St. Thomas: New Year’s Eve 2022
It’s definitely fun to explore new places, but going back to tried and true favorites can never go wrong either. My family’s happy place is definitely the Virgin Islands; this trip would be our third time on St. Thomas. But each time we have visited has been a completely different experience in terms of activities and company. This year was also a special occasion: we were celebrating my mom’s 50th birthday! Highlights of the trip are below.
Eco Tour Kayaking and Snorkeling
To be 100% honest, I would not say I am a strong swimmer. But I love a good adventure, and this eco tour was exactly that. It started off with kayaking through Mangrove Bay, where our tour guide pointed out different animal and plant species and we made friends from New York and Florida. We stopped on a small island where we learned about the crabs that inhabit it. Apparently the crabs love Snicker’s and if you tempt them with the candy will even oblige in a little race. We went on a mini hike exploring more of the nature and that concluded with a stop at a blow hole. Finally, we snorkeled along the island coast where I got to see a jelly fish, and then we kayaked back to our starting point. The day was an absolute workout but such a new experience for me and my whole family! Highly recommend, and shoutout our tour guide Eli.
Private Sailboat Charter
Each time we have gone to the Virgin Islands, we have chartered a different type of boat. The first time, we had a small private catamaran through which we spent the whole day snorkeling and fishing. On trip 2 with 2 other families, we settled on a larger yacht. On this trip, we tried out a sailboat! The boat owners were the nicest couple I have ever met who not only were pro snorkel tour guides but also amazing chefs and bartenders. We stopped at three different snorkel locations. I got to hold a porcupine, see tons of sea turtles, and try a unique shot of island rum that would best be described as tasting like fancier Fireball. It’s hard to compare all of the different experiences, but I would have to say that this boat was probably my favorite.
Stargazing and the beaches
Living in downtown Chicago, I sometimes forget how out of touch with nature my life gets on a day to day basis. You could see tons of constellations right from our hotel’s beach, so we spent most post-dinner evenings using the Star Tracker app.
The Virgin Island are also home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Personal favorites include Coki Beach, Magen’s Bay, and Smith Bay.
The Virgin Islands are truly one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. I consider myself so lucky to have experienced all the kind people, fresh seafood, and world-class snorkeling the islands have to offer with the people I love most.
