Thinking of getting away? I mean REALLY getting away? Then you must check out Water Island. The fourth and newest addition to the Virgin Islands. The 491 acres is waiting for you to arrive.
Water Island is south of St.Thomas in the Caribbean Sea. It is a mile wide and 2 miles long which makes it the smallest island of the popular U.S. Virgin Islands. You can fly in to St Thomas and then board the ferry in Crown Bay Marina at Charlotte Amalie Harbor for Water Island´s Phillips Bay Ferry Dock. The ride takes about 10 minutes and costs about $6.00 USD.
Water Island is mostly volcanic in nature but the beaches are the specialty. It is mostly residential with not much commerce on the island.
Honeymoon Bay is one of the most popular places to soak up the sun.
There are less the five hundred residents on the island. It does have power and phone service through underwater cables coming from St. Thomas. Water Island Botanical Gardens was a hobby of Walter Phillips.
Plants from all over the world have been brought in and established. It is a member of the International Association of Botanical Gardens and of the Association of Botanical Gardens and Arboretum.
There are plenty of opportunities to stay on the Island and there is a quaint little Cantina that opens on the weekends for lunch. On the North end is the quiet gated community of Sprat Bay Estates, which of course includes Sprat Bay. However, all the beaches on Water Island are public. Sprat Bay Estates covers 150 acres, two thirds of which is protected from development. Many of the homes or villas include beautiful waterfront views.
The United States added the island in 1996. Some of the little known hot spots on Water Island are:
