St John:
Concordia Eco-Resort on St. John USVI
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the accommodations like?
The accommodations at Concordia are large chalet-style tent cottages with wooden floors, canvas walls and roof, a loft area, screens for windows, twin beds, lights and a small deck with a gorgeous view. The kitchen area has a refrigerator and a simple propane stove with plates, silverware, pots and pans. Each tent cottage has a warm solar-heated shower and compost toilet. Raised wooden walkways and stairs take you everywhere, up and down the side of the mountain. There is also a lovely pool.
Inside Tent Cottage
Concordia Pool
You feel in and of the place, knowing that you are living simply and blending in with the eco-system. You will experience a deep sense of the place, high on the mountainside gazing out over the Caribbean Sea.
Sunset view from a deck
What is the food like?
All meals are included in the price: breakfast, a box lunch and dinner. Breakfast and dinner are in Café Concordia with spectacular ocean views - the restaurant is well-known on the south shore of St. John and offers seafood, steak, poultry and vegetarian entrees.
What is the weather like?
St. John winter weather is divine. The days are 82 degrees with light trade winds. Rain showers are brief- you dry off in the sun right away, and a rainbow is your reward. The nights are cool enough to need a light blanket.
Do I need to know how to do yoga?
Some familiarity with yoga is helpful but not required. Janne (pronounced Yanna), the yoga teacher, has been studying and teaching yoga for more than ten years. Her initial influential teachers trained at Kripalu; her most recent studies have been with Anusara and other teachers. Her style weaves alignment, philosophy and humor.
The yoga classes are for all levels, with the intention of deepening your experience of the moment. Remember - we will be in a tropical paradise, not in boot camp.
Do I need to know how to swim?
The beach at Salt Pond has a very gradual slope. You can choose to go in as far as you are comfortable. You can also bring fins and swimming aids. You will need to use your discretion; there is no lifeguard, swimming is at your own risk.
Is there Snorkeling?
St. John has some of the best snorkeling in the world! In particular, Salt Pond Bay at the foot of Concordia is spectacular. A wide array of tropical fish can be seen by swimming off the beach — parrot fish, damselfish, blueheaded wrasse, squirrel fish, blue tang, rays, octopus, turtles and more. You slip into the Caribbean sea, swim to the nearby rocks and immediately see fish which look like they came out of someone's vivid imagination.
From Salt Pond Bay, you can hike Rams Head Trail which offers a spectacular view of both the Carribean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. Along the way, you traverse Blue Cobblestone Bay which as its name suggests is covered with blue rounded stones and offers slip-in snorkeling in clear water. The snorkeling is all easily accessible, just put on your mask and fins and head for the rocks or coral (remember not to touch the coral.)
You can also take the short walk from Salt Pond to Drunk Bay, which is not a snorkeling beach but is well worth the walk past the salt pond to explore it.
St. John the island has more than 40 beaches, all different, all great snorkeling, almost all accessible from shore.
What will the day’s schedule be like?
Janne will offer yoga in the early morning before breakfast and late afternoon before dinner. There will be an introductory meeting and some sessions at mealtimes in the café. That leaves you with the afternoons and evenings open to spend as you wish, with the group or alone, resting or in gentle or vigorous walking and swimming and snorkeling. All activities are of course optional.
You will get to experience ‘island time’ where there is no hurry.
Do I need to be able to climb stairs?
Yes! Concordia is built on the side of a mountain rising from the sea. There are many, many steps. Think of it as interval training.
What else is there at Concordia?
There is a small store on site with T-shirts, beach towels, bottled water, snacks, toiletries, flashlights, batteries, simple gifts, books and other supplies.
A coin-operated washer and dryer are available to guests with biodegradeable detergent provided. There are clotheslines and clothespins in each unit.
What about cell phones?
Cell phones most likely will not work at Concordia. They may work elsewhere on St. John, in Cruz Bay and Coral Bay. If you expect to use your cell on St. John or St. Thomas, it is advisable to check with your cell phone provider before arriving on the island to ensure that calls will be free, especially if you happen to get a cell signal from the British Virgin Islands, which are very close.
There is a pay phone on-site that you can use with a calling card. You can either buy a calling card and bring it with you, or buy one at the Concordia store.
Cell phones may or may not work elsewhere on St. John. Texting will sometimes work when voice does not. This may be useful when you arrive via the ferry.
Is WiFi available?
A WiFi signal is available in two locations on the property. When you check in, they will provide you with the security password upon request. There is one house computer available for guests to check flights and print boarding passes. Connectivity is slow and sometimes not available.
Is there a group flight?
No but we are happy to connect you with others who are leaving from your airport, so that you can possibly book the same flight or get flights that land close together in time.
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How do I get there?
St. John has many boat moorings, but no airport. St. John is serviced by the major international airport on St. Thomas, USVI (the airport code is STT.) To get to Concordia, you fly to St. Thomas USVI, then take a taxi across St. Thomas to the ferry for a short ferry ride to St. John (you can see St. John from St. Thomas.) We will meet you at the ferry dock in Cruz Bay on St. John.
There are multiple airlines that fly to St. Thomas. Use your favorite travel booking site to get the best price – Travelocity, CheapFlights and more. After you track down a good flight price, it is sometimes worth it to go to the airline site itself to book it. Several participants last year (2012) booked a flight on JetBlue from Boston, you might check that out www.jetblue.com
How much would it cost to upgrade to a single tent cottage?
The price for the retreat is based on two people per tent cottage. It is possible to upgrade to a single tent cottage, with no tent mate, for an additional $550.
All photos on this page were taken by Janne or Innerlight retreat participants on St John and are copyrighted with the exception of the Inside Tent Cottage photo which is from the Concordia web site.
View from Concordia
View from Rams Head
Blue Cobblestone Beach
Innerlight 2012 St John retreat
Salt Pond Bay
Turtle at Salt Pond Bay
Blue Tang
Squirrel Fish
Concordia Store
Is it possible to have more than two people in a tent cottage?
The Concordia tent cottages do have additional sleeping space. If as a group you are interested in exploring this option, please inquire.
For more information email jsahady@hotmail.com .
