check out the shops at Mongoose Junction. When it rains hard, the gut that runs through Mongoose will turn into a river. It’s a cool site to check out. You can also stop by The Tap Room, Sun Dog Cafe, Greengo’s and Scoop’s. They all remain open during off-season.
Enjoy a few daytime drinks on the beach. The Beach Bar, High Tide and Karma remain open.
Visit some of the island’s historic sites. Annaberg, Cinnamon Bay and Catherineberg are just a few historical places that are very interesting to check out.
Things to be aware of:
If it does rain hard, driving will be tricky. You will need four wheel drive to get up some of the island’s steep hills. Also, be mindful of the small rocks and debris that may come off of the hillsides and into the road.
Beaches can possibly be murky, so you will want to avoid swimming even after the rain passes. I see this most often at Maho Bay, specifically the turtle side (to the left if looking at the water). The murkiness is caused by runoff.
Want to know exactly what’s open at the moment? Check out Explore STJ’s seasonal closing list at www.explorestj.com/closings.
Explore STJ Island Tours reopens for the season September 7th!
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.
Additional hotel rooms are currently being constructed at the Wharfside Hotel, and the way they are doing it is quite interesting.
Large containers and a giant crane arrived in Cruz Bay yesterday, as part of the final hotel addition. The rooms are prefabricated and made of steel by the Nuconic company, which is based in Poland. It appears that the rooms have come completely assembled and simply need to be put in place. And for those of you who are familiar with Cruz Bay’s narrow streets, you know that will be a feat in itself.
Traffic was stopped frequently yesterday as the rooms arrived, and at one point WAPA – the island’s power company – had to hoist up some power lines. People traveling in Cruz Bay can expect some delays while this continues. Check out a few pics and video:
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.
A great property recently hit the MLS. This is one that you’re going to want to check out!
32 Freeman’s Ground is a newly-renovated, one-bedroom concrete home that includes a rare 121 feet of private shoreline in St. John. There aren’t too many homes that are located on the water, so check this one out!
Newly renovated from top to bottom, this masonry cottage has been thoughtfully rebuilt with modern systems, high-end finishes, and everyday comforts. Set on a combined .45-acre parcel, the property includes a rare 121′ of private waterfront, with the waterfront portion consisting of .18 acres zoned W-1.
Ideally located along Rt. 108, you’ll enjoy convenient access to grocery stores, shops, and watersports. The elevated main living level captures water views while sitting comfortably above the road, creating a pleasant sense of separation. Gentle topography offers exceptional usability and excellent potential for future expansion. Check out a few pictures:
Here are some additional highlights:
New Impact rated glass sliding windows
New exterior doors
Roll down hurricane shutters
All new electric wiring and plumbing lines
Whole house surge protector on meter box
New Generac 14kw whole house generator with automatic transfer switch
Two new 100-gallon propane tanks
New Hydro Action Waste Treatment System
New 3-stage water filtration system with two UV bulbs
32 Freeman’s Ground is listed for $890,000. If you are interested or if you would like to learn more about other St. John properties that are currently for sale, please contact me, Jenn Manes, at jenn@explorestj.com, or via text/call at 203-376-3786. I am a licensed realtor with 340 Real Estate.
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.
1864 The Restaurant: Closing at the end of August; Tentatively reopening early October
Banana Deck: Closing August 16th; Reopening November 1st
Beach Bar: Closed September 14 through September 27th
Blind Donkey: Staying open
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
Cruz Bay Landing: Staying open
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
Extra Virgin Bistro: Last night is August 14th; Reopening October 27th
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.
The Island Refinery STJ: Lsast night is August 16th; Reopening date TBD
Johnny Lime: Will be offering a broader pizza menu and salads Friday through Monday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. through mid-October.
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 August 1st through mid-October
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.
Bajo el Sol
Flavorful Delights
Greengo’s
Mooie’s
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.
