Another airline is getting you one step closer to your favorite ferry dock.
Last month, we told you that Southwest Airlines was planning to begin nonstop service to St. Thomas. Well today, we’ve learned that those nonstop routes will originate from Baltimore and St. Thomas. These flights are scheduled to begin in February 2025. This will be the first time that a nonstop flight will originate from Baltimore (to my knowledge).
With the addition of Southwest, we will soon have nine airlines that fly direct to St. Thomas. The others are Delta, American Airlines, JetBlue, United, Spirit, Frontier, Sun Country and Cape Air. (Silver Airlines, which flew between St. Thomas and San Juan, Puerto Rio, ceased operations earlier this year.)
We have daily nonstop flights from Atlanta on Delta, from Miami on American and from San Juan on Cape Air. We have seasonal direct flights from the following cities:
Boston
New York
Newark
Philadelphia
Washington, DC
Charlotte
Chicago
Minneapolis
Orlando
Ft. Lauderdale
Houston
Dallas
Visitors to St. John must fly in and out of St. Thomas. The airport code is STT. From the airport, travelers must ferry over to St. Thomas from either Red Hook (30 minute taxi ride), Crown Bay (five-minute taxi ride), or Charlotte Amalie (10-minute taxi ride). The ferry rides take between 15 and 45 minutes depending on the port.
Grande Bay is a popular condo resort located directly across from the beach in Cruz Bay in St. John, US Virgin Islands.
If you vacation in St. John yearly, or hope to one day, you may want to consider purchasing a week through Grande Bay’s fractional residence program. You can choose to use the week yourself or you can rent it out. These fractional residences are long-term leases, not deeded weeks, and they come with full use of all of Grande Bay’s amenities, including pool, spa, gym, concierge, and more.
The following are my listings. There are others available if you are interested.
I have a one-bedroom for sale. This is available for flex weeks 17-23, which is April 25th through June 13th next year. This means that you can choose one available week during that period. All rentals are Saturday to Saturday. The unit has a full kitchen, balcony, and washer and dryer. It also comes with a parking spot. You can purchase the Jeep Club through Grande Bay for an additional $2,500. This comes with full use of all of Grande Bay’s amenities, including the pool, spa, gym and concierge. The list price for this unit is $15,000. The annual fee was $1,288 for 2025.
I have a large studio for sale. This is available for flex weeks 17-23, which is April 25th through June 13th next year. This means that you can choose one available week during that period. All rentals are Saturday to Saturday. The unit has a kitchenette, balcony, and washer and dryer. This unit does not come with a parking spot. It does, however, come with full use of all of Grande Bay’s amenities, including the pool, spa, gym and concierge. The list price is $9,950. The annual fee was $988 for 2025.
I have a second large studio for sale. This is available for flex weeks 15-50, which is April 11th through December 19th next year. This means that you can choose one available week during that period. All rentals are Saturday to Saturday. The unit has a kitchenette, balcony, and washer and dryer. This unit does not come with a parking spot. It does, however, come with full use of all of Grande Bay’s amenities, including the pool, spa, gym and concierge. The list price is $8,000. The annual fee was $988 for 2025.
You can enter to win a stay at Four Seasons Resort Nevis.
The Coral Bay Community Council is holding a raffle to support their efforts in working to protect and preserve the natural beauty and vibrant spirit of the U.S. Virgin Islands. The raffle ends this Sunday, August 3rd at 11:59 p.m. AST. Here are all of the details:
Get ready for the ultimate getaway!
Imagine yourself basking in the sun and taking in the stunning beauty of the Caribbean…well this fantasy may not be so far-fetched because one lucky winner will receive a 3-night luxury stay in an Ocean View Room at the Four Seasons Resort Nevis, West Indies!
The raffle prize includes round trip transport between the airport and resort, along with daily breakfast for two guests. This prize is valued at $5,800, and it is valid from December 2025 to December 2026. The stay is contingent upon availability and may be subject to blackout dates. Please note that this prize does not include airfare.
