US Virgin Islands Travel Guide to St. Thomas, St. John, St. Croix and Water Island - Island Overview : St. John, US Virgin Islands

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Island Overview : St. John, US Virgin Islands

With two-thirds of the island designated as National Park, St. John is the most undeveloped, easygoing and laid back of the three major USVIs.

There are only two major resorts on the island, and the beaches are unspoiled by large hotels or development. The main industry here is tourism, and there is plenty to do on St. John, despite its small size – just 28 square miles.

A nature lover will have no problem keeping busy on St. John. The island offers many different hiking trails, including easy trails for inexperienced hikers or families with young children, to challenging trails for the avid hiker. You can hike past ruins, through native plants, and end up on one of the island's beautiful beaches with soft, white sand and warm, turquoise water. Trail maps are available, and the V.I. National Park offers guided hikes led by knowledgeable park rangers.

Snorkeling is also a favorite activity on St. John. Several of the island's beautiful beaches boast reefs teeming with colorful fish and underwater wildlife. Venture out on your own, or take advantage of a guided snorkeling tour. Trunk Bay on St. John's north shore features a snorkeling trail, with underwater informational signs, and snorkeling gear can be rented here.

Scuba diving is also popular on St. John, and many different companies offer scuba excursions, ranging from an easy going dive for beginners to more challenging dives for novices. Most scuba companies on St. John will help you get certified.

Boat rentals and charters are available, as well as dinghy rentals and kayak tours. There are many different ways to explore St. John's waters.

To explore St. John by land, take a taxi tour. The island has plenty of taxis – pickup trucks with seats and an awning affixed to the truck bed – and the drivers are knowledgeable when it comes to island history and culture.

Although the island only has two resorts, there is an abundance of luxury villas available for weekly rental. Groups of couples or families traveling together often find that they will spend approximately the same amount of money splitting the cost of a villa as they would spend for a hotel room. Villas offer privacy, many have a pool, and you can choose one to meet your exact specifications, from the view to the location. Most villas feature bedrooms that are exactly the same size, each with a bathroom, so there should be no problems deciding who gets the bigger bedroom.

For those who are traveling on a smaller budget, or who like to be more in touch with nature, St. John has several campgrounds and eco-cabins. They do not have air conditioning, but the trade winds usually provide cooling breezes. Bring your bug spray if you plan on camping to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes and no-see-ums.

A rental car is recommended for getting around the island. Taxis can be used for transportation, but frequent use can get expensive, and depending on the time of day or night, finding a taxi may be difficult. There are plenty of rental car companies on the island that offer a wide range of vehicles to serve your needs, but make sure to book ahead if you are traveling during high season – November through April. If you plan on driving off the beaten path, on unpaved roads, it's advisable to have a vehicle with four wheel drive. Unpaved roads can be difficult to navigate, especially after a good rain. And remember, we drive on the left. The roads are steep, narrow and winy, so take it slow! The speed limit is 10 miles per hour in town, and 20 miles per hour everywhere else.

St. John offers plenty of restaurants and bars to keep you entertained late into the night. Bars in both Coral Bay and Cruz Bay often feature live music. There is an abundance of upscale restaurants that specialize in many different kinds of food, from Italian to Asian to Mediterranean cuisine. During high season, call ahead for reservations. Try out local specialties at one of St. John's food vendors, usually found selling food out of small wooden shacks. The local vendors offer huge portions of food such as stew chicken and patés for a reasonable price.

There are also catering services available that will stock up your villa with provisions before you arrive, or come to your villa to prepare a gourmet meal for your group.

And for free entertainment, don't forget to check out the island's beaches. The north shore boasts soft, white sand beaches with calm, blue waters. Some beaches get crowded with cruise ship passengers, but there are some out of the way beaches as well, where you will often be the only one on the beach.

St. John offers the vacation you are looking for, whether you want a luxury villa and fine dining experience, or a laid-back camping retreat, with plenty of hiking and snorkeling. This Virgin has something for everyone.

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