Lovango Cay, U.S. Virgin Islands

{{Short description|Island in the United States Virgin Islands}}

File:Grass MIngo, and Lovango Cays, 2011.jpg (left), Mingo Cay (middle), and Lovango Cay (right), as seen from a ferry]]

Lovango Cay is a private island in the district of St. John, in the United States Virgin Islands.

Lying {{convert|1|mi|km}} northwest of the island of St. John, Lovango (also known at various times as Loango and Awango) covers an area of {{convert|118|acre|ha}} and rises to {{convert|255|ft|m}} at its highest point.{{cite journal | last=Dick | first=Kenneth | date=1980 | title=Historical Account of the Lovango or Loango Islands | journal=History of the Virgin Islands Archaeology | issue=10 | pages=3–16 | url=http://www.stcroixarchaeology.org/files/Lovango_or_Loango_Islands_-_Dick.pdf | access-date=2020-12-20 | archive-date=2016-05-21 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160521224735/http://stcroixarchaeology.org/files/Lovango_or_Loango_Islands_-_Dick.pdf | url-status=live }}

The island has been sparsely inhabited since at least 1728. The peak recorded population was 49 people in 1917, at which point there was briefly a school.{{cite web | url=https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/lovango-cay-historical-timeline-compiled-by-david-knight-for-the-st-john-historical-society-march-2008/ | title=Lovango Cay Historical Timeline, March 2008 | publisher=St. John Historical Society | access-date=2020-12-20 | archive-date=2021-01-23 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210123113312/https://stjohnhistoricalsociety.org/lovango-cay-historical-timeline-compiled-by-david-knight-for-the-st-john-historical-society-march-2008/ | url-status=live }}

The island hosts an eco-responsible housing development called Loving Cay Estates.{{Cite web |url=https://www.privateislandsonline.com/islands/lovango-cay |title=Lovango Cay - US Virgin Islands , Caribbean - Private Islands |website=www.privateislandsonline.com |access-date=2021-10-31 |archive-date=2020-11-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201129165929/https://www.privateislandsonline.com/islands/lovango-cay |url-status=live }} The island is self-sufficient and hosts its own solar array, wind turbine, and reverse-osmosis desalination facility. New island developments include a pool and beach club.{{cite web | url=http://www.virginislandsdailynews.com/news/officials-lovango-resort-execs-tout-new-facilities/article_84d5b1ee-66dc-5230-9cb9-3df99204d80e.html | title=Officials, Lovango Resort execs tout new facilities | publisher=The Virgin Islands Daily News | date=2020-12-19 | access-date=2020-12-20 | archive-date=2021-10-31 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211031134854/http://www.virginislandsdailynews.com/news/officials-lovango-resort-execs-tout-new-facilities/article_84d5b1ee-66dc-5230-9cb9-3df99204d80e.html | url-status=live }}

Accessible only by boat, the north side of the cay features a small bay. With Congo Cay to the north, the water here tends to stay calm and offers very good snorkeling. Among other things, nurse sharks are often found resting here during the day.

The south side of the island is a popular snorkeling spot for charter boats from St. John and St. Thomas.

The ashes of J. Robert Oppenheimer are sunk between here, Carval Rock, and Congo Cay.