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Saint John is the smallest, but many say the prettiest of the Virgin Islands because of its world-class beaches. Two-thirds of Saint John is Virgin Islands National Park.

[edit] Understand

The main community on the island is Cruz Bay, located on the western side of the island.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By plane

Fly into Saint Thomas' Cyril E King Airport [1] (IATA: STT), and take a taxi to the nearest ferry service (see below).

[edit] By boat

Hourly ferry service from Red Hook, Saint Thomas (a 20-minute ride) is available to Cruz Bay, St. John and operates from 6:30AM, then hourly from 7AM - midnight. Ferry service from St. John to St. Thomas runs on the hour from 6AM-11PM. Less frequent ferries travel between Charlotte Amalie, Saint Thomas and Cruz Bay, St. John (a 45-minute ride). Ferries also run to and from Virgin Gorda, Jost Van Dyke, and Anegada (in the British Virgin Islands).

[edit] Get around

Renting a car is the best way to see all the beaches and other sites. However, be aware that the terrain is extremely hilly, and you have to drive on the left. If you rent a car, it's a good idea to request a Jeep or other four-wheel-drive vehicle. Cab service is affordable and plentiful, especially to the north shore beaches.

[edit][add listing] See

• Virgin Islands National Park - Virgin Islands National Park's hills, valleys and beaches are breath-taking
• Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument - extends eastward from Estate Hermitage to Haulover Bay along the southern shoreline of the Island

[edit][add listing] Do

• Take a tour by jeep and boat around the island or sit on the white sandy beaches.
• Take a taxi or rent a car. Drive around the island and stop at the beaches and spend all day snorkeling.
• Miles of hiking trails criss-cross the entire island. Maps are available from the U.S. Park Service office in Cruz Bay. Ranger guided hikes can also be scheduled for a small fee at the same office.
• Caneel Bay (Caneel Bay), [2]. Learn about all you can see and do at Beautiful, Exotic Caneel Bay.  edit

[edit] Learn

The surrounding woods and brush areas are often populated with wildlife. The park has 140 species of birds, 302 species of fish, 7 species of amphibians, 22 species of mammals and 740 species of plants. The only mammal native to St. John is the bat, and the six species are important pollinators of native plants. The island also has many other species of animals that are not native, including deer, goats, sheep, donkeys, cats, dogs, mongoose and pigs.

[edit] Work

[edit][add listing] Buy

Currency, its access, and customs considerations are basically the same as for Saint Thomas. Cruz Bay has a few merchants offering jewelry, liquor and souvenirs, but somewhat more genteel than in most cruise ports. For items that benefit from duty-free importation, prices generally rival those in Saint Thomas. (See this topic for Saint Thomas; most advice applies, though St John is seldom overrun by cruise passengers shopping.)

Island shopping ranges from walk-up drink and food shacks to a stylish, tiered, open-air galleria/mall. Most are in or within easy walking distance of the harbor, e.g., the gallery of shops at Mongoose Junction.

• St. John Bracelet Company, ☎ 340-776-6465, [3]. A family-owned-and-operated store that sells handmade Caribbean jewelry for men and women.  edit

• Verace, ☎ 340.693.7599, [4]. Designer jewelry store located in Wharfside Village.  edit

[edit][add listing] Eat

St. John has more than 35 places to dine, ranging from chic and expensive restaurants to funky beachside food stands. After dark the island comes alive with hotel and villa guests seeking out one of the island's cozy and romantic restaurants.

The best cheeseburger in this paradise can be found at Skinny Legs in Coral Bay. Great food, excellent harborside venue, and an excellent place for a cold beer after a busy day of snorkeling. An absolute must even if only visiting the island for a day (or even part of a day).

