St. Thomas Archives | Rum Therapy

December 22, 2019December 22, 2019

The 10 Most Visited Rum Therapy Island Blog Posts of 2019

As 2019 draws to a close, we looked back to see which of our island posts were visited the most during the year. Although some we expected to make the list, some surprised us, such as #6! In case you missed any of them, here’s the countdown.

From #10 to #1, the 10 Most Visited Rum Therapy Island Posts of 2019 are:

#10

Apparently there are many of you out there that either love Barbados or are getting ready to visit, as this was the 10th most visited post of 2019. Have you been to Barbados? Find out more here:
Why You Should Plan a Trip to Barbados

#9

Puerto Rico – the rum capital of the world and the birthplace of the Piña Colada! Get some suggestions on Puerto Rican rum experiences in this post:
Rum Experiences on the Island of Puerto Rico.

#8

We loved stopping by to meet Troy Roberts and his lovely wife Nanci who own Siesta Key Rum in Sarasota, Florida. They have created a portfolio of award winning rums and offer tours at the distillery several days a week. If you plan to be in the area, we highly recommend stopping by, taking the tour and learning about these delicious rums!
Read the 8th most visited post of the year here:
Siesta Key Rum Distillery Tour

#7

Although there have been some changes in Cruz Bay, St. John since the hurricanes, many people visited this post this year to get some ideas on what to do while visiting. Check it out here:
What to See and Do in Cruz Bay, St. John

#6

We stumbled upon this Christiansted shop that rents scooters during the day and turns into a funky bar at night while staying close by on the boardwalk. We had so much fun talking with locals and other visitors that we ended up coming back the next night to have a beer and sing along with the one-man band.
Find out more here:
Cruzin Scooters – Scooter Rental & Bar, St Croix

#5

What are the 2 Best Reasons to take the Skyride to Paradise Point, St Thomas? One is obviously the amazing view! Click here to find out what the second one is!
The 2 Best Reasons to Take the Skyride to Paradise Point, St. Thomas

#4

An update to our original post entitled “Barhopping on Jost Van Dyke“. We wrote the update after visiting the island 6 months after being hit by hurricanes Irma and Maria. We were amazed by the spirit and resiliency of of the islanders who had just been through such a tragic and devastating event and the progress they had already made. Read more here:
Barhopping on Jost Van Dyke, Part 2 (after Irma)

#3

A visit to the Callwood Rum Distillery on Tortola is like taking a walk back in time. This distillery has been producing rum for over 200 years! Although Cane Garden Bay was hit hard by the hurricanes of 2017, Callwood Rum Distillery is open again and well worth a visit! Find out more here:
Callwood Rum Distillery, Tortola

#2

I’ve never been a big fan of sharks – it’s just those teeth! But, swimming with the nurse sharks in Exuma was…cool. I’d even do it again! Read about the experience here:
Swimming with Sharks on Compass Cay

#1

No surprise here – this list, compiled of suggestions from you, has been visited many thousands of times since we published it! Looking for songs to put on your beach playlist? You’ll find a wide variety of songs here!
The Ultimate Rum Therapy Playlist

Enjoy the rest of 2019 and wishing you Happy Travels in 2020!

Copyright©Rum Therapy
Pictures and other content may not be re-used without written consent from Rum Therapy, LLC. All information is correct to our knowledge at the time of writing, but be sure to verify current information before your visit.

October 17, 2019October 31, 2019

Why You Should Plan a Trip to St. Thomas, USVI

St. Thomas, one of the 4 main islands in the US Virgin Island chain, is a top cruise ship destination, offers an array of fun tropical attractions and amenities, and is also a convenient base when wanting to explore other nearby islands. As the second largest and most populated island in the chain, there’s a myriad of options to fill your days there, from duty-free shopping to just lounging the day away under a palm tree with a drink in your hand and everything in between. Here is a list of reasons that we think might make you consider planning a trip to sunny St. Thomas, USVI.

US Residents Don’t Need a Passport to Travel to St. Thomas

Because St. Thomas is a US Territory, US residents don’t currently need a passport to travel to St. Thomas. (However, you may need proof of US citizenship to leave St. Thomas, which may include a birth certificate and a government issued ID – be sure to check with your airline to make assure you have the required documents).

