US Virgin Islands Archives

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

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.

November 30, 2016October 25, 2019

Destinations: Hawaii vs. US Virgin Islands

Yesterday on Instagram (be sure to follow us!), we posted a photo of our recent trip to Maui.

The folks at St. John Fun commented on the photo of the beautiful Ritz-Carlton Kapalua, asking us how Hawaii compares to the US Virgin Islands. Although we’re far from experts on either destination, we’ve had the good fortune of spending a fair amount of time exploring Hawaii (the Big Island), Maui, Oahu, Kauai and Lānaʻi, as well as the main islands of the United States Virgin Islands (USVI), St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix.

So how do they compare? there are some similarities; both destinations are warm and tropical and US Citizens don’t need a passport to travel to either location. And, both destinations are comprised of several different islands to choose from – each with it’s own personality and attractions. But, both Hawaii and the USVI have their differences and their own distinct vibe. We love both destinations, but which one would suit you better?

In considering the two, remember that Hawaii is an approximately 5 hour flight from California, so the travel time is shorter from the Western US. The USVI (St. Thomas), on the other hand is less than a 3 hour flight from Miami, making a shorter travel time for those in the Eastern US – not that travel time should be the sole reason to consider each destination.

Here are a few other things to consider, and we’ve listed them as the things we love about each of the destinations. See if any of them match your interests!

Maui, Hawaii

What we love about Hawaii
Flowers & Foliage – from the lei you frequently receive upon arrival to the airport or hotel, to the lush and aromatic landscaping, Hawaii is known for its beautiful, proliferous and aromatic flowers.
Surfing – let’s be honest, the North Shore in the winter rocks for surfing. Also being honest – we prefer to watch!
Coffee – Maybe it’s the tropical air, or that coffee beans are just happier in the Aloha State, but coffee grown in Hawaii is delicious. Kona Coffee is exclusively grown on the big island, where the rich volcanic soil is abundant. Tour a coffee plantation and find out how the beans are harvested and processed. If you love it, be sure bring a bag or two home.
Waterfalls – Spectacular waterfalls, made even more spectacular after a good rain, can be found on many of the islands. Some of the most spectacular we’ve seen are on the island of Kauai – one of which, Wailua Falls, was used in the filming of the opening scene of Fantasy Island.
Golf – Hawaii could be described as a golfer’s heaven. With more than 70 courses to choose from, there are plenty of options – some with spectacular signature holes that hug the rugged shoreline. You may want to bring some extra golf balls…
Mai Tai’s – a Mai Tai in Hawaii is a treat for your taste buds, as well as your eyes. Frequently garnished with a colorful flower or two, they’re almost too pretty to drink – although somehow we manage! Find a Mai Tai recipe here. Sorry we can’t provide a beautiful flower garnish or scenery!
Humpback Whales – We only spotted one on our recent trip, but apparently during the height of whale season, there are hundreds of whales swimming, breaching and playing in the waters surrounding the islands. One local on Maui told us it looks like whale soup!
Rugged scenery – because the Hawaiian Islands are volcanic, much of the topography is rugged, severe and extremely scenic.
Volcanic Mountains – go from a warm sunny beach to the summit of a mountain in just a few hours – and yes, they do get snow occasionally in Hawaii!
Pineapple – a symbol of Hawaii, pineapple is still grown on several islands and can even be found in the landscaping in areas. Take a tour of a pineapple farm on Maui or Oahu and taste it fresh from the field.
Abundance of fresh seafood – from Ahi to Uku, and from upscale restaurants to food trucks, you will find deliciously fresh seafood everywhere.
History – Hawaii became a US state in 1959, but its history dates back centuries to when the first Polynesians set foot on Hawaii. You can feel the Polynesian influence everywhere and learn more about it at the Polynesian Cultural Center on Oahu and experience Polynesian traditions during an island luau.

