Looking for the best things to do in St John USVI? Check out these 25 breathtaking ideas you won’t soon forget!
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If sandy white beaches and crystal clear aqua blue water are calling your name, a trip to St John may just be in order for you.
The smallest of the three US Virgin Islands, St John is nestled in the eastern Caribbean sea just east of its more well known counterpart St Thomas.
Though it’s not the largest of the US Virgin Islands, St John arguably has some of the most unique and breathtaking things to do in the Virgin Islands.
From countless fine dining experiences to swimming with sea turtles, there’s something for almost any traveler to enjoy on the island.
Keep reading to learn more about the best attractions in St John and how you can start planning your trip to this unforgettable destination today.
Where to Stay in St John (Best Resorts in St John US Virgin Islands)
Before you start drafting your St John itinerary and exploring the best things to do in St John USVI, you of course may be considering where to stay in St John.
Luckily, we’ve rounded up a few of what we consider the best resorts in St John US Virgin Islands to help you start planning your vacation the right way.
Gallows Point Resort
For the ultimate oceanfront experience, Gallows Point should be your go-to when it comes to where to stay in St John.
This luxury resort is conveniently located just a five minute walk from Cruz Bay and boasts newly renovated oceanfront villas with countless amenities.
The resort also offers an on-site restaurant, pool, and jacuzzi in case you don’t feel like straying too far from home for the day.
The Westin St. John Resort Villas
Another luxurious option for where to stay in St John is of course The Westin St. John Resort Villas.
The Westin offers several different villa styles that range from quaint studios to townhouses that can comfortably accommodate up to eight adults.
Not to mention, the resort features it’s own private beach and water activities for your convenience.
Estate Lindholm
If you enjoy staying at unique properties, you can’t beat Estate Lindholm.
Located on the hillside overlooking Cruz Bay, this intimate tropical inn is set among restored Danish ruins originally dating back to the 1720’s.
While the property isn’t quite as conveniently located (you can expect about a 15 minute walk to the St John ferry docks), the property offers breathtaking views, a pool, daily breakfast, and of course a fascinating history you won’t soon forget.
Related: A Weekend in Nashville — 14 Unforgettable Things to Do
25 Most Breathtaking Things to Do in St John USVI (Best Attractions in St John)
1. Swim With the Sea Turtles at Maho Beach
There’s not many opportunities in everyday life to swim with sea turtles, is there?
That’s why we think snorkeling at Maho Beach is one of the best attractions in St John that you cannot miss.
While you may see turtles at other popular beaches (we’ve spotted them at Honeymoon Beach before as well), Maho Beach is the most well known location on St John for spotting and swimming with sea turtles.
There are so many amazing snorkel locations throughout the island, but this is definitely one you won’t want to skip.
Pro Tip: Make sure to invest in a full face snorkel mask prior to your trip! We loved these masks and won’t go back to anything else now that we’ve tried them. While they are available for purchase and/or rental on the island, it is much more economically savvy to purchase one online and bring your own!
2. Relax at Honeymoon Beach
If you’re in search of the perfect beach day, Honeymoon Beach is the ideal location for just that.
While there is a short hike to reach this secluded beach by foot (or you can also take the trolley here), we love everything about it.
For starters, if you don’t have your own beach chairs they are conveniently available here for rental.
There are also beautiful beachfront cabanas with outdoor couches and other furniture that you can purchase for the day, if you’re looking for an even more luxurious experience.
Other amenities at Honeymoon Beach include a snack bar with full lunch options and watersport rentals.
You simply can’t go wrong.
Pro Tip: Capture your underwater adventures with a GoPro! We saw all kinds of underwater wildlife from sea turtles to squid while snorkeling at Honeymoon Beach, and I really wish we had brought our GoPro with us so we could have gotten footage while there.
3. Visit Trunk Bay Beach
You can’t visit St John and skip a visit to Trunk Bay Beach.
Trunk Bay Beach is by far the most famous beach on the island, featuring over a quarter mile of beautiful white sand and blue waters.
Trunk Bay Beach is also another great snorkel location and is a National Park.
This does mean there is a small fee to get into the park, but we say it’s totally worth it to spend the day here!
Pro Tip: Don’t forget to pack your reef safe mineral sunscreen! It’s much more expensive to buy on the island (about double the price you see online at most stores!), and you’ll definitely want this if you’re planning on going in the ocean and/or snorkeling.
