Welcome to St. John!
There’s so much to see and do in St. John, US Virgin Islands. From beautiful beaches to historic ruins, this island is a great destination for anyone who wants to explore more of the Caribbean. Here are some things to do and places you should definitely visit when you’re there:
Find Sea Turtles in Maho Bay
Maho Bay is one of the most scenic and popular beaches on St. John. It’s also a great place to find sea turtles! Maho Bay has facilities and across the street you’ll find Maho Crossroads which has food stalls and shops.
To get there: From Cruz Bay (the main town on St. John), drive about 5 miles north along North Shore Road until you reach Maho Bay. The water will be on the left, with some parking on the street, as well as a tightly packed parking lot on the right.
Go Snorkeling in Trunk Bay
Trunk Bay is one of the most famous beaches on St. John (perhaps one of the best in the world) and it’s easy to see why. It has nearly perfect white sand, warm water and plenty of fish to look at underwater. There’s even an underwater trail – the Coral Reef Underwater Park Trail – which has plaques for guidance along the 225 yard path.
The best time to visit Trunk Bay is either in the morning or late afternoon when there are fewer people around; otherwise there will be so many other people swimming around that seeing any fish will be difficult – and dangerous (if someone bumps into you). The tide changes twice daily so check local calendars for high/low tides before heading out! Mind the waves also, if they’re too big, you probably want to just relax on the beach.
To get there: Like most of the best beaches on the island, Trunk Bay can be found along North Shore Rd. Just 3.5 miles from Cruz Bay, this beach is often frequented by loads of cruise goers, so get there early if you want to find parking and a spot on the beach.
Watch Sunset with a Cocktail at Windmill Bar
Windmill Bar offers one of the best views on St. John. It’s perched up high on a hillside near Susannaberg Plantation Ruins, with sweeping vistas over Hawksnest Bay and St. Thomas in the distance. The bar has live music most nights and serves great tropical drinks like Painkillers, Rum Punch, and their own specialties. If you’re hungry, they also have a small menu of local dishes including tacos, burgers, and salads.
Getting there is just a bit trickier… Head up Centerline Rd from Cruz Bay, just about 2 miles, following the signs for Susannaberg Plantation.
Relax on Cinnamon Bay Beach
Cinnamon Bay is an ideal place to relax on a beach. The waters are calm, the sand is soft and white, and there’s plenty of shade from palm trees for you to find your own private spot. It’s also a great place for snorkeling and swimming – but beware: if there are big waves, Cinnamon Bay can get rough! Being one of the longest beaches on St. John, this is great for walking while admiring the mansions nested above Peter Bay to the south, or watching the boats visiting Maho Bay to the north.
Sadly, the Taino Indian Museum was destroyed during Hurricane Irma in 2017, however much of the rest of the camp resort has been rebuilt.
Salt Pond Bay & Ram Head Trail
Salt Pond Bay is a great out-of-the-way place for swimming. The bay is calm and shallow, so it’s safe for kids. It’s also a popular snorkeling spot, with coral reefs and colorful fish just off shore. It’s a bit of a hike (10 minutes) down a rocky road to get there, but if the family is up for it, it’s a hidden gem.
On the far end of the beach is the Ram Head Trailhead. This is a strenuous hike that takes you to the top of Ram Head, which is located on the eastern shore. At just 4 miles long, this hike should take around 3 hours to complete – but don’t let its length fool you: It’s steep, rocky, and mostly exposed to the sun and wind. Be prepared, wear good shoes, and bring plenty of water and a snack.
Once you reach the summit, there are incredible views from all sides (you can see St John’s south shoreline all the way over to Water Island). To the north, you’ll see the British Virgin Islands, and on a clear day, you might even be able to see St. Croix!
Honeymoon Beach
Honeymoon Beach is a secluded beach with white sand and turquoise water. It’s great for swimming and snorkeling, or just laying out soaking up the sun. The beach bar has food and drinks (you can bring your own too), but it’s small enough that you won’t feel overwhelmed by crowds.
Honeymoon Beach is located on the north shore of St John, though getting there isn’t as easy as driving up and parking. You can either boat in, or hike in along the Lind Point Trail from Cruz Bay. Alternatively, you might be able to pay for parking at Caneel Bay Resort and get a golf cart ride to the beach.
Shop and Eat in Cruz Bay
The town of Cruz Bay is where you’ll find all the shops and restaurants. You can walk around town and explore all the stores, or you can spend some time shopping at Mongoose Junction. There are many places to eat in this area as well, including local favorites like The Lime Inn and The Longboard. If you’re looking for something casual with great views of Cruz Bay Harbor, The Beach Bar.
The best part about visiting St. John is getting out into nature on one of its many trails that lead up into hillsides with views overlooking waterfalls or past beaches with turquoise waters stretching out into infinity… but sometimes it’s nice just being able to sit back at one of these great spots with friends while enjoying an ice cream cone or an adult beverage!
Explore Annaberg Sugar Plantation Ruins
If you’re looking for a little history, Annaberg Sugar Plantation Ruins are on the north shore of St. John and were built in 1740. It was one of the first sugar plantations in the Virgin Islands, and it still stands today as an important landmark on this historic island.
The ruins are open to the public, so you can take a guided tour through them or explore them yourself. If this isn’t enough exploration for you, there are other sugar mill ruins around St. John that will give even more insight into how important these mills were historically–and they look beautiful too!
Hike the Lind Point and Caneel Hill Trails
Hiking the Lind Point and Caneel Hill Trails is an excellent way to explore St. John’s natural beauty. The Lind Point Trail is a short hike from Cruz Bay to Salomon and Honeymoon beaches, while the Caneel Hill Trail is a longer, more strenuous hike with beautiful high views of Virgin Islands National Park and surrounding islands.
Wrapping it Up
If you’re looking for a fun getaway, the US Virgin Islands are the place to go. With so many incredible sights to see and things to do, it’ll be hard not to fall in love with this beautiful island chain. From hiking through lush rainforests full of colorful flowers to snorkeling among crystal clear waters teeming with marine life – there’s something here for everyone!
