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!
Tips for visitors
St. John Receives a Hefty October Rainfall
Earlier this year, there was a lot of concern voiced over the lack of greenery on the hillsides of St. John as the territory hedged through a drought. We go through a significant dry period each spring and summer leading into hurricane season.
You may remember the severity of the drought in 2015. We thought the rain would NEVER come!
Well, this year was very similar and was categorized as “severe” by the US Drought Monitor Map. And, over the past few weeks, it has come to a dramatic end with a huge surge of rainfall on St. John.
So, while the many areas in the country are experiencing intense droughts and wildfires, the Virgin Islands are experiencing record breaking rainfalls which has led to flooding in some areas. The average annual precipitation in the USVI according to Weather Atlas is 38 inches with the majority of that accumulation occurring between September and November.
The University of Nebraska reports these totals as collected by weather stations at different locations on St. Croix, St. Thomas and St. John. The Cruz Bay station’s average total for October 1-13 of this year was recorded at 2.55 inches. An additional 3 inches between October 14-21 makes that a total of about six inches for this month. So, to say that things are back to being green right now would be an understatement. The hillsides are absolutely popping with color and we are experiencing beautifully clear skies under which to enjoy them.
Where Am I?
One of the first things most visitors do when arriving on St. John – whether it’s their first trip or their 20th – is to take the iconic North Shore Road and stop for photos at the world-famous Trunk Bay Lookout. I even know of one particular resident *ehem* who still does the same, every time she opts for the scenic route in lieu of Centerline.
Government House Clarifies Rumors
Rumors have been circulating on social media over the last few days about a governmental closure of restaurants and beaches in our community. The Government House issued a statement in response, stating that “Neither Governor Albert Byran Jr., Government House nor the administration’s COVID-19 Task Force have made any official announcements concerning beach closures, added restrictions to restaurants’ current operations or further restrictions on gatherings at funerals or other events in the territory.” The statement also noted that future action may be taken depending upon the outcome of the data compiled over the coming days.
Additional information will be released at the Governor’s press conference on Monday, August 10, 2020 at 1:00 pm. We will post our summary shortly thereafter, and will keep you posted about any new developments.
Curfew lifted, ports remain closed
Good morning! As of 6:00 am, the roads are clear and the curfew has been lifted. The ports are closed until further notice; we will let you know when they re-open. The airports remain open.
According to the Governor, the ocean is not safe for swimming today due to remaining swells, but there are many other enjoyable ways to spend your day! Help support our local economy with some shopping, go for a hike on one of our many trails, or learn about some of the fascinating and important St. Johnian history at Annaberg Sugar Plantation.
Storm-related ferry and port closure this morning
Good morning! A tropical storm warning is in effect for St. John. We will bring you the latest update regarding the storm shortly after the Governor’s press conference at 10:00 am. In the meantime, if you are leaving the island today, the last passenger ferries to Red Hook and Crowne Bay will depart at 11:00 am before the ports shut down entirely for the day. If anything changes we will let you know!
Keeping our doors open for “safe tourism”
According to Governor Bryan, the regulations we have put into place regarding our efforts to minimize the spread of COVID-19 continue to appear to be working, as our active number of cases in the territory has decreased from last week. There are currently five active cases on St. John at this time, and no new cases this week.
The Governor assured our local residents that he is listening to their comments and concerns about tourism, and said that our governmental agencies are working as hard as possible to ensure that we have the resources needed to protect all of our entry points in an effort to keep our residents and guests as safe as possible. We have requested additional testing supplies – especially for St. John – and recently added four testing machines that produce same-day results in the territory.
USVI Travel Screening Update
The US Virgin Islands launched an online travel portal in an effort to increase the safety of residents and visitors, and to clarify the screening process for travelers. This portal will allow travelers to upload their COVID-19 test results to expedite the screening process at the airport, and to increase the efficiency of the policy.
Effective July 24, 2020:
- Any traveler aged 15 and older whose home state (state of residence) has a Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) positivity rate greater than 10 percent will be required to produce a negative COVID-19 antigen (molecular/PCR/rapid) test result received within five days prior to travel to the U.S. Virgin Islands OR a positive COVID-19 antibody test result received within four months prior to travel to the territory. Currently, residents of Puerto Rico are also subject to this requirement.
- COVID-19 test results are also required from travelers aged 15 and older who have spent more than seven days in and are traveling from a state with a positivity rate greater than 10 percent.
- COVID-19 test are recommended, but not required for travelers aged 15 and older whose home states have positivity rates greater than 7.5 percent. This is to ensure travelers are prepared for possible “spikes” in rates while preparing for travel.
- COVID-19 test result are not required from travelers transiting impacted states en route to the USVI.
