Good Morning! Trip Advisor recently ranked their 2021 top 25 beaches in the World and in the Caribbean and I think you’ll notice some familiar views on both of those lists!
Beaches
The Simplistic Beauty of Cinnamon Bay – By Alex Glass
Happy Monday! A few weeks ago, I received a message inquiring as to whether we would accept a submission from a student. Without asking questions, I immediately said yes. And I’m so glad I did. On Friday the following article about Cinnamon Beach came in from Alex Glass.
Alex is in fourth grade and is spending the year away from all of his friends at Maret School in Washington DC. His family relocated to St. John for a short time and Alex is remote learning. Here, he writes with a great deal of gratitude about the opportunity to be here this year and enjoy his favorite beach in abundance. I hope you enjoy his perspective on the beauty of Cinnamon Bay 🙂
Read moreThe Simplistic Beauty of Cinnamon Bay – By Alex Glass
Virgin Islands National Park Reef Safety Signs
Good Morning Everyone! If you have been on St. John during this busy (thankfully!) holiday season, you may have seen some new signs at the entrances to some of the VI National Park Beaches. These signs were installed by the VI National Park in order to promote awareness and education about what you can do to protect the reefs, while enjoying their beauty!
BVI Update: Re-Opening Businesses and Testing Regulation Updates
Good Morning Everyone! We have a few updates from the BVI this morning. There have been a few adjustments made to their re-opening regulations and some exciting news from White Bay on Jost Van Dyke.
Read moreBVI Update: Re-Opening Businesses and Testing Regulation Updates
Insert Yourself Here
We thought we could all use a minute of beauty to bring us back into balance.
Imagine yourself relaxing under this palm tree … the tropical breeze blowing through your hair, a frosty beverage in your hand, with nothing but happy thoughts …
Now get back to work. You have a vacation to plan!
Trunk Resumes Fee Collection; Cinnamon Continues Construction
We’ve got some updates about two of your favorite St. John beaches!
Several months ago, the National Park Service (NPS) suspended most of their operations over health and safety concerns for their employees, volunteers, and visitors due to COVID-19. The suspension of services resulted in the temporary closure of hiking trails, bathroom and shower facilities, and the National Park Visitor Center on St. John. One nice perk that came from the closure was the suspension of the collection of admission fees at Trunk Bay. Our island residents took full advantage of the fee waiver and had the beach nearly all to ourselves all summer!
This week, with guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), state and local public health authorities, and the US Virgin Islands Governor’s Executive Order easing some of the virus restrictions, the NPS is transitioning their re-opening on St. John in a phased approach.
Read moreTrunk Resumes Fee Collection; Cinnamon Continues Construction
Maho Makes the List
Maho Bay recently made the TripAdvisor Traveler’s Choice List for top 25 beaches worldwide! Landing at number 18 amidst some pretty incredible places in Greece, Aruba, Italy and Turks & Caicos (to name a few), Maho is putting St. John on the map thanks to reviews from travelers like you!
Underwater Scenes and Photography Tips!
Our newest contributor, Keri LaMar, submitted these amazing under the sea pics and photography tips for beginners. And we are so excited about these photos!
North Shore Tour
Happy Sunday Funday! For those of you who are dreaming about those Caribbean Blues this morning, here’s your fix! I took a drive out North Shore Road and stopped at some overlooks this weekend to get some fresh air and take in the post-Sahara dust views.
You’ll still see a little bit of haze in these pictures but, man, it’s so good to have the vivacious blues back in sight. You’ll also notice there is still a WEE bit of brown on the hillsides but after the dust cleared this week, we got a ton of rain! Things should hopefully be greening up nicely very soon!
Enjoy!
That’s all for this morning, but I hope these sights of STJ help to kick your Sunday off right.
A Few Minutes with… Ash, Owner of Saltwell Bottom Beach
Ash & his family own Saltwell Bottom beach at Hansen BayThere are so many amazing people who live here on St. John. Many were born and raised here, while others chose to relocate and make this island their home. For awhile now, I’ve wanted to share their stories with you. But truthfully, I’m a bit apprehensive about writing profiles. So I decided to try something different.
Today we’re introducing a new little thing here at News of St. John called “A Few Minutes with…” In these segments, we’re simply going to spend a few minutes with someone we find cool, interesting or unique. We’re starting with our friend Ash.
I introduced you all to Ash back in October when I mentioned how he was opening his family’s beach up to the public, so we can all enjoy the sand, the captivating views or even take a quick paddle out to Lime Out. His family owns a gorgeous stretch of land out on St. John’s East End known as Saltwell Bottom beach. Ash is welcoming, kind and has an infectious smile. Yesterday, I drove out to the East End to spend A Few Minutes with Ash…
Please click the play button below to listen to it.
He truly is a wonderful person. I hope you all take the drive out east one day, so you can see for yourselves.
Now I’m sure you heard the waves crashing in the background while Ash and I chatted. Here’s a video to show you how gorgeous his family’s beach is. Enjoy!