In 1718 the Danes arrived on St John and settled in Coral Bay where they built a Fort and a Battery on the peninsula subsequently named Fortsberg.
FORTS COVE is a luxury villa located on the tip of the Fortsberg peninsula, a short walk from the original Battery where one can still find the original Danish cannons. The Battery and Fort are listed on the US National Register of Historic Places.
Located 50 feet from the water’s edge with a private coral beach, the villa faces south and is refreshed by the trade winds. The Fortsberg road to the villa driveway is approximately one mile long and is not paved. The private driveway and parking area are all paved. The entire Fortsberg peninsula has eight private homes. There is only one home adjacent to Forts Cove. This house is owner occupied and is not rented. This is a very quiet, peaceful, safe area.
Coral Bay village is approximately two miles from the house. There one can find grocery stores, low key restaurants, like the ever popular Skinny Legs, and an organic farm, Coral Bay Garden Center, featuring delicious Josephine’s Greens. The nearby floating Lime Out restaurant is listed as One of the 20 Greatest Places to Eat by Time Magazine in 2019. Coral Bay was listed in the "Top 10 Places to See Before You Die" by the New York Times in 2016.
FORTS COVE is fully air-conditioned and was extensively renovated in 2019. Tesla Wall recently installed with solar back up in case of power outages. The open floor plan kitchen and living area includes handsome Mahogany cabinetry, high end appliances, amenities such as a Vitamix, a Nespresso, a stunning marble island with barstools and a separate dining area with furniture by Palecek. Floors throughout are polished Mahogany. The living area is airy with soaring ceilings, custom furniture by B&B Italia and RH, a Manutti twist rug and beautiful lighting. This opens through large glass and Mahogany doors to a waterfront porch with additional living and dining areas. The view from the main house and porch overlooks the pool, gorgeous lawn and beautiful Coral Bay. FORTS COVE enjoys an extensive art collection featuring St. John artists. Kimberly Boulon (Trunk Bay) oil is featured in the living area as well as a large metal wall sculpture titled Sea Foam. St. John is famous for it's pottery and potters Catherine Perry and Donald Schnell are well represented in this stunning home.
FORTS COVE has three bedrooms. The Master Bedroom is quite large and romantic, with a king size bed and custom furniture including a mother of pearl inlaid desk. Lighting is by Arteriors and Donald Schnell. It has direct access to a private outdoor covered living area. Water views from this bedroom and porch are stunning and private. There are comfortable reading areas inside and out. The master bath has custom teak and nickel faucets with a modern teak double floating vanity, custom mirrors and lighting by Waterworks. A mahogany and glass door leads to a large outdoor shower.
The two other bedrooms are spacious and have custom queen size beds. They are decorated with hand printed fabrics by Les Indiennes for curtains and bedding. All home bedding is high thread count cotton, the pillows are down. Down alternative available upon request. The second, shared bath is newly renovated with specialty lighting (Ann Morris, New York), hand shaped marble countertop and fixtures by Waterworks. The artwork in the bedrooms and baths are watercolors by St. John artists Vicki Rogers, Carolyn Caldwell and Janet Rutnik.
Gardens have been replanted since the hurricanes of 2017. Mature Date Palms, Christmas Palms, Bottle Palms, Coconut Palms and Sea Grape trees surround Forts Cove in addition to many flowering plants. A hedge of fragrant Jasmine grows next to the outdoor lounge area. The landscape and pool have professional landscape lighting and can be enjoyed around the clock. This villa is set on a rare, flat ocean front piece of land and has a perfect barefoot lawn, an amazing place to star gaze at night!
Sugar sand beaches are a 10 to 15 minute car drive away. Haul Over and Salt Pond are two nearby favorite beaches each with world class snorkeling and easy access to the water. Great hiking is nearby as well. The Ram Head, Johnny Horn trail and Brown Bay trail are memorable favorites. The bays and surrounding land are all part of the National Park (including the water!)
FORTS COVE is for those seeking an escape from the demands of 21st century life. It enjoys a world class site with privacy, upscale amenities and modern luxury. Recommended for one or two couples or small family. Children 10+ years of age are welcome.
7 night minimum stay. *Dates are subject to approval depending on how they fit into the calendar.
