You can spend a week in St. John for as little as $10!
Hello everyone, and happy Giving Tuesday! Today I would like to tell you about an amazing raffle that’s happening right now. But time is of the essence on this one, because it ends today at 3 p.m. EST. The great part about that, however, is that the winners will be pulled today at 4 p.m. EST. So you will know pretty quickly if you need to start shopping for airfare!
Love City Strong’s annual Island Gems raffle features three amazing prizes. Each prize has its own ticket, so you get to choose which prize you’d like to be entered for. Here are the details on each of the three prizes…
The Emerald Ticket
Cruz On Inn is located directly on Great Cruz Bay.
The Emerald Ticket features a one-week stay at Cruz On Inn, a 5 bedroom luxury villa in Chocolate Hole, as well as a discounted rental from Slim Man’s Jeep Rental. Activities include a cabana day at Lovango Resort & Beach Club and a half-day charter with Rock ‘n Rolla Charters, plus gift certificates to Sam & Jack’s Deli, High Tide Seafood Bar & Grill, Morgan’s Mango, Tap Room Brewtique, and Lulee St John.
The Sapphire Ticket
The cottages at Cinnamon Bay are located steps from this beautiful, sandy beach.
For the adventurous vacationer, the Sapphire Ticket package offers a one-week stay in a cottage at Cinnamon Bay, a dinghy rental from Wharfside Watersports, an outing on Salt Deck, and gift certificates to Trunk Bay Concession, Dazey Drive In, The Windmill Bar, Golden Hour, and Virginabis.
The Ruby Ticket
The view from Wharfside Hotel
If you’re looking for a romantic getaway, the Ruby Ticket package is for you. Featuring a five-night stay at Wharfside Village Hotel, a sunset sail with Cruz Bay Watersports, a day at Caneel Bay Beach Club, plus gift certificates to The Wine Shop, The Terrace, The Tap Room, Freebird, and The Little Things.
Raffle tickets start at just $10. You can get 10 entries for $10, 30 entries for $25, 75 entries for $50, 200 entries for $100 or 1,500 for $500.
All of the funds raised from this raffle will support the Resilient Housing Initiative, which was originally launched in 2018 in response to damages from Hurricanes Irma and Maria. In partnership with other organizations, St. John businesses, and local contractors, this program has completed 37 full rebuilds here on St. John, which is pretty incredible. The COVID-19 pandemic put even more strain on resources, and we saw prices of shipping and materials rise. In response to the changing needs of the island, Love City Strong expanded its program to include smaller repair projects. The objective is to mitigate damage from future impacts and make homes more safe and accessible for residents.
Again, this raffle ends today at 3 p.m. EST, so go ahead and purchase your tickets! You can do so using the link below:
A floating pizza boat? Yes, please! (Image credit: Pizza Pi)
Anyone who knows me knows how much I love pizza. Honestly, I could eat it every day of the week if calories didn’t matter! So today, I am super excited to tell you all that one of my favorite spots on the water recently reopened for the season, and it’s better than ever!
Pizza Pi reopened last week over in Christmas Cove after being closed for off-season. Pizza Pi is the Caribbean’s only floating pizza place, perhaps the world’s only floating pizza place! It’s a pretty cool concept, and the pizza itself is delicious. And even better – it’s located in a picturesque bay that’s pretty close to Cruz Bay.
For those of you who are unfamiliar with Christmas Cove, it’s located behind Great St. James, which is a small island located southwest of Cruz Bay. It’s roughly a 15-minute or so boat ride from Cruz Bay, depending on the waves. You can only access Pizza Pi by the water.
Pizza Pi has been open since 2014. It sold earlier this year, and the new owners have made some exciting new changes this year. For starters, they have a brand new menu that now includes a Caesar salad and frozen drinks like a Bushwacker, Pina Colada, and more.
But perhaps the best change is that they now have floats for guests to hang out on, much like our friends over at Lime Out in Coral Bay. Eating pizza while lounging in the beautiful Caribbean Sea certainly sounds amazing to me!
