How beautiful is Hawksnest??!! These colors are real, folks! If I post a picture on News of St. John, I can guarantee you that the colors are real and never altered. St. John really is that beautiful!
We’re taking a day off today to regroup and to work on some videos we recently filmed for you all. We have so many virtual vacations to share with you in the upcoming days and weeks. I know how much you all enjoy them.
The Governor is holding a press conference today at 1 p.m. If there are any major changes or updates, we will be sure to let you all know. Happy Friday everyone. We’re all in this together.
St. Johnopoly, St. John’s only board game, is available and is still shipping. If you would like a bit of St. John to arrive at your doorstep, you can order yours at www.newsofstjohn.com/stjohnopoly
Want to get News of St. John updates emailed directly to you? Please go to www.newsofstjohn.com/signup to sign up.
Hello everyone! It’s been a bit since we updated you on what’s happening with regard to COVID-19 on St. John and in the US Virgin Islands. Here is the latest information we know:
As of April 2, there are 33 confirmed cases in the US Virgin Islands. There are two cases on St. John, 20 on St. Thomas and 11 on St. Croix.
Governor Bryan extended the Territory’s State of Emergency through April 30.
Governor Bryan extended the Territory’s Stay at Home order through April 30.
Governor Bryan extended the closure of all non-essential businesses through April 30.
Hotels, villa owners, Airbnbs and other accommodations are not permitted to accept new guests for the time being. That order went into effect March 25 and continues for 30 days. There is an exception for those who were in the Territory prior to March 25 and needed to change accommodations.
Health screenings are expected to begin at the Territory’s airports.
All bars are closed.
Restaurants are allowed to operate for take-out only. There is no in-person dining.
The following restaurants are open on St. John. This list is ever-changing, so please check with your favorite restaurant for specific details and hours.
Sam & Jack’s
Shaibu’s Grab & Go
The Tap Room
North Shore Deli
18/64
Cafe Roma
Dave & Jerry’s
Hillcrest Terrace
Ronnie’s Pizza
Uncle Joe’s BBQ
The Longboard
Extra Virgin Bistro
Cruz Bay Landing
Coral Bay Caribbean Oasis
Miss Lucy’s
Skinny Legs (reopening April 3)
The Virgin Islands National Park remains open, although many services have been suspended.
Governor Bryan states Tuesday that it will likely be not until June or July “before economic activity on the islands returns to normal,” the St. John Source reported.
That’s all we have for today. As always, we will keep you posted on everything.
St. Johnopoly, St. John’s only board game, is available and is still shipping. If you would like a bit of St. John to arrive at your doorstep, you can order yours at www.newsofstjohn.com/stjohnopoly
Want to get News of St. John updates emailed directly to you? Please go to www.newsofstjohn.com/signup to sign up.
Hello everyone, and happy April! I don’t know about all of you, but I am happy that April is finally arrived, and I will be happier when it ends. 🙂 Hopefully this month passes quickly, so we are that much closer to returning to some sort of normalcy.
I know how much you all are loving our island videos. Earlier this week, we shared one taken in Cruz Bay. Well today, we’re sharing one that we took yesterday in Coral Bay. We filmed it around 4 p.m. using our GoPro. Just like Cruz Bay, Coral Bay is pretty darn quiet right now. We miss you all, but it’s necessary that you all stay away for the time being. I will certainly let you know as soon as it’s ok on our end for you all to return.
In the meantime, enjoy this five-minute cruise around Coral Bay. And for those of you who missed out Cruz Bay ride, you can click here to watch it.
Hello everyone, and happy Tuesday! I took a spin around the island yesterday, and I could not get over the sheer number of boats that are anchored and moored in our bays. It was pretty unbelievable. I spoke with a woman at Maho a few days back, and she told me that the US Virgin Islands was the only place that was accepting boaters. Several countries down island were not letting them in, so they chose to travel here. And as a result, our bays are extremely crowded.
LameshurRendezvous Bay
Over at Maho and Francis, it appeared that every single mooring was taken. I cannot recall the last time that has happened. I took several pics to share with all of you.
Maho/FrancisMaho/FrancisMaho/Francis
Have a wonderful day everyone. Stay safe.
St. Johnopoly, St. John’s only board game, is available and is still shipping. If you would like a bit of St. John to arrive at your doorstep, you can order yours at www.newsofstjohn.com/stjohnopoly
Want to get News of St. John updates emailed directly to you? Please go to www.newsofstjohn.com/signup to sign up.
Hello everyone, and happy Monday! I hope you all had a wonderful weekend wherever in the world you may be.
I’ve received numerous emails asking what the island is currently like. In a nutshell, it’s pretty much closed. All nonessential businesses like retail shops, boat charters, tour companies, etc. are closed. Several restaurants opted to close. Those that have stayed open can offer carry out only. The island is very quiet.
We took a spin through Cruz Bay yesterday and filmed the following video for all of you.
It’s definitely a crazy time that we’re all living in right now. This, too, shall pass. Stay safe everyone.
St. Johnopoly, St. John’s only board game, is available and is still shipping. Buy yours today, and receive it by the end of the week. If you would like a bit of St. John to arrive at your doorstep, you can order yours at www.newsofstjohn.com/stjohnopoly
Want to get News of St. John updates emailed directly to you? Please go to www.newsofstjohn.com/signup to sign up.
