Caribbean Islands: Part 4 "Virgin Gorda"

One island that stands out among the rest is Virgin Gorda. This beautiful island is small, but is loaded with unique geological features that will keep you coming back. Not only is Virgin Gorda georgous, but it has some wonderful high-end resorts that will blow you away. And to top it all off, this island has managed to stay non-commercialized and held onto its island roots and charm.

Jaw Dropping Overlook

Getting There

No matter how you get to Virgin Gorda, it’s a must see when you’re in the Virgin Islands and is the second most popular tourist destination in the BVIs. You don’t even need to jump through hoops to visit either. You can take a day trip on a charter boat (just don’t forget your passport!), take a fast ferry for a few hours of fun, or you can stay at one of the many beautiful island resorts or villas.

Hey, you can even charter your own boat!

The Baths

One of the most famous natual features is The Baths. Typically, whenever you hear about someone visiting Virgin Gorda, you’re going to hear about their trip to The Baths. Since the island is volcanic in origin, large granite boulders line a good portion of their white sandy beaches. You can walk, swim, snorkel, and explore all around with assistance of hand rails, trails, and signs.

Trail leading to The Baths

Climb and Play

Along the Trail

Bitter End

If you’re looking to stay on Virgin Gorda and you want to have a luxurous room and endless amenities, look no further than Bitter End Yacht Club. This resort is only accessible by sea (only 12 miles from Tortola and 30 miles from St. Thomas), so you feel like you're getting the true island experience. Don’t worry about running out of things to do either! They give their guests the ultimate experiece by offering water sports, a spa, day trips, weddings, and most of all, it’s located on a picturesque beach. How could you go wrong!

Click the links below to read more:

Caribbean Islands: Part 1 "St. John"

Caribbean Islands: Part 2 "Jost Van Dyke"

Caribbean Islands: Part 3 "Water Island"

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Caribbean Islands: Part 3 "Water Island"

Caribbean Islands: Water Island

When thinking of the USVI, three major islands typically pop into your head; St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix. But there is a fourth US Virgin Island that most people overlook! It’s called Water Island and it’s located a half mile off the south cost of St. Thomas and is only 491.5 acres. This quaint island is home to 182 residents (according to the 2010 census) and brings in plenty of guests from St. Thomas and all over the world, looking for a truly exclusive island getaway. There are no gas stations, shops, or convenient stores, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a lot to do! Here are some unique popular attractions only Water Island has to offer!

Beaches are a popular attraction throughout the Caribbean, but Water Island has two beaches that keep everyone coming back.

Honeymoon Beach Overlook

Honeymoon Beach

This beach is just as beautiful as any other beach you’ll find in the Virgin Islands, but it also has some unique qualities that set it apart. For one, it’s the main hub of the island, so there is always something going on! On some Mondays, they have Monday Movie Night right on the beach. Also, on Sundays, locals and tourist come down to Honeymoon to have a good time. It’s Sunday Funday! There are a lot of other social gatherings that take place on Honeymoon Beach! Some include birthday parties, holiday parties, and even a music festival. 

Sign for Honeymoon Beach

Colorful Chairs and Bright Blue Water of Honeymoon Beach

Limestone Beach

Unlike Honeymoon, Limestone Beach isn’t lined with white sand, but instead has layers on top of layers of coral. Also, this beach is rarely busy, and chances are, you might be the only one there. In order to get to Limestone, there is a short nature trail that allows you to get a good view of the island's preserved flora and fauna, and even local wildlife.

Your First Sight of Limestone When You Emerge from the Path

Limestone is a Fairly Long Beach and Makes for a Wonderful Walk

 Even though there aren’t any major restaurants, there are two bar/grills located right on Honeymoon Beach!

Heidi’s Honeymoon Grill

With awesome quick to order food and serving happy customers since 1999, Heidi’s is the place to go when you’ve been bumming around on the beach all day. Stick your toes in the sand and enjoy a hamburger that is cooked right in front of you. You can also order up a drink with your meal to make for one good time at the beach.

