Complete your SCUBA certification while vacationing on St. John

So you love Snorkeling around the beaches of St. John but have always wondered about SCUBA...

The beautiful water of the Virgin Islands is home to 500 species of fish, not to mention amazing beaches and coral reefs. While just about everyone who visits the USVI spends time snorkeling in search of a turtle, recreational diving St. John (and the surrounding USVI and BVI) is wonderful and not at all hard to do.

We've had hundreds of family and friends stay at Great Expectations for a week or two's vacation and every once and a while we get groups where one or more of the guests wants to get certified to SCUBA dive. While you may think it would take away from your vacation time, with a little planning, you can actually mix some great beach days, hikes and a few happy hours along with getting your PADI or SSI certification.

Don't sit in a classroom while on St. John

Regardless of where your home is, major SCUBA organizations now allow you to complete the coursework required for certification online or on your tablet. Make a plan to purchase the PADI eLearning package a few months before your trip. You learn online or on a tablet by reading, watching video lessons and testing.

Low Key Dive shop even has a special e-Learning PADI Open Water online package you can pre-buy (and schedule) so that when you arrive you are ready to complete your 6 instructional dives.

Pre-schedule your dives around other vacation activities

Consider when you arrive and depart St. John, dinner reservations and specific beach days, then pre-book your certification dives with the dive shop before coming. We recommend NOT diving on your last day on St. John and definitely not after pre-planned late nights.

Typically you will need to do 4 or 6 dives (2 confined water and 4 open water) following your coursework.If you didn't do your 2 confined water dives at your local dive shop, don't worry, you can do those 2 dives and your other 4 certification dives in the waters around St. John. Most dive companies do 2 tank dives in a 2-3 hour morning or afternoon. So 6 dives will take you 3 mornings or afternoons. For a Saturday arrival, consider Sunday, Tuesday and one other day to get out in the water and complete your diving lessons but still have plenty of time for the beach.

Opening up other shores around the Virgin Islands

Once you pass, the dive shop will take your photo and order your certification card and you are free to dive with them or other dive shops in the future. A standard 2-tank trip will take you to various unique reefs and islands around St. John and cost you $125 with all the gear included.

Plan your next trip

Once get a few dives under your weight belt, you could even return to St. John for a future vacation. We recommend checking out the 2-tank weekly scheduled dive of the  BVI's Wreck of the Rhone National Park off Salt Island.

WARNING:  One of the downsides to being able to stay underwater for dozens of minutes at depths reaching 100 feet is that snorkeling a St. John beach isn't as thrilling. Sure, there's always something fascinating about swimming near a turtle when they surface for air, but it can be pleasantly frustrating when you can't follow him down to the bottom and stay for a while.

Testing the waters: A One-time SCUBA Trial run

If you love snorkeling around St. John and have always wondered what it would be like to not have to hold your breath, you can sign up for a very affordable Discovery dive trip. Low Key Dive shop offers the SCUBA Discovery trip that lets you learn the basics about diving while actually doing it around the beautiful reefs of St. John. You will spend 15-20 minutes before the scheduled dive trip watching an instructional video and filling out a few forms, then proceed to the dive boat with certified instructors and other recreational divers.

Summer Over? Never on St John

Our October Newsletter is published for your reading enjoyment:

St John Offers Amazing Views Both Beneath and Above The Caribbean Sea

This Fabulous Photo is courtesy of Sail Pepper

The Virgin Islands is often called 'Candy for the Eye' and understandably so.

As the above picture illustrates, snorkeling around St John is full of colorful (and friendly) fish.  Virtually every one of the 30+ beaches around St John offer great snorkeling opportunities and, if you want to get out on a boat, you are in for a extra treat since most every captain knows 'hidden' snorkel spots only accessible by (just their) boat. Great Expectations has arranged special discounts for our guests for some terrific sailing or power boat options.

There are wonderful views and colors above the waterline as well. A recent guest sent us this picture he took from Bordeaux Mountain of Coral Bay in the foreground and the British Virgin Islands in the distance:

As another former guest said, when she first saw this view, it struck her it was what she imagined Peter Pan's Never Never Land looked like

October St John news flashes & fun St John clips:

• The St John community is wonderfully supportive as are the people who visit our island. If you are going to be on St John Sunday, November 2 head on over to Maho Bay to support the Friends of Virgin Islands National Park's 2nd Annual 'Paddle in the Park' Race. You can either participate yourself or root on others, either way it is sure to be a great day.

