The Maiden Voyage pt. 2 | Landing in The Virgin Islands
- Nick McReynolds
- Jun 13
- 3 min read
Updated: Jun 15
Research, Island Style
I arrived a few days early in the U.S. Virgin Islands to get ahead of any last-minute hiccups before our sailing trip. The plan was to fine-tune our float plan, talk to locals, and pick up any off the beaten path recommendations that hadn’t shown up in our books or online searches.
Naturally, the best way to spark those conversations? The bar.
Bars, Beers, and Backyard Intel
On my first day, I bar hopped my way through town—cheap beers, the occasional painkiller cocktail (local go-to drink), and lots of friendly chatter with tourists, bartenders, and locals alike. Eventually, I found myself settled in for the evening at a local brewery. The beer was pricier than I’d have liked, but the atmosphere and company made it worth it.
As the first night wore on, I realized I had a problem. My Airbnb was a couple of miles outside the city. Uber doesn’t exist on the island, and taxis aren’t exactly eager to go out that far.
As I was closing my tab, the bartender, who I’d been chatting with for a while, mentioned she was about to clock out and go bar-hopping with some friends. She added, “You’re welcome to come with us… I’ll take you home after.”
Done deal. For research purposed that is.
We ended up exploring a different side of the island. She showed me the marina with its towering mega yachts, dive bars that had two menus (one with jacked-up prices for tourists, and another more reasonable one for locals and apparently, me), and hidden gems I never would’ve found on my own.
We hit bar after bar, playing games, chugging beers, swapping stories. I went home with some solid tips for our float plan and a mild hangover.
I kept at it the next day. And the day after that.
Every drink, every story, every new friend felt like a crucial part of my “research.” By day four, I’d mapped out a handful of solid local recommendations, made friends across the island, and discovered the locals favorite food spots.
That afternoon, I picked my dad up from the airport.
I warned him: once we got out to my Airbnb, catching a taxi back into town would be nearly impossible. So we might as well hang out in the city for a while before calling it a night.
I was excited to show him everything I’d learned.
Island Fame
Our first stop was a tiny alley bar I’d found serving $2 beers that greeted me by name as I walked up with my Dad. Just outside was an old delivery-style van with a grill strapped to the back. Locals called him the “Chicken Man.” He served up some of the best grilled chicken I’d had in ages.
We bring the chicken back to the bar and as we're sitting there, someone approached me.
“I’ve seen you at every bar I’ve been to the past few days. You really get around this island, huh?”
My dad raised an eyebrow, amused.
Then it happened again. At our next stop, another person came up to say hi from a night out earlier in the week.
We walked into a spot for dinner and the waitress greeted me with a grin.
“Hey Nick, take a seat wherever you like.”
My dad laughed and shook his head.“Does everyone here know you already?”
I shrugged, grinning.“It’s a small island.”
