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The Flamingos are Back at Francis!

Jenn Manes
I saw these two flamingos at Francis Bay this morning.

I have such great news to share today! I stopped by Francis Bay with friends this morning, and I saw two flamingos hanging out in the salt pond!

For those of you who are new to reading Explore STJ (welcome & thank you for reading!), we hadn’t seen flamingos on St. John in years. One would show up here or there, but it would quickly disappear, and we would, once again, become a flamingo-less island. Well, that was until February 2023 when a flamboyance of flamingos (that’s what a group of them are called) was spotted near Salt Pond Bay, sending the island into a bird frenzy! I quickly became a self-professed bird nerd!

Earlier this year, another flamboyance descended onto the salt pond at Francis Bay – the same place I saw two today – and they stayed there for months. It wasn’t until the pond dried up due to a drought here on island that they finally moved on. I typically saw a dozen or two over there on any given day. It was incredible.

I have heard that they’ve been hanging out near Salt Pond Bay, Grootpan and even near Reef Bay over the past few months. However, I have not heard about their return to the salt pond at Francis Bay, which made today extra special for me. Francis is such a great place to watch them, because there are two viewing platforms along a boardwalk that were created specifically for birdwatching. You can’t beat the location.

Flamingos are actually native to the Virgin Islands, but all were eaten or lost to development until the reintroduction on Anegada in 1992 and then another flock later on Necker Island. Anegada and Necker Island – which is a private island owned by Sir Richard Branson – are located over in the British Virgin Islands. According to Gail Karlsson – a St. John resident who is an environmental lawyer, author, photographer and avid bird watcher – there is currently a “smallish” flock on Beef Island (near the airport on Tortola), the Necker Island flock and about 300 on Anegada, according to a bird count a few years back. Such fun facts!

Friends of the Virgin Islands National Park offers a free bird walk at Francis Bay every Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. It’s a great way to learn about different species of shore birds, as well as those who call the salt pond near Francis Bay home. If you are on island, you should definitely check it out. Just meet in the parking lot at 7:30 a.m. if you’d like to participate.

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.

Click Here to Book Now. 

2025 Government Shutdown: What’s Happening in St. John

Jenn Manes

October 10th Update: The gate at Caneel Bay is open during the day now. 

Today, October 2nd, is day two of the government shutdown. Here is how it is affecting the Virgin Islands National Park:

  • The Virgin Islands National Park is a gateway park with no entrance booth or entry fees. It will remain open and accessible to residents and visitors.
  • The Virgin Islands National Park has access to limited funds, which will allow three maintenance workers to remain on staff. These workers will continue to service the north shore. Trash pickup will continue. (The north shore is where the most popular beaches are located, such as Hawksnest, Trunk, Cinnamon and Maho.)
  • Contracted services have ceased. This includes road cleaning.
  • The Visitor’s Center in Cruz Bay is closed.
  • The restrooms beside the Visitor’s Center in Cruz Bay are closed.
  • Park law enforcement will remain on duty.
  • Parks are allowed to continue collecting usage fees, so Trunk Bay will remain open and the fee to enter will be charged.
  • Concessions at Trunk Bay and Cinnamon Bay will be open as normal.
  • All other National Park staff and services have been halted.
  • Park websites and social media will not be updated.
The gate to Caneel Bay was closed on Thursday, October 2nd.

Friends of the Virgin Islands National Park does not typical start volunteer programs until after hurricane season, which is mid-November. However they plan to start early this year due to the government shutdown. There will be a volunteer walk-up trail clearing program beginning next Tuesday, October 8th. I believe that the first trail to be cleared will be the Lind Point Trail over to Margaret Hill and Caneel Hill. If you are interested in volunteering next Tuesday or for subsequent trail clearing, please check out Friend’s of the VI Park’s Facebook page. You can also contact them at trails@friendsvinp.org.

I will let you know if any other changes occur with regard to the government shutdown.

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.

Click Here to Book Now. 

New Breakfast/Brunch Option in Cruz Bay

Jenn Manes
The Beach Bar is located right on the sand in Cruz Bay.

There’s yet another new breakfast and brunch option in Cruz Bay. The folks over at The Beach Bar are giving breakfast a go once again, after nixing at some point last year. So if you are looking for breakfast and a Bloody Mary with a view, you have a new option to try.

