St. John

Travel Guide

Trunk Bay showing a beach and a bay or harbor
Trunk Bay featuring a sandy beach as well as an individual femail
Honeymoon Beach featuring a sandy beach
Caneel Bay which includes a sandy beach
Caneel Bay which includes general coastal views

With no airport or major ports, this isolated island requires visitors make an effort to get here. Those who do are rewarded with stunning beaches and lush forests.

With almost two-thirds of St. John protected as national parkland, a huge chunk of this tropical island remains blissfully undeveloped. Find your own perfect piece of coastline, hike through the hills of the Virgin Islands National Park or get into the Caribbean spirit with cocktails at the island’s main town, Cruz BayOpens in a new window.

Most visitors to the island arrive at the town of Cruz Bay on the west coast. Amble along the pier and find a table at one of the lively waterfront bars. Browse designer clothes at the shops of Mongoose Junction. For something a little more outdoorsy, go to the visitor centre to organise snorkeling and hiking excursions for the rest of your trip.

Spend time soaking up the sun beside the sea. Many of the best beaches on the island can be found along the north coast. Drive north from Cruz Bay for between 10 and 15 minutes to reach Cinnamon Bay, a lengthy stretch of golden sand backed by leafy palm trees. Also on the north coast, Trunk BayOpens in a new window has a fantastic underwater snorkel trail while Maho BeachOpens in a new window is a popular destination for wildlife enthusiasts, with rays and turtles commonly spotted here.

Put your swimming costume away for a few hours and head for Annaberg PlantationOpens in a new window on the north coast of the island. On a hill above yet another gorgeous beach, the estate’s old stone windmill, factory ruins and dungeon are a reminder of the slave trade that was prevalent here during the 18th and 19th centuries. Back in Cruz Bay, find restaurants serving Caribbean-style cuisine.

Reach St. John by taking a ferry from St. Thomas. Most accommodation are located in and around the town. Peak tourist season here is between mid-December and mid-April, while hurricane season lasts from June to November. Avoid the crowds by going between April and June.

Where to stay in St. John

Cinnamon Bay which includes forest scenes

Maho Bay Quarter

If you're spending some time in Maho Bay Quarter, Maho Beach and Cinnamon Bay Beach are top sights worth seeing.

Maho Bay Quarter
Default Image

Contant Farms

If you're spending some time in Contant Farms, Great Cruz Bay and Turner Bay are top sights worth seeing.

Contant Farms
Default Image

Upper Carolina

While visiting Upper Carolina, you might make a stop by sights like Virgin Islands National Park and Ajax Peak.

Upper Carolina
Default Image

Rendezvous & Ditleff

If you're spending some time in Rendezvous & Ditleff, Klein Bay and Rendezvous Bay are top sights worth seeing.

Rendezvous & Ditleff
Default Image

Lower Carolina

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Lower Carolina and surrounding area, you can visit Johnson Bay and Virgin Islands National Park.

Lower Carolina
Default Image

Ditleff Point

While visiting Ditleff Point, you might make a stop by sights like Klein Bay and Rendezvous Bay.

Ditleff Point

Popular places to visit

Things to do