4. Explore the Island By Jeep
While it can certainly be appealing to spend all of your days on St John cozied up at the island’s various beaches, you’ll want to take at least one day to explore the rest of the terrain by Jeep.
Jeeps are by far the most popular vehicle on St John, and due to the winding, sometimes slippery roads it makes total sense.
Since St John is only nine miles long, it really doesn’t take that long to explore the entire island by car either.
In fact, it only took us a couple of hours to make our way all the way from Cruz Bay to the other side of the island.
This also included stopping for pictures at the various lookouts and of course visiting with the wildlife while in Coral Bay.
5. Shop at Mongoose Junction
While exploring Mongoose Junction won’t likely take up your whole day, it should still be on your list of things to do in St John USVI while you’re here.
Mongoose Junction is the main shopping center in St John, which features a variety of boutiques, restaurants, and bars.
It’s just a short walk from the downtown area of Cruz Bay, and this will likely be where you will find some of your favorite souvenirs during your trip.
6. Take a Day Charter
Other than exploring the island by Jeep, what’s the best way to get to know St John?
By boat, of course!
There’s no better way to spend a day in St John than by taking a day charter.
Whether you simply like to cruise and sightsee, or you’d rather hit up all the most popular snorkel spots, there is certainly something for everyone when you take a day charter in St John.
There are plenty of tour companies to choose from but our personal favorite so far is The Voodoo, which offers USVI/BVI day trips, sunset cruises, night snorkeling, private charters, and more.
7. Take a Sunset Cruise
If a day charter isn’t up your alley, why not try a sunset cruise?
This is the perfect opportunity to see the island from a different perspective and take in St John’s gorgeous sunsets.
Just make sure you bring your camera!
Pro Tip: It can rain quite a bit on the island, so make sure to invest is a waterproof phone case or bag to protect your belongings!
8. Buy Spices St John Spice Company
If you enjoy cooking, make sure to visit St John Spice Company while you’re on the island.
This award-winning shop offers the largest collection of spices, rubs, and hot sauces in the Caribbean.
The store also has a variety of coffees, teas, and other goods for sale as well.
Just walking into the store for the aroma alone is worth it!
9. Explore the Annaberg Sugar Plantation Ruins
St John is surprisingly a very interesting destination for history buffs.
The island is home to multiple ruins dating back to the 18th century when the island was settled by the Danish and became home to over 100 sugar cane, cotton, and tobacco plantations.
The Annaberg Sugar Plantation Ruins are the most extensive ruins on St John and definitely one of our favorite things to do in St John USVI, especially for first time visitors of the island.
10. Treat Yourself to a Four Course Meal at Lime Inn
Aside from its beautiful beaches and tropical climate, St John is also well known for it’s cuisine.
While there aren’t many establishments you can really wrong with on the island, make sure to book a reservation at Lime Inn during your stay.
You’ll love their decadent four course menu that makes for a truly luxurious dining experience, and the homemade key lime pie is worth the trip alone.
We’ve eaten what has been voted the best key lime pie in the country in Florida, and we actually think this version at Lime Inn tops it!
11. Eat Local at Extra Virgin Bistro
Looking for arguably the best pasta on the island? Or how about some house made ricotta?
Head over to Extra Virgin Bistro for some of the best local fare in town.
Best known for their tasty pasta dishes, Extra Virgin features locally grown herbs (most of which are actually grown on site) and fresh caught fish along with a variety of other decadent dishes.
This one dinner venue you won’t want to miss during your trip.
12. Hangout at Beach Bar
Wondering where to spend the evening in St John?
Beach Bar is exactly as its name implies, and it is the perfect nighttime hangout spot on St John.
You’ll love the beachfront water access and live music, which makes this one of our favorite bars and things to do in St John USVI.
The bar offers a schedule of live music on their website, along with two continuous live webcams so you can check out the St John happenings even from afar.
13. Get Wine & Cheese at Kati Ligo Wine Bar
If you’re a wine lover, a trip to Kati Ligo Wine Bar may end up being one of your favorite things to do in St John USVI.
This Greek bistro and wine bar offers over 200 wines along with several different small plate options for a sophisticated evening on the island.
14. Hike Petroglyph Trail
Not only is St John an ideal place to relax and unwind, but it’s also the perfect destination for those who enjoy being active with several national parks and countless hiking trails to explore on the island.
