Beach Break: Villa Beaches
Beachfront, or waterfront villas are uncommon on St. John but not unheard of. The next few Beach Breaks will feature beaches accessed by villas. There’s no such thing as a private beach on St. John, but there are beaches reached only by private property (or water), so that pretty much makes them private. We’ve already shown you a couple: Calypso by the Sea and La Miramar. Here’s another…one reached by Harbour View, a big, luxury villa next to the Westin that overlooks a sprawling lawn and its own beach.
November 28th, 2007 06:11
This is the epitomy of STJ villa ownership: a sandy quasi private beach and wonderful view. Your excellent, soothing video lowered my urban stress. A big Wednesday Thanks!
November 28th, 2007 07:58
Great looking villa,
nice grounds,
excellent spot.
happy Wednesday.
November 28th, 2007 09:38
Happy Happy hump day thanks guys.
I thought the beach by Gibney was private, the ones by the rental villas that are owned by Gibney?
I just remember being with friends in 2005 there and told we could not use the chairs that the beach was private..
Can’t decide if I want to live at Calypso or Harbor………so much to think about…….:)
November 28th, 2007 09:40
The perfect way to start the day — on the 14th we’ll be on that very beach! Yah!
I start my day with your web site!
November 28th, 2007 09:48
Great Beach Break! Long Long ago locals used to gather there on Sundays, bringing their families. This was long before the Westin. The women would fry fish, children play in the sea and the men would play cricket. Those days are long gone… but I have great memories of them.
November 28th, 2007 09:53
Such a pretty location! Loved the soothing music!
November 28th, 2007 10:10
Makes me homesick for STJ as I sit here looking out the window at my gloomy 35 degree windy weather.
November 28th, 2007 10:44
Nice memories, David! Don’t you wish we could turn back time sometimes? Getting very anxious, will be on island in 8 days!!
November 28th, 2007 11:49
Rosi – The beaches are public, the private area starts at the high water mark (someone correct me if I am giving mis-information) so if the chairs were above that line, they would be on private property.
November 28th, 2007 13:07
And now I will just take a little nap under my desk and dream of St. John.
Thanks, guys!
November 28th, 2007 21:34
Heather,
Actually, it’s more complicated than that. The beaches are public up to the vegetation, but they are not government property and still legally belong to the adjacent landholder. This is a typically confusing VI law scenario, because the government decided in the 1970′s to make all beaches public but couldn’t afford to buy them.US constitution says private land can’t be taken without compensation. Obviously, items like beach chairs also belong to the property owner.
November 29th, 2007 16:25
ajr – interesting information, I appreciate learning more about the topic. The condemnation/compensation issue makes sense in a way as funding aside, valuing a strip of land (in order to give the owners compensation) would be quite an undertaking. I’m not surprised that the “public” part of the public issue is hazy.
November 29th, 2007 22:00
Thanks for my Wed Break from 34 and flurries…and it’s just the beginning of 4 months of cold and grey. 120 days we soon come.