• Vie's Snack Shack, East End, St. John (3 hills past Haulover), ☎ N/A. Vie's Snack Shack is a roadside snack bar with picnic tables, where you can find the best garlic chicken in the world!!! Vie also sells johnny cakes, conch fritters, and the likes, but the garlic fried chicken is unbelievable! If you are out on the East End of the Island, Vie is a must-try. Just hope you're not scared of a few chicken at your feet!  edit

[edit] Budget

• Windy Level Restaurant, (340) 715-2000, [5]. Windy Level is located on Centerline Road, Route 10 and is about 8 minutes from Cruz Bay.

[edit] Mid-range

[edit] Splurge

[edit][add listing] Drink

• Woody's Seafood Saloon, [6]. Woody's happy hour is daily, 3PM-6PM. Happy hour is nearing when you hear music from The Blues Brothers, and ends when the theme song from the TV show Rawhide is finished playing.

• The Tap Room - St. John Brewers, [7]. St. John's first and only brewpub serves locally created draft beer including their own Virgin Islands Pale Ale and Island Summer. A cool place to meet locals in an air conditioned bar or outdoor patio. Located at Mongoose Junction.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

• Round House, East End, St. John (First Hill past Haulover on East End), [8]. The Round House is a private villa perfect for nature lovers. It houses 2-4 comfortably. Overlooking Haulover Bay, the location and solitude of this villa are its best attributes. A stay in this house would best be described as sheer tranquility. It doesn't have the fanciest interior compared to some of the more expensive villas on the island, but it is literally a nature lover's dream accommodation. The house provides a 360 degree view of its amazing location through screened walls. It also has an amazing deck that wraps around the house and overlooks beautiful Round Bay. The bathroom is modeled after a sugar mill ruin. If you stay here you are sure to find peace and serenity, though you might never want to leave!  edit

[edit] Budget

• Cinnamon Bay Campgrounds [9].

• Maho Bay Campground [10].

[edit] Mid-range

• Estate Lindholm, 340-776-6121, [11]. An intimate bed and breakfast inn set amongst Danish ruins.

• Hillcrest Guest House, (340) 776-6774 or (340) 998-8388, [12]. Ocean views all around, complimentary food, honeymoon package and free Wi-Fi available. Kitchenette or kitchen in all suites. Established in 1966 by the Hall Family. Rates begin at $165/day. Located in Cruz Bay.

• Estate Fortsberg, 410-280-2105, [13]. A St. John Villa villas home for rent that overlooks tortola, hurricane hole and coral bay.

• Florian Villa, 617-429-6182, [14]. This private, luxurious villa sits on Gift Hill. Florian Villa is located just 10 minutes from Cruz Bay on the south side of the island near Chocolate Hole and Rendezvous Bay. Just minutes from top 10 rated beaches in the world, Starfish Market grocery store and water sports. Located right on Gift Hill Road, but with complete privacy and easy driveway access, Florian Villa is the perfect rental for families, couples vacationing together, and groups of friends vacationing on St. John. Enjoy St. John's beaches, privacy and spectacular sunsets from Florian Villa.

• Seaview Homes, [15]. St. John Villa Rentals and Vacation Home Management Company since 1984.

[edit] Splurge

• Caneel Bay, PO Box 720, Tel (340) 776-6111, [16]. A luxury beach resort in the Caribbean located within the Virgin Islands National Park. Caneel Bay offers meeting and wedding facilities, seven secluded beaches, family and honeymoon vacation packages, and meditation retreats.

[edit] Contact

[edit] Stay safe

Crime is not a major problem in St. John. You will find residential villas and locals are very friendly. The usual common-sense precautions are advised, such as locking your doors, not displaying large amounts of cash, jewelery, or cameras (especially at Waterlemon Cay on the North Side of the island) Never use your car as a safe place for your wallet while at the beach. Otherwise, your stay on St. John should be worry-free.

[edit] Get out

Take a day sail to the British Virgin Islands - Virgin Gorda, Tortola, Jost Van Dyke - with snorkeling stops along the way. Be sure you have appropriate travel documents to enter the British islands and to return to the United States.