Coral Bay, U.S. Virgin Islands
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Coral Bay is a town on the island of St. John in the United States Virgin Islands. It is located on the southeastern side of the island. Though it was once the main commercial and population center on the island due to its sheltered harbor, it has fallen from prominence with the introduction of a ferry service to Cruz Bay, which is now the largest town on St. John.
Contents
Orientation
Coral Bay is on the southeastern side of St. John. It is a popular hangout for American mainland ex-pats, sailors, artist types and more who live on sailboats or up in the hills. A traffic jam in Coral Bay probably refers to a herd of goats or a few donkeys in the middle of the road. (There are no stop lights anywhere on the entire island of St. John, and only one barely recognizable 'yield' sign coming into Coral Bay).
Coral Bay is more of a "community" (or, rather, "general area") than town, though more and more homes are beginning to pop up along the hillsides.
Coral Bay does not offer any ferry service So the quickest way getting to Coral Bay is an approximate 30 minute drive (8 miles) along Centerline Road from the main town (Cruz Bay) where the ferries come in from St. Thomas.
Many St. John vacationers do not venture out to Coral Bay. Although, they should.
East End
Also, if you travel 10 minutes longer, you can end up in the majestic and beautiful East End of St. John.
The East End probably has the best snorkeling on the island of St. John. Many Barracudas and Sea Turtles have been spotted there, and the fish and coral are surreal. Haulover Bay and Round Bay are great snorkeling spots.
If you decide to venture out to the East End, make sure to stop by "Vie's Snack Shack" where you can get delicious traditional Caribbean food. On the way back to Cruz Bay, make sure to stop by "Skinny Leg's Bar and Grill" for a true "cheeseburger in paradise".
The East End is perfect for privacy because one, the population is 51, and two, no tourists ever venture out to the East End.
Just be careful of all the donkeys!
Amenities
Coral Bay is home to the legendary "Skinny Legs Bar and Grill","Aqua Bistro", "Indigo Grill" and "The Tourist Trap" as well as some other interesting restaurants/dives such as "Shipwreck" and "Miss Lucy's". Concordia Eco-Resorts (a sister resort to Maho Bay Eco-Resorts on the islands north shore) is just on the southeastern tip of the island, about 3 miles south of the crossroads where Coral Bay begins.
A small police sub-station arrived in 2005. It was abandoned shortly thereafter.
Eight tuff miles
Each year in late February, the Virgin Islands most famous race (the '8 TUFF MILES'), runs along Centerline Road from Cruz Bay and ends in the Moravian Church ballfield in Coral Bay (next to Skinny Legs). The 2011 race was won by Christopher Reis in 46:00, shattering the course record from the year before.
Emmaus Moravian Church
The Emmaus Moravian Church in Coral Bay is on the List of Registered Historic Places in the United States Virgin Islands and holds an interesting place in St John's history. The Church stands next to the Caroline Estate plantation, the site of a 1733 slave revolt that resulted in the murder of the plantation owner and his 12-year-old daughter. This church is said to be haunted.
References
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External links
- Official tourism page
- St John On-Island Times/ Travel Guide, Top Beaches, Snorkeling Info and More ...
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