For those of you who are looking for an adorable, one bedroom cottage, look no further because I recently listed a super cute one!
Island Cottage is a beautiful and well-maintained home that has views of Coral Bay harbor, including colorful morning sunrises. This cottage is perfect for couples, although it can easily be expanded to add another bedroom or even a second living pod. Island Cottage is very private, as it is tucked into a lush hillside.
Island Cottage is located near the bottom of Route 108 in Coral Bay. No super scary steep roads here! For those of you who like to walk places, you can easily walk down the paved hill to Johnny Lime, Surf Club Cantina, Sharky’s, Jolly Dog and Zemi. Island Cottage features a flat parking pad with room to accommodate two vehicles.
You access the home through a new, goat-proof gate (island life!) and down a set of newly painted stairs complete with deck lighting. From there you will pass a nicely-sized shaded seating area behind the home before you walk out to a large, wraparound deck. A brand new hot tub was just installed, as well as a brand new grill and hightop table and chairs. There are breezes galore on the deck in addition to beautiful water and hillside views.
Inside the home feels spacious and airy. Island Cottage features a traditional hip roof, so the interior ceiling is simply stunning. There is a large bedroom with king-sized bed that opens up to a smaller section of the outdoor deck. The bathroom with large outdoor shower is accessed from the bedroom.
This is a frame home with masonry foundation. It currently has wind insurance, which can likely convey, meaning you can apply to get a traditional mortgage on this property. There are two 5,000-gallon cisterns onsite in addition to a large laundry room. The home also has a UV filtration system which makes the water drinkable. And lastly, Island Cottage sustained minimal damage from the 2017 hurricanes. This home is well-built and is truly a must-see!
The asking price for Island Cottage is $725,000. Island Cottage is listed with me, Jenn Manes. I am a licensed agent at 340 Real Estate Co.. Please email me at jenn@explorestj.com or call/text at 203-376-3786 to learn more. I am happy to answer any questions you may have. Financials are available upon request. All confirmed rental reservations must be honored.
Hello everyone, and happy Tuesday! I get a lot of emails asking about the quickest way to get to St. John. Well, today, I am excited to tell you about a new-to-me water taxi that can get you to St. John not only quickly, but efficiently!
Water Taxi Services
Relentless and Tenacity are ready to transfer you from St. Thomas to St. John. They’re available for private day charters too!
SeaHorse Land & Water Taxi provides transfers from the moment you exit the airport until you get to your hotel, condo or villa on St. John. They can help you save time, so you can get your feet in the sand that much quicker! Airport pickup to having your feet on St. John will take under an hour. How fantastic is that??!!
SeaHorse Water Taxi is the highest-rated water taxi in the US Virgin Islands with more than 200 five-star reviews. It has also been named the best water taxi in the USVI by LuxLife for the past three years in a row. They can take one passenger or over 100, and everything in between. Their biggest transfer was 130 people. Now that’s impressive! They even offer water taxi services to the British Virgin Islands where they will take care of everything, including customs. They like to make the process swift and easy, which is music to my ears.
Rates for SeaHorse’s land and water taxi starts at $527 for up to four people. That includes private transfer from the airport and over to your accommodation or car rental on St. John. Click here to learn more and to book.
Boat Charters in the USVI & BVI
This could be you!
SeaHorse also offer day charters in both the US Virgin Island and British Virgin Islands. Their two boats – named Relentless and Tenacity – are each a Grady White 330 Express. They chose to use this style of boat for its “kitchen table” factor, as they call it.
“Most day trip boats have some seating in the front and some in back, separating your party. With our boats, all the seating in the middle and stern of the boat, it is more like the kitchen table where the family gathers round to be together,” owner Kenny Anderson recently told me.
“The boats are also wider and they have a variety of different seating options, so everyone will find their perfect spot,” Kenny continued. “The half covered boat set up is also great for kids or adults after a long day in the sun, so they can grab some shade. We have a ‘Mi Casa es tu Casa’ approach to hospitality.”
Both Relentless and Tenacity have covered seating, plus a bathroom onboard. They also provide a cooler for guests filled with beer, water, soda and hard seltzers.
“Want an entire beach to yourself for a few hours? Let’s go find one,” Kenny said. “Our captains have experience from four to 20 years. Have you been there, done that already? Our captains can definitely show you something new.”
Kenny said sometimes a captain will find fresh coconuts for guests, for example. They crack it open to share fresh coconut milk with guests. It’s that personalized service that SeaHorse prides itself on.
SeaHorse can bring you to fun spots like Jost Van Dyke, The Baths, Lime Out, Pizza Pi, and more. What does your dream private day trip look like? Not quite sure? Looking for something custom, off the beaten path and unique? Get some ideas from SeaHorse Water Taxi’s Virgin Islands Day Trip Planning.
As many of you know, I became a licensed realtor earlier this year. I announced this exciting new venture in May, and one of the first people to contact me was Greg Ellis.
Greg and Pam Ellis have been visiting St. John for more than 15 years. They love the island like many of you do, and they dreamed of owning their own place here. Greg told me that he and Pam planned to visit in July, and he asked me to show them one specific property – a one-bedroom condo at Sunset Ridge.