Dinghy’s Beach Bar and Grill

On the other end of the beach, you have Dinghy’s Beach Bar and Grill. This stays open later than Heidi’s, so if you’re staying late, this might be the spot for you. Order a drink and enjoy a dip in the ocean, all with cup in hand. 

Dinghy's on Hallowween

Dinghy's

Really, no matter where you go, you can’t go wrong!

Fort Segarra

Water Island is full of rich history! That includes the involvement the island had with WWII. All along the island you will find traces of history that link this island to WWII.

The Date is Feb. 7th 1944

One of the biggest examples of this is Fort Segarra. You can still walk around the old tunnels and see history at play, but make sure you bring a flash light if you want to go inside. Climb to the top of the tower and enjoy the 360 degree view of St. Thomas, Water Island and the stunning open ocean. 

View from the Fort

Walk to the Top to get a Great View

One of the Entrances

These are just a few things that sets apart Water Island from the rest. If you want to check it out for yourself, just take the ferry! It is a $10 round trip ticket and it is well worth your time.

The Ferry Dock

Click the links below to read more:

Caribbean Islands: Part 1 "St. John"
Caribbean Islands: Part 2 "Jost Van Dyke"
Caribbean Islands: Part 4 "Virgin Gorda" 

Visit our website at www.ziplinestthomas.com and

our Facebook at www.facebook.com/ziplinestthomas

Caribbean Islands: Part 2 "Jost Van Dyke"

    Caribbean Islands: Jost Van Dyke       

Jost Van Dyke is located a quick ferry ride or charter boat trip from St. Thomas to the British Virgin Islands. With its unique pirate history and quaint beachfront main town, Jost Van Dyke is home to one of largest New Years Eve parties in the world. 

They even decorate for the holidays!

Getting There

From St. Thomas, a quick ferry ride and check in through customs (remember your passport) will bring you to Great Bay. Alternatively, you can charter a boat to take you directly to the hot spot, White Bay.

Don't forget your passport!

Beaches

On Jost, there are two main beaches. The main harbor, Great Bay, is a nice sandy waterfront where you can find lovely shops and restaurants, once you are all shopped out, make sure to grab a drink and a hammock to bask in the warm Caribbean sun. The second and most popular beach is White Bay. There you will find world famous bars and restaurants and a daily party the likes of which you have probably never seen.

There's nothing like a Caribbean blue beach

Food and Fun

Foxy's is a local namesake in the Virgin Islands where local owner and crooner Foxy will serenade you with sweet songs while you have a fresh rum cocktail and try delicious local food.

Ivan's Stress Free is a bar where all your troubles will wash away. This a fantastic place catering to locals and guests alike and a unique hole in the wall where if you need your drink freshened up you can jump behind the bar and make it as you like. This was also the backdrop for Kenny Cheseny's No Shirt, No Shoes, No Problems music video. Even so, it is still off the beaten path and you almost will never find it overcrowded. 

Soggy Dollar Bar is by far the most famous local on Jost. This is the place where the famous Caribbean Drink, the Painkiller was born. A delicious cocktail made from rum, orange juice, cream of coconut and a little nutmeg it will take care of any worries or stress that you brought down with you. 

Click the links below to read more:

Caribbean Islands: Part 1 "St. John"

Caribbean Islands: Part 3 "Water Island"

Caribbean Islands: Part 4 "Virgin Gorda"

Visit our website at www.ziplinestthomas.com and

our facebook at www.facebook.com/ziplinestthomas

Caribbean Islands: Part 1 "St. John"

Caribbean Islands: St. John

This month, we are focusing on Caribbean Islands, and what makes them unique. Every island has qualities that sets itself apart from the rest and I wanted to highlight all of those features. This week, I am talking all about St. John!

Sweeping Views from a Trail on St. John

St. John is one of the most idyllic places that you can travel without a passport. Imagine yourself in azure waters that never cool and white sand beaches you only thought could exist in a postcard.

