St. John

Activities

Over 60% of St. John is protected land, 5,000 acres of which was donated to the park service by Laurence Rockefeller in 1956. In part due to the protected land status, St. John is home to some of the most beautiful public access beaches in the world. Trunk Bay is an ADA accessible beach and is renowned for its crystal sands and underwater nature trail. The most popular trek in the National Park, this trail begins on Centerline Road and descends 937 feet through a shady forest. While hiking, you encounter the visible remains of four sugar estates and ancient petroglyph rock carvings. The trail ends at the Reef Bay Plantation ruins near Genti Bay. Part of the island’s National Park, visitors can travel back in time to 1780 when sugar, molasses and rum were produced at this very plantation. Meander among the ruins of the old windmill or catch a cultural demonstration.

Transportation

As a United States territory, there is no passport needed for U.S. citizens. Because there are no airports on St. John, the only access to the island is by boat. A ferry service runs hourly from St. Thomas and daily from Tortola; regular ferries also operate from Virgin Gorda, Jost Van Dyke and Anegada. Once on St. John, Car, Limo and Taxi services are available.

Food & Drink

While St. John is a small, secluded island, you won’t go hungry. Several Caribbean themed restaurants with daily catch seafood will please the palate, while also offering influences from Latin America and the Pacific Rim.