Tips for visitors Archives | Page 3 of 28

WIN Two Tickets to Paradise- Island Green Talks Reef Safe Sunscreen

April 16, 2021 by Hillary Bonner

Over the past few weeks, we have been working with Island Green to promote their “Two Tickets to Paradise” fundraiser. By buying a raffle ticket (or ten!), you not only get the opportunity to win an ALL-INCLUSIVE trip to St. John, but you are also supporting a super important organization on island.

Did you know that non-reef safe sunscreen is actually illegal in the USVI? Our coral reefs here are in trouble and the increased amount of traffic, both on boats and beaches, this year hasn’t been helpful to their recovery. But, by using non-toxic sun protection, you can help to preserve our marine life. And Island Green has been at the forefront of the initiatives to protect that precious underwater world that we all enjoy so much!

WIN Two Tickets to Paradise- Island Green Talks Reef Safe Sunscreen 2 — Image credit: Ruth Lacey

A lot of messages have come in regarding Reef Safe sunscreen, so I asked the folks at Island Green to write something up for you! Read on about the sunscreen initiatives in the USVI and BUY A RAFFLE TICKET in support of this great cause AND your next St. John getaway.

US Virgin Islands Travel Trends and Updates

April 15, 2021April 15, 2021 by Hillary Bonner

I have tried my hardest to keep you all up to date on travel trends, advisories, on island pointers and increases in traffic on St. John over the past few months. Starting in about February, it started to BOOM here with little reprieve from tourism traffic since then. And, it does not look like its going to let up any time soon. I read two very interesting articles this morning and wanted to share a bit of the information with you about what to expect here on St. John in the coming months.

Virgin Islands Update – Current USVI COVID Information and BVI Seaport Re-Opening

April 8, 2021 by Hillary Bonner

Good Morning! And a happy Thursday to you all. We received some updates from the BVI and from Governor Bryan this week and I wanted to get you all up to date. I have also been continuing to receive a ton of messages in regards to COVID testing for travel. So, let’s get to that first.

New Ferry Schedule!

March 22, 2021 by Hillary Bonner

Good Morning and Happy Monday! I hope things are warming up where you are and that the spring equinox is starting to bring some flowers and warm showers instead of snow 🙂 This weekend, an expanded people ferry schedule was released that should be helpful for all of you who may be arriving later in the evening.

Live Music Update

March 16, 2021March 16, 2021 by Hillary Bonner

Good Morning! Things are in full swing on island with live music happening nightly at a few establishments and sporadic traveling acts being scheduled at various venues. Oh, and music is BACK at the Beach Bar! March kicked off with VI Jam Fest bringing some world class musicians to St. John and I can’t tell you how good it felt to be watching and listening to a full band right in front of me again. So, if you’re passionate about live music, like myself, and REALLY missed it while it was gone, read on so you can get your fill while you’re on St. John this month!

USVI Makes History with First Sunscreen Ban in the US

December 16, 2020 by Hillary Bonner

It may be a little known fact that the USVI officially banned sunscreen containing chemicals that damage the reefs and are potentially hazardous to humans this spring. On March 30, 2020, the USVI sunscreen ban officially went into effect making the territory the first in the United States to implement this ruling to be followed by Hawaii and Key West in January of 2021.

Covid-19 Restrictions Ease in the USVI; Virus Vaccination Update

November 10, 2020November 9, 2020 by Keri LaMar

It has been nine months since the US Virgin Islands first took an active role in our response to the world-wide Covid-19 pandemic. After temporarily halting many of our services and shutting down the island for incoming guests in an effort to mitigate the spread of the virus and to keep our residents and guests safe, the USVI Government and Covid-19 Task Force implemented a gradual, multi-phased approach for our re-opening in a safe and practical way.

At today’s weekly press conference, Richard Motta Jr., the Governor’s Director of Communications reminded us that effective today, we take another step forward in our re-opening process – and bars (the establishment itself, to be distinguished from the counters at the bars) and nightclubs are allowed to re-open today subject to a few restrictions:

The Science Behind Air Travel and COVID-19

November 5, 2020November 5, 2020 by Keri LaMar

The US Virgin Islands is quickly approaching what is traditionally considered the beginning of our busy season. This year, however, has been a strange one due to periodic island closures. From the traffic on island recently, it seems that many guests rescheduled their spring and summer plans to instead arrive on island in October and November.

Planes full of excited passengers have been arriving at our airports since the territory re-opened in mid-September. And while our government has now made COVID testing mandatory for all guests and residents ages five and over before entering the USVI (or quarantine), the question on everyone’s mind is whether flying these days is really all that safe. So what are the experts saying?

Updated Ferry Schedule and Online Ticketing

November 2, 2020November 2, 2020 by Hillary Bonner

If you have been following along, you have probably seen that the passenger ferry has been operating on limited hours since the beginning of the pandemic last spring. In recent months, since the re-opening to tourism, reports of the ferries being packed have been circulating. Well, in the spirit of social distancing, the passenger ferry will be operating with more extended hours. Additionally, a new online ticketing system will help to ease your traveling minds.

National Park Visitor Center Re-Opens!

October 26, 2020 by Keri LaMar

As we enthusiastically shared last month, the National Park System is re-opening in stages after a half-year closure due to Covid-19, and the Visitor Center is now OPEN!