In addition, there are daily non-stop flights from several major US airports including New York, Atlanta, Miami, Charlotte, Chicago and Ft. Lauderdale. Less travel time = more beach time!

Beaches

St. Thomas is approximately 32 sq miles in size and dotted with scenic beaches. Many are easy to access and some have amenities such as beach bars or snack bars, restrooms and showers. A few of our favorites?

~ Magens Bay on the north side of the island. It’s incredibly scenic, good for walking the beach and swimming. There is an entry fee and a parking fee. (note: can be very busy when there are a lot of cruise ships in port) More about Magens Bay here.

~ Sapphire Beach on the east side of the island has a pretty stretch of white sand and is good for watersports and swimming. There are a few additional amenities such as a beach bar, restrooms and a restaurant within the Sapphire Beach development.

~ Lindquist Beach at Smith Bay is also on the east side and has gorgeous white sand fringing usually calm, turquoise water. It’s great for swimming and has picnic areas, restrooms and showers. There is an entry fee and a parking fee.

Shopping

Due to the high volume of cruise ship traffic, there are excellent shopping opportunities in historic Charlotte Amalie, in the kiosks at the harbor, Havensight and the high end, Yacht Haven Grande. Best things to buy? Paintings, artwork and jewelry from local artisans, spices and hot sauces, sea glass gifts and rum! Speaking of rum…

Rum

Although there are no rum distilleries on St. Thomas, there is no shortage of rum. Best places to enjoy a frosty rum drink in our opinion?

~ Bones Rum in Charlotte Amalie. Pour your own Bones rum drink – an excellent stop after a day of shopping. You might want to bring back a bottle or two as although it is now available in a few states in the US, it’s not available everywhere. Read more abut Bones Rum here.

~ Rum Island Pub in Charlotte Amalie. It’s under new ownership, but I can’t imagine they don’t still pour tasty, RIP’s – Rum Island Punch!

~ Duffy’s Love Shack – a restaurant bar in a parking lot in Red Hook. Try their signature drink, a Lime in Dee Coconut. The food is great too! More about Duffy’s Love Shack here.

~ Paradise Point, the skyride behind Havensight and the cruise ship dock. Try a Bushwacker while looking at the spectacular view of Charlotte Amalie from above- frozen chocolate and rum deliciousness, but be careful – they’re strong!! Read our post about Paradise Point and Bushwhackers here.

Adventure

Want to do something a little more adventurous? Here are a couple of great options.

~ Tree Limin’ Extreme – soar through the trees with an amazing view of Magens Bay on an exhilarating zipline with six ziplines, two foot bridges, and eight aerial tree platforms. Book ahead of time if possible – this zipline adventure fills up fast!

~ If you like hiking, take the trail down to Mermaid’s Chair (on the west side of the island). The hike is paved, but strenuous (mostly the hike back), but you will be rewarded with a view of a beach where the Atlantic and Caribbean waters meet.

~ Get on the water! Rent a stand up paddleboard (SUP), kayak, or jet ski, go snorkeling in the crystal clear water or take a half or full day excursion on a catamaran!

Those are just a few of the reasons why we think you should plan a trip to St. Thomas, USVI. Who’s ready to go?!

Other posts you might be interested in:
Why You Should Plan a Trip to Barbados

May 9, 2017June 6, 2019

21 Places to Explore on the Island of St. Thomas

Staying on St. Thomas and looking for some ideas of what to do while there? Although it’s hard to list all of the attractions on this pretty, but busy island, here is a list of 21 Places to Explore on the Island of St. Thomas to help you start your planning!

Starting from the airport and traveling west, the list takes you clockwise around the island.

1. Brewer’s Bay. A pretty beach close to Cyril E. King airport and just across from the University of the Virgin Islands. Go for smaller crowds, spectacular sunset, local food trucks and to see occasional airplanes landing.

2. Overlook of airport from 30. From Brewer’s Bay, head up the hill on 30 to a small overlook of the airport. On a clear day you can see all the way to St. Croix!

3. Hike to Mermaid’s Chair. A somewhat strenuous hike brings you to a beautiful strip of beach that separates the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. Be sure to time your visit to arrive at low tide – otherwise the strip of beach may be underwater!

