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Per the request of "Islander" - whose identity is still illusive despite my attempts at getting VINOW staff drunk last summer at Pirate's Ridge Deli/sometimes bar in hopes that they might divulge the secret - I am submitting a Water Island trip report complete with raucous VINOW staff members, 17th century English ballads sung late at night on Honeymoon Beach, and my picture which has somehow ended up on the VINOW website.
I am lucky enough to have family friends who own a house on Water Island and who are generous enough to let me use it. Water Island is quiet - very quiet which is exactly how I like my vacations. Good food and drinks can be had several nights a week at either Pirate's Ridge or Heidi's on Honeymoon Beach but other than that Water Island is for folks that enjoy cooking for themselves and entertaining themselves in a very laid back and off-the-beaten-track experience.
I was there in early July which is an even slower time than usual. While we had some great times with people who live on the island (and who are all wonderful), I think it is safe to say that Water Island is really a special place to enjoy yourself and the person/people you are traveling with. It is a place you go to slow down, re-connect, and breathe. There is no shopping, no fancy appointments, or frilly accomodations, or crazy nightlife - if that is what you are looking for then one of the other islands would be better suited.
Water Island is truly an amazing place. My dad and I stayed there almost 20 years ago at the old hotel/apartment complex which has since been purchased, but not yet rehabbed on the way to the old fort.
This past spring my girlfriend and I went on a cruise with my parents which stopped in St. Thomas and we all took the ferry over to Water Island. The ladies relaxed at Honeymoon Beach (they were the only ones there) while dad and i hiked up to the old fort and hotel areas - that I found thanks to research here on VInow!
I must say the people on Honeymoon are SO friendly. On the hike there, a very nice older african american man stopped and asked if we needed a ride. He stopped by his home/apartment (at the top of the hill after the ferry) to pick something up - and offered us a nice cocktail before we set out for the fort. He dropped us off and wished us well - absolutely refused to take any compensation. FYI - I only mention his race, age and where he lived b/c there are local residents who visit this board that might know him (his name escapes me).
As we hiked back, again a local resident stopped on the road and offered us a ride. He even stopped by the old hotel so we could get a picture, then dropped us off right at Honeymoon Beach - again wouldn't accept compensation.
It was a day my dad and I will treasure forever, much to the thanks of the great people on Water Island. I also couldn't believe how unchanged the island was since I had been there.
I certainly recommend a trip over as well even if only for the day!!!
i loved water island, we went there twice during our 16 day stay last july......there was nobody on honeymoon beach excpet for us and one day a group of kids from a summer camp came over, but other than that we had it to ourselves, oh yea and when the kon tiki brought the tourist over, we had some pizza from the pizza boat, nice time on water island, cant wait to go back in september.......
Destiny In VA
Thanks for the Water Island reviews!!
Moptop... thanks for the laugh about our staff. LOL 😉
--Islander
Ah, I see now. This whole "islander" thing was hatched so that we will all ply the VI NOW staff with drinks at the get togethers trying to find out who you are! Good plan!
Pamela
LOL 🙂 shhhhhh Pamela don't tell anyone!! 😉
Hi. Enjoyed reading your post on Water Island. We are staying there in July and I am wanting to learn as much as possible about WI and STT. We are a laid back family: parents, 16yr.son, 12yr.son, 9yr.son, 4yr daughter, and 1 grandmaw(me). Any other info you have to give will be very appreciated.