Because of this new brunch option, you can now get your Beach Bar fix starting at 8:30 a.m. daily. Breakfast and brunch are being served seven days a week from 8:30 a.m. to noon. They’re serving everything from breakfast tortillas and tacos to burgers and beach balls. Their regular lunch/dinner menu rolls out daily at noon. They’re even offering a morning happy hour from 8:30 a.m. to noon. Check out their full menu:

If you’re the type of person who fancies a morning happy hour, Trunk Bay also offers a happy hour daily from 9 a.m. until noon.

High Tide is another great spot for breakfast, and they are right on the beach too. Cruz Bay Landing is across the street from the ferry dock, and they are currently offering brunch until 2 p.m. daily. Sun Dog Cafe, over in Mongoose Junction, serves brunch Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. They serve lunch until noon on Sundays. Other breakfast spots in Cruz Bay are Hercules Pate, North Shore Deli, Sam & Jack’s, and St. John Provisions among other spots. (St. John Provisions is listed for sale. Email me if you are interested! My email is jenn@explorestj.com.) 

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.

Click Here to Book Now. 

How the Looming Government Shutdown Can Affect St. John

Jenn Manes

I hate to discuss politics, but a possible government shutdown is looming. Two-thirds of St. John is National Park, so we will definitely see some effects should the government shutdown occur. Here is what I know based on what occurred here during the last shutdown in 2018.

The National Park will remain accessible to visitors. This means that all roads, beaches and trails will remain open, but emergency and rescue services will be limited. Other services, such as trash collection and road maintenance will cease. The National Park Visitor Center in Cruz Bay will close.

When there is a government shutdown, restroom facilities typically close too. This includes the restrooms in Cruz Bay beside the Visitor Center and also at Trunk Bay. The showers at Trunk Bay would typically close too. However, we are fortunate here on St. John to have Friends of the Virgin Islands National Park. They helped out during the last shutdown by cleaning the restrooms and showers at Trunk Bay, helping to keep them open. I cannot recall whether the fee booth at Trunk Bay closed in 2018, but I assumed it did.

Trash pickup will cease if the government shuts down. Friends of the Virgin Islands National Park, as well as residents here on island, will step in if the shutdown happens. This is our home, so we will do what we can to keep it clean.

The concessions at Trunk Bay, Cinnamon Bay and Caneel Bay will all remain open as these are approved concessionaires within the National Park.

(The tiki bar at Maho Bay is not located in the National Park, and therefore is not affected.)

If the government shuts down, the National Park will not update its website or social media to reflect the current changes and/or happenings. So your best option is to check back here. I drive around the island almost daily, so I can tell you firsthand what is happening here on St. John. You can also look for updates on our social media pages.

Follow Explore STJ on Social Media

–> www.facebook.com/explorestj

–> www.instagram.com/explorestj

St. John Calendars Now Available!

Jenn Manes

Looking to bring a little St. John into your home in 2026? Well, three great St. John calendars are now available for sale!

Steve Simonsen Photography

Steve and Janet have their calendars available for presale orders. The cost is only $40. This is always a gorgeous calendar with photographs taken around the island of St. John.

Click here to preorder yours. 

Coconut Coast Studios

Elaine Estern and TJ Schutt’s limited edition 2026 calendar features 12 watercolor images with classical element scenes that depict above and below the Caribbean waters of St. John. The cost is only $25.

Click here to order yours. 

Christian Wheatley Photography 

Christian Wheatley also created a beautiful calendar each year that is filled with photographs taken around St. John. Christian also has a second calendar that includes images taken around the Caribbean. His St. John calendar is available for $19.99 on Amazon.

Click here to purchase yours. 

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.

Click Here to Book Now. 

Save the Date: Upcoming Island Events

Jenn Manes

 

There are a lot of great events being planned here on St. John. Here are a few that you might want to add to your calendars:

  • Saturday, October 25th: Woody’s Annual Block Party
  • Thursday, October 30th: Haunted houses at The Windmill Bar
  • Friday, October 31st: Trunk or Treat at the gravel lot – All children are welcoming whether you are a resident or visiting.
  • Friday, October 31st: Haunted Houses at The Windmill Bar
  • Saturday, December 13th: The All-Island Holiday Party aka The Prom – Mongoose Junction courtyard
  • Saturday, January 24th: The Animal Care Center’s Annual Gala at The Last Resort villa
  • Saturday, February 7th – Friends of the Park annual gala at Lovango Resort + Beach Club
  • Saturday, March 7th – Gifft Hill School’s annual gala at Gifft Hill School

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.

Click Here to Book Now.