In Memory of Cary Hock

September 11, 2019
A man and a woman are posing for a picture on the beach.

Virgin Islands EcoTours is incredibly sad to report the loss of one of our dearest customers, Cary Hock. Cary and her husband Jack were married on Trunk Bay in February 2009 in a beautiful sunset ceremony and returned to the island many times in the last decade. Cary always felt that St. John was her home and adored the island and its people. Her love for St. John was palpable and clear to everyone she met. We have been lucky enough to spend many weeks with Cary during the last few seasons on Honeymoon Beach—most recently in February and March of 2019. Our staff always looked forward to Cary and Jack’s visits and were always awestruck at her generosity and care.

Sadly, upon returning home from her Spring 2019 trip, Cary was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. She fought until the end with her husband Jack by her side, but sadly Cary lost her battle with pancreatic cancer on July 1, 2019. In lieu of flowers, Jack asked their friends and family to make a donation to the St. John Cancer fund in her name. So far, $31,000 has been raised for cancer patients on St. John.


Jack has been eager to carry on Cary’s spirit of generosity and has decided to match any and all future donations made to the St. John Cancer Fund up to $10,000. All of us at Virgin Islands EcoTours have seen firsthand Cary’s captivating kindness and want to give generously to the St. John Cancer fund in her honor. Cary spent much of her time on St. John with us at Honeymoon Beach and the memories we have with her won’t soon fade.


Please join Virgin Islands EcoTours in honoring Cary Hock by donating to the St. John Cancer Fund directly or through the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands. All donations big and small are greatly appreciated!


Cary loved St. John and its people and wanted to help them in any way she could. She would be happy to know that her legacy and kind spirit were alive and well on her island home.

Please join our monthly newsletter!

You May Also Like


Three people are in a yellow ocean kayak

Cas Cay Kayak, Hike & Snorkeling Ecotour

A black map pin with a circle in the middle on a white background.

St. Thomas

A black and white hourglass icon on a white background.

3 Hours

Embark on an exclusive morning adventure through the serene beauty of Cas Cay, where tranquil mangroves, vibrant marine life, and breathtaking volcanic vistas await—discover this hidden gem with knowledgeable guides.

A group of people are walking down a path towards the ocean.
A black map pin with a circle in the middle on a white background.

St. John

A black and white hourglass icon on a white background.

3 Hours

Hike & Beach Adventure Tour: Discover Honeymoon Beach on St. John

Looking to pack a BIG experience into a short amount of time? Then we’ve got just the adventure for you! This tour is designed for groups of 4 or more.

A group of people are swimming with sea turtles in the ocean.

Swim alongside graceful Hawksbill and Green Sea Turtles in the crystal-clear waters of St. Croix on this unforgettable guided snorkel tour. Explore vibrant coral reefs and encounter diverse marine life with expert guides ensuring a safe and memorable experience. Perfect for all skill levels, this unique adventure offers an up-close look at St. Croix’s stunning underwater world—an experience you’ll never forget.

A black map pin with a circle in the middle on a white background.

St. Croix

A black and white hourglass icon on a white background.

1.5 Hours

St. Croix's Best Snorkeling with Sea Turtles

Other Blogs


By Chrissann Nickel June 29, 2026
The US Virgin Islands are an incredibly lush, vibrant destination to visit. Your senses come alive when surrounded by the gorgeous natural world, particularly since it’s likely very different than where you call home. It can make us adults feel like kids again, being so engaged in our surroundings. For kids, it’s all the more magical. We highly recommend bringing your family on a guided island tour . Our local guides are experts on the islands’ flora, fauna, history, and culture and are happy to answer any and all questions that you and your kiddos have. If you have a trip to the USVI on the calendar, we wrote this post to help you get your family excited for the upcoming vacation. Here are 8 FUN VIRGIN ISLANDS NATURE FACTS FOR KIDS:
A large body of water with boats in it and a city in the background
June 26, 2026
Things to do in St. John: top Virgin Islands National Park hikes, beaches, snorkeling spots, cultural sites, and dining, for families, couples, and explorers.
White sandy beach with turquoise water, palm trees, and a bright blue sky with clouds
June 25, 2026
Trying to choose between a kayak tour and a snorkel tour in the Virgin Islands? Compare effort, cost, and what you'll see to pick the right adventure.
learn how to kayak USVI
By Chrissann Nickel June 23, 2026
Planning a Virgin Islands trip? Learn how to paddle a kayak properly as a beginner, from grip and posture to the 3 basic strokes, before you go.
Turquoise tropical bay with sandy beach, green hillside, and clear blue sky
June 23, 2026
Hurricane season in St. Thomas runs June–November, peaking Aug–Oct. Here's what to know about timing, risk, and whether to still book your trip.
By Chrissann Nickel May 25, 2026
This season has been our first one in the USVI that we’ve been fortunate to have a retail shop located in the gorgeous, historic outdoor shopping space of Mongoose Junction. We’re located just behind Sun Dog Cafe, and our shop is where you check-in for your guided nature tours with us, as well as pick-up & drop off your rented water sports gear. If you’re coming to us for an upcoming tour like our popular Sea Turtle Kayak & Snorkel on the North Shore or to pick-up your snorkel gear & kayaks before heading to the North Shore beaches, it’s the perfect opportunity to also peruse the rest of Mongoose Junction . There are some excellent bars & restaurants, as well as many retail shops where you can find incredible souvenirs to bring home with you. Here are our 6 favorite St. John souvenirs to add to your list:
By Chrissann Nickel April 27, 2026
The US Virgin Islands are volcanic islands, which means they have a very mountainous terrain. If you are a nature lover, these bright green hillsides will be practically begging you to hike them. Thankfully, there are seemingly endless trails to choose from between the three sister islands of St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix. And, we’re happy to share that we have guided hiking tours available on all three islands. If you plan on hitting the trails on your next island vacation, here are our top 10 hiking tips for the USVI:
By Chrissann Nickel March 31, 2026
The north shore of St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands is one of those rare places that manages to feel both untouched and well-known. Stretching along the island’s Caribbean-facing coastline, this region is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful in the world—and it’s easy to see why. You can’t visit St. John without spending time on it. In fact, it’s probably the most popular reason why people visit St. John. ( Who among us hasn’t been lured into STJ dreaming by one of those iconic photos of Trunk Bay? ) However, there is so much to see and experience along the north shore. You likely will not be able to do it all on your first trip here. Here’s what to know about the north shore of St. John:
A sea turtle is swimming in the ocean with the sun shining through the water.
February 27, 2026
Find the best places to see sea turtles on St John in the US Virgin Islands, including Maho Bay, Francis Bay, and local tips for calm-water snorkeling experience.
Show More