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Located in the Caribbean, St. John is one of the three islands in the US Virgin Islands. Initially a Danish colony, the US purchased USVI during WWI, and is currently a US territory.
In the 1950s, Laurance Rockefeller, grandson of John D. Rockefeller, donated a significant amount of acreage of his personal property in St. John to the US National Park Service. Today, two-thirds of the island is part of the National Park, and they operate many beaches and trails around it.
St. John is one of a kind. Many visitors to the Caribbean hang out at resorts and rarely explore. St. John is perfect for the traveler who loves adventure and exploring.
In this article, Rebecca from Fab 5 Family Travel is going to fill us in on all that St. John has to offer.
St. John Info
Getting to St. John
Of the three islands, St. Croix and St. Thomas have international airports. When we visit, we fly into St. Thomas, airport code STT. Once you land, you will want to grab a taxi to either one of the Ferry departure spots. You can also book a car or shuttle to pick you up from the airport. We’ve done both, and having the pre-booked car is a smooth process.
Ferry
You can take a passenger ferry to Cruz Bay (the main hub of St. John) from either Charlotte Amalie or Red Hook. The ferries depart every hour. The ride from Red Hook is 20 minutes, and the Charlotte Amalie ferry ride is 45 minutes and leaves less frequently. The ferry from Charlotte Amalie operates seasonally, so check beforehand.
If you are staying at the Westin, they run their ferry.
Weather in St. John
St. John boasts a tropical climate and vegetation all year long. You can escape the brutal winters and relax in 80-degree weather while your neighbors battle snow.
On the flip side, there are some weather extremes to be aware of when planning your next trip. For instance, late summer into fall is hurricane season. I highly recommend travel insurance if you plan a trip during this season.
Unique Info
Many travelers to the Caribbean book all-inclusive resorts and only leave the resort on an organized tour. St. John is completely different. If you prefer resorts, the Westin is the most well-known resort with traditional rooms and condos.
You will not find massive all-inclusive resorts like Sandals here. Instead, you will find homes, condos, and small boutique hotels to rent from. Most guests spend their time exploring the gorgeous white sandy beaches on the island instead of camping out at one resort beach and never leaving.
If you want to explore, you will need to rent a car or rely on their taxi service, which you can catch in Cruz Bay. It is fun to rent a Jeep to explore the island. The beaches are spread over the island, and you want the independence to see everything.
There are two main towns on the island- Cruz Bay and Coral Bay. They are on opposite sides of the island.
Tips
- Pack sunscreen and bug spray. Make sure your sunscreen is reef-safe.
- Please check beforehand to see if your rental provides chairs and a cooler- if not, you can grab a cooler at the grocery store or pack a soft one.
- Some beaches have bathroom facilities and snack shops while many don’t- be prepared and pack your lunch (don’t worry- many people do this!)
- When you book your rental, see if there’s a concierge service to deliver groceries. If not, a handful of grocery stores in Cruz Bay will have what you need.
- Rental Car- You can rent a car in St. Thomas and take the car ferry over. You may have better rental options in St. Thomas.
25 Amazing Things to Do in St. John, USVI
St. John has something for everyone; it is a paradise between swimming, sunbathing, snorkeling, or hiking!
Beaches
- Trunk Bay Beach
Trunk Bay is one of the most photographed beaches in the Caribbean, with crystal clear water and scenic views. If you have any time in St. John, this needs to be at the top of your list. Once you hit the beach, you will understand why and will never want to leave.
Since it is one of the most popular beaches, plan and try to arrive early. Also, there is a fee to enter Trunk Bay but not for any of the other beaches.
- Cinnamon Bay Beach
Although Trunk Bay is the most famous beach on the island, I prefer Cinnamon Bay. It is not quite as crowded as Trunk Bay and just as gorgeous.
Cinnamon offers amenities like Trunk, such as the bathrooms, snack bar, and snorkel gear rentals. It is hands down one of the most beautiful beaches on the entire island.
- Honeymoon Beach
Honeymoon Beach is beautiful but a little more difficult to reach. It was part of a resort at Caneel Bay for decades but is closed due to Hurricane Irma. To reach the beach, you must hike from the visitor center on the east side of Cruz Bay, part of the Virgin Islands National Park. You take the Lind Point Trail from the visitor center.