Greg and Pam Ellis were two of my first real estate clients. They purchased their first home on St. John last month.We were excited to check out the new units for sale at Sunset Ridge when we first met back in July.
Sunset Ridge is a condo community located above Cruz Bay. It’s a less than 10-minute drive to Cruz Bay (1.4 miles to be exact), and the views are absolutely incredible. Sunset Ridge has always been an interval property, but two newer buildings have recently been completely are were listed for sale. Greg and Pam had their eyes on one of the two one-bedroom units that were available. One of the best features of Sunset Ridge is its large pool that has incredible views of Cruz Bay, Pillsbury Sound, St. Thomas and beyond. The sunsets up there are second to none.
The shared pool has panoramic views of St. Thomas, the Caribbean Sea and beyond.There’s a reason they call it Sunset Ridge!
Greg and Pam looked at the property in July, made an offer a few months later and closed just before Thanksgiving. I am excited to let you all know that their new home – Sunset Dream – is St. John’s newest vacation condo.
Sunset Dream is a spacious, one-bedroom with southerly views of the Caribbean Sea. Sunset Dream has a king-sized bed, brand new furnishings, appliances and decor, and you can be some of the first people to check it out! It even has a washer and dryer, so there is less packing for you to do! It has a sweet balcony area too, where you can enjoy beautiful views and sunsets, and perhaps even a late afternoon cocktail while sitting at the brand new hightop bar.
Doesn’t it look great??!!
There is also a large, shared patio outside of Sunset Dream where you have even more space to enjoy the view. Sunset Dream comes with everything you need for the perfect beach day, including chairs and coolers. It also has its own parking spot.
Rates for Sunset Dream start at $375 a night and vary based on season.
Interested? Want to know more? Check out Sunset Dream’s website at www.dreamstj.com.
Congrats Greg and Pam! I am so happy for you both!
If you would like to purchase a property on St. John like Greg and Pam, I would absolutely love to help you. Please contact me at jenn@explorestj.com to learn more. I am also happy to help you list a property you currently own. I am a licensed realtor with 340 Real Estate Co.
Hello everyone, and happy Friday! There are so many great island events coming up. Here is a quick rundown!
Friday, December 6th: Family & Friends Photo Fun is happening on the beach in front of Drink from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. You can get a 10-minute mini photo session with Nancy Borowick, who is an incredible photographer living here on St. John, for a $25 donation. All proceeds will support Gifft Hill School’s booster activities for kids.
Saturday, December 7th: The Nazareth Evangelical Lutheran Church is holding a Christmas food sale with tasty local entrees and holiday sweets. The sale is happening on the church lawn beginning at 10 a.m.
Saturday, December 7th: The annual Bazaar Bizarre is back! Shop your favorite local businesses at Johnny Lime between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. There will also be live music, and food available to purchase.
Tuesday, December 10th: The St. John Historical Society is holding a shipwreck talk presented by Colin Hanson, a SJHS board member, and his wife, Leah Randall Hanson. (The pair owns FlyAway Charters and Pirate’s Cove in Coral Bay.) The presentation will focus primarily on the Eden shipwreck, the unique history of St. John’s East End, and how it’s relevant to the Eden. The event takes place at 7 p.m. at the Bethany Moravian Church. This is a free event.
Saturday, December 14th: The 2nd annual Cruz Bay Jolly Jog – a fun run for kids – is taking place at the National Park Dock. It takes place from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., and children of all ages are welcome. Holiday attire is encouraged.
Saturday, December 14th: The Love City Pan Dragons are holding a holiday concert and fundraiser at St. John School of the Arts. The event starts at 5 p.m.
Saturday, December 14th: The Prom, also known as the All-Island Holiday Party, will begin at 9 p.m. in the courtyard at Mongoose Junction. Dress in your island best for this one!
Saturday, December 21st: Have breakfast with Santa at Sun Dog Cafe from 9 a.m. to noon.
Sunday, December 22nd: The Reindeer Ramble 5k and kid’s one-mile run will take place at 8 a.m. at the Annaberg parking lot. Festive attire is encourage. No entry fee is required.
Sunday, December 22nd: There will be a farmer’s market in Coral Bay at Our Place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be plant and seed swap too.
Tuesday, December 24th: The 2nd annual Christmas boat parade will start at 7 p.m. in Coral Bay. Santa plans to stop by Johnny Lime that night at 5 p.m. There will be a snowball fight at Dazey Drive In at 6 p.m.
Tuesday, December 24th: Christmas carolers will, once again, be making the rounds in Cruz Bay. Be on the lookout for this fun group!
Thursday, December 26th: A Kwanzaa celebration featuring the music of Quelbe Resurrection will take place beginning at 5:30 p.m. The event will feature music, performances and art.
Want to learn more about St. John? Take an island tour with me!
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.
Our sleepy little quirky town on the quieter side of the island just received some well-deserved accolades in a very popular publication. The New York Times featured Coral Bay in a great article earlier this week.