This raffle is not affiliated with Explore STJ. Please contact the Coral Bay Community Council with any questions.
About the Coral Bay Community Council
As a watershed management association, CBCC works to protect the Coral Bay watershed, watersheds across the territory, and the people that live within them. This is accomplished through our work which includes: Climate & Coastal Resilience, Useable Water Infrastructure, Coastal Cleanups, and Watershed Education. These efforts are designed to protect and strengthen Coral Bay—and that of the broader island— improving coastal infrastructure and planning, promoting sustainable maintenance practices within our neighborhoods in response to a changing climate, and by educating and empowering youth for future environmental leadership.
By purchasing a ticket, you’re supporting an incredible cause that directly contributes to the future of our island and its community! Check out our website to learn more about our other initiatives: https://coralbaycommunitycouncil.org/.
Looking for a great family home where everyone has their own space? Perhaps you’re looking for an investment property? Joy Life & Castaway Cottage have all of this and more. And even better, owner financing is available to qualified buyers!
Joy of Life and Castaway Cottage are located on a beautiful, 2.6-acre hilltop estate in Coral Bay. (Three parcels are included in this sale.) Joy of Life is the main house, and includes a large, one-bedroom suite, a generously-sized studio suite and a caretaker’s suite on the top floor. Outside of the caretaker’s suite is an expansive deck that is ready to be completed to your liking. There is ample room for an outdoor kitchen, living space, hot tub and more. And the views up there are unreal! You can see all of Coral Bay, St. John’s East End, the British Virgin Islands and beyond from the property, however the views are the best from this top-floor area.
2.6-acre hilltop estateJoy of Life is the main building at the top of the property. Castaway Cottage is a standalone cottage located on the lower portion of the property.Joy of Life Main HouseJoy of Life living spaceJoy of Life bedroomJoy of Life outdoor seating area with amazing views!Sunrise Sweet is located on the lower level of the main house.Beautiful views from this comfortable living spaceSunrise Sweet includes a full kitchen and large living spaceThe caretaker’s suite is located on the top floor.Rendering of an outdoor living space with hot tub on the top levelAmple room to build an outdoor kitchen, living room & more.Artist rendering
Castaway Cottage is located on the lower portion of the property and is accessed by a quaint, well-lit stone stairwell. The standalone cottage is currently a studio, but it can be easily be converted into a one-bedroom. This ultra-private cottage, which was built using high-quality materials and appliances, also has beautiful views. This is a great spot for an owner to live while renting out the main building, or you can keep it as is, which is an income-producing vacation rental.
Castaway CottageAccess to Castaway CottageHigh-end appliances & materialsBeautiful stoneworkYou can further open up the view at Castaway Cottage if you’d like.
There is ample room on this professionally-landscaped property to add a pool or additional dwellings. The property has solar, battery backup, net metering & a Kubota backup generator. Both Joy of Life and Castaway Cottage have large cisterns too.
There are currently three income-producing vacation rentals on this property – Joy of Life (one bedroom), Sunrise Sweet (studio), and Castaway Cottage (studio). All have full kitchens and bathrooms. The caretaker’s suite is currently being used as just that – as the owner’s suite. P&Ls for all three rentals are available upon request.
*This is a great property for an owner to live onsite while renting the other units. It would also make a great family compound where each guest has his or her own space.*
Joy of Life and Castaway Cottage is being offered at $2.495 million. Please contact me, Jenn Manes, at jenn@explorestj.com or via phone/text at 203-376-3786. I am a licensed real estate agent with 340 Real Estate Co.
You can wake up to this view every day!Coral Bay ViewsViews of Hurricane Hole, the East End and all the way out to the British Virgin Islands……and beyond.