New floats! (Image credit: Pizza Pi)
Pizza Pi is open from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. seven days a week. There are numerous boat charters that can take you there, however here are a few that we recommend…
Hello everyone, and happy Tuesday! Let’s be honest, there isn’t a whole lot of work happening this week. Am I right?? Haha. So today, let’s talk about shopping. 🙂
So I was driving along the North Shore earlier this year when I noticed a business was selling beach noodles for $14. Fourteen dollars for one pool noodle! I know things are pricey here, but my goodness, that is just nuts. I joked to my island tour guests that I should start selling noodles out of my trunk! Ok, so I won’t get that crazy, but it got me thinking… An inflatable pool noodle is such an easy thing to pack for a vacation to St. John. There are so many minor things that you can easily pack in a suitcase that will not only save you some pennies when you’re here, but it will also make your St. John vacation that much better. So you know what I did? I compiled a list for all of you. 🙂
Here are some items that you may want to add to your St. John packing list. I included links to buy, when possible, too. This list is helpful for any warm-weather vacation spot.
Beach/Pool Noodle
One of my repeat island tour guests using a noodle at Saltwell Bottom.
Clearly, we have to start with beach/pool noodles. You can purchase inflatable ones on Amazon for as little as $4.55, and they take up no room at all in a backpack or suitcase. Traveling with a group? I recently purchased six inflatable noodles for only $17. Click here to check them out on Amazon.
Neso Tents
Image credit: neso.com
There isn’t a ton of shade on the majority of our beaches here on St. John. And let’s be honest, it’s hot here, so shade is our friend. The Neso tent is a great way to bring some shade along with you to the beaches that have less natural shade. These are definitely a pricier item, but they are a great investment. They come in a variety of sizes, they don’t take up a ton of room in your suitcase (you can put it in your carry on too), and they are easy to set up. You simply put the poles up (not into the sand, so they’re turtle-nest friendly), fill a few bags with sand, and voilà! Click here to check them out on Amazon.
Reef Safe Sunscreen
It is actually illegal to use sunscreen that is not “reef safe” in the US Virgin Islands. This law was enacted back in March 2022. Rather than scrambling to find some when you arrive, you can grab some off of Amazon and bring it with you. There are numerous options, but Caribbean Sol is one of my favorites. Reef-safe sunscreen protects us, our coral, and the marine life that we are all so excited to see while snorkeling. Basically, you do not want to use sunscreen with any of the “Toxic 3 Os” – oxybenzone, octinoxate, and octocrylene. Click here to check out Caribbean Sol’s reef-safe products.
Caribbean Fish ID
This is a handy tool for snorkelers. This waterproof card shows you which fish and other sea creatures you may see while you are snorkeling or diving in our waters. And the best part? It’s only $3.99 on Amazon. Click here to check it out.
Defogger
Speaking of snorkelers, defogger is a must. Nothing ruins a snorkel faster than not being able to see anything due to fog on your snorkel mask., A couple of dabs of defogger will do the trick! You can also use Dawn dish soap as a backup defogger, and sometimes you will find that in your villa or condo rental. Both the defoggers and dish soap are sold in containers that are less than three ounces, so you can easily take them along with you even if you are not checking a bag. Click here to check out a few defoggers on Amazon.
A GoPro Waterproof Camera
I absolutely love my GoPro. I can strap it to the Jeep to take cool driving videos, and I can take it in the water to shoot videos underwater. It is very pricey, but you truly cannot beat the quality. I film all of my driving videos using a GoPro. Click here to check them out on Amazon.
A Soft-sided Backpack Cooler
These backpack coolers are great because they can double as your carry on bag on the plane. It makes it easier to bring drinks and snacks to the beach being that it’s a backpack. A lot of villas provide coolers, but they can be the larger, bulky ones. This is another great investment, and you will likely use it at home too. Click here to check out a few options on Amazon.
