St. John
Though St. John is the smallest of the U.S. Virgin Islands it is by no means boring or uninteresting. A haven for lovers of nature and all things outdoors, roughly 60% of the entire island is dedicated as protected land in the Virgin Islands National Park. There is no airport on the island and is only accessible by boat, making it an unspoiled beauty of seclusion and authenticity. Visit a true tropical island free from tourist activities and crowds at the Virgin Island of St. John.
Trunk bay on St John island, US Virgin Islands
Like the other U.S. Virgin Islands, St. John was at one time controlled by Danish merchants as a colonized Caribbean sugar trading port. Hidden within the lush tropical rainforests of the island are ruins of former sugar plantations that once brought in revenue. Explore the many plantation ruins, old mill towers, and more within the national park. Wander through the Elaine Lone Sprauve Library and Museum located in an old plantation near Cruz Bay and learn about the sugar production industry and the Danish colonization of the islands. Pastor Gardens offers a more controlled beauty with landscaped botanical gardens, a large mini golf course, and a delicious restaurant for a relaxing afternoon.
A tropical paradise, St. John is covered in dense rainforest. Hike through the trees, look out over the bay and Caribbean waters, and explore the ruins along the way. The Reef Bay Trail leads you through areas covered in Arawak Indian petroglyphs among other fascinating finds. Self-guided tours of the Annaberg Historic Trail lead into the ruins of the old Annaberg Sugar Plantation.
St. John’s most visited and most photographed location is Trunk Bay beach, a site of utter Caribbean perfection where the rainforest chases powdery white sand to the blue sea. Rocky outcroppings, untainted beaches, and crystal clear waters make this an extremely popular destination. Watermelon Cay is perhaps the most popular snorkeling destination though Henley Cay, Yawzi Point, and Haulover (North) offer beautiful schools of tropical fish, underwater constructions, and colorful coral reef gardens.
Whether you want to spend the afternoon or your whole vacation on the island, you’re sure to have an amazing time on St. John. If you find that one afternoon isn’t enough time, there are a number of hotels, resorts, inns, and villas on the small island to accommodate your stay.