- Salomon Bay
Salomon is close to Honeymoon so that you could visit both on the same day. You’ll want to follow the same directions to arrive here as Honeymoon Beach.
Since Salomon isn’t the most convenient beach, many guests avoid it, leading to smaller crowds- a nice perk rewarding you for the slight trouble to get here. It is one of the best places to unwind and relax.
- Maho Beach
Maho is a favorite of visitors due to its ease. The beach is directly off the side of the road, so there is no need to hike to obtain gorgeous water.
Perks of this beach include bathrooms and shallow areas for kids to float. It can get crowded during the busy season.
- Francis Bay
Francis Bay is a bit further from Cruz Bay, so it doesn’t get as many visitors as some earlier beaches mentioned. There’s a parking lot off the main road. We spent one beautiful afternoon here and almost had the beach to ourselves. This beach also has a fair amount of shade.
While you are at Francis, you are close to the Annaberg Sugar Ruins and Watermelon Cay. You could easily spend a day on this end of the island exploring these three areas.
- Watermelon Cay
If you love snorkeling, then make sure to carve out time at this beach. Watermelon Cay is one of the best spots in St. John for snorkeling, and you don’t want to miss out on this opportunity to see tropical fish and maybe even sea turtles.
As mentioned before, tie in a visit to Francis Bay and Annaberg Ruins while you are here. As a side note, you’ll park and walk about ½ mile to the beach.
- Salt Pond Beach
Salt Pond is on the south shore of St. John but worth the drive if staying in Cruz Bay. Once you park, there’s a bit of a hike to the beach, so be prepared. It’s not strenuous but also not easy.
The water is very shallow and a great place to swim, especially if traveling with little ones. Also, pack your snorkel gear!
- Drunk Bay
Drunk Bay is a unique place in St. John as it isn’t a swimming spot. Instead, you will be rewarded with a magnificent rock beach. Now I know that sounds boring- but it is far from that. Guests make designs using rocks and coral; seeing all the creations is fun.
To get there- you’ll want to park at Salt Pond, walk past the beach, and continue on the trail until you reach the water. As a side note, tie this visit with a stop at Salt Pond. The hike to Drunk Bay may be hot, so reward yourself with a cool dip in the water afterward.
- Hawksnest Beach
Part of the National Park, Hawksnest is one of the popular beaches in St. John, especially with the locals. Come early and grab a spot in their parking lot. This is a great beach to spend ½ day at!
One perk of this beach is the availability of bathrooms, grills, and a pavilion.
- Jumbie Beach
Jumbie Beach is one of St. John’s hidden gems. Located close to Trunk Bay, you will want to add some time for a stop here. Since so many guests go straight to Trunk, they skip over Jumbie, meaning you’ll experience fewer crowds.
FYI- there’s a small parking lot.
- Peter Bay
Peter Bay is a beautiful but private beach. If you want to explore Peter Bay, you must stay in one of the rental villas in the neighborhood to access the beach.
If you love exploring different beaches, schedule a trip to Chatham, Cape Cod to experience a New England beach.
Hiking Trails
Hiking St. John is a great way to see the beautiful United States Virgin Islands scenery.
- Reef Bay Trail
Reef Bay Trail is one of the most famous trails on the island, but it is not for the faint of heart. The hike takes 2.5-3.5 hours, depending on your skill level. You can join a ranger-led hike by the NPS if preferred.
Although the hike is strenuous, you are rewarded with ancient rock carvings and Danish sugar ruins. The hike takes you to the beach if you want to pack a bathing suit.
- Ram Head Trail
This trail is closer to Coral Bay; you will park at Salt Pond Bay. You; ‘ll need to walk past the beach to get to the trip, which is 2.3 miles. If Reef Bay is too much or time-consuming for you, this may be a better option as it is a moderate trail that takes about an hour.
As a side note, this trail lacks shade, so pack sunscreen and water. We’ve walked some of this trail, and I remember it being incredibly hot.
Maine is another great area to explore if you enjoy being outdoors. It is paradise for those who love to hike (stratton link) and explore the great outdoors.
Water Activities
- Lime Out Taco Bar
Lime Out is a floating taco bar in Coral Bay Harbor. You book a shuttle or an organized tour to take you out, so make sure to book in advance. Once you arrive, you’ll grab a seat at the swim-up bar or a lily pad. This is a unique way to see the crystal blue water of the Caribbean islands.
