best of vi st john 2014

Beneath the Waters Where St John is Truly Magical

 Turtles, squid, puffer fish, and even nurse sharks! CBS Sunday Morning featured St John's underwater beauty in this video

We always enjoy it when St John is featured in the national press. If you are a fan of the CBS Sunday Morning program - and of St John - you will love how they ended last week's program with a wonderful underwater video of St John waters.

No one captures the beauty of St John - at sea level, in the air, or below sea level - better than St John photographer Steve Simonsen. Below is one of his latest shots. We love that Steve captures the sky from underwater. The colors are wonderful and check out the school of fish under the coral!

Steve Simonsen's photo of the beauty in the waters off Hawksnest beach

June St John news flashes & fun St John clips:

  • Best of VI on St John for 2014sponsored by the Virgin Islands Daily News was announced this month (this seems pretty unusual for our laid-back island life since we are not even though half of 2014!) and produced some interesting results including some newcomers. Some of the highlights are:- Best Private Chef: Mathayom Private Chefs - Chef Mat is a favorite with our guests at Great Expectations (and we also love he offers our guests a discount!) - Best Home Builder: Carlson Construction - Carlson Construction has done fabulous work around Great Expectations having recently installed connecting doors between 2 sets of bedrooms and our very popular new infinity swimming pool and the fabulous new mahogany shelving and sea-glass bar counter in our Great Room.- Best Charter Boat & Day Sail: Wayward Sailor- Best Day Sail: Calypso (a great outfit which offers a Great Expectations guest discount!)- Best Beach: Cinnamon Bay- Best Dive Excursion: Low Key Watersports (another great outfit that gives guests of Great Expectations fabulous deals)

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Best Ecotourism

Virgin Islands Ecotours

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Best Kayak Tours

Arawak Kayak Tours

Best Local Band: Inner Visions

Best Stand Up Paddle-boardingArawak Kayak Tours

Best Tourist ActivitiesVirgin Islands National Park

Best Water SportsCruz Bay Watersports

Best BreakfastJakes Restaurant

Best BakeryBaked in the Sun

Best BarWoody's

Best Bar with Live MusicHigh Tide

Best Barbecue:Candies BBQ

Best Beach BarHigh Tide Restaurant

Best BreadSam & Jack's Deli

Best CateringKatilady Catering

Best Coffee EspressoSam & Jack's Deli

Best Creative CuisineMorgan's Mango

Best DeliStarfish Market

Best Dessert/SweetsSt John Scoops

Best Dining ViewChateau Bordeaux

Best Family RestaurantMiss Lucy's

Best Gourmet Dining:La Tapa

Best HamburgersShipwreck Landing

Best Happy HourJoe's Rum Hut

Best Retail LiquorPine Peace Market

Best Lunch: Ocean Grill

- Best New RestaurantVirgin Fire

Best PhotographerSteve Simonsen (no surprise here!)

Best Wedding CoordinatorIsland Style Weddings