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A Few Businesses to Check Out…

Jenn Manes December 14, 2022 1 Comment

Hello everyone, and happy Wednesday! I am all about paying it forward, so today’s post is going to be about just that. 🙂

I published my first post here at Island Tidbits three months ago today. Time certainly flies when you’re having fun! When I first launched the site, I wasn’t certain how it would be received. Well I have to admit, I am super excited to see that so many of you are enjoying it. A huge thank you for that! I am also very thankful for the businesses who contacted me over the past three months and asked to join me in this new endeavor. So today, I’d like to give them all a little extra love.

If you are planning a St. John vacation, or if you happen to be on St. John, please check out the following businesses:

Elaine Estern’s Coconut Coast Studios

Elaine Estern is known for her stunning watercolor paintings that often depict the beauty of the underwater world. She welcomes you all to visit her studio, which is located in Frank Bay, just down the hill from Gallows Point Resort, Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can purchase original paintings, reproductions, calendars, note cards, magnets and more. You can shop in the store or online. Click this link to check out Coconut Coast Studios online.

Palm Tree Charters

Palm Tree Charters is one of the top boat charter companies based on St. John. They were also the first private charter company to get approval to visit the British Virgin Islands back in October. They current offer full day and sunset trips on a variety of boats, including a luxury 36-foot Aquila, two World Cats and a Glacier Bay. Spend the day cruising around St. John and stop at fun spots like Lime Out and Pizza Pi, or venture over the BVIs, and check out the world famous Soggy Dollar Bar, the picturesque Baths and more. Click this link to learn more about Palm Tree Charters.

340 Real Estate Co.

Tammy Donnelly, owner of 340 Real Estate Co., offers property, sales and management on St. John. Looking to own a piece of paradise? Then look no further than 340 Real Estate Co. Tammy and seven additional agents offer residential, condo, land and commercial real estate. In fact, I used Tammy as my personal realtor when I first explored owning a home on St. John. Click this link to learn more about 340 Real Estate Co. and to see what’s currently listed for sale on St. John.

Southern Exposure

Looking for a quiet and serene place to stay when vacationing on St. John? Then you’ll want to check out Southern Exposure. Southern Exposure is a three bedroom, three bath villa that has panoramic ocean views. It’s located in the quiet neighborhood of Fish Bay, which is roughly 10-15 minutes from Cruz Bay. This home comfortably sleeps up to six people. It has a good-sized outdoor living space and a pool. Click this link to learn more about Southern Exposure and to see additional pics.

Fish Tales

Fish Tales is a cute and comfortable Caribbean cottage. This home has two bedrooms and two bathrooms, and sleeps up to six guests. This spacious home is located in Fish Bay and has views of Bovocap Point and Little St. James. It is located near the border of the National Park, and it is close enough that you can even walk to Reef Bay beach. Fish Tales has a generous outdoor living space complete with a small dipping pool. Click this link to learn more about Fish Tales and to see additional pics.

Mystical Mermaid

Mystical Mermaid is one of my favorite villas on St. John. If I could live here, I would in a heartbeat. Mystical Mermaid is two bedroom, two bath villa located in a flat stretch of Fish Bay. The home is open and airy, and extremely private. There is a large living space, both inside and out, and a large pool with a separate hot tub. If you are looking for an updated home with ample privacy, then you will definitely want to check this one out. Click this link to learn more about Mystical Mermaid and to see additional pics.

Villa Bonita

Looking for an accessible villa that’s all on one level? Then Villa Bonita is for you! Villa Bonita is a beautifully finished three bedroom, 3.5 bath villa. Each bedroom has an en suite bathroom, so it is great for families or friends vacationing together. This home features a gourmet kitchen and has central air throughout. There are water views from the covered and uncovered deck areas, and it also features a pool. Villa Bonita is located in Fish Bay and is about 10 minutes from Cruz Bay. Click this link to learn more about Villa Bonita and to see additional pics.