4. Stumpy Bay. Not easy to get to (Four-wheel drive needed for a very bumpy road), but those that have made the journey have reported that the deserted beach at Stumpy Bay is lovely, quiet and serene…ahhh…

5. Neltjeberg Bay. Accessed only by sea or by a long hike from Dorthea Beach, Neltjeberg is considered by some as one of the islands most beautiful and secluded spots. Explore the nearby Neltjeberg Ruins, an 18th century sugar cane plantation that was devastated by a powerful hurricane in 1867 (the same hurricane that sunk the HMS Rhone at Salt Island).

6. Hull Bay. A quiet little beach fringed with seagrape trees. Hull Bay Hideway, a bar & grill just off the beach, is a great place to get fish tacos and a cold beer.

7. Mountain Top. Can be extremely busy when a lot of cruise ships are in port, but we thought Mountain Top was worth a visit due to it’s great view of Magens Bay and a plethora of Cruzan Rums for purchase. Sip on a Banana Daiquiri while enjoying the view.

8. Tree Limin’ Extreme. Zipline through lush foliage with spectacular views of Magens Bay and other islands at Tree Limin’ Extreme. A little adrenaline and a lot of fun!

9. Drake’s Seat. Yet another phenomenal view of Megans Bay and beyond. The bench is named after Sir Francis Drake who is said to have climbed to this point to identify potential ships to plunder.

10. Magens Bay. Frequently listed as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, this one mile stretch of white sand is fringed with verdant hills and palm trees. Megans Bay is a very popular beach and can get very crowded. Go early or later in the afternoon to enjoy the beauty with less people.

11. Skyline Overlook. Offers a panoramic view of Charlotte Amalie, Water Island and Hassel Island.

12. Mahogany Run Golf Course. (Permanently closed) Scenic and challenging, this Tom Fazio designed course is nestled between the green hills and beautiful shoreline on the North side. Test your skills on the Devil’s Triangle – a challenging 3 hole stretch that includes a par 3 hole situated 200 feet over a rocky inlet of the Atlantic Ocean. Didn’t bring your clubs? No problem, they can provide complete rental sets and hopefully lots of extra golf balls.

13. Coki Point & Coral World. Experience sea turtles, sharks and stingrays and more in this 5 acre marine park. Afterwards, spend time swimming and snorkeling on Coki Beach.

14. Lindquist Beach at Smith Bay. Recently renovated with restrooms and showers. Although it’s gotten busier, this, in my opinion is still one of the prettiest beaches on the island.

15. Duffy’s Love Shack. The best parking lot bar in the world! Order one of their specialties like a Lime in Dee Coconut or Shark Tank (served in a fish bowl!)

16. Iggie’s Beach Bar & Grill. Go for live entertainment, Wednesday night Carnival Night, Full Moon Parties and Voodoo Juice…

17. Skyride at Paradise Point. Great view and Bushwackers!

18. Yacht Haven Grande. Check out the little boats (wink, wink) and pick up a trinket or two at the high end shops.

19. Blackbeard’s Castle. Take a guided walking tour of this historic 5 acre site to learn about the different buildings dating back to the 1600’s and the islands pirate legacy.

20. Rum Island Pub. Great little bar in Drake’s Passage, home of Husband Day Care, try their RIP (Rum Island Punch).

21. Bones Rum. Stop by for a pour-your-own rum drink and be sure to take some Bones Rum home with you – it’s not available outside of St. Thomas yet!

Ready for a day excursion or tour while on St Thomas? Check out some great ideas here!

What’s your favorite thing to do on St. Thomas? Tell us about it!

All information is correct to our knowledge at the time of writing, but be sure to verify current information before your visit.
Pictures and other content may not be re-used without written consent from Rum Therapy, LLC

January 25, 2017June 6, 2019

Taking the Sea Plane from St. Thomas to St. Croix

“Port to port with no airport” is the phrase used by Seaborne Airlines representative Angelia when spoke to her about the short flight on a sea plane from Charlotte Amalie in St. Thomas to Christiansted Harbor in St. Croix.