St. John, USVI

What we love about the US Virgin Islands
Boating & sailing – the USVI and BVI are a playground for those who enjoy boating and sailing. With fairly calm waters and a variety of islands in close proximity, you can easily explore multiple islands via excursion or by chartering a sailboat or catamaran for the week.
Island hopping – the ferry system in the USVI and BVI also provide excellent opportunities for island hopping. From St. Thomas, it’s only a short ferry ride to St. John and a car barge is also available. There is talk of re-starting the ferry from St. Thomas to St. Croix, but at this time, we recommend taking the short hop over on a seaplane!
Beaches – the beaches of the USVI are top notch. Each of the US Virgin Islands has its share of beautiful, white sand beaches with St. John having more than its fair share! Oh and that water…turquoise, clear and warm…ahhh…
Rum – Rum is king in the VI and bottles can be purchased at a very reasonable price. Take a tour of the Cruzan Rum Distillery on St. Croix (with a tasting bar at the end of the tour!) and experience the Captain Morgan Visitor Center (also on St. Croix) for a historical overview of the rum industry – and more rum tasting, of course!
Beach bars – beach bars abound in the USVI and offer a great relaxed place to enjoy the sunshine, some conversation, live music at times and a Painkiller or frosty Bushwacker or two..
Caribbean lobster – ohhh….the buttery taste of fresh Caribbean lobster! Delicious, but only served in lobster season – between November and June each year.
Hiking – while some people wouldn’t think of hiking as an activity to embark on during a tropical vacation, it’s a great way to experience the USVI – especially St John, where a National Park covers approximately 60% of the island which is crisscrossed with great hiking trails.

What do you love about Hawaii or the US Virgin Islands? Leave a comment for us below! If you have an specific questions on each destination, feel free to contact us at [email protected] and we’ll try our best to advise.

For more information on these and other island destinations, be sure to check out our Island Blog Directory

May 13, 2014May 15, 2019

Dinghy’s Beach Bar & Grill, Water Island

copyright Rum Therapy — Dinghy’s Beach Bar on Honeymoon Beach, Water Island

Dinghy’s Beach Bar & Grill, located on beautiful Honeymoon Beach, Water Island is only 10 minute ferry ride from St. Thomas, but feels a world away from the hustle and bustle.

To get to Water Island, you can catch a ferry in Crown Bay, St. Thomas right next to a restaurant/bar called Tickles. Tickets are $10 round trip and the trip takes only about 10 minutes.

Water Island is the smallest of the US Virgin Islands and has a population of around 200. One of the main attractions on Water Island is beautiful Honeymoon Beach which can be reached by an uphill hike from the ferry dock, a golf cart (which can be rented for the day) or if visiting Dinghy’s Beach Bar & Grill, you might be able to catch their safari ride to and from the dock.

You’re treated to a beautiful view of Honeymoon Beach when you reach the overlook. Since we’d caught a mid-morning (10:00a.m.) ferry to Water Island, Honeymoon Beach was still relatively quiet.

The Dinghy’s safari took us down the hill and dropped us off at Dinghy’s Beach Bar & Grill, a fun looking place filled with bright colors and colorful art. Dinghy’s is owned by Giorgio and Lisa, an energetic and super friendly couple who purchased what was then Joe’s Beach Bar in April 2013.

At that time, it was just a little bar on a boat trailer with a few old rickety tables and chairs and a small generator to run the blenders and lights. Giorgio and Lisa had bigger plans for this bar and although the bar is still in the cool boat trailer (with the addition of a colorful coat of paint) they brought in electricity, water tanks and running water, built a tiki hut over an existing concrete pad and added many more tables and chairs, beach lounges and umbrellas, a professional kitchen trailer and an ATM!

According to Giorgio and Lisa, the new name came to them for their beach bar, as they sat and counted 30 dinghy’s beached in front of the bar!

Dinghy’s really is a great place to hang out for the day. They have a menu full of great drinks, including their signature drinks the Creamy Dinghy – Cruzan Dark Rum, Creme of Coconut and Fresh Local Passionfruit, when available, and the Paddlewhacker – a creamy Bushwacker with Chocolate and Peanut Butter blended in.