Holiday Homes

Holiday Homes has been specializing in St. John real estate since 1960. Holiday Homes has full time brokers, sales agents and more than 20 referral agents on staff. Holiday Homes has an office on the first floor of the MarketPlace, just outside of Starfish Market. You can stop by and see what they currently have listed for sale, or even take a peek at some of their listings which are featured outside of their office. Click this link to learn more about Holiday Homes and to see what’s currently listed for sale on St. John.

Mare Blu

If you are looking for luxury, then look no further than Mare Blu. It is sophisticated. It is elegant. And it is quite large with amazing views! Mare Blu features six primary suites, an extremely generous living space – both inside and outdoors – and a large pool that overlooks the picturesque Rendezvous Bay. You can even see St. Croix while floating in the pool on a clear day. Mare Blu is conveniently located less than 10 minutes from Cruz Bay. Click this link to learn more about Mare Blu and to see additional pics.

James M. Miller Property Management

James M. Miller Property Management offers luxury and affordable vacation villas and cottage on St. John. Their more than 30 vacation rentals are located throughout the island from Cruz Bay to Coral Bay and beyond. James M. Miller Property Management makes an extra effort to be prompt, helpful, knowledgable and efficient to exceed your island expectation. Click here to learn more about James M. Miller Property Management and to view their more than 30 vacation rentals.

Villa Circe

That view! Villa Circe is a newly renovated six bedroom, four bath home perched atop a ridge in Upper Carolina, a neighborhood in Coral Bay. This home has panoramic views of the British Virgin Islands in one direction and Coral Bay in the other. This multi-level home is the perfect getaway for a large family or a group of friends. Click here to learn more about Villa Circe and to see additional pics.

Lovango Resort Beach Club

Eat. Drink. Lounge, Repeat. Sounds good to me! The Lovango Resort & Beach Club is just a 10-minute boat ride from Cruz Bay. Enjoy the stunning views from this luxury beach club that also offers fun and casual waterside dining. Looking to stay at the resort? Be sure to check out their luxury treehouse-like accommodations. Click here to learn more about the Lovango Resort & Beach Club and to see additional pics.

If you would like to advertise on IslandTidbits.com, please feel free to send me an email at jenn@explorestj.com.

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Exploring the Island: Hiking to Ram Head

Jenn Manes December 13, 2022 0 Comments

The view from the top of Ram head looking west along St. John’s south shore

I don’t know about you, but sometimes I enjoy taking a walk that leads me to somewhere beautiful. And we have so many options around St. John to do just that. Today I am going to tell you about one of my favorites – the hike to Ram Head.

Ram Head is located in the southeastern section of the island, and south of Coral Bay. To get to Ram Head, you will first take Route 10 east (if coming from Cruz Bay), and then you will take a right at the Coral Bay sign, which is Route 107. You will drive just under four miles until you see the parking lot for Salt Pond on your left. This is where the hike begins.

The parking area at the trailhead that leads you to Salt Pond and Ram Head

Ram Head is 1.2 miles from the parking lot.

As you can see in the image above, the hike from the parking lot to Ram Head is 1.2 miles. I timed the hike on my Apple Watch, and it took me 38 minutes. I did, however, stop to take numerous pictures along the way.

The hike to Ram Head isn’t extremely tough when it comes to the terrain. What makes this hike tough is the heat. There is very little shade along the path, so you will definitely want to wear sun protection and bring plenty of water. It’s also best to do this hike early in the morning before it gets too hot out.

The hike from the parking lot to Salt Pond Bay beach is .3 miles, or about five to 10 minutes. It’s a wide path, that is mostly dirt, but it is rocky in some spots. The hike to Ram Head is definitely a sneaker or sandal with straps type of hike in my opinion.

There is a restroom at the bottom of the trail near Salt Pond Bay, and it is usually very clean.

Once you arrive at Salt Pond Bay, you will walk across the sand. At the end of the beach, follow the path to your right and along the shoreline. The path will then go into the woods and up a hill. Follow that for a bit, and soon you will reach Blue Cobblestone beach.

Follow the path along the shoreline to the right at the end of the beach. The path to the left leads you to Drunk Bay.

