If you want a quick snack on the go for breakfast, or a wonderful local island lunch of stewed goat, fall-off-the-bone chicken, and sometimes beef with some rice, coleslaw or even potatoes, stop into Sosa’s 7 days a week between 6a and 6p. She has a nice selection of bottled drinks and a few cold beers. Get it for takeout or enjoy your meal in the shade in her covered outdoor dining area.
The Gallery Wilde
A small, eclectic art gallery and shop in the Shipwreck landing shopping area just south of Coral Bay proper where you can find some very unique island-art.
Pizzabar in Paradise
Open in-season, Tuesday through Saturdays from 4p - 9p, this Boston-style Pizza bar has pizza, calzones, salad, beer, wine and cocktails in the Shipwreck Landing area on the southern end of Coral Bay. Perfect for an afternoon stop after a hike out Ram Head and an afternoon on a secluded beach at the end of the road.
Carolina Corral
While the Corral does not have the beach horse ride established as of mid-2019, they do offer fun activities for adults and children including learning how to groom, saddle, and ride, as well as young children’s (under 8 yrs old) half hour ride.
Miss Lucy's
A Coral Bay must-do especially for Sunday Jazz Brunch or the monthly full-moon dinner. This outdoor restaurant is right on the water looking west over the outlet of Coral Bay onto the BVI. Make a point of stopping in for lunch one day or for dinner on the way back from a distant beach.
Kareso Studio
This small art gallery in Coral Bay, just on the way out to East End, is open afternoons, Tuesday through Thursday, and is worth the stop to see local artists Karen Samuel’s folk art and gift shop.
Caribbean Oasis
Ekaete Pink Corner
Pronounced “‘Eh-Kay-Et-A,’ this new “Local Restaurant” has a selection of Paté for drive up, a full bar, as well as lunch and dinner (not in storm season) daily. They have homemade ice cream and fruit smoothies too! Consider stopping by for a morning snack on the way out to Lameshur, or for lunch or dinner on the way back through Coral Bay.
They have a great outdoor bar and a very cute and comfortable indoor dining room w/ goat & chicken curry,
Busy Bee Watersports
The east end’s dive shop, Busy Bee has a small retail store in Coral Bay just across the street from Skinny Legs. They have snorkel gear rentals and are a full dive shop with almost daily trips out SCUBA diving in and around the east side of St. John.
Dolphin Market
Currently the 2nd largest grocery store on the island, Dolphin is located just off the circle (our rotary) in Cruz Bay. They have a large produce selection and some hard-to-find items that might not be at Starfish Market or St. John Market. Pickup first-night provisions on the way to the villa, a few cold beers for the trip to the beach, or some frozen items for preparing a meal for the group at Great Expectations.
Caravan Gallery
You’ll find very interesting and unique items for sale every day at the Caravan Gallery in Mongoose Junction. They are constantly adding new products at their retail location just upstairs from the North Shore Deli and just down stairs from St. John Brewers Tap Room. Stop in to get a gift for a fellow St. John lover, or something just right for home to help you remember your trip to the island.
Bajo el Sol
Coffee Bar. Wine Bar. Dessert Bar. Local Art Galley. Crafts & Jewelry. We know it sounds like a lot and all over the board, but Bajo el Sol is worth stopping into on each trip to St. John. Enjoy a taste of wine and shop through their unique gallery
Bad Kitty Boutique
This retail shop on the North Shore Road between town and Mongoose Junction has clothing, snorkel gear rentals as well as boat charter rentals for the Bad Kitty BVI trips, Tropicat, and the new Calypso catamaran charter.
Hercules Paté Delight
Open super early (5am) most days, Hercules is a great place to get a morning egg sandwich or paté to start the day - or load up before heading out on a boat trip or long beach day.
Star Fish Tours
Star Fish Tours is a class act Tour and Taxi service on St. John. You can hire them for guided and custom island tours and/or taxi service on St. John. At times we have villa guests who rent 1 or 2 cars and rely on taxi service to do most of the all-group activities. Star Fish is one of our go-to recommendations. They also offer 10% for Great Expectation guests’ transportation/tour parties of 5 or more.
Paradise Beach
A tiny little secluded beach that sits in front of two former Caneel Bay buildings. Again, like most of the Caneel Bay beaches except Honeymoon, this beach is only accessible by water as of summer 2019. Rent a dinghy or small whaler, pack a cooler, and come here to spend a day alone in paradise.
Turtle Bay Beach
Tucked into the northwestern tip of the Caneel Bay peninsula, Turtle Bay is a great spot to watch boats cruising between St. John & St. Thomas and the British Virgin Islands, as well as amazing daily sunsets. This beach is currently only accessible by water.
Ocean Runner USVI
Ocean Runner is sort of a sister company to Low Key Watersports that works out of the same office on the waterfront in Cruz Bay, just behind DR!NK bar. Ocean Runner has a 35’ Scarab and multiple Contender power boats available for captained day charters for 10-12, as well as 3 x 15’ Boston Whalers that fit 4 people. Hire a captained charter to take you and your group all around the British and/or US Virgin Islands for a day or get a smaller Whaler to tool around St. John’s North Shore beaches with 3 others.
Scott Beach
Located out on the western side of the Caneel Bay peninsula, Scott Beach is a wide stretch of white sand with the remains of 5 lodging structures on it. Since Hurricane Irma blew through in September of 2017, the housing has been in disrepair, but the beach is pristine. Rent a Whaler from Ocean Runner USVI and tool over to the north shore - and spend a half day (or more) sitting on an amazing deserted beach.
Uncle Joes BBQ
Right next to the Customs dock in Cruz Bay, Uncle Joe’s BBQ is a great place to get some chicken and/or ribs with a couple of sides (cole slaw, rice & beans, etc) to eat there or pre-order and bring back to the villa.