If you get hungry after snorkeling, paddleboarding, kayaking, extreme hammocking or beach chairing, drinking at the floating bar, walking the beach, listening to live music and beating your pals in corn hole and ring hooks – be sure to try one of their burgers, sandwiches, wraps or plates – all with a local flare. We tried the Beach Burger, certified Angus Beef seasoned with Argentinian Chimichuri Sauce – yum!

And be sure to take time to enjoy the beautiful beach Dinghy’s sits on.

Looking for some place close and a little different to hang out for a day while visiting St. Thomas? Dinghy’s on Water Island may be just what you’re looking for! Stop by and enjoy a great rum drink and say hi to Giorgio, Lisa and…Bubbles!

Their motto? “We’re Not Nuts, Just a Little Dinghy”

And a lot of fun.

We’re Not Nuts, Just a Little Dinghy!

To find out more about Dinghy’s Beach Bar & Grill,

Join them on Facebook

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

March 11, 2014December 18, 2019

Which Island Should I Choose for My Vacation?

We love to talk tropical travel and we love that you ask our opinion! But, the hardest question for us to answer is actually the one we get asked the most, “Which Island Should I Choose For My Vacation?”

Why is that a tough question? Although we’ve yet to meet an island we don’t like for some reason or another, everyone has such different vacation tastes. Some want the best beaches, others want shopping or luxurious accommodations or absolute solitude. The best fishing, snorkeling, rum, diving, sailing, hiking, historical sites, foliage….the list goes on and on. We’ve been trying to come up with a method to help people select destinations based on different criteria, but decided the best thing to do is what we already do – show you the islands through our photos and let you know what we’ve enjoyed – then you can see what areas you might be interested in visiting!

Below we’ve listed many of the islands we’ve recently been to and just a few key words of what we’ve really enjoyed about that island. Some are links to articles we’ve written on that destination with additional pictures. There are many additional GREAT things about each of these islands, but here are a few tips to start with.

Ready for a little tropiciation? Let’s go to the islands!

Some of the attractions/hotels/features on islands affected by Hurricanes Irma and Marie in the Fall of 2017 may have changed from when we initially wrote about them. If you have questions on their current condition, please contact us.

Shoal Bay, Anguilla

Anguilla
(see map)
Stunning, white sand beaches, Shoal Bay, Rendezvous Bay, Dune Preserve, excellent dining, great beach bars (see several in Sandy Ground), Gwen’s Reggae Grill, live music, luxurious accommodations, easy to explore on your own

Antigua
Many (365 they say!) gorgeous beaches, Half Moon Bay, Dickenson Bay, Shirley Heights, Antiguan Smile Rum Drink, English Harbour Rum

Bahamas
Find a place to get “off the grid” in one of many out islands, beautiful white and pink sand beaches, bonefishing and other fishing, snorkeling, peace and quiet, conch, variety of accommodations, swimming with the pigs, swimming with nurse sharks

Champer’s Restaurant

Barbados
Excellent dining, Superb beaches, Crane Beach, Mount Gay & other Rum Factory Tours

White Bay, Jost Van Dyke, British Virgin Islands

British Virgin Islands
(for individual maps of the British Virgin Islands, use the drop-down on the Island Map feature on our home page)

Fantastic sailing destination, secluded and beautiful beaches, Anegada Lobster Dinner on the beach, fantastic beach bars, Jost Van Dyke, White Bay, Willy T, Virgin Gorda, The Baths, Smuggler’s Cove, roti, easy to explore on your own, Sandy Spit, sunsets, Painkillers, Bubbly Pool, snorkeling, floating, Cane Garden Bay, full moon parties, crystal clear water, driving on Tortola, North Sound Virgin Gorda

Corales Golf Course

Dominican Republic
(see map)
Excellent golf, reasonably priced all-inclusive resorts, Mamajuana, Coco Loco, long stretches of pretty beaches,
The 3 B’s – Bermudez, Brugal and Barcelo Rums

Jewel Runaway Bay Resort

Jamaica
(see map)
All-Inclusive Resorts, Jerk Seasoning, 7 mile Beach, Floyd’s Pelican Bar, Blue Mountain Coffee, Waterfalls, Appleton Rum and Rum Factory Tour, Bob Marley Nine Mile Tour, Jamaican Smile, red snapper, Dirty Banana

Gustavia Harbour

St. Barthelemy
(see map)
Great place to yacht watch, high end shopping, excellent dining, beautiful beaches, homemade vanilla infused rhums, overlook of Gustavia Harbour, watching planes land on the very short runway!