And sure enough, we conveniently boarded the sea plane from a dock in Charlotte Amalie, received our flight safety information from the pilot while in the cockpit, then skimmed over the water of the harbor, passing boats and buoys, taking off on our way to St. Croix.

20 minutes later, after a smooth and scenic flight, we descended into Christiansted Harbor, gently touching down on the water and then pulling up to the dock to de-plane.

No airports – no fuss and there we were, just feet from the boardwalk in Christiansted! How convenient is that?

From there, we were able to walk right down the boardwalk to our hotel in Christiansted without having to rent a car or get a taxi – although both are available right at the Seaborne Terminal as well, if needed!

Check out the Seaborne Airlines website for more information on the Sea Plane flight from St. Thomas to St Croix and other flights available.

A special thanks to Seaborne Airlines for providing our flight from St. Thomas to St. Croix!

To see more posts on St. Croix and other islands, check out our Island Blog Directory

Copyright©Rum Therapy
Pictures and other content may not be re-used without written consent from Rum Therapy, LLC

November 2, 2016June 6, 2019

Presidential Election Cocktail Menu at Bolongo Bay

This presidential election season, the Caribbean’s most entertaining Super PAC (Party Action Committee), Bolongo Bay Beach Resort, is letting constituents vote with their taste buds. Located in the US Virgin Islands, St Thomas is a US territory. While citizens of the US territory don’t have the right to vote, they still have the right to assemble. In island tradition, that’s still a great reason to party. Lobbyists and pollsters can stay back on the mainland because Bolongo Bay’s mixologists have created a ballot of campaign cocktails for all to enjoy.

Available now through Election Day, this special menu lets guests rally for their favorite affiliation, the Cocktail Party. Bolongo Bay will host an Election Night Party on November 8, 2016, featuring all-American food, Presidente beer buckets, live music and its widescreen televisions tuned in for results. Once the president-elect is announced, Bolongo Bay will continue to serve his or her “namesake” beverage through Inauguration Day, January 20, 2017.

Bolongo Bay’s 2016 Presidential Campaign Cocktail Menu includes:

Trumpical Punch: This swirl of controversy mixes up USVI strawberry and raspberry rum, topped with a comb over of cranberry juice. Served on the rocks, it’s going to be “huuuuge” and “make America great again.”
Chillary: Coconut rum, blue curacao, splash of pineapple juice and coconut cream become “stronger together” when shaken. Unlike 33,000 emails, this is served uncharacteristically straight-up.
Rum for the Border: Can’t handle the craziness? Start a new life with this mix of coconut, pineapple, citrus and banana rums and fruit punch for the win.
Screw’d Either Way: If the final two candidates lack “ap-peel” let this mix of orange vodka, orange juice and a splash of Sprite drown the sorrows. Served on the rocks…with a chaser of “hard place.”
Server Dilemma: The secret is out…banana liquor, blackberry brandy and pineapple juice with a splash of grenadine. Served on the rocks, it can only be ordered through Iggies private email server.
Under Audit: The ingredients are under audit. Happens every year. Surely everyone understands. While this information is classified, Bolongo Bay is willing to release them, but only to guests who visit.
Known as the Caribbean’s most entertaining beach resort, Bolongo Bay Beach Resort in St Thomas offers 365 days of fun, sun and rum year round. Find out more on the Bolongo Bay website.

February 17, 2016June 6, 2019

The Two Best Reasons To Take the Skyride to Paradise Point, St. Thomas

At first glance, the Skyride to Paradise Point in Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas could appear to be a bit of a tourist trap. Situated not far from the main cruise ship dock, the entrance beckons to the millions of visitors that stroll through Havensight Mall during a cruise stop every year.

Yes, there are shops at the top of the attraction, as well as performing birds and nature trails to explore, but in our opinion, there are two really good reasons to spend $21.00 (price of an adult round trip ticket as of this writing) to take the Skyride 700 ft. up, to the top of Paradise Point.

It takes approximately 14 minutes to board and ride to the top. Along the way, passengers are treated to views of the harbor, surrounding islands and beautiful homes on the hill below.

After the short, comfortable and scenic ride, passengers disembark and are welcomed to paradise.

