Have you ever heard of the green flash? It’s a pretty cool thing that happens a few times a year here when the sun dips down into the ocean at sunset, and it’s possible to see it currently from The Windmill Bar, among other places around the island.
So what exactly is the green flash? Just as the sun sets over the horizon, you can see a quick flash of green as the upper rim of the sun falls below the water line. It only lasts for about a second or two, so you really have to be looking for it. I’ve seen it a few times over the year, and it’s pretty cool. My friend Anne Bequette, a photographer who used to live on island, captured the green flash several years ago. Check it out…
The green flash can also occur during sunrise, so those of you staying in parts of the East End, Coral Bay or possibly Ditleff Point also have a good chance of seeing it throughout the year.
The sun shifts further to the left (when looking from The Windmill Bar) in the winter months, so the Westin Resort is also a great spot to watch for the green flash during the winter months.
And here is a random fun fact, our friends over at St. John Brewers make an energy drink called Green Flash.
The Windmill Bar has a webcam, as do many of our businesses and villas here on St. John. I doubt you will be able to catch a glimpse of the green flash from the webcam (but you never know!), I am certain that you can catch a great sunset view. Check it out on our webcams 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.