Explore STJ Island Tours: Closed; Reopening September 2nd (We are still accepting bookings for future dates during our closure. Email jenn@explorestj.com)
1864 The Restaurant: Closing August 29th through October 3rd
Beach Bar: Staying Open
Cafe Roma will be closed September 21st through October 5th.
Cap’s Place: Staying Open
Cruz Bay Landing: Will be open from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily during August, September & October. Will resume regular hours November 1st.
Dave & Jerry’s island Steakhouse: Last day is August 29th; Reopening October 3rd
Dazey Drive In: Closing July 23rd: Reopening in November
De’ Coal Pot: Staying Open
Extra Virgin Bistro: Closing August 3rd through mid-October
Heading East: Staying Open
High Tide: Closed September 15th through September 26th
Hillside Terrace: Staying Open
Inn at Tamarind Court: Restaurant will be closed the month of September; Hotel will remain open
Johnny Lime: Closing August 10th; Reopening October 6th
La Tapa: Last day is September 7th; Reopening October 24th
Lime Inn: Closing August 17th; Reopening October 6th
Lime Out: Closing August 15th; Reopening October 12th
Lovango Resort + Beach Club: Closing July 17th; Reopening mid-December
Love City Tacos: Closing August 29th through September 23rd
Maho Crossroads: Staying Open
Miss Lucy’s: Closed; Did not reopen for lunch or dinner this season
Morgan’s Mango: Last day is September 3rd; Reopening October 9th
Ocean 362: Last night is August 31st; Reopening October 9th
Parrot Club: Staying Open
Pizzabar in Paradise: Closed permanently
Rhumb Lines: Permanently Closed
Sam & Jack’s: Closing for September
Shaibu’s: Closing August 23rd; Reopening early October
Shambles: Closing August 23rd; Reopening September 2nd
Skinny Legs: Closing August 9th; Reopening on Halloween
Soggy Dollar Bar: Closing August 29th; Reopening October 4th
Sosa’s Food Truck: Staying Open
St. John Back Bar: Closing August 10th for about four weeks
St. John Scoops: Staying Open
St. John Speakeasy: Last day is August 8th; Closed through October 1st
Surf Club Cantina: Closing September 15th through September 21st; Closing on Tuesdays only from August 19th through October 30th
Sun Dog Cafe: Staying Open
Tap & Still: Staying Open
The Tap Room: Staying Open
The Longboard: Staying Open
The Terrace: Last day is July 31st; Reopening early to mid September
The Upstairs Bar: Staying Open
The Windmill Bar: Staying Open
VI Wine Shop: Staying Open (Food Monday through Friday & bar snacks on the weekend)
ZoZo’s at Caneel Bay: Closed for the season
I do not have info yet from the following businesses:
Bajo el Sol
Banana Deck
Coco Jim’s
Colombo’s
Downtown Sips
Drink
Hercules Pate
Little Olive
Lovango Rum Bar
Love City BBQ
Love City Bites
Karma
MidWay Bar & Grill
North Shore Deli
P&P’s
Sharky’s By the Water
St. John Provisions
The Refinery
Please check back for updates.
If you are a restaurant owner or manager, and you would like to update your listing, please email jenn@explorestj.com.
Cruz Bay Landing is located in the park across from the ferry dock.
Where are my brunchers, because this one’s for you!
I wanted to share a quick update with you from our friends over at Cruz Bay Landing. Beginning on August 1st, they plan to shorten their hours. For the months of August, September and October, they will be open from 7 a.m. until 2 p.m. They plan to resume their regular hours on November 1st.
During this time, Cruz Bay Landing will be serving all-day breakfast and brunch. Lots of Landing favorites will remain on the menu like their fish tacos, conch fritters and loaded fries, as well as their breakfast bennies, avocado toast and more. The coffee shop will remain open, and the mimosas will be flowing! Check out the new Brunch Menu below:
Cruz Bay Landing is located in Cruz Bay, right across the street from the ferry dock. They have indoor and outdoor seating, as well as a large gazebo bar.
