Two-thirds of St. John is protected Virgin Islands National Park, with powder beaches like Trunk Bay, hiking trails and turtles in Maho Bay. It is reached by ferry from St. Thomas.
Good to know
- US citizens don't need a passport for the USVI but must bring ID to fly.
- Rent a Jeep; roads are narrow, steep and drive on the left.
- Book villas and the car rental early for winter.
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Fresh banana bread, island coffee and breakfast sandwiches in a casual indoor cafe before a beach day.
Waterfront town with shops, open-air bars and the ferry dock, good for dinner and strolling.
Park exhibits on history, culture and wildlife, plus trail maps and ranger talks.
Ruins of a sugar plantation and mill with interpretive signs on the island's slavery-era history.
Paddle along the coast and mangrove shores with a guide, stopping to snorkel.
Famous beach with a marked underwater snorkel trail, soft sand and calm water inside the park.
Snorkel over seagrass beds to swim with green sea turtles that feed just off the beach.
Long sandy beach with watersports and a nature trail through old sugar-mill ruins nearby.
Hike through tropical forest past sugar-mill ruins and ancient rock carvings to the sea.
Quiet beach and a coastal trail to Ram Head's cliffs with views of the open sea.
Floating taco bar with a laid-back crowd and a Coral Bay sunset.
Heart-shaped bay with calm water, one of the world's most beautiful beaches, reached by ferry and taxi.