Baby Oil or Skin So Soft
I learned this little trick from a taxi driver several years back, and it changed my life. If you are one of the unlucky people, like me, that gets eaten alive by the no see ums, baby oil is a must. I haven’t tried Skin So Soft, but a lot of my tour guests have said it works well too. In either case, the oil prevents the no see um from biting you. I promise you, it will change your world. 🙂
Insulated Travel Cup
A lot of people opt to bring their favorite insulated cup with them on vacation. It’s great to have on the plane, so you can have a lid on your drink when it gets bumpy. And then you can obviously use it at the beach, or even at a restaurant to keep your drink colder longer.
A few other items that are helpful to bring are reusable shopping bags, a reusable water bottle, and reusable straws because not all restaurants provide straws.
I hope this helps you all plan your next trip to St. John. And if there is anything you think I should add to this list, please email me at jenn@explorestj.com. Thanks, everyone!
Something Not for Vacation, But Something My Family Loves
This is one of the best purchases I have ever made. We purchased this Intex hot tub and use it as a pool for our son. It’s great because it holds up to the island heat, and it has a filter so it stays nice and clean. And as you can see in this older picture above, Dalton loves it!
You can buy it from several places, but here is a link to buy it on Amazon: https://amzn.to/46IVfkO
(I’m all about free shipping through Amazon when possible!)
Later this week, I’ll tell you about local stores here on St. John that are great options for your holiday shopping. In the meantime, have a great day everyone!
Want to learn more about St. John? Take an island tour with us!
Learn more here –> www.explorestj.com/tourFull & half days available. Rated “Excellent” on TripAdvisor.
It’s hard to believe that Thanksgiving is just a few days away! Where did the time go??!! Here is everything you need to know about Thanksgiving on St. John.
Let’s start with logistics. The ferries will operate normally. The taxis will also be plentiful as usual for those of you looking for some beach time. The barges will operate on an abbreviated holiday schedule.
The majority of our restaurants will be open, although some might open a bit later than usual. The Beach Bar, for example, will not open until 3 p.m. The finer dining spots will likely require a reservation.
Here is a quick rundown of several spots that are offering Thanksgiving meals for pickup and spots that are serving Thanksgiving plates this Thursday. If you would like your restaurant added to this list, please send me an email at jenn@explorestj.com.
Sam & Jack’s is offering a full Thanksgiving dinner for $75 per person. You can pick it on Thanksgiving or the day before. Click here to learn more.
Sam & Jack’s Thanksgiving pickup menu
North Shore Deli is also offering a pickup Thanksgiving meal this year. Dive into our mouthwatering Turkey Pot Pie for two for just $40! Thinking of seconds? Add an Apple or Pumpkin Pie and relish a fresh Garden Salad — all for a gobble-tastic $65! For those who believe in celebrating BIG, bundle up your feast with a bottle of white/red wine or a chilled 12-pack of VI Brewers Summer Ale for just $90!
North Shore Deli won’t be open for service on Thanksgiving Day, but Ron will be in-house, toasting to gratitude and packing orders. Ensure your feast by pre-ordering now! Have inquiries or ready to lock in your order? Give them a buzz at 340-777-3061 or drop an email to Ron@northshoredelistj.com.
1864 is offering a traditional sit-down meal from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thanksgiving day. They will be serving a Thanksgiving plate that includes turkey and all of the classic fixings for just $48 per person. This is the only menu being served on Thanksgiving. Click here to make a reservation.
1864 is located at Mongoose Junction.
Cinnamon Bay Campground is serving a traditional Thanksgiving dinner from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Rain Tree Cafe, which is its main restaurant. Reservations are recommended for larger parties. Please call 340-714-7144 to do so.
Cruz Bay Landing is offering its regular menu, plus a special Thanksgiving plate. Reservations are recommended for parties of six or more.
Now how about some Thanksgiving events?
The founder of 8 Tuff Miles is holding a Turkey Trot at 7:30 a.m. on Thanksgiving morning. Runners should meet in the Annaberg parking lot. The entry fee is one can of cat or dog food, which will be donated to the Animal Care Center. There will also be a short course for the kids.
Mongoose Junction will hold its annual Evening in the Courtyard event this Friday from 4 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Quelbe Resurrection Band and Bo & Charlie Duo will be performing, and there will be lots of holiday specials. This is a fun event that’s not to be missed.
