Virgin Islands Ecotours | Enjoy USVI Tours: Kayak, Hike & Snorkel

What makes the mangrove lagoon so special, you ask? While the mangroves are often overshadowed by the VI’s beautiful beaches, the lagoon is a fascinating ecosystem worth spending time in. Here are a few fun facts about the mangroves:

Mangroves are true botanical marvels. They have evolved special adaptations to survive in salt water, including complex root systems that help them cope with changing tides. They are also pioneers in colonizing saline environments. They have developed a unique way of excreting salt through special pores in their leaves, allowing them to thrive in conditions that would be inhospitable to many other plant species.
Mangroves play a powerful role in protecting our coastlines. The dense network of their roots acts as a natural barrier, reducing the impact of storm surges and preventing erosion.
Mangroves are bustling hubs of biodiversity. The ecosystem provides essential breeding and nursery grounds for a myriad of marine life, from fish and crabs to sharks and more. The intricate root system serves as a safe haven for countless juveniles, which is why it’s sometimes referred to as “the nursery.”
Mangroves store carbon at rates higher than most tropical forests. This makes them invaluable in the fight against climate change, as they help reduce the levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide.
Mangroves are beautiful to explore. Our lagoon is home to a network of channels that are intriguing to navigate your way through via kayak. No matter the time of day, you’ll encounter an array of plants and animals who love the protection and resources the lagoon provides. We highly recommend our sunset and night kayak tours for those who have already enjoyed daytime adventures!

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A person is sitting in a chair on a beach under a palm tree.

Our Favorite St. John Photo Ops

By Chrissann Nickel • March 27, 2025

St. John is an incredibly picturesque island. Those white sand beaches, the sparkling aquamarine water, and those dramatic green hillsides… both locals and visitors alike can’t resist pulling out their phones to snap one more picture, again and again. And don’t get us started on those Virgin Islands sunsets! Whether you’re a first time visitor to the island, or will be coming back soon on your 36th annual vacation, every trip to STJ is special—and every trip is worth commemorating with fresh photos. One of our newest experiences that we’re excited to offer is our Private Photoshoot Tour . On it, you’ll be matched with a talented professional photographer who will take you to some of St. John’s most stunning photo ops and take photos of you that are 1,000x better in framing, lighting, and style than those your well-meaning taxi driver took for you off the side of the road (he tried his best, but… we said what we said ;) ). In celebration of this new tour, we thought we would share some of our personal favorite photography spots on St. John. Here they are, in no particular order: