Maho Bay, St. John US Virgin Islands

St. John Weather

Mostly cloudy with rain showers
High of 81 degrees F
Breezy: Winds from the NE at 15 to 20 mph
Chance of rain 30%
Water temperature (Charlotte Amalie St. Thomas): 84 degrees F
Sunset: 6:26 PM AST

St. John Live Music Schedule Wednesday March 6

Aqua Bistro
Rascio on Steel Pan
6:00 – 8:00
776-5336

Castaways
Flip Flop Rock
8:00
777-3316

Coconut Coast
St. John Flutes
5:30 -7:00
776-6944

Cruz Bay Prime
Sambacombo
7:00 – 10:00
693 -8000

High Tide
Lemuel Callwood Steel Pan
4:00 – 6:00
714-6169

Miss Lucy’s
David Reed
6:00 – 9:00
693-5254

Shipwreck Landing
Chris Carsel
6:30 – 9:30

Sun Dog Cafe
Wednesday Night Jam
Lauren & Mark Wallce
7:30-10:30
244-9713

See Weekly Schedule

Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas)

Would you like to observe sea turtles? Check out the grass beds of Maho Bay. You’ll rarely be disappointed. Just be patient; the turtles love Maho just like St. John’s tourists and residents.

Green sea turtles are reptiles. Their ancestors evolved on land, but began to live in the sea about 150 million years ago.

Green sea turtle grazing the seagrass at Maho Bay

Unlike other species of sea turtles, the green sea turtle is mainly herbivorous, grazing on seagrasses in shallow bays like Maho.

“C. mydas (the green sea turtle) is listed as endangered by the IUCN and CITES and is protected from exploitation in most countries.[7] It is illegal to collect, harm or kill them. In addition, many countries have laws and ordinances to protect nesting areas. However, turtles are still in danger because of several human practices. In some countries, turtles and their eggs are hunted for food. Pollution indirectly harms turtles at both population and individual scales. Many turtles die caught in fishing nets. Also, real estate development often causes habitat loss by eliminating nesting beaches….” read more from Wikopedia

St. John News

@ Work: Caribbean Solar Co.
By Lynda Lohr — March 3, 2013

Caribbean Solar Co. has been in business for just less than a year, and now the St. John-based company is an authorized distributor for SolarWorld, the largest solar manufacturer in the United States.

That’s good news for Caribbean Solar owners Kevin Schnell and Maya Matthews-Sterling, a husband and wife team providing one-stop solar services to customers across St. John…. read more

St. John Weather

Partly cloudy
High of 82 degrees F
Winds from the South at 5 to 10 mph
Sunset: 6:26 PM AST
Water Temperature (Charlotte Amalie) 84 degrees F

St. John Live Music Schedule

Aqua Bistro
Matt Mitruk
5:30 – 8:30
776-5336

Barefoot Cowboy Lounge
T-Bird
7:00 – 9:00
201-1236

Castaways
Trivia Night
8:00
777-3316

Concordia
Ben Marr – Open Mic
3:30 – 5:30

La Tapa
Sambacombo
6:30 – 9:30
693-8141

Maho Bay Camp
Bo & Lauren
8:00

Ocean Grill
Chris Carsel
6:30 – 9:00
693-3304

See Weekly Schedule

1965

2011

St. John News

V. I. National Park Removes Dangerous Coconut Trees
By Source Staff — February 15, 2013
The management of Virgin Islands National Park alerts the public it will be removing some of the more hazardous and/or dead coconut trees from Maho Bay pavilion and parking areas. The work is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 21, according to a press release issued Friday by the U.S. Department of the Interior…. read more

St. John Events Tuesday February 19

St. John Arts Festival
Cruz Bay Park
Beginning at 12:30 pm
Koko and the Sunshine Band, Caribbean Ritual Dancers and Mocko Jumbies.

Full Schedule

St. John Weather

High Surf Advisory!
Partly cloudy with rain showers in the morning, then clear with rain showers
High of 81 degrees F
Breezy: Winds from the West at 20 to 25 mph shifting to the North in the afternoon
Chance of rain 20%
Sunrise: 6:44 AM AST – Sunset: 6:21 PM AST
Water Temperature 82.9 degrees F

St. John Live Music

Barefoot Cowboy Lounge
Steven Sloan
7:00 – 9:00
201-1236

Castaways
Karaoke Night
9:00
777-3316

High Tide
Chris Carsel
6:00 – 9:00
714-6169

Island Blues
Karaoke & Open Mic
8:00 – 11:00
776-6800

La Tapa
Greg Kinslow
6:00 – 9:30
693-8141

Miss Lucy’s
David Reed
6:00 – 9:00
693-5254

Morgan’s Mango
Sambacombo
6:30 – 9:30
693-8141

Ocean Grill
Rascio on Steel Pan
6:00 – 9:30
693-3304

Spyglass
T-Bird
5:00 – 8:00
776-1100

See Weekly Schedule

Cinnamon Bay Self-Guiding Trail

Cinnamon Bay Self-Guiding Trail
I’ve identified almost 100 trails throughout St. John each with its own advantages, highlights  and challenges. One trail that almost everyone could enjoy is the Cinnamon Bay Self-Guiding Trail also known as the Cinnamon Bay Loop Trail. It’s relatively easy, only a half mile in length, no real hills and cool forest shade. Moreover, much of it is even handicap accessible. The highlights of the trail include the remains of an historic sugar and bay rum factory, a walk through a aromativ bay rum forest, an old Danish graveyard, a several specimens of dry forest flora including mammee apples, mangos and a cocoa tree, sometimes bearing their red chocolate fruits.

To help answer the question, “which trail should I choose today,” check out St John Off the Beaten Track

St. John News
Maho Bay Blog
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
land update

We don’t know much and the future is still very unclear, but this is the latest newsletter sent concerning the land we sit on:

Dear Campers, Staff and All Interested,

We have just discovered that the property which Maho Bay Camps sits upon has officially been sold.  The only information that has been released, is that a direct sale to an unknown buyer took place on 12/27/2012 for $13,950,000.  No one is releasing any more details.  We do not know who they are or their intentions.  All we know is that we are only taking reservations until we close on May 15, 2013.  We will continue to update you as we find out more.

We hope you have a blessed New Year and get to come visit us one last time.

Cool Article
St. John Surfers Devon O’Neil and Galen Stamford challenge the snow-covered mountains of Colorado
Riding the Wave by Devon O’Neil

St. John Weather
Clear with rain showers in the morning, then partly cloudy.
High of 84 degrees F
Breezy: Winds from the ENE at 20 to 25 mph
Chance of rain 20%.
Water Temperature (Charlotte Amalie Harbor) 83 dgrees F
Sunrise: 6:52 AM AST – Sunset 5:57 PM AST

St. John Live Music Schedule – Saturday, January 5

Beach Bar
Stolen Silver
9:00
777-4220

Castaways
Mikey P 9:00
Dance Party 11:00
777-3316

Cruz Bay Prime
Mike Wallace
7:00 – 10:00
693 -8000

Morgan’s Mango
Luba
6:00 – 9:30
693-8141

Ocean Grill
Rascio on Steel Pan
6:00 – 9:30
693-3304

Rhumblines
Lauren
7:00 – 10:00

Skinny Legs
Hot Club of Coral Bay
6:30 -9:30
779 4982

See Weekly Schedule

Salt Pond Bay

St. John Beaches: Salt Pond Bay – A South Shore Alternative
When the surf’s pounding on the north and you’re looking for a quiet beach alternative, think Salt Pond Bay on the Southeastern coast. Not only is Salt Pond Bay protected from the north swells, but it also has access to some of St. John’s best snorkeling. For hikers, Salt Pond is also ideal, with access to the popular Ram Head and Drunk Bay trails.

Wondering which beach to go to today? Check out the St. John Beach Guide

St. John News
Maho Bay Camps Land Sold
By Lynda Lohr — January 2, 2013

Details are sketchy, but the land where Maho Bay Camps sits was sold last week for $13.95 million to an unnamed buyer.

“The only clue we’ve had is it’s a wealthy conservationist who wants a one-family house. It’s a wild rumor and not substantiated,” Maho owner Stanley Selengut said Wednesday.

Realtor Karye Carney at Islandia Real Estate on St. John was the listing agent, but she said she was not the agent that sold the property and didn’t know who bought the 13.8-acre parcel of prime waterfront land…. read more

St. John Weather
High Surf Advisory in Effect
Clear with rain showers in the morning, then overcast with rain showers.
High of 84 degrees F
Breezy: Winds from the East at 15 to 20 mph.
Chance of rain 20%.
Sunrise: 6:51 AM AST – Sunset: 5:55 PM AST
Water Temperature (Charlotte Amalie Harbor, St. Thomas) 85 degrees F

St. John Live Music Schedule – Thursday January 3

Banana Deck
Steel Pan by Lemuel Samuels
6:00 – 9:00
693-5055

Barefoot Cowboy Lounge
Erin Hart
7:00 – 9:00
201-1236

Castaways
James
9:00
777-3316

Miss Lucy’s
Jazz with Rich and Greg
6:00 – 9:00
693-5354

Morgan’s Mango
Mark Wallace
6:00 – 9:30
693-8141

Ocean Grill
Chris Carsel
6:30 – 9:00
693-3304

Rhumblines
Erin Hart
7:00 – 10:00

Spyglass
James Milne
5:00 – 8:00
776-1100

Inn at Tamarind Court
Steel Pan
6:00 – 9:00
776-1100

See Weekly Music Schedule

High Surf Warning, High Surf Advisory, Coastal Flood Advisory

Jumbie Bay

High surf caused by Superstorm Sandy came ashore on St. John just a short time before Superstorm Sandy slammed into the northeastern coast of the United States.

High surf comes ashore inundating Trunk Bay Beach

Surf washes up to (ugly) Lifeguard Hut

Sand from Maho Bay Beach washes across North Shore Road

National Weather Service

COASTAL HAZARD MESSAGE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAN JUAN PR 417 AM AST TUE OCT 30 2012  …COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON AST TODAY… …HIGH SURF WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON AST TODAY… …HIGH SURF ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON AST TODAY TO 6 AM AST WEDNESDAY…  .LARGE…LONG PERIOD NORTHWEST SWELLS FROM HURRICANE SANDY WILL CONTINUE TO SPREAD ACROSS THE LOCAL ATLANTIC WATERS AND THE CARIBBEAN PASSAGES. THE RESULTANT LARGE BREAKING WAVES OF 14 TO 18 FEET…AND LOCALLY MUCH HIGHER…WILL CONTINUE TO AFFECT THE WEST THOUGH NORTH AND NORTHEAST FACING COASTS OF ALL LOCAL ISLANDS EXCEPT FOR VIEQUES AND SAINT CROIX THROUGH NOON TODAY…THEN CONTINUE THROUGH EARLY WEDNESDAY MORNING WHILE GRADUALLY SUBSIDING. THE VERY LARGE BREAKING WAVES WILL CREATE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SURF CONDITIONS…WITH STRONG RIP CURRENTS AND SOME COASTAL FLOODING…ESPECIALLY IN THE MOST VULNERABLE LOW LYING AND EXPOSED AREAS.  PRZ001-002-005-008-010>012-VIZ001-301730- /O.CON.TJSJ.SU.W.0001.000000T0000Z-121030T1600Z/ /O.CON.TJSJ.CF.Y.0002.000000T0000Z-121030T1600Z/ /O.CON.TJSJ.SU.Y.0012.121030T1600Z-121031T1000Z/ SAN JUAN AND VICINITY-NORTHEAST-NORTH CENTRAL-NORTHWEST- MAYAGUEZ AND VICINITY-SOUTHWEST-CULEBRA- ST. THOMAS/ST. JOHN/ADJACENT ISLANDS- 417 AM AST TUE OCT 30 2012  …HIGH SURF WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON AST TODAY… …COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON AST TODAY… …HIGH SURF ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 6 AM AST WEDNESDAY…  A HIGH SURF WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON AST TODAY. A COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON AST TODAY. A HIGH SURF ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 6 AM AST WEDNESDAY.  * WAVES AND SURF: VERY LARGE BREAKING WAVES OF 14 TO 18 FEET AND   LOCALLY MUCH HIGHER.  * TIMING: TUESDAY…AND THEN CONTINUING THROUGH EARLY WEDNESDAY MORNING   WHILE SLOWLY SUBSIDING.  * IMPACTS: EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SURF CONDITIONS…WITH STRONG RIP   CURRENTS AND LOCALIZED COASTAL FLOODING.  THE FOLLOWING ARE THE TIMES AND HEIGHTS OF HIGH TIDES IN THE AFFECTED AREAS. ALL TIMES ARE ATLANTIC STANDARD TIME:  MAYAGUEZ  1.6 FEET AT 10:07 AM TUESDAY MORNING.  AGUADILLA 1.4 FEET AT 9:39 AM TUESDAY MORNING.  SAN JUAN  1.8 FEET AT 10:31 AM TUESDAY MORNING.  MAGENS BAY 1.6 FEET AT 10:46 AM TUESDAY MORNING.  PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…  A HIGH SURF WARNING INDICATES THAT DANGEROUS…BATTERING WAVE WILL POUND THE SHORELINE. THIS WILL RESULT IN VERY DANGEROUS SWIMMING CONDITIONS…AND DEADLY RIP CURRENTS.  A HIGH SURF ADVISORY MEANS THAT HIGH SURF WILL AFFECT BEACHES IN THE ADVISORY AREA…PRODUCING RIP CURRENTS AND LOCALIZED BEACH EROSION.  A COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY INDICATES THAT ONSHORE WINDS AND TIDES WILL COMBINE TO GENERATE FLOODING OF LOW AREAS ALONG THE SHORE.

Beach to Beach Power Swim 2008

The Caneel Bay Resort is offering a Dive into Relaxation Package for swimmers and spectators attending the ninth annual St. John Beach-to-Beach Power Swim. The event, sponsored by the Friends of the Virgin Islands National Park, will take place on Sunday, May 27,2012. There will be three options for swimmers: Maho Bay to Cinnamon Bay, one mile, Maho Bay to Trunk Bay, two and a quarter miles and Maho Bay to Hawksnest Bay, three and a half miles.

The Caneel Bay Resort Dive into Relaxation Package will include: 30% off room rates, breakfast for two per day, a complimentary Sunset Cocktail Cruise for two and a special welcome gift.

Maho Bay

“The Beach at Maho Bay is Now Protected in Perpetuity”

The National Park Service (NPS) and the Trust for Public Land today announced the addition of 58 acres of biologically diverse lands in the Maho Bay area of Virgin Islands National Park….read article

FLOOD WATCH
National Weather Service San Juan PR
4:29 AM AST Thursday May 3, 2012

… Flash Flood Watch in effect through Friday evening… The National Weather Service in San Juan has issued a Flash Flood Watch for all of Puerto Rico… including Culebra and
Vieques… and for all of the U.S. Virgin Islands… rainfall amounts of two to four inches are possible…

St. John’s Morris DeCastro Clinic is cutting back hours and services to save money, which has Myrah Keating Smith Community Health Center and the St. Thomas East End Medical Center concerned about absorbing the costs of the services…. read more