Orient Beach, St. Martin

St. Maarten/St. Martin
(see map)
Gorgeous beaches on both the Dutch and French sides, clothing optional on some French side beaches, nightlife, great beach bars, watch planes land over your head at Sunset Beach Bar, Karakter Beach Bar, Marigot Market, Sarafina’s Bakery, street festivals in Grand Case, duty free shopping, we found it easy to explore on our own, wide range of accommodations, excellent dining options – especially in Grand Case, busy cruise ship stop – but because of that, there are many activities to choose from

Saltwhistle Bay, Mayreau

St. Vincent and the Grenadines
(see map)
Excellent sailing destination, beautiful remote islands, gorgeous quiet beaches, filming location for some parts of the Pirates of the Caribbean, Sunset Very Strong Rum, Tobago Cays, excellent snorkeling, turtles, clear turquoise blue water, Happy Island, Mopion, a few exquisite resorts, not busy, Petit Tabac

Pumpkin Bluff Beach, North Caicos

Turks and Caicos
(see map)
Spectacular white sand beaches, quiet and remote, great snorkeling, variety of accommodations, long beach walks, conch shells, sand dollars, cave exploring, Bambarra Rum, da Conch Shack, bonefishing, conch stew, fried conch, exploring secluded cays

Hawksnest-1-(600) Hawksnest Bay, St. John

US Virgin Islands
No passport needed for US citizens going to St. Croix, St. John, St. Thomas – each island has it’s own personality and they’re easy to explore on your own

St. Croix (see map)
Buck Island, Cruzan Rum Factory Tour, Cruzan Rum,
Sandy Point Beach and Wildlife Preserve, Cruzan Confusion, Mt. Pellier Domino Club, seaplane from St. Croix to St. Thomas

St. John (see map)
Every beach on St. John, cheeseburgers at Skinny Legs, hiking, snorkeling, exploring the shops, restaurants and bars in Cruz Bay

St. Thomas (see map)
Megans Bay, the view and banana daiquiris at Mountain Top, Paradise Point Skyride, Bushwackers at the top, Duffy’s Love Shack, Lindquist Beach at Smith Bay, variety of accommodations, Bones Rum

Banana-Daiquiri.-Ojpg View of Magens Bay (and a Banana Daiquiri) at Mountaintop, St. Thomas

So – any ideas on where YOU would like to go next?

For even more island posts, be sure to check out our Blog Directory by Island!

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

August 21, 2013May 29, 2019

Cinnamon Bay, St. John

We’ve been asked if we have a favorite beach on St. John, and we’d have to answer the same way that our friend Dwayne Allen of the Rum Bar in Phoenix answered when we asked him if he had a favorite rum. He said “They’re all like my children – I love them equally, it’s just that some days I prefer one over the other!”

Map of St. John north side beaches. The umbrellas indicate beaches. For and interactive version of this map, click here.

With so many outstanding beaches to visit on St. John, it’s hard to pick a favorite, but Cinnamon Bay will always hold a special place in our heart. When we first visited St. John some 17 years ago, we were on a cruise and had only one day to explore St. Thomas and St. John. We asked a good friend of ours who had spent time on both islands for his advise on what to do and see. This is the same friend that told us we must sample a Painkiller while in St. John…which, of course, we did, and have been sampling them ever since!

So what was his advice? Take the ferry to St. John and spend the entire day on Cinnamon Bay. That’s exactly what we did, and spent an entire, beautiful day on one of the prettiest beaches we’d ever seen, sharing it with only a family of donkeys. That’s right – aside from a couple way on the other end of the beach – and the donkey’s – we had it all to ourselves.

Fast forward 17 years and Cinnamon Bay is now one of the most popular beaches on the island and for good reason. It not only has a mile long expanse of gorgeous white sand, good swimming and snorkeling, it now has a ton of amenities as well.

