Well folks, it’s currently raining pretty hard. Rain is in the forecast for the next few days, but hopefully it will be more on and off rain. Here’s a few ways you can entertain yourselves on a rainy St. John day.
Shop, Dine & Drink
The shops and restaurants will remain open even if we receive monsoon rains. Mongoose Junction is a great place to spend a few hours on a rainy day. Enjoy a locally crafted beer from The Tap Room or an ice cream cone over at Scoops. Looking to shop? I love Sugar Birds for unique souvenirs, Big Planet, Just Beach, and Lulee for clothing, and Caravan Gallery for jewelry. There are a ton of other great spots at Mongoose, so check out everything while you’re there. When it rains super hard, the gut that runs underneath Mongoose will become a raging river. It’s a pretty neat thing to check out.
Grab an umbrella and head over to Wharfside Village. I am fairly certain that The Beach Bar and High Tide will be rocking. There’s great shopping over there too. Or perhaps check out the casino! Check out the Spice Shop, The Little Things, the jewelry stores, and more.
For those of you who enjoy having a shot while you’re on vacation, The Upstairs, which is located across from The Longboard, offers free rain shots. Please drink responsibly!
If you have a vehicle, you can head up Centerline Road and check out Shambles or Mid Way Cafe & Grill. Both have ample covered spaces and are great places to grab a bite or enjoy a few cocktails. The Windmill Bar is holding a fundraiser today to support the St. John Revolving Fund. Be sure to stop by.
Over in Coral Bay? Head to Skinny Legs and join in on the fun. There is a great retail shop there called Mumbo Jumbo, so you can combine some retail therapy with one of Skinny’s famous burgers. Once you’re done, walk across the street and check out Pirate’s Cove or go around the corner to Jolly Dog.
Explore the Island
If you have a vehicle, take a ride around the island. Be careful if it is raining hard because small rocks sometimes fall into the roadway and there can be a lot of water that pools on the roadways.
You can grab a book and sit under the pavilion at Hawksnest, or grab a raincoat and check out some of the island’s rich history. You can explore Catherineberg, Annaberg, or even the Cinnamon Bay Sugar Factory. All are very cool spots, rain or shine.
Hike to a Waterfall
When we get a decent amount of rain like we’ve been getting here and there, a waterfall should form at Reef Bay. This is definitely a sneaker or sandals with straps kind of hike, as it will definitely be slippery. The trailhead for the Reef Bay trail is about five miles outside of Cruz Bay and about three miles outside of Coral Bay on Route 10, also known as Centerline Road. The trail is 2.1 miles in each direction if you are going from the road to the ocean, and it is quite steep. There is a spur trail on the right that will lead you to the petroglyphs where the waterfall will form. Pack a bag, bring snacks, and plenty of water for this hike.
A small waterfall is likely to form between Cinnamon and Maho bays. The water will flow across the road, so be careful when driving in that area.
For those of you who are off-island, you can still see what’s going on. Check out more than 20 live-streaming webcams at www.explorestj.com/webcams.
Stay dry everyone! Sunny skies, soon come!
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.