St. John Information / Outdoor Activities

Sadie Sea- Take a boat trip, on a fabulous 40' Trawler with both shaded areas and sun decks, around the island while stopping off at near impossible-to-find-on-your-own-magnificent-snorkeling-spots! The Sadie Sea is a special boat with a great captain.

Dream Weaver is a 45' Sea Master Ketch sailboat built for ocean cruising so she is very solid and takes the seas gracefully (no yaw...for non-boaters that means the boat stays relatively flat in the water even during stiff winds!). The cockpit is large enough for everyone to be comfortable and there is plenty of deck space for sunning. If you are adventurous, take a turn at the wheel and steer your course for fun and adventure. When you contact Captain Jini tell her you are staying at Great Expectations. She will extend you her special 'St John sailing adventure 15%'discount' expecially offered to our guests!

Breakaway Charters/New Horizons- Breakaway to the British Virgin Islands (BVI) aboard a sleek, fast, and comfortable powerboat. Enjoy a continental breakfast, lunch at one of the BVI's most popular island restaurants, swim the Baths of Virgin Gorda and enjoy a full open bar (with top shelf names). Oh, and by the way, the day will be filled with lots of hidden jewel snorkeling options all at a 20% discount for guests of the popular St John villa Great Expectations!

Motor Yacht Cinnamon Bay - Originally commissioned in the Virgin Islands in 1972, this wonderful yacht was named the Motor Yacht Cinnamon Bay by Laurence D. Rockefeller who developed Caneel Bay Resort in the 1950s and donated some 5,000 acreas of land around the hotel to the federal government for a US National Park and, who, with his family, enjoyed day excursions aboard this elegant craft for more than a decade. She has over 200 square feet of open teak decks, as well as nearly 100 square feet of enclosed deck space with comfortable seating in the salon for 20 or more, seating 10 on the shaded aft deck and additional seating on the fly bridge. One of the many assets of her wooden construction is the comfortable ride she offers, slicing through the crystal blue waters with beauty and grace. Captain Dan will offer guests of Great Expectations a 10% discount and, of course, a terrific day on the water.

 

Wayward Sailor- The Wayward Sailor is a classic 30' Islander sloop owned and operated by Capt. Phil for the past 27 years. Captain Phil has logged well over a hundred thousand miles under her keel, traveling throughout the Caribbean and the Bahamas.

 

Lion in Da Sun - Lion In Da Sun uses a 2007 Scout 282SF. The vessel is 28 feet in length and cruises at a speedy 30knots to get you to and from the many beautiful islands and beaches. It is one of the most comfortable center consoles in its class and is built with beautiful lines as well. She is powered by twin Yamaha 4-stroke 250hp outboards for quiet operation and maximum fuel efficiency. This boat is one of, if not the most comfortable private day charter boat in its class available on St. John. It really turns heads on the dock and at anchor.

 

Annaberg (0.2 miles, 30 minutes) Historic hike through the stabilized ruins of a U.S. Virgin Islands sugar plantation. Complete tour included elsewhere in St. John On Foot And By Car. One of the most popular attractions in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Salt Pond Trail (0.2 miles, 15 minutes) Pleasant down hill hiking through arid vegetation to beach at Salt Pond Bay. One of the prettiest beaches in U.S. Virgin Islands. Because it is a bit out of the way, Salt Pond Beach is often quiet.  The very beautiful crescent shape beach is a favorite of locals for it is a terrific spot for snorkeling as well as birdwatching.

 

Close by but hard to find is the Tektite Trail (.7 miles). This trail was originally a road used to access the Tektite Project, a late 1960's collaborative of the US Navy, NASA, US Department of the Interior, and General Electric. The purpose of the Project was to study the effects on humans of living and working underwater for long periods of time.  An underwater habitat was built and placed 50 feet below the surface on the seafloor. Four people (aka 'aquanaunts') spent 58 days living in four circular rooms 12' in diameter.  Home away from home consisted of a fully equipped kitchen, hot showers, a bunkhouse, laboratory, and even a radio and TV! Enough of that, now back to the trail -- you can read all about the trail in a recent, and very interesting, Caribbean Travel + Life write-up.

 

Things to consider BEFORE you arrive:

Travel Insurance - If a last minute storm or illness keeps you from being able to go on your vacation don't let it also cost you money for the villa or boat you reserved or the plane tickets you bought. Protect yourself with travel insurance.

Reserve a vehicle.  We have arranged with a number of different rental car agents to extend guests of Great Expectations a 10% discount!

Reserve a private Taxi to transport your group from the St Thomas airport to Red Hook (the dock where you will get the ferry to St John - a beautiful 20 minute ferry ride and the start of your vacation!)

Buy some neat books about St John - fun to look at and great presents for people who are coming with you.  

RELAX! the tough work has been done! Start packing, but don't worry, you don't need to bring much - a bathing suit, cover ups (yes, you need to cover up when going into town on St John; St Johnian's are pretty conservative in that regard - bare chests -whether male or female is frowned upon (in town!).