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La Bella Vita

Luxury Vacation Villa
Gift Hill, St. John, USVI

Activities

Map of St John Vacation Homes

Scuba Diving

The underwater world in the Virgin Islands is stunning. Dive around caves, explore sunken shipwrecks or night dive and explore the world of nocturnal marine life. Swim with turtles, bright parrotfish, blue tangs, schools of fry and much more.

The best conditions for diving in the islands are during the summer and fall months, with visibility between 60 - 110 feet. There are over a dozen dive sites around St. John. Most are shallow dives and many only 15 - 20 minutes from the shore/dock. In addition to those located in the Pillsbury Sound other popular sites are Eagle Shoal, Flanagan Reef, Maple Leaf, Cocoloba and Witch’s Hat.

Dive operators can safely guide you around. Certification courses and multi-day packages are also available. Remember, enjoy but please don’t touch, always check your equipment before each dive, never dive alone. We hope you’ll never need it but there is an excellent recompression chamber in the Schneider Regional Medical Center on St. Thomas and is on 24 hours a day.

6-Paq Scuba 340-776-1057
Low Key Water sports – 340-693-8999
http://www.divestjohn.com

 
Snorkeling and Super Snorkeling

Rocky coast lines, near shore reefs, off shore cays provide beautiful and varied snorkeling opportunities. Great visibility, constant water temperatures of 79 - 83 degrees year round, calm seas with little current and beautiful underwater scenery make the waters of St. John a great snorkel spot from the seasoned snorkelers to the never before snorkelers. There are gorgeous underwater gardens of coral, turtles, rays, octopuses, moray eels and an abundance of fish both large and small.

Snorkeling from the shore can be done with or without a guide. Some favorite beaches on St. John for snorkeling are: Trunk Bay, Cinnamon Bay, Salt pond Bay, Waterlemon Cay, Francis Bay and Hansen Bay.

Full or half day charters by boat can also take you to two or three unique snorkeling locations within the protected National Park. Day charters often include lunch, drinks, snorkeling gear and stories or history by the captain.

Low Key Water Sports located in Wharfside Village can help with equipment rentals and charters (340) 693-8999. Don’t forget your fish ID card and underwater camera !

Super Snorkeling or Snuba are for those of you who like to snorkel but do not scuba dive. Snuba enables people with the use of a mask and breathing tube attached to a tank of air floating on the surface to explore shallow coral reefs and marine environments while swimming under water, at a maximum of 20 feet. Available to anyone eight years and up and doesn’t require experience. Contact VI Snuba Excursions at www.visnuba.com to explore the reefs of Trunk Bay. You will be an interactive member of the reef ecosystem, under the supervision of experienced professionals who have conducted Snuba tours for 20 years in the Virgin Islands. Reservations are a must.

 
Sport Fishing

Marlin fishing is one of the primary attractions in the waters around the Virgin Islands along with other large game fish. Several charters are available on St. John, from 1/2 day (4 hours) 3/4 day (6 hours) to full day (8 hours). Off shore fishing trips for large game fish like marlin, tuna and dolphin (Mahi-Mahi) are usually limited to a maximum of 6 passengers. Tackle and equipment are provided. Soft drinks, beer and ice are usually provided, lunch can be brought on or the operator can arrange a boxed lunch if you wish.

http://www.sportfishingstjohn.com

 

Eco-Tours:

The Virgin Islands National Park’s beaches, coral reefs, historic ruins and hiking trails provide endless hours of exploration and enjoyment on St. John. What better way to enjoy, understand and appreciate the submerged lands, waters shorelines and marine life that with an expert guide. Virgin Island EcoTours, www.viecotours.com will take you on a 3 hour Kayak, hike and snorkel Eco adventure. Kayak in fabulous turquoise waters, hike along a picturesque wooded trail and snorkel a coral reef in crystal clear waters. Your guide will identify and teach you about the different types of corals, fish and marine life. Fun and informative for the whole family. Reservations are required.

 
Beach Guide

The beaches of St. John are some of the most beautiful you’ll ever see. The sparkling sapphire blue water is one of the reasons it’s called paradise. All beaches on St. John are open to the public. Homes with beachfront property however is private. It is illegal to collect shells from the beaches in the Virgin Islands, and shells are confiscated at airport customs. There are no clothing optional beaches in the Virgin Islands, sorry nudies, stay covered. Please, please, please use sunscreen, sometimes the cooling trade winds make you forget the power of the sun, you don’t want a burn to ruin your trip.