A short flight from the US mainland and then a quick ferry ride from the main island of St. Thomas gets you to downtown Cruz Bay St. John. Beachfront restaurants and bars all in quaint Caribbean pastels welcome you to one of the most welcoming ports in the Virgin Islands. Don't forget to grab your free shot of local Cruzan Rum as you step off the ferry into an incredible adventure.

 

Enjoy the Scenic Ferry Ride!

Beaches

St. John is one of the best places in the Caribbean to get away from it all without the threat of rampant over tourism and the constant nuisance of people trying to sell you trinkets. Most of the beaches on St. John are protected as part of the Virgin Islands National park. In fact, over sixty percent of the entire island is protected. The best part, no entrance fees. Unlike many of the other national parks in the U.S., the Virgin Islands National Park only charges boaters who are using the various mooring balls in the coves around the island. 

Solomon and Honeymoon beaches are locate side by side only a twenty minute hike from the Cruz Bay area. If quite and solitude is your cup of tea, then Solomon beach in the early morning can't get any better. Because it is only accessible by hiking trail and there are only a few moorings in this cove, Solomons beach is relatively quite most of the time. You will want to bring your own provisions since there is no infrastructure for miles.

Trunk Bay is arguably the most famous beach on St. John as it is consistently ranked one of the top ten beaches in the world. Looking for an easy day, this is your one stop shop with almost everything you need to camp out and enjoy the water. This is the only place in the park where there is a nominal entrance fee.

Trunk Bay Overlook

Cinnamon Bay is the best place to get wet on STJ with one of the most comprehensive water-sports venues on all of the Virgin Islands. From Paddleboards to Sailboats and snorkel gear rental, they have it all. A wonderful camp site is located right on the beachfront so you can truly get away from it all while having the most beautiful scenery at your fingertips. Also located on site is a camp store with basics and provisions as well as a full service restaurant.

Walked to the end of the beach  

Snorkeling
 

Waterlemon Cay is located on the north side of the island and provides some of the world’s most beautiful reef where you will see incredible sea life. Take caution as the current can be strong during the winter months and always be on the lookout for passing boats.

           

Hiking
 

Many trails crisscross the National Parks’ hills, but there are a few in particular that will take your breath away every time

Reef Bay Trail is located mid-island and is a strenuous three mile trek. Don't be deterred, for those who are fit the reward is amazing. Ancient petroglyphs from the Arawak and Carib tribes that once inhabited the islands before modern day settlers arrived. During rainy times a beautiful waterfall descends.

Salt pond and Rams Head Trail, located adjacent to the magnificent Coral Bay harbor, this hike will seem like a different world. As you walk along the edge of the salt pond, be on the lookout for huge land crabs. Once you reach Drunk Bay, you will be treated to thousands of coral sculptures left by previous visitors… make sure to leave a sculpture to commemorate your island excursion! The Rams Head trail veers up a steep rocky cliff face and at the end you meet an amazing 360 degree overlook.

Salt Pond

Crazy Awesome Terrain

 

Big Crab!

Food and Fun

St. John has numerous amazing culinary delights and unique watering holes to satiate your every desire. Skinny Legs in Coral Bay has some amazing burgers and great conversations with the unique local crowd. Don't forget to check out The Tap Room in Mongoose Junction in Cruz Bay Where the Locally Brewed St. John Brewers Beer is always cold right out of the tap.

With all of the amazing things to do and see on St. John you have to make sure you take the time to take a step back and relax taking in the incredible vistas that surround you. 

           

Cruz Bay

Click the links below to read more:

Caribbean Islands: Part 2 "Jost Van Dyke"
Caribbean Islands: Part 3 "Water Island"
Caribbean Islands: Part 4 "Virgin Gorda"  

Visit our website at www.ziplinestthomas.com and

our facebook at www.facebook.com/ziplinestthomas