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St. John is part of the U.S. Virgin Islands with St. Thomas a few nautical miles due west and St. Croix to the south. Our quick guide to St. John will help you better understand the differences. The trifecta is famous for its dreamy white sand beaches, world-class snorkeling and diving, and laidback vibes. I like the think of this trio as a set of sisters, all with distinct charm and personality. I’d peg St. Thomas as the oldest sister. She’s probably the most popular to visit with her port of call for cruises and bustling airport. You could say she likes to be the center of attention. St. John is more quiet, alluring, and some people claim she’s the best kept secret in all of the Caribbean. That leaves St. Croix as the youngest sister of the three…maybe even pegged as the intellectual one, always ready to enlighten visitors to its complex culture and colonial past through historic attractions. To me, she’s more like the ugly (I’m joking) stepsister as this is where I was kicked off the Bachelor. She’s often overshadowed by her siblings because it takes a bit of extra effort to get there.
Like any family, there’s some sibling rivalry there, but all islands are beyond stunning. Like all parents say, I don’t play favorites…but my favorite is St. John.
How to get to St. John
To get to St. John, all travelers must arrive by plane to St. Thomas as St. John doesn’t have an airport. Upon landing, you’ll then need to make your way to one of two ferry docks. Crown Bay is a 5 minute drive from the airport, and the ferry ride takes 35 minutes to Cruz Bay St. John. We did this round-trip journey, and it was smooth sailing! The other and more popular option for travelers (due to how often it runs) is getting a taxi to the Red Hook ferry which leaves every hour on the hour to Cruz Bay in St. John. Remember: St. John is in the tropics. It’s hot and humid so dress accordingly! Here’s more of what I wore in St. John.
Where to stay in St. John
We called Villa Cin Cin home for the week! Awarded as one of Vrbo’s Vacation Rentals of the Year, this 10,000 sq. ft. home tropical luxury with 5 identical King suites complete with outdoor showers and grand balconies with ocean views. The kitchen literally has anything you could ever want for a dinner party, and believe me I know because we hired a private chef for a couple of nights which did not disappoint! The most pristine lawn space housed so many activities for us like yoga classes, picnic lunches and sound baths. I can also imagine the most beautiful intimate weddings there as well.
Of course, I saved the best for last because I could hardly tear my eyes from the view. The infinity pool is positioned on top of a hill on Ditliff Point overlooking the Caribbean Sea, and she’s divine! We spent most of our time right here, and could you blame us?! I can’t recommend this villa enough. Christine, the owner, was beyond helpful ahead of our journey and Crystal, the Property Manager, has an answer for any question you might have during your stay.
There are two main bays in St. John, Cruz Bay (where the ferries dock from St. Thomas) and Coral Bay. Our villa on Ditliff Point was about a 10 minute drive from Cruz Bay, the perfect location to feel like you’re worlds away but also close enough to the action!
What to do in St. John
Two-thirds of the island is protected National Park, and let me tell you, it’s STUNNING. From hikes to beaches to ruins, this little island packs a big punch.
Beaches: Where do I even begin? You can’t come to St. John and NOT experience her pristine beaches. They’re truly some of the best in the world! The northern beaches are my favorites such as Trunk Bay Beach, Cinnamon Bay Beach, Honeymoon Beach, Maho Bay Beach, Hawksnest and Oppenheimer Beach. The snorkleing is SO fun. I’m still thinking about all the sea turtles I got to swim with!
Boating: No trip to St. John is complete without a proper boat day. My favorites from our time around the island are Calypso sailing catamaran, Bad Kitty power catamaran and Sabrage catamaran.
Hiking: St. John is dripping in national park protected land, and we couldn’t end a trip here without a hike or two even though the weather called for 80% humidity. We loved Ram Head Trail (2.3 miles out and back) and Cinnamon Bay Trail (~2 miles out and back). The Cinnamon Bay trailhead features sugar mill ruins, dotted all over the island, which tell the tale of the island’s storied, dark past. A visit to the ruins offers an opportunity to pay homage to the enslaved who worked tirelessly in the sugar cane fields and mills.
