Exploring St. John’s and an Evening Adventure
Our unforgettable day on the island included a visit to St. John’s Trunk Bay, a delightful meal and souvenir shopping in Cruz Bay, and culminated in a breathtaking Glow in the Dark Kayaking experience. From navigating winding roads to exploring bioluminescent waters, every moment was filled with excitement and wonder. This narrative captures the essence of our day, blending the thrill of discovery with the serene beauty of the Caribbean islands
Morning Running along the Promenade
Our second day started out much like our first, with a delicious cup coffee on our balcony overlooking the ocean. Afterward, we drove to the Charlotte Amalie Promenade for a morning run. The blue waters of the harbor were dotted with many beautiful boats, providing a picturesque backdrop for our 5k run. I ran 1.5 miles out and back along the Promenade, while my husband ran further, venturing into some rough neighborhoods. Thankfully, he made it back safely.
A Cruise to St. John’s
We returned to the Bouy Haus to get dressed and drove out to catch a ferry to St. John’s. The drive took about 25 minutes from Frenchman’s Reef to Red Hook, winding through some narrow and rough roads. We arrived just 15 minutes before the next departure and managed to board without any issues.
The ferry was a bit rough and rusty, but it had seating areas at the top, allowing us to get out of our cars and enjoy the stunning views. The 40-minute boat ride from St. Thomas to St. John’s Cruz Bay offered breathtaking vistas of St. Thomas, St. John’s, and the surrounding small islands.
Beach time at Trunk Bay
Once we arrived at Cruz Bay, we followed the traffic to a small shopping mall where we made a brief stop. Our main mission for the day was to find a beautiful beach to sunbathe and snorkel!
With directions in hand, we navigated the windy roads, climbed steep inclines, and descended hills, catching glimpses of the bright blue ocean through the trees. Eventually, we reached Trunk Bay. Parking was limited, but we managed to find a spot. We each paid a small fee to enter the park.
As we entered the park, we rented beach chairs, a small pop-up tent, and some snorkel gear. We gathered our belongings and made our way along a paved path through a dense tree area, emerging onto the glorious beach.
It was quite crowded, but we made our way to the far left and found a nice beach area with few people. We popped up the tent and chairs and were finally able to dip our toes in the ocean!
I spent most of my time either in the water or sunbathing while the others took turns snorkeling to see the fabulous underwater sealife and follow the underwater trail. At one point, a stingray came close to the shore. My brother and his wife were further out in the water, so my husband and I spent time following him as her roamed the beach water.
Trunk Bay was everything we had hoped for—pristine white sand, crystal-clear waters, and a vibrant underwater world perfect for snorkeling. The day was spent basking in the sun, exploring the marine life, and simply soaking in the natural beauty around us. It was a day to remember, filled with laughter, adventure, and the serene beauty of the island.
Back to Cruz Bay and our Return to St. Thomas
The beach closes promptly at 4 pm, so we gathered our stuff, returned our equipment, and made it back to our car with the crowd of beach lovers. Somehow, we were able to make it out of the parking lot quickly. We drove the windy roads, up the steep inclines, and down the hills again back to Cruz Bay. We stopped again at the mall for dinner at the original St. John’s Brewery restaurant where we enjoyed burgers and beer. After our late lunch, we explored the mall and purchased souvenirs.
Back in our car, we tried to find our way to the ferry but got lost a few times on the one-way roads. Eventually, we arrived with plenty of time. The ferry took us back to Red Hook on St. Thomas, and we drove back to Bouy Haus.
Back at the Bouy Haus, we showered and dressed for our evening activities. We made our way back up the stairs to the Westin Hotel for a light dinner and drinks while the sun set. The sky was painted in hues of orange and pink, creating the perfect backdrop for our relaxed meal. The gentle breeze carried the scent of the ocean, adding to the tranquil atmosphere.
Glow in the Dark Kayaking
To conclude our evening, we made our way to the docks on the back side of the Westin for Glow in the Dark Kayaking! We checked in with our group and were given glow-in-the-dark paint to apply to our faces. Life vests and oars were handed out, and a brief training session was provided by our tour guide. Then it was time to get in our boats!
Each couple climbed into their clear-bottom kayak, equipped with lights. As the guide had warned us, the lights on the boats attract certain types of fish and they may jump into the kayak. And that is exactly what happened to me! While we were waiting on the water for the rest of the group to get in their kayaks, a little fish jumped in the boat with us. The little bugger landed on my legs and slid off into the side next to me. I tried to catch him but the slick guy almost got in my shorts. I eventually got him and threw him back into the ocean. What an adventure that guy had! I am not sure who was more scared, me or him!
Finally, everyone got into their kayaks, and our tour guide led us slowly away from the boat docks. The guide had us stop every so often to show us sea turtles and other fish, which we tried to follow. He also gave a little history lesson about how the islanders stopped the pirates from coming into the harbo;r. Interestingly, the islanders had built stone watchtowers on either side of the harbor with a massive chain in between that lay underwater on the harbor floor. When pirates attempted to enter the bay, the islanders would pull the massive chain tight to raise it and stop the approaching pirate ship.
After some fun seeing the underwater life through the clear bottom of the boat and some splashing with our oars, we were called in for the evening. The bioluminescent waters had provided an unforgettable experience, shimmering with every stroke of our paddles. We returned the boats and headed back through the Westin and down to the Bouy Haus on the beach. The adventure had been exhilarating, and the serene beauty of the glowing waters had left us in awe. It was a night to remember, a perfect ending to a day of exploration and joy.
In reflection, our day on St. John’s at Trunk Bay and our evening kayaking adventure were the epitome of an ideal island experience. The breathtaking beauty, the vibrant marine life, and the enchanting glow of the bioluminescent waters all contributed to a series of unforgettable moments. It reminded us of the simple joys found in nature, the thrill of exploration, and the magic that exists in the world around us. As we settled in for the night, we felt a deep sense of gratitude for the day’s experiences and the memories that would stay with us forever.
