It is that time of year around St John & St Thomas - look out for the whales!

This whale was spotted off St John, near Jost Van Dyke, during last year's migration

Spending the day on the water out and about around St John is a wonderful time any time of year; however, as we enter the whale migration season you might just be able to experience something extra special - a whale sighting! While there is never a 'guarantee' since these creatures move to their own tempo, it is well worth the journey - just in case.  If you happen to be around St John during one of the EAST outings hop join one of their tours. While they depart from St Thomas, it is an easy ferry ride over to St Thomas's Red Hook to grab a cab.  You might also consider going out on one of the many St John sail boats that charter out.  The folks on Kekoa and Wayward Sailor have had great luck with their whale sightings (and, even if you do not get to see a whale you will have a whale of a time! - sorry, could not help myself!).

This photo was taken aboard The Wayward Sailor

For more info see what St Thomas Source reports:

Environmental Association of St. Thomas-St. John Plans Whale Watchings

BY SOURCE STAFF — JANUARY 25, 2013

 Join the Environmental Association of St. Thomas-St. John (www.eastvi.org) as it heads out on one of the three scheduled annual whale watches on The Spirit of Christopher. The first one will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 16, in the Sapphire beach parking lot (directions to parking will be provided at the gate for confirmed passengers). The other two will be held on Feb. 23 and March 2.
Enjoy the day as the Environmental Association searches the high seas for humpback whales, dolphins and sea birds just off the coast of St. Thomas and St. John. A light lunch and drinks will be provided, and later in the day, there will be a brief stopover at one of the many coves in the area for a refreshing swim or snorkel dive.
Available spots move fast so please register today. On line reservations available at www.islandtimestours.net

Love animals? Love St John? Then this party, raffle & auction are for you!

If you are on-island then party with the animals Saturday night! An Evening in Paris (on St John, without the jet lag no less!) is the theme of the evening.  Put on your best duds & dancing shoes and get ready to enjoy some of the island's best catered food and local music.  The St John Animal Care Center (SJACC) is hosting its annual Gala complete with both a silent and on-line auction - so for those not lucky enough to be on St John in body but whose hearts are here - you can still participate.  Whether you want to bid on art, loads of water (which sounds pretty good to me, a property owner who buys LOTS of water!), boat rides, catered dinners, there is something on the list for you I am sure. 

To entice you, here is the current list of items up for raffle and silent auction. The raffle tickets are only $5 (or 5 for $20) and every dollar goes to help the animals of St John.

Raffle tickets can be purchased at the Nest, St Johnimals, Catered To Vacation Homes or by calling the ACC @ 340-774-1625 or stopping by.

RAFFLE PRIZES: 

• Bajo el Sol Gallery Livy Hitchcock 1 Pastel Pet Portrait - $1,000
• St. John Inn - 2 night stay – based on availability - $600
• St John Maintenance - Water Delivery 1 truck load - $375
• Beachwalk Charters - Weso & Mary - ½ day 4 hr local waters (gas additional) - $350
• Cruz Bay Watersports - Sunset Sail for 4 pp - $280
• Kekoa - 2 person sail - $200
• Shangrila Spa - Massage & Body Scrub - $200
• Paradise Lumber - Gas Grill - $168
• Drift Away Spa - Makeup Package - $151
• Arawak Expeditions - 2 full day paddle board rentals - $150
• Freebird Creations - Sterling Phases Necklace with Tahitian Pearl - $150
• Paradise Gas - 100 lb tank - $127
• Pink Papaya - Coconut Clock - $125
• Lina Guild Massage - 1 hr in office or home massage - $123
• Hypnosis and Life Style Change by Lucy Portlock - 1 session - $100
• Alfredo's Landscaping - Plants - $100
• Saint Jan Botanical - Plants - $100
• Nest - Gift Certificate $100
• Low Key Watersports - 1 two tank dive or Discover scuba diving trip - $98
• Pampered Pause - Kim Templeton - Pedicure $50/Carol Ayn - Hair Cut - Blow Dry $40
• Grapevine Salon & Spa - 1 hr massage - $85
• Coral World - Family Pass - $60
• Caravan Gallery - Hand carved Elephant from Bali - $58
• St. John Hardware - Gift Certificate - $50
• Coral Bay Garden Center - Plants & Pots - $50
• Big Planet - Gift Card - $50
• Fabric Mill - Gift Certificate - $50
• La Plancha - Gift Certificate - $50
• Kickboxing - 1 week pass - $35
• Connections -Two $25 Gift Certiicates for services some restrictions apply - $50

Silent Auction Items  Bids will be accepted for Silent Auction items until 12 noon on January 19th via email to Debbie@cateredto.com

• Plumeria Villa - 1 week stay - Alyce & Paul Jordan - $3,400 (Min bid $1,500) Subject to availabilitywww.vrbo/#341389
• Colorado Log Cabin - 1 week stay - Maggi & Jon Ward - $3,000 (Min bid $1,500) Subject to availabilitywww.vrbo/#183093
• BVI Package - Sand Castle JVD - 1 night - Some restrictions apply $250, Soggy Merchandise -Hat,Blanket,Koozie,Stickers,KeyChain,Crokie $110, Corsairs Dinner for 2
• Grande Bay Resort & Residence Club - 3 night stay - 1 bdrm suite - $1,350
• St John Dental – Teeth Whitening & Esthetic Consult - $1,000
• Singing Dog Sailing - 1/2 Day Sail for 6 on Luxury catamaran - $800
• String of Pearls Villa- 2 nights - No restrictions - Subject to availability - $600
• St John Inn - 2 night stay – Subject to availability - $600
• Caravan Auto Parts & Service - $500
• Kathy Depree – Will - $500
• Mermaid Charters - 1 full day for 6 $495
• Harbor View Villa- 2 nights – B. J. Harris- No restrictions - Subject to availability - $420
• Cruz Bay Boutique Hotel - 2 nights - standard room – Some restrictions - $390
• Into the Blue - Necklace and earrings set - $384
• PropertyKing – 1 day yard clean up – some restrictions -$350
• Passion Fruit Chef Service – Private In Home Chef Service - $350
• Shangrila Spa - Massage, Facial, Body Scrub - $300
• Core Pilates with Keryn Bryan - 2 - 1 hr in home session for 2 - $260
• Pet Package $205 - St Johnimals – Dog Bed & Toys $100
• Canines Cats and Critters 3 night stay - $105
• St John Repair Shop - For services - $200
• Mathayom Private Chefs - 3 bottles of wine/cheese platter 4pp - $200
• Caravan Gallery – Multi strand pearl necklace w/abalone accent - $180
• Cimarron Yacht Charters – ½ day sail or sunset for 2pp - $140
• Meagan Crandall - 1 hr in home massage - $100
• Kaye Thomas – Porcelain Bowl - $75
• Avelino Samuels - Numbered Wood turned Mahogany bowl - $50
• Caneel Bay Resort – Sushi and Beach for 2