• Rising out of the crystal clear Caribbean sea is the picture perfect island of St. John.
•
The smallest of the United States Virgin Islands, only five miles wide
by nine miles wide, it over 60 percent National Park so development has
been kept to a minimum.
• In the 1950’s Lawrence
Rockefeller fell in love with the island after a anchoring his yacht
off shore. He bought up 5 thousand acres and eventually donated the
land to the National Park.
• Friendly locals, beautiful
mountainous terrain, white sandy beaches and colorful abundant reefs
make St. John a place to consider for your next vacation.
What to do on St. John’s •
Snorkeling is one of the most popular activities on the island. Great
family fun that everyone can enjoy. Bring your own equipment or rent
when you get there.
Where to Snorkeling & what you’ll see: Trunk
Bay – Trunk Bay is home to the underwater snorkeling trail. The
trail consists of a series of underwater monuments and signs that
provide information on the surrounding flora. You’ll see elk horn
coral and queen angelfish. Rated as one of the top beaches in the
Caribbean. $4.00 a person. Full facilities and rentals. Can get very
crowed in the middle of the day, best bet go early or late.
Leinster Bay & Waterlemon Cay-
A bit of a hike along the shore but well worth it. Before you begin you
snorkeling hike into the mountains and check out the sugar plantation
ruins and views of the cay. Making your way back to the beach
you’ll most likely pass on the island resident wild donkeys. Here
you’ll see eel, stingrays, starfish turtles and blue tang as you
snorkel around the cay.
Hansen Bay (Vie’s Campground) -
Octopus, parrotfish and squid will be your playmates for the day. Pull
your chair under a mangrove tree and enjoy its shade all day. To the
left is a rocky cove that is the perfect playground for hundreds of
fish. Swim through schools of silver baitfish. Look closely at the
rocks and you’ll be amazed at what you’ll see. Look for
empty conch shells near the rocks for help in finding an octopus.
Snorkling on St. John
View from our window @ Gallows Point on St. John
Where to stay:
Maho Bay Campground: Spend your nights on St. John camping in the trees. The
roomy tent-cottages are nearly hidden by lush foliage providing
privacy. Translucent fabric on wood frames, screened windows and
open-air terraces take advantage of the cooling Virgin Islands trade
winds. Each has a separate sleeping area with comfortable twin beds. An
extra mattress is behind the sleeping-couch in the living area. Bed
linens, blankets, towels, cooking and eating utensils are all provided,
including propane stove and ice cooler. Every tent-cottage has its own
private deck, electric outlets, lights and fans. Barbecue areas and
fresh water are available along the walkways.
Gallows Point Resort:
Minutes from the ferry, rooms that open unto the bay and ocean,
swimming pool and a snorkeling. You will not want to leave.
ZoZo’s restaurant at Gallows’s Point is excellent and great
for a grown ups night out. Each unit is privately owned.
Closer to home: Swim with the fishes:
Swim
with the fishes at the Florida Aquarium Swim with the Fishes is an
in-water reef adventure that gives you the opportunity to encounter one
of the Florida Keys' most beautiful coral reef dive sites without being
a certified SCUBA diver. You will wear a small SCUBA tank, regulator
and floatation device that keeps you on the surface. This allows you to
experience the thrill of SCUBA diving from the surface, while enjoying
all of the sights below. PURPOSE: To provide a unique experience,
especially for kids, that teaches the basic concepts of SCUBA and to
see the beauty of Florida's aquatic environments through our exhibit. CORAL REEF EXHIBIT FACTS:
The Coral Reefs Gallery simulates a 60-foot dive modeled after an
actual dive site in the Dry Tortugas near Key West, Florida. In this
500,000-gallon tank, you will see a reef that is the base for a vibrant
community of live animals that includes more than 1,700 animals,
representing about 65 species, all native to Florida.