Underwater photo editing tips
Now that you’re back at the villa and out of the direct sun, the first thing you will likely want to do is review your photos to find out if you actually captured all of the exciting sea life you saw while underwater.
Step 1: Editing software
The editing software that comes pre-installed on your computer or camera will allow you to make a majority of the basic corrections. You can purchase advanced editing software, like Adobe’s Lightroom package, but rather than spending hours in your villa instead of the beach, I suggest taking advantage of the free editing software available to you. Be sure to save a copy of your original photos while learning the editing software so that you can go back to the original photo and start over if necessary.
Don’t be afraid to be creative. Photos that might otherwise seem unexciting can become artsy with just a click of a different editing filter.
The 6 Best Beach Coolers in 2020
A day at the beach should be relaxing. A cool breeze, waves crashing, sand between your toes. But to fully enjoy your time lounging in the sun on St. John, you’ll need a beach cooler.
Island prices can get expensive and if you plan to stay in the sun all day, having a place to properly store your food and drinks is important. I mean, no one wants a soggy sandwich or a hot drink after being in the heat, right?
Choosing the Right Beach Cooler for You
So how do you know which cooler to choose? We’ve taken a look at the highest rated beach coolers on Amazon with the goal to help you find the best one whatever your needs, budget, and preferences may be.
1. The Best Backpack Cooler: SEEHONOR Insulated Cooler Backpack
Packed with ultimate comfort and portability. This insulated backpack cooler keeps food and drinks cool for hours, even if you’re hiking one of St. John’s many trails. It has multiple compartments for roomy storage and is made of waterproof, durable material.
Dimensions 13 x 7.9 x 17.7”
Weight 1.74 pounds
Why We Like It
- Easy to clean
- Leak resistant
- Multiple compartments
- Rip, tear, and scratch proof
2. The Best Heavy Duty Cooler: Coleman Rolling Cooler
This heavy-duty, wheel rolling cooler will meet all of your beach needs. It can keep ice up to 5 days and holds up to 84 cans. Even better? The lid doubles as a seat so you’ll always have an extra place to sit and relax.
Dimensions 23 x 18 x 18”
Weight 14 pounds
Why We Like It
- Heavy-duty wheels
- Built-in cup holders
- Locking telescoping handles
- Side handles for easy lifting
3. The Best Collapsible Cooler: CleverMade Collapsible Cooler Bag
The multi-purpose cooler. Perfect for the beach, grocery shopping at Starfish, and hanging poolside. Its collapsible feature makes it easy to transport. Can hold up to 50 cans of your favorite beverage all while remaining sleek and compact.
Dimensions 18.25 x 12.25 x 12”
Weight 2 pounds
Why We Like It
- Leakproof
- Front zippered pocket
- Bottle opener on straps
- Collapsible for easy storage
4. The Best Over the Shoulder Beach Cooler: Arctic Zone Titan Deep Freeze Zipperless Cooler
A cooler that offers high performance and comfort. Adjustable shoulder strap with shoulder pad. Flip open, zipperless lid for easy access. It also comes in 3 other sizes- a 9, 30, and 48 can.
Dimensions 12.2 x 8 x 12.2”
Weight 2.3 pounds
Why We Like It
- Easy cleaning
- Insulated front pocket
- Water and stain resistant
- Hard liner with shelf inside
5. The Best Beach Bag Cooler: BLUBOON Mesh Beach Tote Bag with Cooler
A cooler that’s also a beach bag? You read that right. Apart from its multiple color options, this cooler has a large, lightweight mesh tote. On the bottom is a detachable insulated cooler.
Dimensions 15.5 x 5 x 18.5”
Weight 15.8 ounces
Why We Like It
- Super lightweight 2 in 1 feature
- Front pocket for extra storage
- Mesh bag makes finding items easy
6. The Water Sports “Cooler”: Earth Pak Waterproof Dry Bag
This waterproof bag isn’t quite a beach cooler. But it’s one of the best ways to keep your food and drinks dry while you do water sports, whether you are paddle boarding at Cinnamon or kayaking with dolphins. Single strap makes it easy to carry. Waterproof phone case. Comes in 5 sizes – 10, 20, 30, 40, and 55 liter.
Dimensions 16.7 x 5.8 x 2.2”
Weight 12 ounces
Why We Like It
- Fully waterproof
- Floats when full
- Quick open/close system
- Mesh bag makes finding items easy
Criteria We Used to Evaluate Beach Coolers
As you can see, there really is no “best” beach cooler. With so many on the market it comes down to what fits your needs. That being said, this list focused on these main criteria:
- Quality of materials
- Durability
- Size and weight
- Additional features
Being equipped with a beach cooler can make or break your vacation in St. John’s. If you know what you value most in a cooler, then making the right choice will be a breeze after reading this guide. Happy beaching!