St. John Live Music Schedule Thursday May 3

Banana Deck – Steel Pan by Lemuel Samuels – 6:00 – 9:00 – 693-5055
Castaways – Dance Party – 11:00 – 777-3316
Driftwood Dave’s – Just Mike – 7:00 – 10:00 – 777-4015
High Tide – Inner Vision – 8:00-11:00 – 714-6169
Island Blues – Ike – 7:00 – 10:00 – 776-6800
Miss Lucy’s – Jazz with Rich and Greg – 6:00 – 9:00 – 693-5354
Morgan’s Mango – Mark Wallace – 6:00 – 9:30 – 693-8141
Ocean Grill – Chris Carsel – 6:30 – 9:00 – 693-3304
Shipwreck Landing – Slammin – 7:00 – 10:00
Skinny Legs – Lauren – 6:00 – 9:00 -779-4982

Weekly Schedule

A Day at Sea in the trusty and beloved Caribe 15DL - Photo by Michelle Collins

It was a busy weekend on St. John. The beaches were crowded (by St. John standards anyway). There was plenty of activity with swimmers, snorkelers, kayakers, paddle boarders and sunbathers enjoying the clear, sunny and breezy weather. The popular manta ray was also at the beach making its way between Francis and Maho to the delight of all.

On Sunday, two mini Cruise ships, the Seabourn Sojourn and the Sea Dream I, lay at anchor outside of Cruz Bay along with a mega yacht so big that could have easily been confused as a third cruise ship.

The winds were gusting from the east southeast, and along with a strong tide, the offshore seas were quite rough with steep closely spaced waves. This was experienced first hand making the passage across Pillsbury Sound on the way to St. Thomas to “get a little culture in my life. Navigating the sound was accomplished thanks to my trusty Caribe 15DL and a Yamaha 60. The culture came thanks to Pistarkle Theatre’s Sunday matinee performance of “Red”, which I thoroughly enjoyed and can recommend to others. (Two more performances are scheduled for March 9th and 10th at 8:00 pm.)

Another weekend in Paradise…

St. John Weather

Clear with a high of 84 degrees. Winds from the ESE at 20-30 12-20 mph. Water temperature 81 degrees. Sunset 6:26 pm Atlantic Standard time. In other words another typical, beautiful day on St. John

St. John Live Music Schedule for tonight, Monday, March 5

High Tide – Rascio on Steel Pan – 4:00 – 6:30 – 714-6169
La Tapa – Samba Combo – 6:30 – 9:30 – 693-8141
Maho Bay – Open Mic with Bo & Lauren – 7:00
Ocean Grill – Chris Carsel – 6:30 – 9:00 – 693-3304

See the weekly St. John live music schedule

Manta Ray at Maho Bay

Another beautiful Day at Maho Bay. The water seems to be warming up a bit and as usual there was plenty to see both from the shore and from the water. The manta rays are the newest tourists to find Maho (and Maho Campground and Little Maho and Francis Bays) to be an excellent venue for a day at the beach and have been hanging around for the last few months to the delight of all.

Manta Ray	manta ray seen from paddle board	manta from paddle board
	Green Turtle and Remora

Karen Jarvis was at Maho Bay also yesterday showing off her new racing paddle board. It’s a rocket!

Karen rents boards and gives lessons.

A beautiful way to see the bay!

St. John Live Music Schedule for tonight, Saturday, March 3

Castaways – Dance Party – 11:00 – 777-3316
Driftwood Dave’s – Guitarist James Milne – 7:00 – 10:00 – 777-4015
Miss Lucy’s – David Reed – 6:00 – 9:00 – 693-5354
Morgan’s Mango – Luba – 6:00 – 9:30 – 693-8141
Ocean Grill – Rascio on Steel Pan – 6:00 – 9:30 – 693-3304
Rhumblines – Lauren – 7:00
Shipwreck Landing – Mike Miknut  – 6:00 – 9:30

See the weekly St. John live music schedule