Cinnamon Bay has a General Store, a Beach Shop, Watersports Activity Center, Restaurant, Restroom and Showers, Camping and Cottages, plenty of parking and regular taxi service.

The only bad thing about all of this? You most likely won’t be the only ones on the beach with a family of donkey’s anymore. But with a mile of beautiful beach to enjoy, you should still be able to find a great spot in the sun as you can see from a picture of a more recent visit above.

One of the Cinnamon Bay Cottages

View to the left from the beach

Looking down Cinnamon Bay Beach to the right

Cinnamon Bay – still one of our favorite places to get our toes in the sand on St. John. Can you see why?

For more information on camping and other amenities on Cinnamon Bay, check out the
Cinnamon Bay Campground Website

Find Cinnamon Bay on our St. John Island Map

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

Copyright©Rum Therapy Beaches, Bars & More, Tropical Travel Guide, 2013
Pictures and other content may not be re-used without written consent from Rum Therapy, LLC

June 3, 2013June 5, 2019

Rum Therapy On St. John

Although the smallest of the three US Virgin Islands, St. John has a tremendous amount of things to do and see, or plenty of space to stretch out and do nothing at all, if that’s what you’re looking for!

During a recent visit, we took an early morning car ferry from Red Hook, St. Thomas to St. John. The car ferry is a good option if you’ve rented a car on St. Thomas and have plenty of time – just check with your car rental company to make sure they allow it.

Car Ferry from Red Hook, St. Thomas to St. John

Lovely Cruz Bay, St. John. Cruz Bay is where the ferries arrive and depart.

Right off of the passenger ferry dock you’ll find a number of great beach bars and fun stores. During this trip, we made a stop at St. John Spice (upper level) and Bones Rum (1st level).

Take a hike down the beach and stop for a drink at:

High Tide

Joe’s Rum Hut, or

The Beach Bar.

Cruz Bay has a lot of other great restaurant, bar and shopping options – there’s literally something for everyone. We headed up the hill on 20 toward the north side beaches and stopped at the Cruz Bay overlook for a pic.

Then took a hike down through the forest to check out Salomon (Solomon) Bay and Honeymoon Beach.

Salomon (Solomon) Bay

Honeymoon Beach

We continued on 20 past Caneel Bay

And stopped at Hawksnest Bay Beach to lounge in the water for a while

Climbed Peace Hill to check out the ruins and the gorgeous views…

Then lingered for a while at the popular Trunk Bay Overlook for a picture of the spectacular bay.

Trunk Bay

And snorkeled at the Trunk Bay Underwater Snorkel Trail

Stopped at Cinnamon Bay to put our toes in the sand

Checked out beautiful Maho Bay for the first time

And peaceful Francis Bay.

We took our time looking around Coral Bay.

Enjoying a very tasty Jazz Brunch at Miss Lucy’s

and later an extremely tasty hamburger and rum drinks at Skinny Legs.

We hiked the Salt Pond Trail to Drunk Bay

to check out some interesting coral sculptures that other visitors have created…

And took one last chance to wade in the clear, blue water of Salt Pond Bay. Reluctantly, we headed back to the ferry, a bit more tan and a lot more relaxed…

There you have it. A few of our favorite experiences from our last (much too short) visit to St. John. We’ll most certainly be going back, so, what have we missed? What are your favorite things to see and do on St. John?

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

copyright©Rum Therapy Beaches, Bars & More, Tropical Travel Guide, 2013
Pictures and other content may not be re-used without written consent from Rum Therapy, LLC

March 21, 2013June 5, 2019

Skinny Legs, St. John

Skinny Legs, a funky establishment serving up good food and drink to happy customers in quiet Coral Bay, St. John. Apparently named after the original owners sinewy stems, Skinny Legs is a great place to land to relax, chat with locals and visitors alike and to enjoy some great burgers and rum drinks.

Friends Dougie and Moe opened Skinny Legs in 1991 when Coral Bay was even quieter than it is now and it quickly became a favorite of locals. The word has now gotten out and now many tourists to St. John now make their way to the “other” side of the island to enjoy some time at Skinny Legs.

