Water Island has about 100 homes on the island and approximately 120 full time residents.  Many of the homeowners just come down for the high season (December through May), others offer their houses for short term rental.  Some residents (like me) enjoy Water Island's hidden treasures yearround. 

Water Island has a mix of residential properties; small to large,  cottages and traditional houses, to villas and estate properties.  However, the typical Water Island house is small as we are not often in the house during the day.

We collect rain water in a cistern which is located under the house, have access to cable/satellite TV and internet, and receive electricity and telephone service from St Thomas by an underwater cable.  Residents and tourists commute to St Thomas by a ferry or use their own boat for work or shopping. 

The road system on the island is limited so most residents use golf carts or small cars. Gas must be brought over from St Thomas in 5 gallon jugs—not as bad as it sounds as 5 gallons goes a long way in a golf cart.

There are currently no schools on Water Island.  Elementary and high school students take the ferry to St. Thomas (5 minutes away) to attend various public schools, and private schools such as the Antilles School.

Antilles School, a private school that accepts students from pre-kindergarten though 12th grade, is one of the many private schools in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Antilles School believes in excellence in academics, athletics and the arts. Students are encouraged to be creative thinkers from the Early Learning Center through their Senior Year. As one of the most diverse schools on the island of St. Thomas, students that attend Antilles School gain a broad experience of socio-economic, ethnic and racial differences. Financial aid is available to all students regardless of background. Antilles is committed to the St. Thomas-St. John and Water Island communities and strives to make its students understand the importance of obtaining an excellent education and achieving personal success. Community service has become an integral part of the Antilles curriculum and is a requirement for graduation. For more information, click on the following link: http://www.antilles.k12.vi.us/.
 

Historically American, Uniquely Caribbean and Globally Interactive describe the University of the Virgin Islands which is located both in St. Thomas and St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. UVI is a liberal arts, land-grant institution established by public statute to meet the higher education needs of the people of the U.S. Virgin Islands and the wider Caribbean. UVI is accredited by the Commission on High Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Commission on Recognition of Postsecondary Accreditation. Visit us at http://www.uvi.edu.
 

Overlooking beautiful Charlotte Amalie harbor in St. Thomas, the St. Thomas/St. John Chamber of Commerce is a voluntary organization of both business and professional people dedicated to promoting the civic and economic growth of our community. Please visit the St. Thomas/St. John Chamber of Commerce to learn more about our active organization at http://www.chamber.vi/body_index.html.
 

Rotary International of the Virgin Islands is a member of the worldwide organization consisting of business and professional leaders that provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations and help to build goodwill and peace here in the Virgin Islands as well as nationwide. For more information, visit http://www.rotary.vi/.
 

For golfers, the thrill of a lifetime awaits at Mahogany Run Golf Course on the beautiful island of St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The George and Tom Fazio design offers eighteen of the most challenging holes in the Caribbean, culminating in the spectacular "Devil's Triangle", the course's world renowned signature trio of holes on the Atlantic Ocean. The public course and its fully stocked pro shop are open every day, and quality rental equipment is available. For more information, visit their website at www.mahoganyrungolf.com.

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The St. Thomas Yacht Club at Cowpet Bay provides reciprocity to visiting yacht club members. Every Easter weekend, the club is the scene of the top notch Rolex Cup Regatta, which draws competitors from the States and all over the Caribbean. St. Thomas is proud of its own top-notch sailor, Peter Holmberg, who participates in many world-wide races such as the America's Cup. For more information, visit us at http://www.styc.net/.
 

Water Island now has Pirate’s Ridge Deli which has the basic household items, great sandwiches, and Friday night pizza.  Heidi’s Honeymoon Grill serves coffee and breakfast sandwiches at the Ferry Dock in the morning, lunch at the Beach, and a very elegant dinner every Saturday night at the Beach.
 

The Economic Development Commission (EDC) is empowered to encourage and assist the creation, development and expansion of businesses in the Virgin Islands. For more information on the program, tax advantages and other aspects of the EDC, visit http://www.usvieda.org/.
 

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