Trunk Bay is one of the most popular beaches on St. John, and has been voted one of the most photogenic beaches in the Caribbean. Renowned for its underwater snorkeling trail, Trunk Bay is definitely worth a visit. 650 feet of underwater trails are a highlight for Trunk Bay’s visitors. You can rent snorkel gear on the beach. This is the only National Park beach that has an admission fee. The beach is a popular stop on tour itineraries and can get very busy on days when there are several cruise ships in port on St. Thomas or anchored off St. John. Lifeguards are on duty daily, snack bar, showers, restrooms, lockers, gift shop and chairs are some of the amenities offered.

Cinnamon Bay is the longest of the National Park beaches, at about 1 mile. The beach offers snorkeling, swimming, volleyball and more. A water sports concession stand rents windsurfing equipment, kayaks and mountain bikes. There is good snorkeling around Cinnamon Bay Cay, a short swim from shore. Across from the beach and campground entrance is a hiking trail through the Cinnamon Bay Plantation ruins. Some amenities include, restaurant, small store, archeological site, restrooms, showers and chairs.

Hawksnest Beach is also located along the North shore road. A popular beach with the locals, Hawksnest has offers great snorkeling (rent your equipment prior, no equipment rentals available), picnic tables with some grills, restrooms and changing areas.

Maho Bay is easily accessible. Park your car right on the street, open your door and you are on the sand. Maho has some fun snorkeling. You can swim too little Maho and if you’re up to it, over to Francis Bay. Pack your own food and beverages, chairs, Maho is just a beach. No bathrooms.

Francis Bay is one of our favorite beaches, you’ll see a lot of locals on a Sunday. Part of Francis is rocky, sea grape trees provide some shelter from the midday sun. There are limited picnic tables and bathrooms.

Salt Pond Bay is one of Rick’s favorite beaches, but take my advice, bring your sneakers. Although when you get there, the downhill walk isn’t bad, after a relaxing day at the beach, you’ll thank me for the sneaker tip on the uphill walk to the car. Located on the south side of the island, it can get very hot. Bring plenty of water but little else. Remember, what goes down, must go back up. Since you’re bringing your sneakers, take an easy walk from Salt pond to Drunk Bay, or if you’re more adventurous, take the Rams Head hike for about one mile. Salt pond has some wonderful snorkeling and the water is extremely calm. The only amenity is picnic tables, there may be a port-a-potty near the parking area, and I don’t remember I’m usually sucking wind at that point.

 

Festivals etc

Miss Lucy’s Full Moon Party : Every month in season, pig roast, music and dancing. Coral Bay, only when the moon is full.

8 Tuff Miles is an annual foot race held on the last Saturday in February. The contest was first held in 1997 with a total of 21 participants. In 2008, the participants rose to 700. Runners come from all over, Puerto Rico, Canada, BVI, the states etc. Beginning and ending at sea-level, runners reach an elevation of 1,000 feet. The course begins in St. John’s business district in Cruz Bay and extends to Coral Bay. Proceeds from the event are donated to St. John charities and scholarships both on and off island. Prize money for top male and female runners, finisher medals for each entrant who completes the course and all entrants receive an official race T-shirt. For more information go to www.8tuffmiles.com.

Beach to Beach Power Swim is held by the Friends of the Virgin Islands National Park and the swim benefits the National Park. Swimmers can choose to swim from Maho Bay to Cinnamon Bay (about 1 mile), from Maho Bay to Trunk Bay (about 2-1/4 miles), or Maho Bay to Hawksnest Bay (about 3-1/2 miles). Entrants can swim either assisted (with fins and snorkels) or unassisted, with relays as an option. The swim has been held on Memorial Day weekend for the past 3 years. For more information go to www.friendsvinp.org.

Blues Festival: March event put on by Steve Simon every year

International Rolex Regatta weekend is a US Virgin Islands high point for many yachtsmen and yachtswomen from around the world. Known as the “Crown Jewel of the Caribbean” the regatta represents an opportunity to prepare for some hard summer racing and others it’s a chance to mix sailing and racing with a family vacation. The warm clear waters, beautiful surroundings and excellent competition draw sailors back year after year. The annual event is held the fourth weekend in March, and host site is St. Thomas Yacht Club. For more go to www.rolexcupregatta.com

St. John Festival: June - July 4. St John Carnival originates in the colonial times when the plantation owners attempted to appease the slaves and encourage them to work harder. Begins Organic Act Day (3rd Monday in June) and includes Emancipation Day on the 3rd of July and concludes on July 4th with the celebration of Cultural day. Colorful costumes, calypso music and dancing parades and antics of the Mocko Jumbi stilt dancers are the highlight with fireworks.