• It's on! The 2nd Annual Rib Cook Off to benefit St. John Rescue is happening on Saturday, November 8 at the Coral Bay Ball Field. The event will kick off at 4:30 pm with 10 competitors for the honor of Best Ribs On St. John. Music, drinks, games and YES, THERE WILL BE RIBS! There might be no more important community volunteer organization than the St John Rescue folks. They literally save lives, often at the risk of their own. Show your support for them by eating ribs if you are going to be on-island (not a hardship!) or donate on-line.

• North Shore Deli opens (in same spot as the very popular Deli Grotto) and reports as of this morning have been fabulous! Yes, they have the same yummy breads that made the Deli Grotto the 'go to' place. Check them out when you are next on St John -- and, say hello DJ, the proud new owner.

• Seaborne Airlines adds United Airlines to its Partner list making getting to St Thomas/St John even easier. United joins Seaborne's other partners -- American, Delta, and Jet Blue.

• St John's Trunk Bay claimed the #1 position on the Islands 'Best Snorkeling Beaches in the Caribbean Islands' list saying in part "Trunk Bay's beach stretches for more than a quarter-mile, with white powdered-coral sand backed by palms and sea grape trees. A spit divides the bay and points directly at Trunk Cay, a rugged little isle that's a short swim from the beach. The entire bay is part of the Virgin Islands National Park and offers full facilities, including showers, a snack bar and a shop where you can rent snorkel gear, beach chairs and umbrellas."

• Halloween will be kicked up a bunch this year with addition of theMongoose Monster Ball. Virgin Fire and The Sun Dog Cafe will be co-hosting a blow-out party featuring great food, music, and lots of prizes so get your best, funniest, wildest costume on and go for the prize.

• New partner - Kids Night In! St John has a great relatively new resource (for both parents and kids alike!) in Kids Night In. Just as the title hints, this is a child care (much more than babysitting) service offered by Leslie McKibben, a physical therapist who has specialized in pediatrics for nearly 30 years. Leslie engages the kids with artwork, cooking (if parents allow), reading, and games of all sort. Kids have a blast and parents can enjoy a night on the town (it is your vacation after all).

• Winter 2015 is Completely Sold Out! Great Expectations is already totally reserved this coming winter season as well as much of the 2015 Spring and Summer season. We never want to disappoint previous guests -- or potential new ones -- so please contact us as soon as you can when you start your trip planning. Please check our availability calendar and contact us today to secure your reservation! We will be happy to work with you to, as best we can, accommodate your needs. Our goal, always, is to meet or ideally, exceed your expectations!

Snorkeling in Paradise

Enjoy our September newsletter...

Snorkeling Around St John is Worth the Trip

The beauty of St John often leaves people speechless.Our crystal clear waters are calm and pristine so that the snorkeling is phenomenal. Even for novice swimmers, because the entry at most of the beaches is so gradual, you can stand in knee deep water and watch the colorful fish and graceful turtles. With over 30 beaches, there are almost endless options to explore the warm waters which surround this paradise island. Some of our favorite spots for seeing lot of fish and sea turtles are the beaches of Maho, Francis, and right in front of Great Expectations in Chocolate Hole harbor. Waterlemon Cay is the hands-down favorite spot to see huge colorful starfish scattered about just 3 or 4 feet below the surface of the water on the ocean floor.Check out some of these great resources for finding the best snorkeling spots:Books --St John Beach GuideSt John: Off the Beaten TrackSt John Feet, Fins, & Four-Wheel DriveWebsites and blogs about St John snorkeling --Snorkel St John -- great pictures and an identification gallery of different fish, coral. Tips for snorkelers.See St John -- blog about St John's beaches, snorkeling spotsSt John Snorkeling -- lots of information about beaches, snorkeling tours, and snorkeling 101.Boat trips -- One of the best ways to spend a day around St John is to be on the water whether you rent your own boat or get a captain to escort you around. Here are some fun and popular options...Kekoa Sailing Expeditions -- is a 50' Catamaran which is available for private charter or a day sail with others. This is one of St John's most popular sailing vessels which is famous for spotting whales as well as wonderful snorkel spots.Sadie Sea -- is a popular 40' Motor Trawler which can accommodate up to 35 people. Sadie Sea offers 1/2 or full day private or group.Kayaking -- St John offers wonderful opportunities to kayak around our shores and coral reefs.There are lots of great organizations that offer snorkeling around St John.