The trail then goes into the woods, and you will climb some hills.

That’s Blue Cobblestone beach in the distance.

Be very careful as you walk across the cobblestones, as some are loose and wobbly. I twisted my ankle pretty badly when hiking this stretch once, and it was no fun at all.

Toward the end of Blue Cobblestone beach, you will see a sign that simply says “Trail” and points to your left. Follow that up a short, but winding hill and you will soon see Ram Head in front of you.

The top of Ram Head is on the hill in the distance to the right.

After walking for a few minutes, you will come to a cut in the land. The wind whips up and through this little section. It’s a great spot to cool off before making the final climb up to Ram Head. From here, it’s just a few minutes and you will be at the top of Ram Head.

You are almost to the cut at this point.

Hold onto your hats, because it’s super windy right here!

The views at the top of Ram Head are some of the most spectacular on island. You can see a great deal of St. John’s south shore in one direction and several islands in the British Virgin Islands in the other direction. You can even see St. Croix to the south on a clear day.

British Virgin Islands in the distance (somewhat shaded) and to the right

My friend Pat checking out St. Croix to the south.

Ram Head is also an integral part of St. John’s history.

“It has been speculated that this remote and inhospitable region provided a hideout for runaway slaves, called maroons, who lived here just before the slave rebellion in 1733,” according to seestjohn.com. “This was a time of severe drought on St. John. Food could not be easily grown and was in scarce supply. The biggest problem the maroons faced was finding fresh water. The underground springs had dried up along with the freshwater pools of the major guts. On Ram Head, however, the maroons could provide themselves with food and water. Water could be found stored in the cactus that proliferated on the peninsula and the sea around the point provided excellent fishing. Whelks could be picked along the rocky portions of the coast, and conch could be harvested on the grassy seabed of Salt Pond Bay.”

The site continues, “For these reasons, Ram Head is thought to have been a stronghold for the Akwamu tribesman who rebelled against slavery in 1733. When the tides of battle turned against the rebels, a group of warriors committed suicide here rather than face capture.”

How to Get to Ram Head

It’s best to take a rental car or an island tour out to this part of the island. The taxis will drive you to Salt Pond, but they do not routinely go past this area. This means that you may get a ride out, but you will most likely will not get a ride back unless you schedule it in advance with your driver. The cost of a taxi from Cruz Bay to Salt Pond is $30 for one person or $21 for two or more people. You can opt to pay the taxi to wait for you, which costs $1 per minute. The bus is another option, however I have heard countless stories from hikers who were left stranded after missing the bus.

Interested in seeing more of St. John? Please contact me to learn more about my island tours. I am a licensed tour guide with a five-star rating on TripAdvisor. Feel free to check out my website at ExploreSTJ.com or email me at jenn@explorestj.com.

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Island Tidbits would like to welcome our newest advertiser James M. Miller Property Management. James M. Miller Property Management offers both luxury and affordable vacation rentals and cottages on St. John. I’ve worked with them for years, and I can say firsthand that they take an extra effort to be prompt, helpful, courteous, and efficient to exceed your island expectations. Please click here to view their more than 30 vacation rentals.

Stay on the Beach at Cinnamon Bay

Jenn Manes December 12, 2022 4 Comments

The beach near some of my favorite eco-tents & bare sites at Cinnamon Bay

Did you know that you can stay just 40 steps from the beach for as little as $40 a night? It’s true! Camping may not be for everyone, but there is definitely a more affordable way to stay in St. John, and today I plan to tell you all about it. Camping really isn’t your thing? No problem! There are other options at Cinnamon Bay that are affordable and don’t require you to sleep in a tent. 🙂

Let’s start with the basics… Cinnamon Bay is the only campground in the Virgin Islands National Park on St. John. It’s located on St. John’s north shore, between Trunk Bay and Maho Bay. (Peter Bay is to its west, but that beach does not have public road access.) Cinnamon Bay is less than 20 minutes from Cruz Bay, and the taxis go there regularly.