We particularly recommend checking out Petroglyph Trail, where you can uncover the mysterious rock art carvings along the trail, which represent St John’s unique history and the cultures that inhabited the island over the years.
15. Listen to Live Music at The Landing
St John has several venues that offer live music during the evening, one of which includes The Landing.
Located right in the heart of Cruz Bay, this is the perfect location for either a casual dinner or a quick stop to enjoy the music.
The Landing is also home to a coffee bar during the day and a fantastic breakfast menu as well, so it’s not only a nighttime point of interest!
Our personal favorites include The Landing’s chai latte and huevos rancheros.
You also can’t go wrong with The Landing Shrimp for a quick afternoon bite in town.
16. Hangout at Francis Beach
There are so many incredible beaches to choose from in St John, but Francis Beach happens to be some locals’ favorite.
Known for being less populated than some of the more well known beaches on St John, Francis Bay Beach is a great spot if you’re looking to get away from the crowds.
Like many of St John’s other beaches, this is another excellent spot for snorkeling, lounging, and simply relaxing.
Pro Tip: Before heading to the beach, make sure to grab our favorite sand-resistant beach towels! These are the beach towels we swear by, because they are super quick dry, sand resistant, and also fold up and fit perfectly into the small drawstring back they come with. They do sell these towels in St John (that’s where we bought ours), but if we had known ahead of time we would have just brought them with us!
17. Hike Lind Point Trail
If you’re not into an all-day hiking adventure but still want to give the trails a go, make sure you check out Lind Point Trail.
This 20-40 minute hike is fairly mild, and there are several different paths you can take including routes to Salomon and Honeymoon Beach.
Make sure you bring your camera too, as you’ll certainly want to stop for a spell and grab a few shots at the Cruz Bay Overlook.
18. Take Pictures from the Lookouts
There are countless photo ops on St John that make the island a photographer’s dream.
While there are plenty of ways to get creative, one of the easiest ways to get a great shot is of course stopping by the many lookouts on the island to capture the beautiful beaches from above.
Keep an eye out as you’re driving around the island so you don’t miss them!
Pro Tip: Want to take your photography to the next level? Check out the exact camera gear we use below.
19. Get Sunset Drinks at The Windmill
Looking for the best spot to watch the sunset in St John?
Check out The Windmill Bar.
We heard many great things about this location during our trip, and it is well known as the best spot to grab a sunset drink.
20. Party at DRINK
While St John is a small island, there are still plenty of opportunities for bar hopping on the island.
Our personal favorite however is DRINK, which is conveniently located right on the outskirts of downtown Cruz Bay.
Not only is the music and outdoor atmosphere top notch, but you’ll definitely enjoy their gourmet bushwackers too (you can’t go wrong with the Nutella or Oreo flavors!).
21. Grab a Frozen Treat at Irie Pop
There are only a few ice cream shops located on the island, but you’ll want to make sure you stop by Irie Pop at some point during your trip for a frozen treat.
We can’t get enough of their dairy-free soft serve, and they also offer a variety of colorful homemade popsicles as well for a refreshing snack.
22. Check out the Catherineberg Ruins
If you love history, make sure to stop by the Catherineberg Ruins during your trip to St John.
The Catherineberg Ruins are some of the best preserved ruins on the island and are the remainder of the sugar and rum plantation that existed during the 18th century.
They’re a history lovers dream and also a great spot to take some unique photos.
23. Relax at Cinnamon Bay Beach
For long walks on the beach, hit up Cinnamon Bay.
Cinnamon Bay Beach is the longest beach on St John, and it’s sure to be one of your favorite places to relax during your stay.
24. Explore the Cinnamon Bay Sugar Mill Ruins
Another perk to spending the day at Cinnamon Bay Beach is of course the opportunity to explore the Cinnamon Bay Sugar Mill Ruins.
The ruins are conveniently located across the street from the beach and provide an interesting reprieve from the sun.
25. Personalize Your Very Own Hook Bracelet
Before you leave, don’t forget to bring home a reminder of your trip with your very own hook bracelet!
Hook bracelets are a traditional island symbol of love, and display whether the wearer is single or taken depending on which direction the hook is worn.
Some shops even offer options for personalization with different gemstones, to make your hook bracelet truly your own.
What are your favorite things to do in St John USVI?
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