Nope! However, it can make the airport process easier if you have one! Also, if you are looking to go on a boat excursion to the British Virgin Islands during your stay, you WILL in fact need one!
YES! BRING CASH! Some things are cash ONLY. Bring plenty of cash for tips and taxis! The staff at DRINK, Easterly, and Longboard STT are super excited to host each and every one of you and are looking forward to taking care of you! Make sure you are taking care of them in return!!!
THURSDAY: Something Blue Boat Day: wear your favorite BLUE BATHING SUIT! Welcome party at DRINK will be Coastal Casual - think sundresses, short sleeve button downs, and sandals... you will need to PACK THIS ON THE BOAT as you will not go by your accommodations after the boat day. FRIDAY: - The Night Before - will be an All Black event: please plan to wear ALL BLACK! (Pops of white or color are okay) Black dresses, jumpsuits, etc for women... black short sleeve button downs, polos, fitted t-shirts, black slacks, pants, or shorts for men. SATURDAY: Our wedding ceremony & reception will be BEACH FORMAL. Men: Linen Suits / Jackets & Ties preferred Women: Beautiful formal dresses • NO flip flops, t-shirts, or shorts on Saturday, but consider bringing all of those things for an end of night surprise!
There are NO Ubers available on the islands. It is CASH-based taxi's ONLY. Taxi's are typically available at any public places, ferry dock, airport, hotel, etc. For booking from your air bnb or rental units, reach out to your host to get a number for a local taxi driver! Please plan ahead accordingly!
Billy's sisters moved to the islands in 2016 (10 YEARS AGO!!!) and still live there today, owning and operating the coolest bar in the Caribbean, DRINK STJ, since February of 2019! Billy began working for Ballast Hospitality in 2019 after moving to STJ to help his sisters run DRINK. Billy started as a barback/bartender at the original (and at the time, only) Longboard location in STJ and has since climbed to Director of Operations, helping the company grow to four separate locations across the Virgin Islands and Charleston, SC. While Billy has lived on and off the islands since 2019, Amanda and Billy moved to St John in December of 2023 together and lived there roughly 8 months, solidifying their relationship furthermore. During their tenure in the VI, Amanda took a sabbatical from her Pediatric OT career to sell jewelry on STJ, and ABSOLUTELY CRUSHED IT! The U.S. purchased the islands from Denmark in 1917 for $25 million in gold during WWI to prevent German control. Because of this, despite being a U.S. territory, driving occurs on the left side of the road, a remnant of Danish rule. Laurance Rockefeller and his conservation organization, donated the land that formed the core of the Virgin Islands National Park on St. John. Rockefeller purchased over 5,000 acres in the 1950s and gifted it to the federal government to ensure it was preserved from develpment. (No there is no relation there that we know of... but don't tell Amanda that ;P ) The Paradise Trilogy series is set in St. John! If you are looking for any amazing book or series to read on your trip, The Paradise Trilogy: (Winter in Paradise, What Happens in Paradise, Troubles in Paradise) Books by Elin Hilderbrand are a MUST read. The series is set in St. John, USVI!