Power is provided to St. John via an underground cable from St. Thomas. Our power supply is not always reliable and power outages are not uncommon. They are typically short lived, but can last for a few hours. These outages can happen with or without warning from the island’s power company, known as WAPA. We will do our best to keep you comfortable and informed. Antares strives to make your villa stay as comfortable and trouble free as possible. Please understand that power outages are out of our control. Please note, water will not work during an outage. There are no refunds for power loss.
Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.
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A rental vehicle with good clearance and 4WD is required
Important information
You need to know
Property # 2804900vb
If you cancel your booking, you'll be subject to the host's cancellation policy. In accordance with UK consumer law, property booking services are not subject to the right of withdrawal.
This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property
About the area
St. John
Located in St. John, this villa is on the beach. While the natural beauty of Virgin Islands National Park and Cinnamon Bay Beach can be enjoyed by anyone, those looking for an activity can explore Tortola Cruise Ship Port.
Discover the area's water adventures with kayaking and scuba diving nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with ecotours and hiking.
Virgin Islands National Park - 1 min walk - 0.0 km
Hurricane Hole - 1 min walk - 0.1 km
Fort Berg - 8 min walk - 0.7 km
Emmaus Moravian Church - 4 min drive - 1.9 km
Trunk Bay - 29 min drive - 14.6 km
Getting around
St. Thomas (SPB-St. Thomas Seaplane Base) - 89 min drive
Restaurants
Sebastian’s Seaside Grill
Skinny Legs - 18 min walk
Shambles - 23 min drive
Trunk Bay Beach Bar - 27 min drive
Maho Crossroads - 14 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Does Forts Cove ~ Private beachfront villa with pool have a pool?
Yes, this property has a pool.
Is Forts Cove ~ Private beachfront villa with pool pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much is parking at Forts Cove ~ Private beachfront villa with pool?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Forts Cove ~ Private beachfront villa with pool?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Forts Cove ~ Private beachfront villa with pool?
Checkout is at 10:00 AM.
Where is Forts Cove ~ Private beachfront villa with pool located?
Nestled on the beach, this St. John villa is within a 15-minute walk of Hurricane Hole and Virgin Islands National Park. Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument and Fort Berg are also within 10 minutes.
Reviews
9.8
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
We had an amazing experience at Forts Cove. The kitchen has everything you need and the beds are comfortable. We were pleased to have beach towels and chairs available for use. The Antares staff as well as Bob, the greeter, were great to have as resources. I have a feeling we will be back to stay!
Perfect property for our family of four. Beautiful, peaceful waterfront grounds and lush landscape. Beautifully designed and furnished home offering comfort, convenience and serene island charm. We wish it were ours!
Kathy B.
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2026
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Coleen B.
20 Jun 2025
Perfect vacation!
Our stay was absolutely perfect. The house is beautifully maintained, well appointed and the setting is amazing. The property management team was great to work. We will most definitely be back!
Every thing about our stay was fantastic! Our only minor complaint was that the living roomcouches are terribly uncomfortable, but that kept us from watching TV! The Antares group was very responsive to a few minor issues that needed repair. The road to the house is rougher than expected but we got used to it… so glad we had a Jeep!! Beds and linens very comfortable, kitchen very well stocked and the back porch furniture and views were dreamy!
Loved, loved this house in Coral Bay. The overall style/decor, amazing views of the ocean, being right on the water, and the most lovely pool and grounds. Perfect for our family of four!
Management was very helpful throughout our stay.
debra p.
Stayed 9 nights in Jun 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 15 Jul 2022
Thank you Debra, we are thrilled to hear you enjoyed your time on island at Forts Cove! We loved having you as guests and hope to welcome you back again soon!
Wonderful location with a spectacular view offers a lovely home that is not only beautiful, but generously equipped for our stay. We stayed with our family of five and enjoyed every minute. We will definitely consider this property again for our next stay in Coral Bay.
Amy L.
Stayed 9 nights in Jul 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 16 Aug 2022
Thank you Amy. We are glad to hear you enjoyed your stay and that you had everything you needed. We loved having you as guests and hope to welcome you back again soon!
The photos don't do this property justice. It's magical.10/10 from the first contact with Antares, the property manager, to the check in process and a glorious week in St. John. The house is gorgeous. The pool is fabulous.Protip: Landlubbers logistics for provisioning, FlyAway charters for a day on the water. Will be back.
