Coral Bay is on the southeastern side of St. John

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Coral Bay; if you think Cruz Bay is laid back, just wait until your get to Coral Bay! On the far eastern end of St. John, it marches to its own beat. The Natural harbor played an integral role in its history, St. John's first permanent settlement was clustered along its shores. Fort Berg was built in 1717 overlooking the harbor, the site of a bloody slave revolt in 1733. This harbor was also the motivation for the first unsuccessful U.S. bid to purchase the Virgin Islands in 1917. The harbor's name is actually derived from livestock, the Danish word Kraal, or corral, indicating the importance of livestock in the area.

Coral Bay:

is on the southeastern side of St John. It is a popular hangout for American mainland ex-pats, sailors, artist types and more who live on sailboats or up in the hills. A traffic jam in probably refers to a herd of goats or a few donkeys in the middle of the road. (There are no stop lights anywhere on the entire island of St John, and only one barely recognizable 'yield' sign coming into Coral Bay).

Coral Bay is more of a "community" (or, rather, "general area") than town, though more and more homes are beginning to pop up along the hillsides.

It is a 30 minute drive (8 miles) along Centerline Road from the main town (Cruz Bay) where the ferries come in from St. Thomas.

Home to the legendary "Skinny Legs Bar and Grill" and "The Tourist Trap" as well as some other interesting restaurants/dives such as "Island Blues", "Shipwreck" and "Miss Lucy's".

Concordia Eco-Resorts (a sister resort to Maho Bay Eco-Resorts on the islands north shore) is on the southeastern tip of the island, about 3 miles south of the crossroads where Coral Bay begins.

Each year in late February, the Virgin Islands most famous race (the '8 TUFF MILES'), runs along Centerline Road from Cruz Bay and ends in the Moravian Church ball field in Coral Bay (next to Skinny Legs).

The Emmaus Moravian Church in Coral Bay is on the List of Registered Historic Places in the United States Virgin Islands.

Fort Berg Ruins.The ruins of Fort Berg lie on a wooded peninsula. Built by the Danish in 1717, the fort was reduced to rubble during the slave revolt of 1733. Another battery was built here during the British occupation from 1807-15 and some iron cannons remain.

Tips: The fort is on private land, visitors should inquire as to whether it is acceptable to visit at that time.

Present day Coral Bay has evolved into an eclectic community of sailors, artists and boat builders. An assortment of artisan studios, carefree restaurants, colorful bars and tropical boutiques, take a casual approach to life. Be sure to visit the Studio of artist Sloop Jones for distinctive hand painted clothing, and the Cocolobo shopping complex for unique clothing and gifts. Just outside is Crabby's the area's popular water sports rental shack, and around the corner is the famous Skinny Legs bar, Coral Bay's focal point of music, activity, and island-style fun.

Coral Bay was once the main commercial and population center on the island due to its sheltered harbor, it has fallen from prominence with the introduction of a ferry service to Cruz Bay, which is now the largest city on St John.

Emmaus Moravian Church. The Emmaus Moravian Church is on the National Registry of Historic Places and holds an interesting place in St John's history. The Caroline Estate plantation originally stood on these grounds, the site of a 1733 slave revolt that resulted in the murder of the plantation owner and his 12-year-old daughter.

In the 1750s the Moravians arrived on St John and began setting up congregations. After the slave revolt the re-establishment of Coral Bay was slow to come, however the Moravians built this church and dedicated themselves to ministering to the slaves and teaching them literacy. The church continues to serve descendants of those slaves today.

Tips:This church is not normally open to visitors, but Sunday services can be attended.

Coral Bay Reviews

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