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The North Shore has been quite wavy this week, so it’s a great time to take a hike on one of the island’s more than 20 hiking trails. One of my absolute favorite hikes is up to the Murphy Great House. But before I get into the actual hiking aspect of today’s post, I’d like to tell you a bit about this part of the island and its history. 

The Murphy Great House, which is located at the Annaberg plantation, is named for James Murphy, an Irish shipowner, St. Thomas merchant and slave trader. Mr. Murphy bought Waterlemon Bay back in 1796, and renamed it Leinster Bay soon thereafter, according to the St. John Historical Society. Within a year of owning the parcel, Murphy acquired Annaberg and Mary Point estates and then added a portion of the former deWintsberg estate, known as Betty’s Hope. He then started to build what was considered at the time to be a state-of-the-art sugar factory at Annaberg. 

(The Annaberg site still remains and is maintained by the Virgin Islands National Park. You can view the former windmill, horse mill, boiling house, remnants of the enslaved laborers’ village, cook house (built later on), and a beautiful garden, which is lovingly maintained by my dear friend Charles.)

Mr. Murphy continued to acquire land, and in 1803 added the Munsburry plantation to his landholdings. Four years later, he purchased the nearby Brown Bay estate. By that time, he had amassed 1,245 acres of land. And off that, 494 acres were planted in sugar cane. According to the St. John Historical Society, this was the largest amount of sugar land ever controlled by one person in the history of St. John. 

Murphy House, the destination of this hike, is the former homesite of Mr. Murphy. It is located high on a hill, above the Annaberg plantation site, and overlooks Leinster Bay and the Sir Francis Drake Channel. The site has spectacular views of the British View Islands and beyond. The views, in my opinion, are some of the best on island. Mr. Murphy controlled this land until his death in 1808. The land was then appraised separately. Some was sold off to his creditors, while some was split among his heirs.

The hike to the Murphy Great House takes about 30 minutes or so in each direction. The time varies based on your pace, of course, and how often you choose to stop and take pictures along the way. I recommend sneakers for this hike, although it is doable in flip flops or sandals. I usually carry a bottle of water with me, although there are typically nice easterly breezes that cool you along the way.

To take this hike, you’ll want to park in the small lot below the Annaberg plantation. Then walk toward the water where you will see a sign for the Leinster Bay Trail. Follow the rocky path along the shoreline and through the mangroves. After about 15 to 20 minutes, you will arrive at the beach at Waterlemon Bay.

Walk across the sandy beach until you see an opening into the woods. Take a right into the woods, and, almost immediately, you see a sign for the Johnny Horn trail. You’ll want to walk toward the left and up a slight hill.

After less than five minutes, you will see a small path on your left that leads you to the former guardhouse site. This structure was purposefully located in a strategic spot, so the overseer was able to keep an eye on the the Fungi Passage, between Whistling Cay and Mary Point, and the Narrows, which separates Great Thatch and St. John. 

From the guardhouse, continue your walk uphill. After a roughly five minute climb, you will come to an intersection. Take a left to visit Murphy Great House. (The trail continuing straight leads to the Brown Bay trail and ultimately out to Coral Bay.

Once you arrive, be careful of the loose stone at the bottom of the stairs. From atop the site, you will see Annaberg in the distance off to your left, Tortola to your right, Waterlemon Cay below, Great Thatch to the far right, and glimpses of St. Thomas and Jost Van Dyke, among other islands, in the distance. There is a picnic table up there as well, so perhaps pack a lunch or a snack or two, and soak in the beauty St. John has to offer. Check out some more pics I took for you…

Pretty incredible, isn’t it? Be sure to add this to your list of must-dos the next time you visit St. John.

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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 longtime 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 Email Me with Questions.

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I have great news to share with you all today! Southwest Airlines is now flying direct to St. Thomas!

Southwest Airlines flew its first direct flight from Orlando to the Cyril E. King (STT) airport in St. Thomas yesterday. It will launch a new, nonstop flight from Baltimore starting tomorrow.

This is now the second direct flight from St. Thomas to Orlando. Spirit flies this route nonstop several times a week.

This will be the first time that St. Thomas has a direct flight was Baltimore. Great news all around!

Where are you traveling from? Is there a direct flight from your state?

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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 longtime 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 Email Me with Questions.

Click Here for Real-Time Availability & to Instant Book. 

The year 2025 was a fruitful one for St. John real estate. Nearly $100 million of real estate traded between Jan. 1, 2025 and Dec. 31, 2025. That’s pretty impressive for an island that’s not even 20 square miles. Here is a quick real estate wrap up for the year 2025:

Residential Sales in 2025 

Forty eight residential properties sold in 2025, totaling $79,525,500. The least expensive residential property that sold was hurricane damaged and included a small, off grid cottage. That property sold for $255,000. The most expensive home sold was 2A Peter Bay. The selling price for that property was a whopping $10.5 million.

