Top Things to do in St. John
What to do and see in St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands: The Best Things to do
Ecotourism is alive and kicking on St. John. There's more than enough to do on land, from watching for wildlife in the national park to hiking miles of trails or strolling sandy white beaches. Hit the water for amazing snorkeling, swimming, even underwater photography—of course. This is the Caribbean, after all.
Restaurants in St. John
1. Salomon Beach
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 184 reviews
Reviewed By cebirch25
This beautiful and tranquil little beach is just a short hike off Lind Point Trail. Its definitely worth the hike and you are rewarded with a calming, beautiful beach. We loved this place, even had a little picnic on the beach.
2. Ram Head Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 327 reviews
Reviewed By leighi2019 - Greenville, United States
Awesome Hike with Awesome Views! I recommend tennis shoes or hiking boots. Best for early morning or late afternoon as it gets hot-amazing views. Landscape dotted with cactus along the way. Our favorite hike while in St John! Hit the Salt Pond beach afterwards! Others have provided information on where to park and how to get to the hike. Very cool to cross over the Blue Cobblestone Beach on the way up!
3. Maho Bay Beach
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2,679 reviews
Reviewed By LR417 - Barnegat, United States
This beach is absolutely beautiful. However, snorkeling is only average as there is virtually no coral. No schools of brightly colored tropical fish. However, turtles, sting rays and some large fish were sighted. The beach offers a bar, refreshments and rudimentary bathroom facilities. The taxi ride from the ferry in St John also offered glimpses of other pretty west side beaches.
4. Inter Island Boat Service
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 117 reviews
Passenger ferry between the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands. Routes include Jost Van Dyke, Virgin Gorda, Anegada, Tortola, St. John and St. Thomas.
Reviewed By Mermaidtraveler - Charleston, United States
I love taking Crown Bay Ferry and I use it as often as I can on my many visits to St John. Novelle and his crew are kind and personable and fun. So nice not to have to long bumpy ride to Red Hook. Just a 5 minute taxi ride to Crown Bay, get a drink at Tickles and have a lovely ride with handsome and gracious Novelle over to ST John. Great start to your trip!
5. Coral Bay
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 204 reviews
A home decidedly away from home for a number of U.S. expats who now reside in this eclectic community.
Reviewed By Cosmopolitan724616 - Wailea, United States
Peaceful, gorgeous location. aqua bistro for the best food take out we thought. zemi had the coolest most unique jewelery on the island, and the best prices. beaches are just about as close from this side. you do need a vehicle, a jeep most likely. miss lucy's is great for a laid back meal on the water. flyaway charters leaves for private boat snorkel tours out of coral bay and was the best snorkeling we have done anywhere. we hit cruz bay about once a week for a meal, gas and extra food shopping but didn't miss the crowds of tourists at all. if you are coming to party stay in cruz bay. if you want to enjoy the natural splendor of st john and try to enjoy the local culture when you travel, coral bay will give you more of that.
6. Trunk Bay Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,000 reviews
The good news: this world-class stretch of white sand and turquoise water is St. John's most photographed beach, which features a marked underwater trail for beginning snorkelers. The bad news: because of its popularity, it can get very crowded with cruise ship passengers and members of sightseeing tours.
Reviewed By Sinceshea - New Jersey, United States
We go to trunk bay from St Thomas quite often for the beautiful clear water, terrific snorkeling path and amenities such as bar, showers and lunch if desired. The snorkeling trail is comprised of monuments affixed to the ocean floor explaining what sights are in immediate view, i.e. coral, fish species etc. The monuments are some 20 feet deep however can be clearly seen in the crystal clear waters. Sargassum (sea weed) has plagued a number of beaches in the VI but not Trunk. After your visit to the beach, you can shower up and hit the great happy hour spots on St John. It’s a great day! Returning in 6 weeks again for the 5th time.
7. Francis Bay
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 367 reviews
A pretty and amenable bay on St. Johns north shore. Beware: no changing facilities here.
Reviewed By KEITHE15
Francis has become our favorite beach on St. John. It's super peaceful and the views are spectacular and the fish feeding in the bay are fun to watch. There are always plenty of turtles to see and the reefs along the right side are amazing. We call that area "the aquarium" because of all the fish we see. We spent two days there on this past trip and can't wait to get back.
8. Little Lameshur Bay
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 176 reviews
Bay with a beautiful, broad beach that is ideal for swimming and snorkeling, with a view of Bordeaux Mountain, the island's highest point at 1,277 feet, in the background.
Reviewed By dann2277 - Rochester, United States
Found this beach by google maps. We were worried about getting there from the reviews but it was not that bad at all ( were from the country. Those from the city may have a heart attack) when we got there there was a maintained bathroom and trash cans. Beach was nice the 10-12 feet of rock before getting to the sand in the beach. Go to the left side of the bay for some great snorkeling. It really was awesome. It was a rough water day everywhere else but this bay was pretty quiet
9. Lind Point Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 73 reviews
Reviewed By JudyK288 - Boston, United States
Starts at the National Park Building (bathrooms and cold water for free, sunscreen and shirt for sale, maps also available). Free parking if you get there early and get one of the passes from the rangers. The trail splits into an upper (harder with better views) or lower (more moderate and direct) spurs. The hike to Honeymoon is about 1.25 miles taking 30-40 minutes and is moderate. Solomon is about 10 minutes less. There are no services at Solomon but Honeymoon has bathrooms, waterspouts/chair rentals, gift shop, drinks (with and without alcohol) and food available. Solomon is more secluded. There are a few nice views along the trail (more with the upper spur) but it is mostly in the wooded area. It is a dirt path with lots of rocks.
10. Virgin Islands Ferry - Red Hook
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,490 reviews
Reviewed By deannam1966
Easy 15 minute ride from St Thomas to St John. You can sit up top and soak up some sun in the day time or star gaze on a night ride back. Or you can take a seat inside especially if it’s raining. There is a lot of room for groups and the seats are bench style with a back rest. They play fun music during the ride as well. The boat leaves every hour so you can easily take a quick ride to St John from St Thomas to shop, spend a day at the beach, enjoy a nice dinner and then head back. Loved it!!
