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.
Halloween Weekend Tricks, Treats, Moko Jumbies, and Movies
Covid-19 has provided more than its share of disappointments this year. And let’s face it – we could all use a moment of silence to grieve this year’s absence of the famous/infamous Skinny Legs Halloween Party and Costume Contest.
But don’t despair! We’re here to share a couple of fun Halloween options for you this weekend!
Read moreHalloween Weekend Tricks, Treats, Moko Jumbies, and Movies
New Breakfast Options on Island
Let’s be honest, when planning a visit to St. John, where you’re going to eat definitely lists high on your trip planning list. Well today we’d like to make that a little easier for you because we have two great new breakfast options here on island that we’d like to tell you about. And an added bonus: One serves lunch and the other has a nice, new grab and go option! Interested? Well please read on!
Friends of the Park Online Villa and Art Auction Next Month
Dreaming about a Virgin Islands vacation? Friends of the Virgin Islands National Park have organized an online villa auction that makes it easy for you to bid to win a safe and socially distanced stay on St. John or St. Thomas!
Read moreFriends of the Park Online Villa and Art Auction Next Month
Business Spotlight: A Day of Luxury on Silver Coral
A lot of you out there are probably in the midst of the beginnings of some chilly weather in the states. You’re likely starting to daydream about your annual winter warm up. Let the vacation planning begin! What better way to spend a day on St. John than being on the water aboard Love City’s newest luxury charter boat?
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National Park Visitor Center Re-Opens!
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!
Where Am I?
One of my favorite architectural details on St. John is the incorporation of rock, seashells, and coral into many of the walls and buildings. I always assumed it was purely for aesthetics. Well, you know what they say about assuming.
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.
Saba Rock Resort Re-Opening Its Doors Early 2021
You know the saying, “You don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone”? That pretty much summed up my relationship with Saba Rock. Until now.
Saba Rock (often confused with the larger island of Saba, located south-east of the USVI) is a small, acre-sized British Virgin Island in the North Sound of Virgin Gorda, and a nearby neighbor to the famous Necker island, owned by Sir Richard Branson.
Live on St. John for Free!
Well folks, it’s been a crazy year to say the least. Many of you are probably dreaming of your next vacation and perhaps even the next one after that. I know I am! Well what if I told you that you could live here on St. John, for free, for up to six months. Sounds too good to be true, doesn’t it? Well it’s not! Please read on!
The Virgin Islands National Park is currently seeking bay hosts, something they do annually. Bay hosts assist the VI National Park by providing boaters with information on how to use park waters, the mooring system and more. Bay hosts are needed from December 1, 2020 through June 1, 2020, and are asked to make a three to six month commitment. The hosts are expected to provide 40 hours of volunteer time per week with Sundays and Mondays off. Locations needed include Honeymoon, Maho, Francis, Leinster, Salt Pond and Lameshur bays.
A few requirements: You need to have your own vessel, and it must be non-commercial use while you are acting as a bay host. It also needs to be registered in the USVI and have a holding tank onboard.
In exchange for volunteering, you will be given a mooring ball for free during your agreed-upon stay. You will also receive free gas for your dinghy.
I don’t know about you, but if I had a boat, I would love to help out and live in one of these beautiful bays for a few months!
If you are interested and meet the qualifications listed above, please call (340) 776-6201, ext. 249 for more information.