Like all of St. John, Cinnamon Bay was heavily damaged when Hurricane Irma rolled through back in 2017. It stayed closed for several years as renovations occurred, and it finally reopened last January. And since the storms, Cinnamon Bay has been converted to a nonprofit, so all proceeds support St. John.

Cinnamon Bay has three types of accommodations: bare sites, eco tents and cottages.

Bare Sites

All bare sites include a wooden platform with a rain cover, a picnic table and a charcoal grill. You can opt to bring your own tent and gear, or you can choose to rent a bare site with a tent and linens. You can also choose to rent a cooking kit for an additional fee. The cost to rent a bare site starts between $40 and $50 a night, depending on the season. They are located in different areas within the campground. My favorite is number 13, which is about 40 steps from the beach.

Eco Tents

Want to kinda camp, but not really camp? Then an eco tent might be a good option for you! These are permanent tent structures that include a queen-sized bed, a fan, light, electrical outlet, linens and a cooking kit. The cost to rent an eco tent starts between $130 and $175 a night, depending on the season. Oceanside eco tents are priced a bit higher.

Check out this quick video I took of sites 12, 13 and 14, which are some of my absolutely favorites.

Cottages

Ok, now this is a great option for those of you who want to stay on the beach, prefer not to camp, and don’t want to break the bank at the same time. The cottages are solid concrete buildings that have windows on the front and back to allow the gentle breezes to roll through. Each cottage has a queen-sized bed, plus a day bed/sofa with a trundle. They also have a mini fridge and grill, and they come complete with linens and cooking kits. All of the cottages are located on the western side of Cinnamon Bay and are very close to the beach. The cost to rent a cottage is between $230 and $285 a night, depending on the season.

Check out this quick video I took to show you the location of the cottages at Cinnamon Bay:

As I mentioned, prices are based on season. Here is the breakdown:

Low season is July 16th through August 31st. Rates range from $40 to $230 a night.
Mid season is May 1st through July 15th and also November 1st through December 14th. Rates range from $45 to $250 a night.
High season is December 15th through April 30th. Rates range from $50 and $285 a night.

All rates are based on double occupancy. The Cinnamon Bay campground is closed in September and October.

Cinnamon Bay is a full service campground, and its amenities are offered to non-campers who are stopping bay to use the beach as well. It has a large restaurant that serves lunch and dinner near the entrance and parking lots areas. There is also a food truck near the beach that serves lunch. A new food truck is coming soon, so it’s food offerings will be expended later this season. I will keep you posted on that.

The restaurant at Cinnamon Bay serves breakfast and dinner. It is open to the public.

The food truck is located beside the beach at Cinnamon Bay.

There are restrooms available to everyone. There is also a spigot beside the main restroom building near the beach where you can rinse the sand off your feet. Showers are only available to campers.

Cinnamon Bay also has a well-stocked camp store that has drinks, snacks, t-shirts, hats, reef-safe sunscreen and more.

I know the world has gotten pricier in recent years, and St. John is no exception. So this is a nice, affordable option for many of us. If you are interested in learning more about the Cinnamon Bay campground, please check out its website at CinnamonBayVI.com.

(Quick note to my readers: This is not a paid placement story. I simply write about the places I enjoy & items I think you will care about. I like to promote cool places and great businesses on the island.)

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IslandTidbits.com: Use It to Plan Your St. John Vacation

Jenn Manes December 9, 2022 0 Comments

Hello everyone, and happy Friday! Today I wanted to point out some features here on IslandTidbits.com that you may have missed since we launched back in September. There are lots of items here that will help you plan your St. John vacation.

Let’s start with how to get here. You will notice in the Important Links section in our sidebar a link that says “How to Get to St. John.” This link tells you everything you need to know from flying into St. Thomas to taxiing to one of the three ferry options (Red Hook, Crown Bar or Charlotte Amalie) and then the actual ferries or barges, which you will need to take to get to St. John. It even discusses the customs process at the airport. Click here to read How to Get to St. John. You can also find this information under our Info tab in the Island Tidbits menu.

