20 Finest Issues to Do on St. John

Discover Virgin Islands Nationwide Park.

Virgin Islands Nationwide Park is the jewel of St. John and the spotlight of any go to to the island. Over 20 completely different mountaineering trails zigzag by means of the park and lower by means of its quite a few ecosystems, whereas its white-sand seashores, just like the world-famous Trunk Bay, are among the hottest locations on the island. Whether or not you are occupied with visiting historic websites, snorkeling at colourful reefs, or having fun with a calming seashore day in paradise, you could possibly simply spend your whole journey to St. John exploring simply throughout the bounds of the park.

Rejoice St. John Carnival.

The beloved St. John Carnival concurrently celebrates the founding of the USA on July 4, 1776 and the abolition of slavery on July 3, 1848, bringing music, dance, meals, and loads of fanfare throughout the island. Whereas the celebrations are usually smaller than these on neighboring St. Croix and St. Thomas, they’re sufficient to maintain even essentially the most energetic customer busy and value a summertime journey to the island. It is probably the greatest methods to expertise “the island’s wealthy cultural tapestry,” mentioned Joseph Boschulte, former commissioner of tourism for the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Spot Taino petroglyphs.

There is no want to go to a museum on St. John. Etched in a rock face on the base of a plunging waterfall, historical petroglyphs carved by the Indigenous Taino peoples provide a little-seen window into the island’s wealthy previous. The Reef Bay Path that takes guests to the location cuts previous 4 former sugar plantations, making it a historic strolling tour amongst a few of St. John’s most spectacular landscapes.

Chill out at a personal villa.

There are not any outsized all-inclusive resorts to talk of on St. John; as an alternative, renting a villa is the most well-liked lodging selection for guests. Onefinestay boasts round 40 non-public villas for lease on St. John, together with every part from intimate cottages with ocean views to palatial estates with non-public swimming pools. The concierge workforce at Onefinestay units it aside and may information friends’ itineraries and organize for native experiences to assist take the stress out of planning a visit.

Go to a floating taco bar.

What could possibly be higher than snacking on tacos from the nice and cozy waters of the Caribbean? “Lime Out is located in the course of Coral Bay on a floating pontoon. This delectable choice additionally has underwater seats to maintain friends afloat whereas having fun with their tasty tacos and a number of draft beer and drinks,” shared Michele Bayens, former director of concierge providers of Onefinestay. It is simply as dreamy because it sounds. Word that the bar is barely accessible by boat, however not kayaks or stand-up paddleboards.

Store at Wharfside Village in Cruz Bay.

A few of the greatest buying in St. John may be discovered at Wharfside Village, steps away from the harbor within the island’s largest city of Cruz Bay. After a day of perusing the retailers, cease at Excessive Tide Bar & Seafood Grill for the island’s greatest conch fritters. Coral Bay and Mongoose Junction are St. John’s different buying locations.

Dive at Eagle Shoals.

“The protected waters in Virgin Islands Nationwide Park make St. John a paradise for divers searching for lovely wildlife,” mentioned Kristina Leadbeater from PADI. Eagle Shoals is a memorable dive website, full with a dramatic cave generally known as the Cathedral. The cave and surrounding extensions of reefs maintain unimaginable wildlife, together with tropical fish, manta rays, and even an occasional shark.

Comply with a snorkeling path at Trunk Bay.

St. John has a lot to supply beneath the waves, even for many who aren’t divers. Trunk Bay’s Underwater Snorkel Path is a 650-foot-long sea path full with underwater plaques figuring out the corals, vegetation, fish, and turtles that inhabit these crystalline waters for essentially the most informative swim of your life.

Snorkeling apart, stretching out on the pristine sands of Trunk Bay, thought of one of many greatest seashores within the Caribbean, is a spotlight of any go to to the island.

Attempt native island dishes.

St. Croix could earn the title of the culinary capital of the U.S. Virgin Islands, however St. John has some hidden gastronomic gems that embrace the most effective of the Caribbean’s flavors. Roadside spots serve up standbys like barbecue and the nationwide dish of fish and fungi. With a each day rotating menu of island favorites like curried goat, oxtail, or the catch of the day, Ekaete Pink Nook feels and tastes as native because it will get. 

Camp on the seashore.