Mid Way Gas Station is located on Centerline Road.
Back in August, we told you that a new gas station and grocery store complex was being built on Centerline Road. Well today I’m excited to tell you that the gas station recently opened, and it’s full serve!
(You know you live on a small island when a new gas station that is offering full service is very big news!)
Full service!
Where Is the New Gas Station on St. John?
Mid Way Gas Station is located on Centerline Road just before Mile 3 (if coming from Cruz Bay) in the Adrian neighborhood. This is the third gas station on island – the other two were located in Cruz Bay – and it’s the closest gas station for those living or vacation in Coral Bay. Prior to this, people in Coral Bay had to drive at least 16 miles roundtrip simply to get gas.
There is also a grocery store at the complex, but that has not opened yet. Soon come…
The grocery store has not opened yet.
Looks great, doesn’t it??!
What Are the Hours for the New Gas Station on St. John?
Mid Way Gas Station is open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
St. Johnopoly, St. John’s only board game, is available and is still shipping. If you would like a bit of St. John to arrive at your doorstep, you can order yours at www.newsofstjohn.com/stjohnopoly
Want to get News of St. John updates emailed directly to you? Please go to www.newsofstjohn.com/signup to sign up.
Well folks, we made it to Friday. Although for many of you, like me, it doesn’t really feel like a Friday. All the days just seem to blend together, well for me at least. Fortunately this is only temporary, and we will all get through this together.
Many people have been emailing me, asking what it’s currently like on St. John. The answer in one word: quiet.
As you may have read, we are under a stay at home order here in the US Virgin Islands. This is not a curfew, nor is it a lockdown. We are able to leave our home to complete tasks that are essential for daily life. Fortunately that includes exercise. I’ve been doing a fair amount of hiking, swimming and snorkeling over the last few days. I have lots of videos to share with you all in the upcoming days.
I last drove through Cruz Bay yesterday afternoon, and it was a ghost town. The majority of businesses are closed. We have a handful of restaurants in Cruz Bay that are open for take-out only. Over in Coral Bay, there are just two that are open to my knowledge. I passed the ferry dock yesterday, and there was only one taxi parked at the dock. We have few tourists left on the island.
The beaches are very quiet, which, admittedly, is sort of nice for the time being. Earlier this month, I came home and announced that Maho was no longer my favorite beach. (It broke my heart to say that.) The beach was overly crowded, there were more taxis parked at Maho Crossroads than I could count, people were parked up and down the roadway, and I was concerned that the number of people at Maho would affect the turtle population at the far right side of the beach. When I was at Maho yesterday, there were no more than 25 people on the whole beach. It was quite the change.
Driving up North Shore, I only saw a handful of rental Jeeps at the beach. The majority of vehicles were residents, and even those vehicles were few.
When the storms happened, I was confident you would all return when the island was ready. Currently, I am apprehensive about the future of St. John’s tourism.
St. John has a “season” which typically runs from November/December (it really kicks in at Christmas time) and runs through Easter. We still get a fair amount of travelers into June and July, but then tourism slows dramatically due to hurricane season. August and September in particular, and a good part of October, are generally very quiet here on the island. I often tell my island tour guests that many of us are similar to teachers. We work really hard during high season and save our pennies, because our income really dwindles during hurricane season.
This pandemic essentially shuttered St. John during our high season. And by the looks of it, it will likely subside during our slower season. And then hurricane season arrives. I am afraid that many people living here on St. John will not be able to weather this storm. Many are finally getting their footing back following the 2017 hurricanes. This pandemic has the potential to really hurt this island and its people.
I know we are not alone in this. I simply want to let you know what many of us are facing here on St. John.
People are cancelling vacations that are scheduled for May, June and beyond. That are citing the pandemic. I simply don’t understand that logic. Once again, I implore you to take a wait and see approach rather than cancelling trips that far out. Unless there is a financial concern. In that case, I absolutely understand and respect your decision to cancel.
You can still support your favorite business during this time. Many small businesses here on St. John have websites that offer gift certificates, St. John souvenirs or swag. Consider purchasing an item now, or a gift certificate you can use later. You can go ahead and rebook that boat trip or an island tour with me now. Let us know you plan to return.
Bored at home? I created St. Johnopoly, which is just like the traditional Monopoly board game that’s been around for more than a century, but it has been completely customized for the island of St. John. Rather than start on Go, you will start at the ferry dock. Using tokens like a petroglyph or Jeep, you can land on your favorite spots like Woody’s, High Tide and more. Games are shipping daily, so order yours today at www.newsofstjohn.com/stjohnopoly
Lastly, I am curious… When do you plan to return to St. John (provided the island is open for tourism once again). Please let us know by voting in the poll below.
Thank you everyone. I hope you all have a wonderful day. 🙂
We’re taking the day off today to enjoy some family time. We will be back tomorrow. Have a great one, everyone. 🙂
St. Johnopoly, St. John’s only board game, is available and is still shipping. If you would like a bit of St. John to arrive at your doorstep, you can order yours at www.newsofstjohn.com/stjohnopoly
Today’s virtual vacation will take you to the most photographed spot on the island… the overlook at Trunk Bay. We filmed this for you yesterday. It’s just under a minute. Enjoy.
