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
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Contant Farms

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

Contant Farms
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Upper Carolina

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

Upper Carolina
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Rendezvous & Ditleff

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

Rendezvous & Ditleff
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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
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Ditleff Point

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

Ditleff Point
The Westin St. John Resort Villas

The Westin St. John Resort Villas

4.5 out of 5
300B Chocolate Hole, P.O. Box 8310, Great Cruz Bay, St. John
The price is RM1,777 per night from 1 Sept to 2 Sept
RM1,777
RM2,000 total
1 Sept - 2 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury resort in St. John. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 restaurants. Popular attractions Sapphire Beach and Cruz Bay Beach are ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (433 reviews)
"Beautiful and peaceful property. My only issues were the air conditioning wasn't strong enough. But all good"

Reviewed on 16 Aug 2025

The Westin St. John Resort Villas
The Saint Resort

The Saint Resort

3 out of 5
3ABF REM, St. John, St John
The price is RM955 per night from 19 Aug to 20 Aug
RM955
RM1,495 total
19 Aug - 20 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star spa resort in St. John. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 outdoor pools. Popular attractions Sapphire Beach and Cruz Bay Beach are located ...
10/10 Exceptional! (8 reviews)
"Overall great experience - super nice property, ocean view, short walk to the beach, 2 pools. Our only complaint was that our room (The Hansen, a king suite room) was right next to the staff laundry room. The door was always open and we’d have to be careful opening our door, and staff would often ..."

Reviewed on 15 Aug 2025

The Saint Resort
Gallows Point Resort

Gallows Point Resort

4 out of 5
3 AAA Gallows Point Road, P O Box 58, St. John, St John
Stay at this 4-star beach aparthotel in St. John. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a free ferry terminal shuttle. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (526 reviews)
"Highly recommend Gallows Point! Great location to Cruz Bay and rooms had everything we needed and bed was very comfortable. Very impressed with the daily cleaning service as well. Pool area is beautiful with stunning views!"

Reviewed on 13 Aug 2025

Gallows Point Resort
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Gallows Point Resort

Gallows Point Resort

4 out of 5
3 AAA Gallows Point Road, P O Box 58, St. John, St John
Stay at this 4-star beach aparthotel in St. John. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a free ferry terminal shuttle. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (526 reviews)
"Highly recommend Gallows Point! Great location to Cruz Bay and rooms had everything we needed and bed was very comfortable. Very impressed with the daily cleaning service as well. Pool area is beautiful with stunning views!"

Reviewed on 13 Aug 2025

Gallows Point Resort
Calichi at Picture Point

Calichi at Picture Point

4 out of 5
Route 108, Bordeaux Mountain Rd, St. John
Stay at this 4-star villa in St. John. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and in-room massages. Our guests praise the property condition in our reviews. Popular ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (71 reviews)
"Check-in and check-out were super simple. Office staff communicates by text upon flight arrival and drops a pin for easy navigation. St John roads are an adventure all by themself, so the pin really helps. We stayed in Guave and the view was stunning. From the spacious balcony you can see all of ..."

Reviewed on 18 Jul 2025

Calichi at Picture Point
Coconut Coast Villas

Coconut Coast Villas

3 out of 5
268 Estate Enighed, St. John
Stay at this 3-star beach condo in St. John. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a beach locale. Popular attractions Sapphire Beach and Cruz Bay Beach are located ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (79 reviews)
"Coconut Coast Villas was an excellent place to stay in St. John! The water view was amazing, and the property managers were available and communicative the whole time. We were provided with a detailed guide of various places on the island for snorkeling and dining. We can't wait to go back, rooms ..."

Reviewed on 9 Aug 2025

Coconut Coast Villas
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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