And the two reasons we feel it’s worth taking the Skyride to the top of Paradise Point?

First off, from the top, visitors are treated to absolutely amazing views.

The views of Charlotte Amalie, the cruise ships in port and areas far beyond are simply spectacular. Sit and watch as sea planes land and take off, boats come and go and people – looking like ants far below, walk around in the warm sunshine.

The second reason?

Paradise Point is known for it’s version of the delicious frozen rum drink called the Bushwacker. We first sampled this potent rum delight many years ago during our first trip to the top op Paradise Point and never forgot it…

Coconut rum, chocolate, Kahlua, Amaretto and Bailey’s – what’s not to like? And Paradise Point makes a good one. Or maybe it’s the combination of the Bushwacker with that view? Either way, we’ve enjoyed 3 trips to the top (with a Bushwaker, of course!) and probably would do it again if the opportunity arises.

Have you taken the Skyride to the top of Paradise Point and enjoyed a Bushwacker? Tell us about it!

Find the Skyride to Paradise Point on our St. Thomas Map

To see more posts on St Thomas and other islands, check out our Island Blog Directory

Copyright©Rum Therapy
Pictures and other content may not be re-used without written consent from Rum Therapy, LLC

December 2, 2015June 6, 2019

Our Day with Wreck Life Adventure Center, St. Thomas

In the past, we’ve visited Jost Van Dyke while on a sail trip or via ferry, and during our recent stay in the USVI, we had a hankering to jet over to Jost Van Dyke to check out the new Ivan’s and enjoy a Painkiller – or two, on White Bay. Instead of taking the ferry over, we thought we’d see if we could hook up with a company that offered day excursions to JVD. A friend suggested Wreck Life Adventure Center, and owners John & Laurel Webb were able to squeeze us in for the day.

The Wreck Life Headquarters are located in Compass Point Marina which is on the east end of St. Thomas not far from Red Hook. We got there early, anticipating a fun day on the water and were greeted by John who goes by “Big Country”. Now, you just can’t help but smile when you meet Big Country. He’s a tall guy with a huge smile who loves joke around and tell stories, and we instantly felt part of the Wreck Life family.

John Webb (aka Big Country)

Our full day excursion started at about 8:30 am and we grabbed our gear and headed to the dock. Their brand new 31′ Island Runner with a center console is arriving any day now, so we boarded the boat normally used for their dive excursions for our day on the water.

What we thought would be just a trip over to Jost turned into an excellent day of exploration – topped off with plenty of time to enjoy White Bay and a few Painkillers… Wreck Life does an excellent job of finding out what your interests are and matching it with an perfect adventure on, and in the water.

Here are just a few highlights of our day with Wreck Life!

Peter Bay, St John

Driving by the North Shore St John beaches for some photo ops, a different way of seeing the gorgeous beaches and learning more about the area (like where’s Kenny Chesney’s house?)

Waterlemon Cay, St. John

Excellent snorkeling at Waterlemon Cay (snorkel equipment was provided), where we spotted the usual snorkeling suspects (such as Sergeant Majors and Parrotfish), and other rather uncommon snorkeling sights for us (nurse shark, sand diver, an eel and living coral!)

Nurse Shark

Sand Diver

Colorful “living coral!

Entering the British Virgin Islands at Great Harbour, Jost Van Dyke (John took care of all of the entry paperwork while we enjoyed the view)

Lunch at Foxy’s (Roti and Rum – yum), and a chat with Foxy!

And then to top off the day – a short boat ride over to White Bay where we spent the rest of the afternoon walking from Ivan’s to One Love and enjoying time in the beautiful White Bay water.

Ivan’s New Building

One Love

An afternoon enjoying the water of White Bay

The day was great and we loved the fact that the trip was catered to exactly what we wanted to do. Big Country would have accommodated most anything else we would have liked to pack into the fun day such as a stop at Sandy Spit or Sandy Cay – but we thought our personalized excursion was perfect just the way it was…

Have you done a Scuba Trip or Excursion with Wreck Life Adventure Center? Tell us about it!

To get more info on chartering a scuba trip or one of their personalized day excursions, contact Wreck Life by email at [email protected], check out their website and be sure to follow them on Facebook!