On April Fools Day, 2012, Skinny Legs was purchased by husband and wife team Doug and Jaime who continue to carry on the tradition of good food and drink and a fun-laid back atmosphere.

Rum Punch and Coconut Swizzle
All drinks are shaken, not blended. Skinny Legs is a blender-free zone!

We ordered the Pepper Jack Burger and it was REALLY good.

Eclectic Decor – and one of the Gift Shops in the background

Patrons enjoying some conversation, football, grub and good drinks

Had to give the Skinny Legs Painkiller a try…

As they say on their website – “Skinny Legs – a Pretty OK Place”
We definitely agree…

Find out more:
Skinny Legs, Coral Bay, St. John

Find Skinny Legs on our St. John Map

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

February 10, 2011August 13, 2019

Cruzan Rum Factory Tour

We just returned from enjoying a week of Rum Therapy in St. Croix. We’d never been to St. Croix before, so there were many things we wanted to check out. One of the top things on our list was a tour of the Cruzan Rum Factory.

Finding the Cruzan Rum Factory was an adventure in itself. For those of you who have been on St. Croix, you may know that there aren’t a ton of signs directing you to different sites, and the map didn’t show many of the small roads. We probably could have purchased a more detailed map somewhere, but how lost could we get on an island????….

Anyway, we headed to the west end of the island. John was driving, ’cause they drive on the left side and I volunteered to navigate. He may have ended up with the best end of the deal! We turned on 64 as the map indicated, only to find that 64 was actually a loop and we needed to be clear on the other side of that loop. Finally figuring it out, we saw the factory through the foliage. As we turned in, we could smell a wonderfully sweet aroma…molasses!

We found our way to the building where the tour started and anxiously awaited our guide. Tours at the Cruzan Rum Factory are $5.00 per adult and run continuously from 9:00-11:30a.m. and 1:00-4:15p.m.

Turns out, our tour guide was Karen Nelthropp Low, a member of the Nelthropp Family that has produced Cruzan Rum for 7 generations on St. Croix. She certainly knew her stuff and eagerly answered all of our questions and then some.

St. Croix used to produce quite a bit of sugar cane until the 1960’s and up to that point the Cruzan Distillery used mainly molasses made from local sugar cane. Now a high end molasses from Guatemala is shipped into the local port daily and then delivered by trucks to the distillery.

We began the tour by walking past enormous vats of molasses, tropical rain water and yeast fermenting. It is quite the active process with lots of bubbling and gurgling occurring. The aroma was strong and sweet and it was tempting to just stick your finger in to give it a taste.

When the bubbling and gurgling stop, the molasses has fermented and is ready for the next step.

Karen told us the the Nelthropp family and staff sit down daily to test rum in various stages of production to ensure the quality of the product. Wonder if they’re hiring?

We also learned that Cruzan takes extra time and care to remove the fusels (heads and tails as she explained it) from the rum during distillation. The fusel oil is an impurity that can cause a slightly antiseptic smell and taste and can contribute to hangovers! We inadvertently tested this statement several times during this trip and must say – they may have something here!

The way in which a rum’s age is calculated was a bit confusing, but I found it quite interesting that Cruzan uses one-time use bourbon barrels from Jim Beam Bourbon Distillery to age their rums.

After appropriately aging, the rum is removed from the barrel by tapping out the cork and emptying the rum and allowing it to flow from a cistern to a holding tank.

The rum is sent to Florida to be bottled. Cruzan used to bottle its rums in St. Croix, but due to the increase in demand for their rum, they needed to move that part of the process off island.

The tour concludes with a rum tasting and a cocktail of your choice! We had a good time and learned a bit about rum manufacturing. The tour is well worth it if you get to St. Croix someday! Cruzan Rum website: http://cruzanrum.com/

More posts on St. Croix that you might be interested in:

Rum Therapy On St. Croix

Turtle Beach, Buck Island, St. Croix

Sandy Point, St. Croix

Snorkeling at Buck Island

Glass Bottom Kayaking in a Bioluminescent Bay

Mt. Pellier Domino Club, St. Croix