- Sunset cruise
A Sunset cruise is the perfect way to end the day and take a tour of the majestic island.
- Snorkeling
Snorkeling in the US Virgin Islands must be on your list of things to do. You can casually snorkel off many of the beaches mentioned earlier or book an organized tour to take you out for the day. Either way, it will be an awesome experience.
- Kayaking Tour
Similar to snorkeling, you can book organized kayaking tours of the island during the day or at night!
- Day Cruise to the British Virgin Islands
One of my favorite activities is a day trip to BVI. You leave early for a jammed pack day of beautiful scenery and snorkeling. On our trip, we explored the rock formations at Virgin Gorda, snorkeled, and visited the famous Soggy Dollar Bar on Jost Van Dyke.
If you are on the island for at least 4 days, you can carve out a time for a visit to BVI.
Historic Sites
In the 1750s, the Danish controlled the US Virgin Islands and established a thriving sugar and rum production. Their sugar plantations relied heavily on enslaved labor and enforced cruel slave codes. They exploited African workers for financial gain until slavery was outlawed in 1848.
Today, you can visit the ruins of these plantations and see the work areas and slave quarters.
- Annaberg Sugar Plantation Ruins
While at Watermelon Cay, drive a little further to see Annaberg. The ruins are incredible to see and learn about the history of sugar production in the Virgin Islands.
- Catherineburg Ruins
Catherineburg Ruins exhibits ruins of one of the largest sugar plantations in the Virgin Islands. It is about a 10-minute drive from Cruz Bay.
- Cinnamon Bay Ruins
While at Cinnamon Bay, you can take a break from the sun to explore the sugar ruins near the beach.
Must-See Sites & Activities
- Cruz Bay
Cruz Bay is the largest town on the island, with a lively atmosphere. You’ll find live music, delicious restaurants with fresh seafood, walk-up bars to grab a drink, and shopping. For instance, Mongoose Junction is the perfect stop to grab dinner and pick up a souvenir. Cruz Bay is also the main entrance to the National Park.
Since the ferry drops guests at Cruz Bay, it has the most active town center on the island.
- Coral Bay
Coral Bay is on the other side of the island. It is a bit quieter but still has a fun casual vibe. There are great restaurants to dine at and stunning beaches nearby. You’ll take the Center Line road out of Cruz Bay and encounter all sorts of wildlife and gorgeous views.
- Have a painkiller
Although the drink was created in the British Virgin Islands, it is a popular drink in the Caribbean. Made with rum, pineapple juice, coconut cream, orange juice, and a sprinkle of nutmeg, you’ll want to try it as part of your St. John experience.
FAQ: Visiting St. John
How many days do you need in St. John?
Traveling to St. John is a bit more complicated than other islands. Once you land, you still have to make your way to St. John so the travel time takes a significant amount of the day. I recommend at least 5 full days plus the 2 travel days to make it worthwhile.
What is the best time to visit?
The best time is also the busy season- December through the Spring months.
Take a break from the brutal winters and head south for a tropical vacation. In the summer, go north for a relaxing and cooler vacation in the great state of Maine.
St. John vs. St. Thomas?
This is the question! For many people, they see St. John as too remote or too difficult to get to. You could fly into St. Thomas and can go directly to your resort on the same island, which leads many just to stay on St. Thomas.
However, St. John is 100% worth the extra steps. Since 60% of the island is part of the National Parks, it is a tropical treasure you will never regret visiting. I have stayed on the islands three separate times and can’t wait to go back. I would always stay here over St. Thomas.
Final Thoughts on Best Things to Do in St. John USVI
St. John is not only one of my favorite places in the world, but it is also the most beautiful. You’ll find yourself floating in the blue-green waters of the Caribbean and then surrounded by mountain views. There’s nothing like it, and I’ve been to multiple islands in the Caribbean.
I hope my post on the 25 best things to do in St. John, USVI, helps you in the planning of your next great adventure.
Author’s Bio:
Rebecca Schwartz is a mom of 3 and an avid traveler. She loves to plan trips with her husband and kids when she’s not teaching high school US History. She hopes to encourage other parents to pack their bags and take their kids to see the world!
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- One Week Itinerary for St. Lucia
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Raised as a third culture kid living in South America and Europe, Annick caught the travel bug early. As an empty-nester, Annick enjoys sharing her tips for traveling for those with champagne taste and beer budgets.