Find Wreck Life on our St. Thomas Map

To see more St. Thomas and other island posts, check out our Island Blog Directory

Copyright©Rum Therapy
Pictures and other content may not be re-used without written consent from Rum Therapy, LLC

November 22, 2015June 6, 2019

Tree Limin’ Extreme – Ziplining in St. Thomas

We arrived early on a Monday morning at Tree Limin’ Extreme to try out their zipline experience, currently listed as the #1 Outdoor Activity in St. Thomas on Trip Advisor. Thinking the skies would be clearest and the photo ops the best first thing in the morning, we requested an early time slot. Since we had a rental car the week we were in St. Thomas and were staying on the south side of the island, we left pretty early for our 8:20 am requested time of arrival.

This was not our first time ziplining; we’d ziplined once in Kauai and once in Jamaica, and even though we were not new to this type of experience, we were still just a tad bit apprehensive.

Once we got there, we checked in and were greeted by our guides for the day – Kyle and Leon.

Both super friendly, they immediately drew us in with their gregarious personalities.

Leon helping our group with their gear.

Our group of 7 had a lot of questions, and they took the time to make sure everyone felt at ease as we got strapped in for our ride high atop St. Thomas.

Don’t forget to rub the lucky coconut!

We all rubbed the lucky coconut to ensure our safe return, then made our way up to the Pinzgauer, the rugged vehicle that took us up the steep embankment to the first line.

Once at the top, Leon and Kyle gave us our instructions, a safety briefing and one last chance to change our mind about the whole thing. No one chickened out, and although the adrenaline was pumping, we all climbed the steps to the first zip.

Our Zipline Experience Video
(if you don’t have your own Go Pro, you can rent one at the desk to film your own experience!)

There are 6 ziplines and 2 sky bridges (suspension bridges) on the course as well as absolutely stunning views of Magens Bay and the islands surrounding St. Thomas.

Sky Bridge #1

The ziplines take you through the dense jungle where we spotted quite a few iguanas hanging out in the trees and enjoyed the serenade of coki frogs and tropical birds.

Each line is different, and our guides would give us tips on getting the most out of each one. Both Leon and Kyle (ok, mostly Leon) encouraged us to scream like crazy as we were zipping to scare the zippers behind us, and some of us (we won’t name names here) had no problem complying, whether it was voluntary or not…

The views were amazing everywhere we looked and we enjoyed reading the island information printed on the signs on each platform.

View of Magens Bay from one of the platforms

The sign on one of the platforms above Megans Bay

We got to the last line way too soon. Even though the tour takes between 2 – 2.5 hours, we were having such a great time that the time just “zipped” by.

Sky Bridge #2

A rainbow over our last zipline

The last line was interesting. It was preceded by the second and highest sky bridge. The drop looked to be the greatest of the 6 and this one didn’t end on a regular platform at the end. Once we stepped off the platform, we flew quickly down through the jungle and then yo-yoed back and forth a few times before being guided down a platform ladder in the middle of the line.

The last zipline

We watched from below as the rest of our party came in for a landing, then headed down the path with visions of the fun experience still fresh on our minds.

What did we like best about our Tree Limin’ Adventure? Our guides were great and made us feel extremely safe and comfortable – even while hurling ourselves off a platform into the trees! They followed the safety procedures to a “T”, and took the time to answer any questions our group had. The views were spectacular and may have been worth the price of admission alone. And the best part of it all was just the chance to enjoy the beauty of St. Thomas while experiencing an adrenaline rush through the lush tropics of the island…

Have you ziplined with Tree Limin’ Extreme? Tell us about it!

To find out more about the zipline experience and how to book your own adventure, go to the Tree Limin’ Extreme Website and follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Find Tree Limin’ Extreme on our St. Thomas Map

To see more St. Thomas and other island posts, check out our Island Blog Directory

November 18, 2015May 29, 2019

Rum Island Pub, an Island Oasis in the Middle of Charlotte Amalie

Looking for a bar with a good beach vibe to sit and enjoy a cold drink while exploring Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas? You might want to try Rum Island Pub – a bar in the middle of Drake’s Passage that feels like a little island oasis in the middle of a bustling town.

