USVI-On-Line

May 3rd - After a dark and rainy Sunday and Sunday night, Monday started out with more rain but began to clear around 9-ish. It was still raining lightly but we packed up and headed for the beach (Gibney was the beach of choice today). We were the first Jeep in front of the gate and we staked out our spot way to the left. After a few light sprinkles the sun came out and the day began to look better and better. After we got settled in we noticed a familiar 60 foot mono-hull moored on a ball off Hawksnest. Without giving all the details I’ll just say that we recognized the boat as being a charter boat that sometimes does nude charters. Hubby got is binoculars out and confirmed that this was indeed the boat we thought it was and the guest aboard were in fact “optional” as in clothing optional if you get my drift. The captain loaded 4 of his guests into the dinghy and headed in to the little secluded beach that I think is called Little Hawksnest. He dropped his naked guests off and headed back toward the boat. Just then I noticed the National Park patrol boat headed straight toward the dinghy and the captain who suddenly was wearing a pair of shorts. The lights began flashing on the patrol boat and he pulled the captain in the dinghy over and spent some time with the lights flashing and I’m sure writing up tickets for the naked charter guests. I’m curious if anyone knows the cost of the tickets that were written for this offense but I’m certain that it was an expensive day for the naked 4 on the beach this morning.

The clouds cleared and the sun came out and more people appeared on Gibney, Hawksnest and Hawksnest at Caneel. We enjoyed a very pleasant day and spent a little time in the warm water as well but no snorkeling for us today. We figured the visibility wouldn’t be the greatest after the rain and though I wouldn’t say the surf was high the waves were rolling in pretty good.

By 2PM we had nothing left to eat or drink in our cooler so we decided we would go back to the house. We showered and checked our e-mails and decided to head into Cruz Bay for a little shopping and dinner. We first stopped at La Plancha for some apps and a glass of their delicious sangria. Then we headed over to Mongoose Junction where I found a couple of things I couldn’t live without and dropping my petraglyph bracalet and ring off at R&I Patton's to be checked and cleaned. Next stop was Lime Inn for a very nice dinner (seared tuna for hubs and scallops and shrimp scampi for me). Too full for dessert we made a quick stop at Starfish more beach snacks and then back to the villa. Enjoyed the night sounds as we drove up Centerline to Mamey Peak.

No cows, pigs or donkey sitings so far this trip. I suspect the rain has them holed up somewhere. Maybe tomorrow they'll be out and about.

Sorry no pictures as 1) I forgot to put my camera in the beach bag and 2) I’m technically challenged and don’t have a clue how to post them anyway.

Tomorrow’s plan is Vie’s Beach.

Glad to hear that your getting some sunshine...we had three days at the end of our 7 days on stj last month that were cloudy and rainy and I was a bit tired of that funky front hanging around myself. Glad for the cisterns and though as I was sure ours was full to overflow. Sadly left in the rain too. Happy to say we had some sunshine at the beginning of our stay. Rain Didn't stop us though...snorkeled and swam just like there wasn't a cloud in the sky. We're from Northern Maine so we don't let a day go to waste worrying about it...LOL.

Funny story about the "clothing opt charter", no clue on how much those fines are. Didn't know they really inforced those laws.

Never made it to Vies ever...in any of our island trips so it's on our short list of to-dos-someday! Have fun.

We were out at Hansen Bay today and the snorkeling was superb. Best visibility we have had since last Tuesday. We saw Tarpon, Barracuda, 1 Sting Ray, Turtles, an Eel, and numerous fish. The reef was really beautiful. We also ran into a family of Donkeys on our way back to Cruz Bay just past Vie's so if you are heading out there tomorrow maybe you will see them!

IslandElle wrote:We were out at Hanson Bay today and the snorkeling was superb. Best visibility we have had since last Tuesday. We saw Tarpon, Barracuda, 1 Sting Ray, Turtles, an Eel, and numerous fish. The reef was really beautiful. We also ran into a family of Donkeys on our way back to Cruz Bay just past Vie's so if you are heading out there tomorrow maybe you will see them!

Looks like the showers are ending this morning. Thanks for the snorkling info, islandelle. Which way did you go from the beach? We'll check it out.

Amusing story on the charter boat. I can see ticketing the captain, but I hope they just gave the others on the boat a warning. Sounds like they were being discreet about it at a secluded beach.

Hi Diana,

We went to the left out near what I think is Pelican Rock?? Looks like a beautiful day today!

Looks like a beautiful day for you! I hope it was just perfect!

Diana - I wonder if our paths crossed on Monday.

We were at Mongoose also getting a few things I couldn't leave island without (Flip-flop - got the next to the last hat at Big Planet). Visited with Kim at the Gecko Gazebo, then had dinner at Lime Inn. We sat out at the bar in lieu of a 45 minute wait for a table (got there around 7:30pm).

We also snorkeled Pelican on the previous Friday. Decent visibility. Saw a huge southern ray and my first flamingo tongues.

jayseadee wrote:Diana - I wonder if our paths crossed on Monday.

We were at Mongoose also getting a few things I couldn't leave island without (Flip-flop - got the next to the last hat at Big Planet). Visited with Kim at the Gecko Gazebo, then had dinner at Lime Inn. We sat out at the bar in lieu of a 45 minute wait for a table (got there around 7:30pm).

We also snorkeled Pelican on the previous Friday. Decent visibility. Saw a huge southern ray and my first flamingo tongues.

We were probably a bit ahead of you but we may have crossed paths. I think we walked out of Lime Inn around 7PM

Sounds like you are all having a great time so far. I am a bit worried about where the charter passengers keep the money to pay those fines

Diana, that is funny about the charter boat. John and I saw a big boat being chased out by the park service the day we were at Hawksnest, I wonder if it was the same boat?

Iowaguy, I don't think of Little Hawksnest as being secluded. It's clearly visible from big Hawksnest and also an easy shallow swim over to it from the main beach. I have to say that I have never understood the appeal of being naked on the beach. I would think you'd be finding sand in uncomfortable places for quite a while afterwards!

liamsaunt wrote:Diana, that is funny about the charter boat. John and I saw a big boat being chased out by the park service the day we were at Hawksnest, I wonder if it was the same boat?

Iowaguy, I don't think of Little Hawksnest as being secluded. It's clearly visible from big Hawksnest and also an easy shallow swim over to it from the main beach. I have to say that I have never understood the appeal of being naked on the beach. I would think you'd be finding sand in uncomfortable places for quite a while afterwards!

Totally agree about being naked on the beach and finding sand days later - seems you would be uncomfortable for days!

By the way, liamsaunt, are you working on a TR for us???

We encountered a few clothing optional boats during our trip. The first was a group of 6 on a Cat sunning thenselves in Christmas Cove.

Kind of caught me by surprise.