Want to see what St. John looks like at this very moment? We have more than 20 live-streaming webcams over on our Webcams page. We’ve included webcams from Cruz Bay to Coral Bay and beyond. We even included the Soggy Dollar Bar’s webcam too. You can see all of our webcams at IslandTidbits.com/webcams.

Interested in watching some videos recently taken here on St. John? I’ve uploaded 10 videos so far. There are beach videos – Trunk Bay, Honeymoon Beach & Saltwell Bottom. There are also GoPro videos I have taken while driving around the island. Want to see exactly what it looks like to drive from Cruz Bay to Maho Bay? Well you can! Check out that and all of our videos at IslandTidbits.com/videos.

Now let’s talk Logistics. I’ve created two custom maps. One shows you exactly where our restaurants are located, and the other shows basic logistics like parking lots (paid & free), dumpsters (we drop our garbage off here), public restrooms and more. One thing to note: There is a Coco Jim’s marker incorrectly placed in Cruz Bay. That is on the public Google map, and I do not have the ability to change it, although I did notify Google. Coco Jim’s is correctly placed on my map (purple marker). It’s located on Route 10 beside Mid Way. We plan to add more categories to the Logistics map soon, including laundromats, ATMs, etc., so please check back often for updates.

In addition to all of this helpful information, I also post stories daily that will also help you plan your St. John vacation. I enjoy writing about hiking trails, history, restaurant openings, re-openings and more. There are so many great things happening here, and so many cool stories from the past, and I am excited to share it all with you.

So please bookmark this website – www.IslandTidbits.com. Follow us on social media. Click here for Facebook. Click here for Instagram. Want to see our videos as soon as they post? Click here to check out our YouTube channel.

If you’d like to get our stories emailed to you once or twice a week? Please click here to Subscribe. Prefer to receive our posts daily? Just click the email icon at the bottom of this post to sign up.

And lastly, if there is anything you are interested in learning more about, please email me at jenn@explorestj.com. I would love to hear from you.

That’s it for today. Thank you for reading Island Tidbits. I hope you find this site to be helpful when planning your St. John vacation.

Have a wonderful day!

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The Cannon at the Ferry Dock

Jenn Manes December 8, 2022 2 Comments

Hello everyone! So I’ve been writing Islands Tidbits for just under three months now, and I see that I have so many more readers today than I did when I first started this blog back in September. (Thank you so much for reading!) So I figured I would re-share the following story, because I think it’s so interesting. And I think you’ll find it to be interesting too. Here is the story of the cannon at the ferry dock in Cruz Bay.

The bulk of people who visit St. John, or return to the island, do so via the Cruz Bay ferry dock. And as we do so, we pass an important element of our island’s history – a cannon that was previously located at Fortsberg in Coral Bay. The ruins of Fortsberg, an 18th century citadel fortress, are located on a hill above the eastern side of Coral Bay harbor. Fortsberg was the site of a successful slave rebellion in 1733.

This particular cannon was relocated from Fortsberg to Cruz Bay when the ferry dock was being built in 1838. At that time, it was placed with its muzzle facing downward and into the ground, a common practice during peacetime. The cannon was used as a hitching post for donkeys or horses. (The fort at Fortsberg was decommissioned in 1765.)

The cannon at the Cruz Bay ferry dock was originally placed muzzle down. *Image source: Library of Congress*

When the dock was remodeled in the 1990s, the cannon was placed pointing out to sea, which is culturally and historically inaccurate. The good news is that the ferry dock is set to be renovated once again, and local historians and residents are asking that the cannon be restored to its original position.

In 2013, three additional cannons were uncovered on the beach in Cruz Bay. It is believed that they, too, were originally located at Fortsberg. The three cannons were removed at the time, and moved to a “secure place” according to a 2013 St. John Source article. It turns out that the “secure place” is just behind a building, but let’s hope that changes soon.

Three cannons were found on Cruz Bay beach in 2013. *Image source: St. John Source*

So the next time you’re coming or going via the Cruz Bay ferry dock, please take a moment to check out this cannon. It’s such an important part of the island’s history.