Where to eat in St. John
Pro tip: Try all the seafood, jerk chicken, and of course painkillers and rum punch!
Villa Cin Cin – I loved so many restaurants throughout the island, but my favorite meals were at home at the villa. Chef Vincent is one of the best chefs on the island, and I highly recommend his services one evening.
Morgan’s Mango – We had dinner here not once but TWICE, and it is a true taste of Caribbean cuisines. They offer an extensive wine list, creative craft cocktails, and fresh delicious seafood! The atmosphere is relaxing and great for big groups as well. Morgan’s Mango is open everyday, 5:30pm-10pm.
Lime Out – The infamous floating taco bar, Lime Out, is a must visit when in St John! We had so much fun in the sun and tons of tacos… yes please! Accessible only by boat, they are open Sunday-Friday (11am-5pm) and closed for hurricane season, August 23rd-October 22nd.
Pizza Pi – Eat, snorkel and sail in one tour! Like Lime Out, Pizza Pi is a floating restaurant, if you will. It’s just a must-do when in St. John!
Windmill Bar – Windmill Bar offers delicious burgers, seafood and salads- all with a stunning view of the Caribbean sea. The Painkiller here is 10/10! They are open everyday 11am-8pm.
Sundog Cafe – Offering open air dining in the courtyard, this is the perfect spot for brunch, lunch or dinner and drinks. The location is very central and they are open everyday 9am-9pm.
Bajo el Sol – Where art bar meets poetry workshops meets bookstore meets rum tastings! Ohh heaven is a place on earth. I’m so happy to have found Bajo el Sol, a bakery by day and rum bar by night. They offer the largest selection of rum in Cruz Bay! It was such a great experience to learn so much about the history and culture behind rum in the Caribbean.
Beach Bar – Can’t go wrong with a beach bar that has live music and the best cocktails! They open at 10am everyday and have great seafood.
St. Johns Brewing Co – Right in the heart of downtown, St John Brewing Co has a full bar menu, wine, and 20 taps filled with craft and domestic options. They even have house-made offerings!
Provisions – The best grab and go coffee shop! They offer breakfast and lunch right in the heart of St John. Get here before 8:30am or prepare for the line.
Scoops – We had to make an ice cream stop before our rum tasting at Bajo el Sol. Scoops has the very best soft serve, and I even bought a shirt for Nora!
Woody’s Saloon – This is the place that inspired Kenny Chesney’s When I See This Bar music video. Enough said!
Don’t forget about Dolphin Market or Starfish Market for all things groceries.
Travel Tips
-Everyone says “good morning,” “good afternoon,” and “good evening,” on these islands, so to waltz up to a waiter or local without greeting them first is considered the height of rudeness.
-Be prepared to drive on the left side of the road if you rent a car.
-As a general rule, try to get to the beaches by 9 am for parking and good shade.
-Check the monthly cruise ship schedule in St. Thomas. Avoid the most popular beaches on St. John during these specific days when many cruise ships are docked, such as Trunk, Cinnamon, Honeymoon, and Hawknest as these beaches get very crowded. Either go earlier in the AM or after 2pm.
-Hurricane season is advertised as June – October with peak being mid-August – October.
-ONLY reef-safe sunscreen is permitted.
-Drink lots of water or anything with electrolytes throughout the day and night, especially if you are drinking alcohol or if you go hiking. The Caribbean is hot and humid!
–Bring your physical Global Entry Card with your Passport if you have Global Access/TSA Pre-check. It will come in handy when leaving the islands. While you don’t have to bring a passport, it will expedite your journey home.
-If you don’t bring a passport, you’ll need to bring proof of citizenship in order to leave the island such as your birth certificate.
-The British Virgin Islands are a stone’s throw from St. John. Don’t forget you’ll have to pass customs & immigration should you want to make a visit, but hopefully timing is on your side that day!
-Be sure to either turn off your roaming or go on airplane mode when visiting the northern beaches as they’re so close to the BVIs and sometimes your provider will switch to their towers.
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