We visited Rum Island Pub a few weeks ago as we wanted to find out more about this bar that has “rum” in its name. It had to be good with rum in its name, right? Well it was.

Trish and Doug (CeeBass), some of the nicest people you’ll ever meet, are the owners of this unique bar that sits in a passageway of Charlotte Amalie called Drake’s Passage.

Rum Island Pub consists of a covered open air bar with additional outdoor seating and a great gift shop with lots of locally made items including apparel, jewelry, art, photos, lotions and even hot sauce.

Rum Island Pub is also the location of the one and only Husband Day Care. This is one place guys surely won’t mind hanging out while their ladies shop. Enjoy a few rum drinks or St. John Brewers beers, listen to some good music, chat with other day care patrons and enjoy the warm Rum Island breeze while you wait. Be sure to get a picture in front of the Husband Day Care sign to show your friends how you got to spend the day.

Rum Island Pub was under a different name when Trish and CeeBass took it over a few years ago. The location has a pretty long bar history in fact, as it was formerly the site of the first Duffy’s Love Shack (now in Red Hook) until Hurricane Marilyn came along in 1995 and deposited a large boat on top of it. The building was re-built and is now the perfect spot for Rum Island Pub.

What drinks to try? We each sampled (ok, drained) a signature drink called the RIP – Rum Island Punch. The RIP comes with instructions from the bartender (order one to find out what they are!) and they’re delicious. A mixture of Cruzan rums and fruit juices with a floater of 151 to finish the job; these babies are tasty and potent.

We also sampled one of their Famous Nutwackers – a bushwacker with peanut butter & chocolate…needless to say it was also a hit.

Stop by the island – Rum Island that is, and say hi to Trish and CeeBass on your next visit to St. Thomas. Pull up a chair at the bar, try a delicious Rum Island Pub rum drink, check out the local VI crafts in their shop, and be sure to tell them cheers from Rum Therapy!

Have you been to Rum Island Pub? Tell us about it!

Follow Rum Island Pub on Facebook!

Find Rum Island Pub on our St. Thomas Map

To see more St. Thomas and other island posts, check out our Island Blog Directory

August 19, 2015June 6, 2019

Best of USVI Survey Results

Thanks to all who took our survey on the “Best-Of St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix”. We hope the results of our Readers Choice survey will give people planning to visit one of these beautiful islands in the near future some ideas of what to do during that well deserved vacation. The results below are simply a compilation of the answers given by our readers based on what they’ve enjoyed while vacationing in the USVI and we do not endorse, nor discount any of the properties, restaurants, shops or attractions listed or not listed. We encourage you to continue to do your own research prior to your trip.

Some of the answers were eye-opening to us and after reading this, we’ve added a few things to our list to see and do during our next visit! Enjoy!

St. Thomas

Best Beach on St. Thomas:
1. Magens Bay
2. Sapphire Beach
3. Coki Point
4. Bolongo Bay

Best Beach Bar/Island Bar on St. John:
1. Duffy’s Love Shack
2. Iggies
3. Big Kahuna Rum Shack
4. Island Time Pub

Best Rum Drink on St. Thomas:
1. Painkiller
2. Bushwacker
3. Banana Daiquiri
4. VooDoo Juice

Best Restaurant on St. Thomas:
1. Sunset Grille
2. Fish Tails
3. Banana Tree Grille
4. Mafolie

Best Hotel/Resort on St. Thomas:
1. Bolongo Bay Beach Resort
2. Marriot’s Frenchman’s Reef & Morning Star Beach Resort
3. The Ritz-Carlton
4. Dreams Sugar Bay
Write ins with multiple votes: Mafolie Hotel, Bluebeards Castle

Best Villa/Condo Rental in St. Thomas:
1. Slice of Heaven, Magens Bay
2. Sapphire Beach Condos – write ins
3. Point Pleasant – write ins
4. Brigadoon – Red Hook

Best Shop or Boutique on St. Thomas:
1. Pirates in Paradise
2. Bones Rum
3. Native Arts & Crafts Cooperative
Write ins with multiple votes: Fish Face, Caribbean Surf Co.