Described as a place that has a “backwater vibe” and where flip-flops are optional, Coral Bay was featured as a little-known gem off the Caribbean that is uncrowded, relaxed and simply perfect.
The article begins…
Ever daydream about vacationing alone on a tropical beach, where it’s just you, fluffy clouds and welcoming waves? That quiet relaxation is what I was looking for this fall on St. John, the smallest and wildest of the U.S. Virgin Islands. It has a reputation for being an off-the-beaten-path Caribbean gem. But I wasn’t sure what I’d find.
The piece spoke of hurricanes Irma and Maria, as well as the island’s resilience and ability to bounce back from two category five hurricanes, plus a worldwide pandemic. The article was very well-written, and I have to say, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I always appreciate when St. John get’s the praise and recognition it deserves. We truly live in, and many of you vacation in, one of the most amazing places in the world. How fortunate are we?
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.
I am super excited to share today’s post with you. This is something I have been working on for a while, and we are finally ready to share it with all of you! This is the first time this property has been listed for sale, so it’s a really big deal!
Joy of Life Villa is an extremely successful, income-producing property that has, arguably, some of the best views on island. It is located on a lush, professionally landscaped 1.5+ acre parcel that’s just minutes from Coral Bay. Located in the serene setting of Freemans’ Ground, Joy of Life Villa is the ultimate couples retreat. Joy of Life Villa has two income-producing living spaces – Joy of Life Suite and the Sunrise Sweet – in addition to a caretaker’s suite, which can easily be converted into an income-producing living space should you choose to.
Joy of Life VillaJoy of Life Villa is beautifully & professionally landscaped.Freeman’s Ground is a private and quiet neighborhood located minutes from Coral Bay. (Joy of Life Villa is in the center of this photo.)An aerial view of Joy of Life Villa
Joy of Life Suite
The Joy of Life Suite is a spacious, one-bedroom suite located on the main level where you can enjoy the best of indoor and outdoor living. Enjoy panoramic, 180-degree views spanning from Coral Bay Harbor and Hurricane Hole to St. John’s East End, and all the way out from Tortola to Virgin Gorda and Norman Island. I’ve been to a lot of villas around St. John over the years; the views from Joy of Life Villa stopped me in my tracks.
For those of you who enjoy your morning coffee with an unbelievable view or perhaps you prefer to indulge in a glass of wine in the evening while listening to the frogs peeping at night, this spot is for you. And making this suite even better is a very private, outdoor nook that would be perfect spot for a hot tub.
Coral Bay ViewsViews of Hurricane Hole, the East End and all the way out to the British Virgin Islands……and beyond.Yes, please!The bedroom at Joy of Life SuiteThe living space at Joy of Life VillaThe kitchen at Joy of Life SuiteThis would be the perfect spot for a hot tub!
The Sunrise Sweet
The Sunrise Sweet is a generously-sized studio suite located on the lower level of Joy of Life Villa. It, too, has an expansive deck with panoramic views and multiple seating areas. This well-appointed suite is perfect for a romantic getaway. There is even a cute little water garden beside its main entrance.
The Sunrise SweetOne of the outdoor spaces at the Sunrise SweetPrivate, quiet & perfect.The sleeping area at Sunrise SweetThe living space at Sunrise SweetThe kitchen at Sunrise Sweet
The Caretaker’s Suite
The caretaker’s suite is located on the top level of Joy of Life Villa. This space features a loft bed and a living space that opens up to a 1,000 square-foot deck. This area is set up so you can easily complete it to your liking. It can easily be converted into a large outdoor living room, or you could enclose it to expand your living space even more. The possibilities are truly endless. And the views – you guessed it – they’re incredible up there!
The caretaker’s suite is located on the upper level.The caretaker’s suite features a loft bed.Endless opportunities for completing this space!
Extra Details
Joy of Life Villa consists to two parcels that total 1.51 acres. It is an all-masonry home with an 18,000-gallon cistern. There are terraced gardens beside the villa with mature fruit trees among other plantings. This is in additional to the professional landscaping that surrounds the villa. There is a large, flat driveway with parking for several cars below the villa, and there is an additional parking area beside the caretaker’s suite on the upper level. The road to Joy of Life Villa is partially paved and partially gravel, so a four-wheel-drive is recommended.
Joy of Life Villa has 20 solar panels, backup batteries, net metering and a backup generator. Losing power should never be an issue at this villa.
Terraced gardens with mature fruit trees & other plantingsAmple parking
Life in One, and Rent the Others, Or Rent All Three!
The top level is the perfect spot for an onsite caretaker or the next owner; however it can also be converted into a third vacation rental. Because this is located on a combined 1.5 acre-parcel that’s zoned R-2, you can build additional units, as well.
Want More Information?
The asking price for Joy of Life Villa is $2,150,000. Joy of Life Villa is listed with me, Jenn Manes. I am a licensed agent at 340 Real Estate Co.. Please email me at jenn@explorestj.com or call/text at 203-376-3786 to learn more. I am happy to answer any questions you may have. Financials are available upon request. All confirmed rental reservations must be honored.
An additional, brand-new cottage can be available to purchase with Joy of Life Villa. More details to come…