And rounding out Thanksgiving week is the 42nd annual Thanksgiving Regatta, which will be held Saturday in Coral Bay. It’s just $40 to enter, and the race starts at noon. This is a great event to watch for those of you who are lucky enough to be in Coral Bay next weekend. All of the details are included in the flyer below.
The island is starting to fill up! I hope to see many of you soon!
Want to learn more about St. John? Take an island tour with us!
Learn more here –> www.explorestj.com/tourFull & half days available. Rated “Excellent” on TripAdvisor.
Hello everyone, and happy Friday! I have great news to share with you all today! A quarter-acre parcel was recently added to the St. John Land Conservancy, thanks to a generous donation. The land is located beside Haulover Bay.
The newly added parcel is outlined in yellow.
The land surrounding Haulover to the west and north is part of the Virgin Islands National Park. The newly-acquired land was donated by the Borden family, who worked with the St. John Land Conservancy to do so. It will be maintained for its scenic and wildlife value.
“My Father, Jack Borden brought his children to holiday at Estate Zootenvaal in 1972,” Doug Borden told the St. John Land Conservancy. “He had finally found a Caribbean Island where he could afford to buy land. East End was that special place he found. The paved road ended shortly after Zootenvaal and became rock & dirt. Closest provisions were at Fred’s (aka Redbeard’s, Skinny Legs), Arthur Davidson had just built his house, Warren Able was ‘the Mayor’ living down in the gut, Knaapland on the hill, and Peter & Dorothy Muilenburg building Breath down the way. The Borden family spent the following 20+ years building the Roundhouse and enjoying the natural & underdeveloped beauty of East End. Hopefully more land can be preserved, and with that the beauty of East End will be preserved.”
We are so fortunate to have so many great people who love this island. I appreciate each and every one of you!
Want to learn more about St. John? Take an island tour with us!
Learn more here –> www.explorestj.com/tourFull & half days available. Rated “Excellent” on TripAdvisor.
The Rising Sun could be seen off of Cruz Bay Tuesday afternoon. It looks tiny in this pic, but I promise you, it’s quite large.
🎶 It’s beginning to look a lot like season! …And Thanksgiving!
The first superyacht of the season has arrived, and it is right on schedule. The Rising Sun, the massive 453-foot yacht owned by David Geffen anchored just off of St. John Monday marking its first appearance of the 2023-2024 season. Just like clockwork, The Rising Sun arrives in the Territory the week before Thanksgiving and stays through the holidays.
The yacht – which reportedly cost $400 million to build – was still anchored in front of Grass and Mingo cays, which are northwest of Cruz Bay, on Tuesday afternoon. Mingo is the island beside Lovango for those of you who are familiar with that location. The Rising Sun usually spends time between its current location and Round Bay on St. John’s East End. Round Bay is the area where Hansen Bay and Saltwell Bottom beach are located. After visiting St. John, it often heads over to the British Virgin Islands.
I took this picture of The Rising Sun last winter.Sloop Jones, an artist who lives on East End, captured this pic of The Rising Sun about a decade ago.
For those of you, like me, who enjoy learning more about the fancy boats that cruise through our waters, you should download the Marine Traffic app on your phone. You can pull up the location of the majority of larger boats in the world, including megayachts, cruise ships, and more.
Screen grabs from my Marine Traffic app
And lastly, if you are unfamiliar with David Geffen, he launched the careers of the Eagles, Aerosmith, and my personal favorite, Guns ‘n Roses. He owned MCA Records, and then co-founded Dreamworks.
Speaking of boats, if the online schedule is correct, it looks like St. John will receive its first cruise ship on Saturday, December 16th. The Azamara Onward will anchor off of Cruz Bay, and it’s expected to bring 670 guests to the island. It’s common for small cruise ships to anchor off of Cruz Bay during the winter months.
That’s all I have for you today, folks! If I see anything else cool on the water while I’m out and about with today’s Explore STJ’s Island Tour guests, I will be sure to let you know!
Have you booked your island tour yet? Looking for more information? Please feel free to email me at jenn@explorestj.com or visit www.explorestj.com/tour for more information. Have a fantastic day everyone!