Five homes sold for under $500,000 in 2025. Two of the five were either hurricane damaged or a handyman’s special. Thirteen properties sold between $500,001 and $999,999. Nineteen properties sold between $1 million and $1,999,999. Six properties sold between $2 million and $2,999,999. Four properties sold in the $3 million range.

Condo Sales in 2025 

Nine condos sold in 2025, totaling $8,405,000 in sales. The least expensive condo sale was an adorable, one-bedroom at Sunset Ridge. That sold for $500,000. The most expensive condo that sold in 2025 was a one bedroom at Gallows Point. That sold for $1.5 million. Five condos sold for $1 million or less in 2025.

Land Sales in 2025 

Twenty three land parcels sold in 2025, ranging in price from $58,000 to $315,000. I currently have three great land parcels listed for sale. Check them out:

8-36 Emmaus, Coral Bay 

This quarter-acre lot is located in the Seagrape Hill subdivision, which you enter from Route 10 (Centerline Road) just before Skinny Legs in Coral Bay. This property is priced to sell at $99,000. Owner financing may be available to qualified buyers, making this an even more attractive buy. This property is accessed from fully paved roads, and there are utilities nearby. It has westerly views of Coral Bay harbor in addition to lush valley views.

Here is a link to the full listing: https://www.flexmls.com/share/CzzmB/8-36-Emmaus-Coral-Bay-St-John-US-VI-00830

10-25F Carolina, Coral Bay 

This .35-acre parcel has beautiful views of Coral Bay harbor, the Sir Francis Drake Channel, the British Virgin Islands and beyond. This lot is located on Bordeaux Mountain and faces east. Access is relatively easy, as well. The current owners have expired house plans that they would provide to the new owners. Obtaining architectural plans is an integral part of the house-building process, so this is a big advantage that will save you time and money. This property is listed for $115,000.

Here is a link to the full listing: https://www.flexmls.com/share/DObKF/10-25f-Carolina-Coral-Bay-St-John-US-VI-00830

6-o-37 Hansen Bay

This .51-acre parcel is located in the exclusive Dreeket’s Bay Estates subdivision on St. John’s quiet East End. It has paved roads with beautiful stone walls, and underground utilities. There is access from above & below the lot, making construction easier & more accessible. It has panoramic 180-degree+ views of the British Virgin Islands, VI National Park & Round Bay. This property faces north/northwest, so it enjoys the island’s incredible sunsets in addition to its spectacular daytime views. It is listed for $199,000.

Here is a link to its full listing: https://www.flexmls.com/share/DObO8/6-o-37-Hansen-Bay-East-End-St-John-US-VI-00830

Commercial Sales in 2025 

Two commercial businesses sold in 2025, and 340 Real Estate was involved in both transactions. First, Sunshine Daydream Boat Charters sold for $1.5 million. Tammy Donnelly, owner of 340 Real Estate Co., represented the seller and the buyer. The St. John & St. Thomas Map and Guidebook also sold in 2025. The selling price was $200,000. Tammy Donnelly, owner of 340 Real Estate, represented the sellers.

Fractional/Timeshare Sales in 2025

Fourteen fractional/timeshare sales closed in 2025, totaling $147,425.

• Six sold at Grande Bay ranging from $5,000 to $35,000.
• Five sold at the Westin ranging from $4,000 to $12,000.
• Three sold at Sunset Ridge. Each sold for $4,875.

What’s Currently on the Market

• There are currently 84 properties listed for sale. The list prices range from $349,000 to $34,999,000.
• There are currently 17 condos listed for sale. The list prices range from $349,000 to $1.95 million.
• There are currently 169 land parcels listed for sale. The list prices range from $70,000 to $39,999,000.
• There are currently 91 fractional/timeshares listed for sale. The list prices range from $1 to $158,000.
• There are currently eight commercial opportunities available in St. John. There is a lease opportunity for $1,000 a month near the Westin. There is also a cleaning business, three restaurants, one boat charter, and two vacation rental/hotel properties available for sale. The prices for the businesses available for sale range from $120,000 to $29 million.

Are you interested in learning more about St. John Real Estate? Looking to purchase a property or perhaps list one that you already own? Please contact me at jenn@explorestj.com or call/text me at 203-376-3786. I am a licensed real estate agent with 340 Real Estate. I am happy to send you a list of what St. John real estate is available for sale if you are interested in that too.

And if you need a little more incentive, the average year-round temperature here is between 79 and 84 degrees. ☀️