Forts Cove is a beautiful property. Being on the East End of the island, it’s situated in a very private area. Reaching the home is fun in and of itself, with a short drive from downtown Coral Bay then a 5 minute drive over an unpaved road leading to the house. There’s one neighboring property that’s very well screened. The house is beautiful, clean, and well stocked. The systems are relatively new and, though we had some island wide power outages, the house had solar power and battery backups. It took a few messages with management to understand the system’s, but once we did, we had power even when the rest of the island on the grid, was offline. The exterior of the property is nice. The pool is a bit cold, but refreshing. The ocean was rough for the majority of our stay with the beach being mostly rocky and not somewhere someone would want to spend time in the sun. That said, it’s a beautiful view. In the afternoon, “no-see-ums” came out and were relatively savage, keeping us inside which was fine after spending our days in the sun at the beach. The north side St. John beaches aren’t far from this home. They vary from 15-25 minutes. Cruz Bay isn’t too far either. Probably a 35 minute drive. Highly recommend this property to people looking for a quiet, private place that isn’t far from some of the best beaches in the world.
I couldn’t have dreamt a better vacation if I tried. St. John is magical. More specifically, Forts Cove is a clean, spacious, stunningly beautiful, and very private property. The team at Antares is second to none (especially Kate!). Everyone at Antares is gracious, hospitable, and responsive. I can’t wait to go back!
Cristina G.
Stayed 8 nights in Dec 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 13 Dec 2022
Thank you Cristina! We are thrilled to hear you enjoyed your stay. We loved having you as a guest and hope to welcome you back again soon!
The photos do not do this place justice! It is simply a little slice of heaven. The view takes your breath away when you first arrive. The house itself is one of the best properties we have ever stayed at. Working with Antares was so easy, and their people made us feel like we were their only client. Kate was fantastic! We WILL be back soon!
Clay C.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 18 Aug 2023
Thank you for such a great review, Clay. Agreed ~ it's hard to capture the perfection of Forts Cove on camera! We're so happy to hear you enjoyed the villa and it's peaceful location. We would be happy to welcome you back any time.
It was a beautiful villa overlooking the sea! The landscaping was suberb. They had everything we needed. The beds and furniture were extremely comfortable. The only drawbacks were the very rough 1/2 mile road leading to the property and the fact that we could not snorkel in front of the house as we were led to believe, there was too much of a rocky hill leading to the sea.
.
Betty B.
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 10 Mar 2023
Thank you Betty, for your review. We are glad to hear you enjoyed the house! The road is part paved, part unpaved. It is not rough by island standards, but for statesiders probably not what you are used to. We always recommend vehicles with 4WD and good clearance for all the roads on St. John. As we mentioned to you when you inquired on snorkeling conditions, we recommend all our guests to use their best judgement given currents and that water shoes are necessary. Going in on any coral shoreline is weather dependent. Swimming and snorkeling are very much allowed when conditions are right. We apologize that was not made more clear. We hope to welcome you back for a 5 star stay.
Top notch experience in every way. Antares, management company was awesome. Very clear and thorough communication, everything they said they would do, they did. We had a few special requests and they accommodated on all fronts. Property is impeccable, everything is top shelf, and location very private. You are a 30 minute drive from Cruz Bay where most nightlife/shopping is located, but in my opinion, the quiet and private experience of Forts Cove well worth the 30 minutes. Would stay here again in a heartbeat.
Townsend H.
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 7 Jan 2023
Thank you for such a wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear you enjoyed your time at Forts Cove and we are so happy we were able to host you and your family on St. John for the first time. The seclusion of Forts Cove will be waiting for you to return.
We have only stayed in Cruz Bay and took a risk on this house moving to Coral Bay, known to be sleepier. We do not regret the move at all! The house was perfect! Right on the beach, great pool, perfect set up. The surrounding restaurants did not disappoint!! Porch was great for reading in the morning with waves crashing in the background. Property managers were on point! I totally forgot to sign the guest book and I’m kicking myself!! Stay here- you won’t regret it!!
Danielle R.
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 15 Aug 2022
Thank you for such a lovely review, Danielle! We're thrilled to hear you and your family enjoyed your time at Forts Cove. This property is the perfect way to take in the serenity of Coral Bay all while being close to dining and shopping. We would love to welcome you back next time ~ then you can sign the guest book!
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Tillman F.
13 May 2025
Tillman F.
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 13 May 2025
Great guests! We hope to welcome you back anytime.
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Kelli B.
16 Feb 2025
Kelli B.
Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2025
About the host
Hosted by Antares Property & Hospitality
Languages:
English
Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests