ExploreSTJ.com

Watch the Super Bowl on the Beach!

Jenn Manes February 9, 2023 1 Comment

This could be your view for the Super Bowl!

Who wants to watch the Super Bowl on the beach? Well if you’re lucky enough to be in St. John this weekend, you can!

The Beach Bar is planning to put not one, but two screens directly on Cruz Bay beach for Sunday’s big game. They will have one large inflatable down on the sand and a second projection screen on the beach stage. They have four televisions inside the bar, so you will be able to see the game from every single barstool. They’re having a lot of drink specials too, including a bucket of Bud Lights (five beers) for just $15.

There are so many spots to watch this game this Sunday throughout the island. Here’s a quick rundown of some other options. (Please contact the business for exact details.)

The Tap Room – They have several TVs behind the bar, plus they make beer, so that pretty much goes hand-in-hand with the Super Bowl, right?

Greengo’s – Another spot with a ton of TVs behind the bar. This will be another happening spot.

The Windmill Bar – They are offering reserved seating, although purchasing one is not required to attend. They have TVs behind the bar and will have a large projector screen set up too. Another great spot for the Super Bowl with a view!

Cafe Roma – They have a brand new television behind the bar & are offering food & drink specials.

Lovango Rum Bar – They’re holding a ticketed event that includes a buffet and reserved seating.

Drink – They’re having a Ladies Night event with drink specials too!

High Tide – They have two TVs at the bar.

Quiet Mon Pub – They have TVs behind the bar.

Inn at Tamarind Court – I hear there is a little potluck party happening here.

Cruz Bay Landing – There is one TV behind the bar.

Skinny Legs – They are holding a ticketed event too, which has already sold out.

Want to see where all of these restaurants are located? Click here to check out my restaurant map.

Want to watch some live images of how we Super Bowl here on St. John? Click here to check out our webcam page and see live images from the Beach Bar, The Windmill Bar & more!

See beautiful sights. Go off the beaten path. Explore the island’s rich history. Or perhaps check out a tiki bar or two. Book your Explore STJ island tour today!

The USVI Department of Tourism is Giving Away a Free Vacation!

Jenn Manes February 7, 2023 1 Comment

February 7, 2023

I have a great little tidbit to share with you all today! The United States Virgin Islands’ Department of Tourism is giving away a free vacation, and it costs absolutely nothing to enter to win.

The USVI wants you to “Experience the U.S. Virgin Islands like a Sports Illustrated Model.” That’s their verbiage, not mine. 🙂 St. Thomas and St. Croix were featured in the 2022 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition, which was released last spring, and now they want to share that experience with one lucky winner.

How is this Free?

This is a sweepstakes, not a raffle, so it costs nothing to enter. You simply have to fill out an online form and agree to receive future communications from the USVI’s Department of Tourism.

What You Can Win

One winner will receive the opportunity to travel on the itinerary of the 2022 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition models. (The sweepstakes does not specify the actual itinerary.) This prize includes a five 5-day/4-night trip for one winner and his/her travel companion to either St. John, St. Thomas or St. Croix. The winner can choose their preferred location.
A photographer will also be on-hand to capture content while in the destination, hence the Sports Illustrated Model tie-in. The prize includes round trip economy air transportation for the winner and his/her travel companion from major airport nearest winner’s home, hotel accommodations (based on double occupancy), and other sponsor-selected transfers, excursions and some meals in sponsor’s sole discretion. The prize is value at roughly $15,000.

When Can You Travel

The prize will be awarded as a travel voucher, which must be redeemed by Dec. 31, 2023. Travel must be completed by Dec. 31, 2024 and booking must be made at least three months prior to the departure date.

How to Enter

Visit www.visitusvi.com/form/sports-illustrated-model-sweepst. Simply fill out the form, which asks for your name, email, phone number and zip code. It’s that simple.

You can enter to win through 11:59 p.m. ET on February 13th. The winner will be chosen on February 14th.

It’s that easy, folks! Now go ahead and enter. Good luck!

Here is the legal information that we are required to share:

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY to enter the sweepstakes. Open only to legal residents of the 48 continental U.S. and DC, who are 18 years of age or older. Void where prohibited. The Sweepstakes starts 12:00 am ET on 1/16/23 & ends 11:59 pm ET on 2/13/23. Sponsored by United States Virgin Islands Department of Tourism. For Official Rules, visit www.visitusvi.com.

Coral Bay Fresh Market Closes; Lists For Sale

Jenn Manes February 6, 2023 1 Comment

Well folks, I have some not-so-amazing news to start the week with. Coral Bay Fresh Market closed late last week. According to their online announcement, it was due to financial issues.

