Travel vlogging is always an adventure — but when you bring your whole family along, the stories, the chaos, and the memories get even better.

Earlier this year, my wife Jackie and I (your narrators and camera crew for every Damon adventure) captured a special trip to St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands. We traveled with family to celebrate Sara’s 40th birthday, joined by her husband Steve, their daughters Nora and Julia, and Grandma and Grandpa (Dan and Shirley).

It was a true family vacation — equal parts relaxing, hilarious, heartwarming, chaotic, and absolutely beautiful. As always, I filmed the entire journey using a GoPro Hero 10 for our water and adventure footage and a DJI Avata 2 (flown in full manual mode) to capture the incredible aerial scenery of St. John.

Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at our trip through a videographer’s eyes.

Landing in St. John — And Falling in Love Instantly

Travel days are always a balancing act: managing luggage, kids, snacks, batteries, the GoPro, the drone, and all the “did we forget something?” moments. But by the time our ferry left St. Thomas and pushed toward St. John, everything felt worth it. And not the kids snack, my snacks. Scooby snacks.

The water was glowing turquoise. The kids were buzzing with excitement. And honestly, as a filmmaker, I knew before we even landed that I’d have more stunning footage than I could ever need. Our home base became the Great Tutrle Villa in Coral Bay, for a week!

Beach-Hopping Around St. John

Our trip was built around beaches, snorkeling, family time, and celebrating Sara. And St. John didn’t disappoint. These were our favorite spots:

Maho Bay. Our first beach day — calm, clear water and tons of sea turtles floating by. The perfect launch point for underwater GoPro footage. The kids loved swimming here.

Trunk Bay. One of the most famous beaches in the world, and for good reason. Powdery sand, bright blue water, and the famous underwater snorkel trail — which I filmed until my GoPro officially waterlogged for the first time ever. Luckily I was able to fry it out only to put it under water again. No mercy. 

Salt Pond Bay & Ram Head. We hiked the Rams Head Trail, catching both bright sunshine and refreshing rain. At the top, the cliffs stretch dramatically into the ocean — one of the most breathtaking views of the entire trip.

Every beach felt like a new cinematic backdrop — and as a videographer, I kept wishing I could pause time just to shoot more of the wildlife, and scenery. 

Catamaran Day — Our Favorite New Tradition

One big highlight every year is our family boat day — something we’ve apparently become accustomed to. At this point, it’s practically a family tradition to get on a catamaran, stretch out on the trampoline, soak in that ocean breeze, and explore the coastline.

But honestly? We love it.
Being on the water is peaceful, cinematic, and totally worth it every single time.

For Sara’s birthday, we spent a full day sailing, snorkeling, jumping into the water, exploring hidden bays, and letting the kids take turns “captaining” the boat.

Low winds meant I could safely fly the DJI Avata 2 off the back of the catamaran — something I’d dreamed of doing. The aerial shots from this day are some of my favorites I’ve ever filmed.

Island Food, Local Shops & Sunset Dinners

St. John has amazing local flavor — both in its people and its food. A few highlights:

• High Tide (our first island meal — eaten in total hunger)

• Dolphin Market (where we finally learned you’re supposed to say hello before shopping)

• Windmill Bar (a famous sunset spot with an unforgettable burger)

• Homemade ice cream stands that the kids will be talking about forever

Evenings were slow and peaceful: pool swims, family dinners, sunset views, and early nights. Island life hits hard — in the best way.

For Anyone Searching for St. John Travel Vlogs…

If you’re planning a trip, exploring the USVI, researching the best beaches in St. John, or looking for real travel vlog experiences — this trip had everything. And we hope our vlog brings the island to life for you the way it did for us. 

Thanks for joining our family adventure.

— Brandon Damon
Brandon Damon Video