Hansen Bay Beach, St. John USVI
There’s no possible way that you can visit the US Virgin Islands and not sample as much of the fine and local delicacies that the islands has to offer. St. John continues the rich culinary tradition of the Caribbean and offers visitors multiple opportunities to enjoy some of the best and most sumptuous foods of the Caribbean. Hansen Bay is no exception. In fact, one of the many highlights of the St. John experience is waiting for you right on the beach of Hansen Bay.
If you find yourself traveling off the beaten tourist track and wander onto Hansen Bay, you must stop by Vie’s Snack Shop. It’s open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm and offers visitors some of the best traditional foods and snacks of the Caribbean. Some of the most popular treats are conch fritters, garlic chicken, Johnny cakes, island style beef patty, and homemade pineapple and coconut tarts. You’ll be so enraptured with food that Vie can whip up that you probably won’t want to stop eating. She’ll fill you up with some of her incredible foods and then give you a fill of the beautiful stretch of beach.
The beach of Hansen Bay located across from Vie’s Snack Shop is actually owned by Vie’s family --a family known as the Sewers. There is a small admission fee to get into her family’s private beach; however, it’s well worth it for the pristine sand and turquoise blue waters --not to mention the extraordinary aromas wafting off the Caribbean breeze. About a quarter mile away from this beach and Vie’s outpost is another private beach --you guessed it, owned by Vie’s family. This beach is free of charge and is open to the public --and is just as beautiful as the beach owned by the Sewers.
There’s so much more than just incredible food and perfect beach to be had on Hansen Bay. There’s an array of animal life and flora on the bay. If you’re interested in learning more, don’t be shy. Ask Vie and she’ll gladly tell you about the beautiful flowers and trees that inhabit the area --such as tamarind and calabash trees. She’ll also tell you a bit about the animals that roam freely on the beach --from the incredible birds that frequent the bird feeder in front of the shop to the goats and chickens. If you’re lucky, you may even spot a couple cats lounging around another outpost on Hansen Bay, the Bush Cat Snack Shack.
Hansen Bay is host to one of the only truly local properties left in St. John. As such, you simply can’t miss out on the opportunity to get to know the area from the perspective of someone whose family has been there for quite some time. You also mustn’t miss the opportunity to do a bit of swimming in the gorgeous sea. Walk along the pristine beach and get to know the local area like the back of your own hand.