Best Souvenir to bring home from St. Thomas:
1. Bones Rum
2. Larimar Jewelry
Write ins with multiple votes: Hook Bracelet, Cruzan Rum

Best attraction to experience in St. Thomas:
1. Coral World Ocean Park & Undersea Observatory
2. Skyride to Paradise Point
3. Mountain Top
4. Tree Limin’ Extreme
Write ins with multiple votes: Great House Botanical Gardens, Drake’s Seat, Magens Bay

St. John

Best Beach on St. John:
1. Trunk Bay
2. Cinnamon Bay
3. Maho Bay
4. Salomon and Honeymoon
Write in with multiple votes: Gibney

Best Beach Bar/Island Bar on St. John:
1. The Beach Bar
2. Skinny Legs
3. Woody’s
4. Joe’s Rum Hut

Best Rum Drink on St. John:
1. Painkiller
2. Bushwhacker
3. Rum Punch
Write ins with multiple votes: Mojito and Island Girl from Joe’s Rum Hut, Lime in de Coconut

Best Restaurant on St. John:
1. The Lime Inn
2. Cruz Bay Landing
3. The Banana Deck
4. The Terrace Restaurant
Write in with multiple votes: The Fish Trap

Best Place to Stay on St. John:
1. Private Villa: There were more write ins on this one than votes on the entries posted. Most of the write ins were for private villas with no specific name mentioned with the exception of Villa Mar de Amores and Villa St. John.
2. Westin St. John Resort & Villas
3. Caneel Bay Resort
4. Gallow’s Point Resort

Best Shop or Boutique on St. John:
1. St. John Spice
2. Bougainvillea
3. Coconut Coast Studios
Write ins with multiple votes: Sloop Jones, Caravan, Freebird, Bamboo Studio

Best Souvenir to bring home from St. John:
1. St. John Hook Bracelet
2. Cruz Bay Grill Rub from St. John Spice
3. A Hand Painted Shirt from Sloop Jones
Write ins with multiple votes: T-shirt from The Beach Bar, Larimar Jewelry, rum, a good suntan

Best Attraction to Experience on St. John:
1. Snorkeling the trail at Trunk Bay
2. Snorkeling at Waterlemon Cay
3. Hiking anywhere in the VI National Park
Write ins with multiple votes: Drunk Bay, Exploring the town of Cruz Bay

St Croix

Best Beach on St. Croix:
1. Sandy Point Beach
2. Rainbow Beach
3. Cane Bay Beach
4. Sandcastle Beach
Write ins with multiple votes: Buck Island Beach

Best Beach Bar/Island Bar on St. Croix:
1. Rhythms at Rainbow Beach
2. Rum Runners
3. eat @ cane bay
4. Off the Wall
Write ins with multiple votes: Beachside Café

Best Rum Drink on St. Croix
1. Painkiller
2. Cruzan Confusion
3. Green Flash
Write ins with multiple votes: Lime in de Coconut

Best restaurant on St Croix:
1. Polly’s On the Pier
2. Rowdy Joes
3. The Waves at Cane Bay
4. Galangal
Write ins with multiple votes: Duggans Reef, Rum Runners, LeReine Chicken Shack, eat @ cane bay

Best place to stay on St. Croix:
1. TIE: Renaissance St. Croix Carambola Beach Resort & Spa and Sand Castle on the Beach
2. The Buccaneer
3. Divi Carina Bay Beach Resort
Write ins with multiple votes: Cottages by the Sea, Condo Rental

Best shop or boutique on St. Croix:
1. Sonya Ltd
2. Purple Papaya
3. ib designs
4. From the Gecko Boutique
Write ins with multiple votes: Franklins on the Waterfront

Best Souvenir to bring home from St. Croix:
1. St. Croix Hook Bracelet
2. Cruzan Rum
3. Chaney Jewelry

Best attraction to experience on St. Croix:
1. Catamaran Sail to Buck Island
2. Kayaking at night in a bioluminescent bay
3. Point Udall
4. Beer drinking pigs at Montpellier Domino Club
5. Cruzan Rum Factory Tour
Write ins with multiple votes: dive the wall, dive or snorkel the pier, Jump Up Festival, St. George Village Botanical Gardens

To read more about these and other islands, be sure to check our Blog Directory by Island