Coral Bay Fresh Market was a great little grocery store that also served as the home of Homemade Meals To Go. It was located in the Isola Shoppes complex in Coral Bay, the same spot where Salty Mongoose, Jolly Dog and Surf Club Cantina are. Sadly, the market had only been open a few months. It listed for sale following the announcement. Here are the details straight from the MLS:

Turnkey space including fixtures and equipment. Has a kitchen, coolers, shelving etc. Over $500,000 in existing leasehold improvements. Could be a great location for a deli, market, meals to go, etc. New tenant must verify sq ft of the space. Contingent upon landlord approval. Lease is triple net.

The asking price for Coral Bay Fresh Market is $350,000. Please contact 340 Real Estate Co., the listing agency, at 340realestateco@gmail.com for more details.

April 2023 Update: The space is now listed for $50,000.

The Isola Shoppes complex also listed for sale last month, which is completely unrelated to the market’s closing. Click here to read more information on that listing.

Ferry Service Set to Resume to Virgin Gorda

Jenn Manes February 3, 2023 6 Comments

Hello everyone! If I’m posting on a Friday night, you know it’s got to be good!

I am super excited to tell you all that ferry service is set to resume to Virgin Gorda next month. How exciting is that?!

Inter Islands Boat Services plans to start weekly ferry service from St. John (and also from St. Thomas) to Virgin Gorda beginning on Thursday, March 2nd. The ferry will depart Red Hook every Thursday at 7 a.m. and will then depart Cruz Bay at 7:30 a.m. It will then depart Spanish Town on Virgin Gorda at 3:45 p.m. The cost will be $150 roundtrip, plus $30 tax.

Inter Islands Boat Services also offers ferry service to Jost Van Dyke every Sunday, Tuesday and Friday. Those ferries leave Red Hook at 7 a.m. and Cruz Bay at 8 a.m. It departs Great Harbor on Jost Van Dyke at 3:30 p.m. The cost of that trip is $120 roundtrip.

As of now (February 2023), this is the only ferry service between St. John and the British Virgin Islands. There is daily ferry service to Tortola from St. Thomas. A passport is needed in order to take the ferry to the British Virgin Islands.

For more information on the Virgin Gorda and Jost Van Dyke ferries, please visit Inter Island’s website at www.interislandboatservices.com.

Take a Ride Along St. John’s North Shore

Jenn Manes February 3, 2023 3 Comments

Hello everyone, and happy Friday! I see that the arctic weather is affecting a great deal of the country this weekend, so I figured this would be a great time for a substantial escape to St. John. How does a drive along Route 20 – also known as North Shore Road – sound? It’s also a great way to familiarize yourself with the locations of the island’s most popular spots.

I strapped the GoPro to the Jeep last week and filmed this video in 4k for you all. I started at the Cruz Bay overlook and ended just past Maho Bay. It’s just over 21 minutes long, so grab a cup of coffee or perhaps a mimosa or two (no judgement!) and enjoy the ride! Looking for a specific place? Here’s a little cheat sheet:

Entering Virgin Islands National Park – :46
Caneel Bay overlook – 2:32
Caneel Bay entrance (ZoZo’s & Caneel Bay Beach Club) – 4:12
Hawksnest – 5:58
Gibney & Oppenheimer area – 7:18
View of Hawksnest Bay – 7:52
Easter Rock – 8:05
Peace Hill & Denis Bay parking – 8:28
Jumbie parking – 9:00
Trunk Bay overlook – 10:02
Trunk parking & entrance – 11:05
Cinnamon Bay – 15:19
Maho Bay overlook – 17:22
Maho – 18:58

Want additional details on all of the beaches shown in the video, plus several more on island? Check out the Island Tidbits Beach Guide at www.IslandTidbits.com/beachguide.

Is there a specific spot on island you’d like me to record? Feel free to send me an email at jenn@explorestj.com.

Tag: Route 20 St. John

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Need a Little Warm Up? Check Out Our Live Webcams!

Jenn Manes February 2, 2023 1 Comment

I had to look back at my phone to make sure these colors weren’t altered by accident. These colors are real! So darn pretty!

Well folks, I am happy to report that the palm tree shaw its shadow in Cruz Bay this morning, so it looks like we are getting another year of summer – woohoo! A big thanks to Palm Tree Charters for capturing this elusive photo below today. 😉 After looking at the weather across the United States, it looks like many of you are in need of a nice little warm up today and through the weekend. I understand that many of you can’t hop on a private jet today (but wouldn’t that be nice?!), so this is the next best thing.

Thanks for letting us know Palm Tree Charters!

Please take a few minutes to check out the more than 20 live streaming webcams below. You can see views from Cruz Bay to Coral Bay and everything in between. There are also views from neighboring islands, including Lovango Cay and Jost Van Dyke. Enjoy everyone!

St. John Spice Cam – Overlooking the ferry dock & Cruz Bay