Vacationers seeking to get nearer to nature in St. John can skip the luxe villa for an expertise solely steps from the waves and below the celebs. Cinnamon Bay Seaside & Campground is the one location inside Virgin Islands Nationwide Park that allows tenting, although it additionally presents cottages and totally geared up eco-tents, plus a restaurant and meals truck, for these guests searching for just a few easy luxuries.

Go to the historic Annaberg Sugar Plantation.

The historical past of the U.S. Virgin Islands is marked by its reliance on the labor of enslaved peoples in its sugarcane fields. The ruins of Annaberg Sugar Plantation, established in 1722, provide a peek at each the each day lives of the enslaved individuals who lived right here and the important function of sugar within the island’s financial system. Open each day and administered by the Nationwide Park Service, the location presents free admission to all. 

Snorkel at a singular wreck website.

St. John is fringed with dozens of seashores, however the waters off Cinnamon Bay Seaside have just a few distinctive points of interest for snorkelers. “A considerable desk reef may be present in 5 to fifteen toes of water for those who go snorkeling off the japanese finish of the seashore,” Bayens mentioned. “There’s an fascinating submerged plane wreckage right here—it is little greater than a small aircraft’s motor, prop, and part of wing, however in eight toes or much less of shallow water, it is an fascinating sight!”

Discover the island on foot.

Miles of trails crisscross St. John, making the island a paradise for avid hikers and learners alike. Lind Level Path presents spectacular vistas on its 2.3-mile route from Cruz Bay to Salomon Seaside and Honeymoon Seaside. Ram Head Path is a little more difficult however presents much more spectacular views. Get an early begin to keep away from the warmth, and produce a washing go well with to take a dip the place the path meets the ocean.

Take pleasure in dwell music at Miss Lucy’s.

Thursday nights are the proper time to go to family-owned beachfront staple Miss Lucy’s in Coral Bay due to dwell music that pulls locals and guests alike. Well-known for favourite island dishes like conch fritters and Callaloo soup, Miss Lucy’s additionally serves up a signature grouper Reuben sandwich price crossing the island for.

Sip a painkiller cocktail.

The painkiller is a staple on almost each cocktail menu on St. John. Whereas the unique painkiller cocktail was created on the island of Jost Van Dyke within the neighboring British Virgin Islands, this must-try beverage options basic tropical flavors like coconut, orange, and pineapple. The unique recipe requires the darkish, spiced Pusser’s Rum, so make certain to request it together with your order.

Spot sea turtles at Maho Bay Seaside.

With a lot of the shoreline of St. John protected as a part of Virgin Islands Nationwide Park, the seashores on St. John are a haven for a number of species of turtles. Snorkelers and divers are sometimes fortunate sufficient to share a swim with a turtle or two, however for the most effective probability of recognizing these mild giants, head to Maho Bay Seaside. Beds of seagrass make the waters of the bay notably interesting to turtles, whereas beautiful white sand and close by food and drinks distributors make it among the many most beloved seashores on the island.

Sail round St. John—and past.

Sundown sails that includes tasty bites and drinks are among the hottest experiences for guests to St. John, whereas daytime excursions provide easy accessibility to the island’s greatest seashores and hard-to-reach snorkel and dive websites. Full-day sails additionally take passengers to neighboring islands, together with St. Thomas and British Virgin Islands locations like Jost Van Dyke. 

Meditate with ocean views.

Gorgeous vistas of the Caribbean from the historic Peace Hill Windmill make it the proper spot for a sundown meditation session, supplied on Sundays at 5:45 p.m. To get there, hike or drive alongside North Shore Highway, or take the free shuttles from the Cruz Bay ferry dock and the Hawksnest car parking zone. 

Catch an exhibit at Bajo El Sol.

The eclectic Bajo El Sol in Mongoose Junction is equal components gallery, bookstore, cafe, and occasion area that highlights the most effective of the native artwork scene within the U.S. Virgin Islands. Cease by to catch a brand new exhibit or a poetry studying, or come again for joyful hour when the area converts right into a rum and cocktail bar.

Get a hen’s-eye view on North Shore Highway.

Taxis in St. John may be prohibitively costly, costing as much as $30 per passenger for even a brief drive, so contemplate renting a automobile for those who’re seeking to discover the island. Benefit from the liberty and head to North Shore Highway for a few of St. John’s most scenic views. Vistas overlooking Trunk Bay, Maho Bay, and Caneel Bay make for an unforgettable drive.