Experience Tropical Solar Eco Retreat Adventure! Hike to Beach! Private,Romantic

2 BR, 2 BA furnished. Tropical living off the grid, live simply and close to nature with stunning panoramic views of the Caribbean sea, solar-powered, one of only a few homes on the border of the Virgin Islands National Park and its hiking trails plus a meditation circle nestled in natural rock formations. Hike the Johnny Horn Trail 1.5 miles to the beach and snorkeling at popular Waterlemon Cay. Only half mile to Lime Out!!

Work remotely with high speed internet, workspace, view of the sea.

The open air deck with hammock, umbrella table, love seat and LOTS of lush tropical plants in perfect private romantic vibe for star-gazing or hammock- warming. We're close to nature, a hiker's and lovers' paradise, private and remote, open-air and silence.

Solar-powered, spacious private decks overlooking the Caribbean Sea, Coral Bay and the British Virgin Islands. Only half a mile to Coral Bay’s restaurants, bars and shops, the Lime Out (floating taco boat) and Skinny Legs and a mile and a half hike to the beach. The retreat is best suited for a couple or solo traveler. This off-the-grid eco-retreat is an open-air/partially screened home that is solar-powered, cooled by the tradewinds, sustained by tropical showers and warmed by the sun.

Coral Bay Eco-Retreat offers the unique opportunity to be in a remote location, yet only half a mile from the heart of Coral Bay. It's perfect for hikers and adventurers wanting to get away from it all and experience island eco-living “off the beaten path” in a tropical setting. Experience quiet for writing, relaxing or contemplation, punctuated by the sounds of the surf, birds, tree frogs, island sheep and donkeys. One guest claimed, 'As I watched the sun go down, I felt my blood pressure do the same!' Others have called this home a treehouse, as it is surrounded by trees and even has a tree growing right next to the bed!

The large open deck is nestled among the trees and is perfect for admiring the view, meditating during sunrise (we call it the Morning Show) or for star-gazing on a balmy Caribbean night. It offers a glass-top umbrella table for outdoor dining with a Caribbean Sea view, a Weber grill and a hammock for two for the owner's favorite sport: hammock-warming! It is accessed by 'the stairway to heaven', lighted by solar lights and dotted with hoop-vine, orchids, night-blooming cirrus and turpentine trees. It’s an open sky view for stargazing or soaking up the moonlight at night, sun for tanning during the day.

The deck connects through double cypress doors to the screened-in living room which has a large comfy sofa, smart ROKU TV with netflix, charging area for electronic devices (usb and usual electrical outlets), desk with fast internet and Caribbean art, mostly of Caribbean women, created by Caribbean artists. Generally, a strong cell signal is usually available, especially for AT&T with free wireless wifi.

The island-style open-air kitchen features a very busy hummingbird feeder and a coconut banana quit feeder, attracting many tiny yellow banana quits (official bird of the Virgin Islands) who greet you each morning. This old-time Caribbean style "mermaid kitchen" has a mermaid theme including hanging skillets, kettles.
The porch-style, open air kitchen overlooks a herb /aloe garden and utilizes solar-warmed rainwater that is gravity-fed from a small water tower made of recycled 'drums'. For true water conservation and in keeping with old island traditions, the “dishwasher” is a dishpan/bamboo dish drainer in which dishwater is saved for deck and garden plants.

It has a full-sized solar-powered frig with freezer and ice cube trays, an ice chest/cooler, a non-electronic four-burner propane stove and oven (no microwave), a bar-style seating area overlooking the view, dishes, bamboo and eco-cookware, coffee-bean grinder, French press coffee pot and a stove-top toaster. Guests make their coffee by grinding their coffee beans, (bring your own favorites), boiling water and combining it in the French press- delicious!

Eight gallons of purified island drinking water (in recycled gallon jugs) are provided as well as basic kitchen essentials: dish detergent, dishes, frying pans, wok, potholders, dish towels, paper towels, trash bags,and a pantry stocked with salt and pepper, nutmeg There is a small amount of olive oil on hand, so bring your own favorite as well as your non-perishable foods, favorite coand other spices.

Most airlines allow you to bring a box and/or a cooler instead of a checked suitcase which is a great idea as groceries and supplies in general are expensive and hard-to-find in St. John's small markets.....very little grows on St. John, so there's a minimal amount of organic produce or even fresh fish. It's pricey and often flown in from the States. Many guests also order online for provisions from Dolphin or Starfish markets and pick up their orders on their way to the retreat. It's generally not as smooth as stateside grocery store operations, but its a time-saver after a long day of traveling and helps you avoid shopping in an unfamiliar markets with limited products.

The "Life's a Beach" bedroom Suite offers fabulous views from your pillow, with a queen bed with lots of pillows, a heavenly, puffy duvet and romantic and practical mosquito netting. Cooled by the tradewinds, there is also a low voltage fan. It's an open-to-nature bedroom, (3 walls!) has a private full bath, garden with island mural (created by our first guest), deck with a tree growing bedside the bed.

Open-air bathrooms feature fixtures with water-conservation flushes, a half bath on the main-floor and an indoor shower and an outdoor garden shower. Rain water is collected from the roof, stored in cisterns, considered precious, limited and carefully conserved. Guests are encouraged to take the St. John Eco-Challenge: take cool-water, St John eco-showers (not hot), limit flushing, turn off lights when not in use, dry your hair in the breeze and leave a zero 'island eco-footprint, flip-flop style'! Basic supplies toilet paper, hand soap, limited shampoo and conditioner (suggest bringing your own), shower liquid soap, towels (hand, bath and wash cloths),

At this eco-retreat, you are at one with nature; the perfect place for you if you're okay with walking up hills (80' from the driveway to the house!), up steps (25 of them to the house), love to hike and drive a rough trail in four-wheel drive. If you're not highly allergic, critter-phobic or sensitive to tropical gheckos (little lizards) or occasion flying bugs who visit this open-air home, you'll love it! Generally, the tradewinds keep mosquitoes and no-see-ums to a minimum and frogs and hermit crabs are our natural bug exterminators!

Behind the cottage, a little trail leads to the Meditation Circle, a beautiful good-vibe natural circle of dramatic boulders, a little cave and a fire pit. This has been the venue for full moon gatherings and women's circles and is a powerfully energetic place for meditation and contemplation under the sun or stars.

Since it's off-the-grid, there are no hair dryers, microwave, dishwasher, hot water (Note: It is solar-warmed), air conditioners, pool. But in their place are awesome views, privacy, gentle breezes, only natural sounds and star-lit nights...and a smart tv and internet! Take the St. John Eco Challenge and see how small your environmental carbon footprint can be!

If you want a great view, peace and quiet, eco-adventure and a natural setting, then Coral Bay Eco-retreat is the home for you! Must love birds!