Denis Sullivan, also known as “The Great Lakes Schooner” is back for its second year to St. Croix along with the World Ocean School! On St. Croix, we are used to seeing Roseway in the harbor annually. However, the 1925 Grand Banks schooner and National Historical Landmark is undergoing a multi-year restoration project. Last year, Roseway’s sister ship the Denis Sullivan embarked on voyages in Boston and St. Croix for the the World Ocean School. We are excited to see her back at the Christiansted Harbor! According to the St. Croix Source, the schooner will welcome many students from St. Croix public schools for experiential learning. Students will participate in multi-day programs to learn how to take care of a wooden tall ship and raise the sails, all while learning team-building skills and seeing academics come to life. Crew members on board Denis Sullivan and the deckhand educators, provide lessons while underway. Residents and tourists can also sail on the schooner around Christiansted Harbor and enjoy the beautiful views of St. Croix with family and friends while hoisting the sails or relaxing during the two-hour cruise around the harbor. All proceeds from sail tickets support World Ocean School’s educational programs. For more information, visit the World Ocean School website.
One of St. Croix’s newest tours offers a glimpse into the Golden Age of Piracy! St. Croix Sailing Adventure Tours with Stanford Joines, author of The Eighth Flag: Cannibals. Conquistadors. Buccaneers. PIRATES. is a private tour experience that allows guests to relive the incredible pirate history of St. Croix in Salt River Bay.
Joines has been sailing Caribbean waters and diving pirate shipwrecks for over thirty years. He taught sailing to children on St. Croix during this time, racing in regattas with them throughout the Northern Caribbean. A retired teacher, Joines spent eight years researching St. Croix’s history and learned that pi-racy was a large part of the island’s past. This fascination with piracy in the Caribbean led him to pen his book, The Eighth Flag: Cannibals. Conquistadors. Buccaneers. PIRATES. This untold story of the Caribbean and the mystery of St. Croix’s Pirate Legacy explores piracy on St. Croix from 1493 to 1750. While seven flags are known to have flown over St. Croix during this time, it is said that pirates, conquistadors, freebooters, buccaneers, and the like ruled the Caribbean and called St. Croix home. Under this eighth flag, they would steal at sea without regard for ‘permission,’ paying no attention to whatever country had ownership. Joines’s company, Eight Flag Charters, has commandeered a vessel that sails with the tide for two-hour adventure tours seven days a week. Aboard Folly, guests get to sail in the wake of Blackbeard, Bellamy, and Black Caesar on the beautiful waters of Salt River Bay found on St. Croix’s north shore. On this customizable private tour, you can omit or include the pirate history, try your hand at sailing or enjoy a relaxing sail out of the bay and into the Caribbean Sea. You can also opt for an intimate sunset cruise with the sound of wind and waves as the soundtrack for your excursion. Water and soft drinks are provided, but guests are free to bring their favorite libations along for the adventure.
Tours are $75 per adult and $45 for children 12 and under, with a $250 minimum to set sail. Book your tour on their website or email stan@stanfordjoines.com to arrange for your private adventure. For more information, visit www.stanfordjoines.org/tours or call 340. 332.2472.
