USVI-On-Line

17 days until we're on the island!!!

Unbelievably, we managed to be on St. John for 7 nights last year without seeing a single sunset!! I fell so in love with Coral Bay that we never really noticed that we weren't seeing any sunsets! I saw 7 beautiful sunrises, but each evening we got busy having fun in Coral Bay and would miss the sunset.

This year I'll have 10 nights to try to see sunsets! Where are the best places on the island for watching the sunset? I need a few ideas that are bars and/or restaurants, and some that are just beaches or any place that is accessible to the public. Suggestions anyone? Also, is there specifically a certain restaurant where we could see the sunset from our table for our anniversary dinner?

17 days to go!! I'm getting SO excited!!!

I will tell you what I have heard and anyone else can chime in. Also here is a link to a previous post..
For the anniversary dinner: Zozo's will be a big recommendation. Some suggest eating at the bar to view the sunset. (To me, eating at the bar just doesn't seem like an anniversary dinner type of thing)..so you can also reserve a table by the rail, but the view is somewhat obstructed. Check out their website for pics...
http://www.zozos.net/
The Terrace just opened and has had a few good recommendations. Not sure of the view available..Ask Pia on the boards, she has been there.
Asolare has a good view from what I understand but reviews on the food have been so so lately.
http://www.asolarestjohn.com/
Also you can have a nice dinner at one of the Caneel restaurants.
Just from what I have read, I would see if there is a table with a view at The Terrace or reserve a table by the rail at ZoZo's..We will be having a nice dinner out and will be doing one of those...
For casual...The Beach Bar and High Tide seem to be frequently recommended for enjoying the sunset.
As far as beaches, everyone says the no see um's are too bad at sunset and will eat you alive..
I wonder if there is an overlook somewhere or something that you can sit and watch the sunset? Anyone ??
Also...can you sit on the ferry dock pier or is it locked up in the evening?
Hopefully someone will jump in and give us some more suggestions on great public places to view the sunset...
12 days for me..I'm right ahead of you..Whoo hoo!!!
http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/v ... lit=sunset

There's an overlook right by Asolare that has a great view. My husband and I were there in January/February and watched a few sunsets from the overlook. We packed a cooler with some drinks and snacks, and sat on the rock wall until the sun disappeared. You also have a nice view of Cruz Bay up there.

We spent a few nights at the Beach Bar too but the view was somewhat blocked. The atmosphere more than made up for it though.

The bar at Zozo's definitely has the best view for a restaurant. We sat downstairs and the view was partially blocked. I know that it does not seem like a good idea to spent an anniversary at the bar, but they do it up very nicely. It's pretty classy and you don't really get the bar feel. My husband and I would actually prefer to sit up there on our next trip as opposed to in the restaurant.

I prefer Asolare to ZoZos for view.

Spyglass is another choice in Wharfside.

Frank Bay is a good place for sunset. Go on a Wednesday and enjoy the Coconut Coasts studio soirée.

Bonny: We're a bit biased, of course, but our favorite places to watch the sunset are the outdoor areas (gazebo, pool, spa, main and lower decks, and billiard porch) at Coconuts (http://www.coconutsvilla.com)! I checked, and Coconuts happens to be unoccupied for the weekdays following your arrival. If you were interested, we could have the housekeeper (who lives right around the corner) open it for you late one afternoon, show you the place, and then leave you to enjoy the sunset from the outdoor living areas. We can't promise a sunset as spectacular as the one I photographed the night of Rafael's near-miss last month (below), but most nights they are gorgeous. At this time of year, the sun sets around 5:40 PM, but you would want to arrive at least an hour earlier. We'll even throw in a nice bottle of red wine (a Chilean Malbec), along with real wine glasses (not those water goblets that pass for such at some villas). The outdoor music player has a classical guitar collection CD (Segovia). Who knows; you might even decide to stay on the sunset side of the island someday! If you are interested, PM me, and we can work out the logistics.

All the best,

Kevin

P.S.: The sunset panorama below (stitched together from three handheld shots) can be clicked again and saved to file, giving you the original full resolution version (5070 x 1845 pixels). Vieques, 40 miles away, can be seen long and thin along the horizon behind Great St. James, and that is Culebra in the notch to the left of a hill on St. Thomas. In retrospect, I wish that I had used a tripod; compare Vieques in the panorama to that of the tripod zoom shot below the panorama. That said, the panorama is on another level. Enjoy!

Thank you everyone, I'm making my list!! Have a great trip STJChica!

Thank you Kevin for the amazing offer, I've sent you a private message!

16 more days.....

Our favorite sunsets on StJ are from the water. We bring a bottle of champagne into the water with us and wait for the sun to set. The no-seeums don't bother us when we are far enough from the sand. We like Maho, Francis, Trunk and our very favorite was Saloman but the trail is more difficult to negotiate after a bottle of champagne and in the dark.
Consider Peace Hill for a beautiful quiet sunset.

What a great offer Kevin...Shoot I wouldn't even need any wine..Would just bring some rum Too bad Coconuts isn't vacant during our stay..Still a great offer...hope Bonny can enjoy it. Pam

From the water is a great idea!! Thanks toes in the sand!

An we will for sure want to accept Kevin's offer of a sunset at Coconuts! Think I'll bring a thermos of rum punch! We hope to have 4 or 5 people next year and Coconuts may be our destination!

At least a one sunset from the water and another from Asolare or Zozo's, well check out there menus and decide!
I'm getting so excited! Can't wait to be there!!

Fair warning:
When the sun gets low in the sky the no-seeums come out. When in full bloom they can be more than just pests. To do a sunset in the water you have to be prepared for a quick exit. We usually pack up all our stuff and get it all in the jeep, lather up with repellent, leave only two towels, sandals and flashlights on the beach, the champagne comes into the water with us usually with a pool float. We prepare for as quick an exit as possible after sunset. It usually means either changing at the jeep or driving back to the villa in wet swimsuits. The dash from the beach after a bottle of champagne and the ensuing change in the dark (one time accompanied by a chicken or two that settled at our jeep at Maho) is always a good time in itself though.
The other thing you should know is that we have yet to find an easily accessible beach with a water sunset. It seems the sun always sets above a hill on StJ. I know of only two north shore beaches that give an unobstructed western view. Both of those beaches require a hike to exit.

Toes in the sand: The sunset azimuth position varies +/- 23 degrees from due East over the course of a year, which influences which beach will see a water or island sunset at any given time. In mid summer, we enjoy dawdling in the very warm water near Trunk Cay through sunset, where it sets over Congo (behind Lovango). From spring to fall, Solomon, Caneel, and Francis will see a water or island (other than St. John) sunset, and the eastern side of Great Cruz Bay faces the sunset between Great and Little St. James in mid-winter. I've attached two sunset shots at the summer and winter solstices to show the dramatic difference in the sunset angle; these are from from Coconuts, but the same north - south swing of sunsets applies elsewhere.

All the best,

Kevin

Oh my gosh, Kevin! Those pics are all spectacular!!!