September St John news flashes & fun St John clips:

• St John is #1 again!  Caribbean Journal includes St John on their 'Caribbean's 10 Best Beaches for 2013' list.
• Recently, we have heard encouraging news that airfares are going down and lower this year than last! Recently, there have been several posts on Trip Advisor about great airfares for JetBlue's Boston - St Thomas flights.

• Welcome to St John - Gallows Point Gift & Gourmet has a new owner. This couple are truly in love with St John (and, who could blame them) having gotten engaged and married on St John.
• Love St John and love birds?  St John has some wonderful sanctuaries for wildlife and birds and now we will have a great opportunity to view them without being intrusive. St John will have a new bird viewing walkway in Frank Bay within walking distance to Cruz Bay which will be easily accessible for all to enjoy.
• Caneel and Rosewood Hotels & Resorts are parting ways this fall but, worry not, Caneel will still be Caneel. They anticipate no changes in local personnel other than those already announced such as the opening of Zozo's Restaurant this fall in the space that has long been the Sugar Mill Restaurant.
• Found on the beach of Cruz Bay recently were three 7' long cannons which by all accounts had been there for over 100 years! While no one knows for certain the origin of these cannons, it is thought that they were moved along with ammunition from Fortsberg in Coral Bay to Cruz Bay after the Coral Bay fort was decommissioned in 1765. Pretty cool.
• On-line registration for this year's 8-Tuff Mile Race will start October 1. Registration is limited (and final) so if you are planning to walk or run the race this year (February 22, 2014) mark the date on your calendar and make sure you register early.

• Great Expectations has a few openings this winter. If winter time is your preference to be on St John, do not dilly-dally since our calendar is already filling up for this winter (and spring). Contact us today to secure your week on St John to make sure you have a place in the warmth

Cheers, Kristin & Chuck

Favorite snorkeling spots around St John?

Snorkeling spot in Solomon Bay, St John

Right up there debating the 'best BBQ on St John' or the 'best beach' on St John is where the 'best snorkeling spot' is on St John'. The bottom line - for us, at least - is that there is no 'right' or 'wrong' answer!  This week the subject is getting a lot of attention on one of my favorite St John travel forums, the

USVI-on-Line

.  So far in just over 24 hours, 30 people have responded (and there has been more than 3750 views) to the basic question of '

best snorkel spot to see a turtle

'. Earlier the same day, on the same forum, Phyl posed the question of '

what are the top 3 snorkel spots on St John

' which has gotten just about the same level of response.

Day or night dives produce amazing finds around the Virgin Islands

What is your favorite snorkeling spot for seeing turtles? Maho, Francis, Salt Pond, Leinster were high on the lists which also included Scott, and Waterlemon. In other words, just about all over St John!

This picture taken at Maho was posted just yesterday by CptnKirk

As to the

'top 3' best snorkeling spots

? While there was vigorous debate as to the top 3, most will admit that the list changes regularly so people should explore new spots each year. Some of the 'must go' spots seem to be: Waterlemon (especially to see starfish), Saltpond, and Chocolate Hole (our guests swear that some of the best snorkeling around St John - or just about anywhere in the Caribbean - is right below our Villa - Great Expectations -  in Chocolate Hole harbor).  Haulover both North and South depending on the weather, Blue Cobblestone, Vie's beach out in the East End also make the list as do the good old standbys of Cinnamon Bay, Maho, Francis, Hawksnest, and Trunk.

The debate is fun to read. People are passionate about their 'favorite' places. The morale of these forum chats for me is that it is hard not to find good snorkeling around St John. Watch the winds though. If the north shore is getting huge waves then head to places on the south shore like Salt Pond, Vie's, and Chocolate Hole.

Some of the best snorkeling around St John is right in Chocolate Hole harbor

If you let your kids see this schedule they will 'make' you move to the Virgin Islands!

These kids - and their parents - are doing something smart! Take a look at the scheduled events and tell me that you would not want to have this schedule (instead of your own work or your child's school schedule!):

Homeschooling in the Virgin Islands sure has its benefits if you like the outdoors!