C3 ... Cas Cay Cache Traditional Cache

C3 is the first in a series of challenging caches in and around St. Thomas that will show off some of the beauty that surrounds this idyllic spot in the Caribbean. These caches are typically in areas overlooked by the crowds of tourists but are well worth the time and effort for those of you who are “all shopped out” or who want to really explore this island.

C3 … Cas Cay Cache is on Cas Cay (pronounced Cas Key) which is a small island off the south eastern part of St. Thomas. The western end of the island has a sandy beach for small boats or kayaks to moor. There is a red-mangrove forest ashore that is home to a huge village of hermit crabs! (Think Hitchcock’s Birds but with hermit crabs – really something to see!!) Cas Cay is a 15 acre uninhabited wildlife preserve which exhibits a special and rare forest ecosystem including many protected birds, sea grape and inkberry. There are incredible volcanic cliffs on the south side of the island and fantastic 360 degree views from the top of Red Point on the eastern end of the island.

So … how do you get to this cache? First off you need a water craft and secondly you need hiking boots, sneakers or possibly “TEVA” type sandals … flip flops will NOT cut it! (You will be doing some rock climbing.) If you have a kayak or small boat you can put in at N 18 19.024 W 064 52.495 There is parking here and a small boat ramp. Heading right (west) out of the boat ramp takes you on a scenic tour through the mangroves (people power boats only, combustion engines are prohibited in the mangroves) that ends up turning east and puts you on a direct course to the beach on the western side of Cas Cay (see map). If you are putting in a boat with an engine you will need to turn left off the ramp for a shorter, although not quite as picturesque, journey (see map).

If you are on-island just for the day (cruise boat passenger) don’t despair!! Check out kayak or boat renters ahead of time or E-mail us and we can set you up with some possibilities. We know people! The commercial kayak tour to Cas Cay will not afford you time to nab the cache, so you’ll need to get there another way.

Once on shore at the west end of the island follow the path along the south side. It will lead you to a cool blow hole in the rocks that makes some amazing sounds when the waves come and go. Stay on the path up the hill – at the top you will see a grassy knoll in the distance – yep that’s where you will need to go (see pic)!!

Once at ground zero you will find a bonus!! Two National Geodetic Survey markers are within a few feet of the cache (see pics). The one with the triangle in the middle is a Triangulation Station placed in 1918. The nearby (4.27 meters) Reference Marker includes an arrow that points to a marker on a nearby island that the Triangulation Station references. Both of these markers are listed in the NGS database (last checked in 1973) but unfortunately are not listed in the Geocaching.com database (yet) … so we can’t log them as of now.

While you are sitting on the rock that the 1918 Triangulation marker is on, check out the view! At a heading of 95 degrees is Christmas Cove on Greater St. James Island with St. John visible just behind it (with the numerous houses that sit above Cruz Bay). At 118 degrees is Little St. James Island and due north is the Independent Boat Yard.

Don’t forget why you came!? You are looking for a small Lock-&-Lock container. After finding the cache PLEASE replace as found so that hurricane force winds won’t disable the cache. If you are feeling adventurous make your way out to the very eastern point of the island (see pic). Please post pictures!!

As always, watch your step, cache safely and enjoy yourselves!!