St. John USVI Travel Guide (Updated 2026): Best Beaches, Hikes & Tips

Home stunning landscapes, some of the world's best beaches, amazing hiking, and more St. John is a hidden paradise in the West Indies. The most popular island in the US Virgin Islands is the neighboring St. Thomas, but most will argue that the most beautiful is St. John. This guide we will go over the best things to do, hikes, beaches, places to stay, hidden gems, and where to dine in St. John, USVI.

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Map Of St. John

About The Virgin Islands

The Virgin Islands were originally inhabited by indigenous tribes (Caribs and Arawaks). In 1493 the first Virgin Islands sighting was by Christopher Columbus. The Danes Colonized the U.S. Virgin islands before selling them to the United States in 1917. So you will find Danish architecture all over the Islands, especially in Charlotte Amalie.

Starting in the 1600s europeans began bringing thousands of slaves from west Africa to the Virgin Islands. A chilling statistic from NBC says that, "on St. Thomas in 1725 there lived 324 whites compared to 4,490 enslaved Africans." Today most of the locals on the Island are of African descent due to the slavery in the 1600s.

The 14,737 acer Virgin Islands National Park holds quite a bit of history. You will find plantations and ruins from the indigenous tribes while hiking in the U.S. Virgin Islands National Park.

🍍Related Article: A Complete St. Thomas Travel Guide

Where To Stay On St. John

Lovango Resort and Beach Club - Luxury St. John Hotel

The Lovango is a hidden gem resort on an island just off of St. John (still considered St. John - 10 min ferry from the island). With easy access to the beach and beautifully appointed rooms, Lovango is a the perfect luxury option! What I loved most about Lovango was the boho decor are jungle feel.

🛎️Check The Latest Prices - Lovango Resort and Beach Club

The Westin - Middle Range St. John Hotel

Located in Cruz Bay, The Westin is the perfect middle range resort on St. John. You will find everything you need at the Westin (outdoor pool, beach access, a gym, easy access to the ferries, and more).

🛎️Check The Latest Prices- The Westin

St. John Inn - Budget St. John Hotel

Honestly there isn't really a budget hotel on St. John, however, the St. John Inn is probably your best bet for a budget option. It's a funky little inn the fully embodies the tropics of St. John with lizard statues and teal walls. It is located within walking distance of Cruz Bay and has everything you could need for a comfortable stay in St. John.

🛎️Budget St. John Hotel - St. John Inn

What To Do On St. John

Explore The Virgin Islands National Park

The Virgin Islands National Park covers about 60% of St. John, so it is unmissable. You will find over thirty hiking trails, hidden beaches, tropical plants, wildlife, and plenty more throughout the Virgin Islands National Park.

Hiking was my favorite thing to do in the Virgin Islands National Park.

I love doing the Lind Point Trail because you will find hidden beaches (Honeymoon Bay Beach and Salomon Bay Beach) along the way. The trial is also flat and easy to walk or run on. Getting to the trail is easy. It is within walking distance of the Cruz Bay ferry point, so there is no need to rent and car. If you go over to the Virgin Islands National Park Information Center, the Lind Point Trail is just a few steps away.

If you are looking for a more challenging hike, checkout Caneel Hill Trail. The Caneel Hill Trail is four miles long and takes around three hours to complete. You will find rough terrain on the trail. We came across slippery rocks, and branches in the middle of the trail. The Caneel Hill Trail was mostly uphill with few flat services so hiking boots are a must. When you get to the top of Caneel Hill you will be greeted with spectacular views of Cruz Bay and surrounding Islands, you can even see St. Croix on some days.

Trunk Bay Beach

Trunk Bay Beach is an award winning beach on the Atlantic side of St. John. Known for its incredible snorkeling, bright blue water, white sand, views of surrounding islands, and enclosed by scenic hills, Trunk Bay Beach cannot be missed.

The best way to get to Trunk Bay if you are not renting a car is by taxi. You can find taxis to Trunk Bay Beach in Cruz Bay by the ferry terminal.

There is an underwater snorkeling trail at Trunk Bay Beach! So make sure to bring or rent snorkeling equipment at the beach, even if you are not into snorkeling it is worth it at Trunk Bay.

You can find a gift shop, restaurant, bar, changing rooms, showers, and bathrooms at Trunk Bay Beach. The admission to the beach is $7.

Cruz Bay

Cruz Bay is definitely worth spending some time exploring. It is easy to add to your St. John Itinerary because you are most likely going to be arriving in Cruz Bay via ferry.

While in Cruz Bay you can enjoy a meal at one of the restaurants, stop by Nazareth Evangelical Lutheran Church, and shop at one of the many stores.

Taino Petroglyphs

You can find ancient Taino petroglyphs on Reef Bay Trail. Craved by indigenous people, these Taino Petroglyphs are believed to be thousands of years old, and carved around nine hundred AD.

The ancient carvings are thought to represent ancestors of the tribe. You can find these Taino Petroglyphs on Reef Bay Trail ann around Trunk Bay.

Maho Bay Beach

Another amazing beach on St. John is Maho Bay Beach. Maho Bay Beach is right next to Trunk Bay Beach and is definitely worth a visit due to its clear water, soft sand, and snorkeling conditions. It is a bit less touristy than the nearby Trunk Bay Beach.

You can find food, drinks, and bathrooms at Maho Bay Beach.

Annaberg Sugar Plantation

Located just east of Trunk Bay Beach and Maho Bay Beach is one of the most historical sites in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Annaberg Sugar Plantation. The construction of the plantation started in 1731 and was used to grow sugar cane. The source of labor at the Annaberg Sugar Plantation was slaves.

You can learn more about the slave trade and the life of a slave on St. John at the Annaberg Sugar Plantation.

Lime Out

Have you heard about the famous floating taco bar yet? Lime Out is an amazing way to experience St. John. Enjoy delicious tacos while on the water. At Lime Out you will find floats that you can sit in or you can just swim around with tacos. It is truly a unique experience that you should try not to miss.

How To Get To St. John

St. John, the smallest island out of the 3 main US Virgin Islands (St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix).

You will most likely be arriving in the USVI in St. Thomas by plane or cruise ship. The largest airport is the Charlotte Amalie Airport (Cyril E. King Airport) in St. Thomas.

You can find direct flights to St. Thomas from New York, Newark, Baltimore, Atlanta, Miami, Philadelphia, Boston, Charlotte, Detroit, Chicago, Orlando, and Fort Lauderdale.

St. John is only accessible by boat. This sounds intimidating, but it is actually easy to get to St. John from St. Thomas. You can catch ferries every hour on the hour from Red Hook, St. Thomas to Cruz Bay, St. John. The Red Hook ferry only takes 20 minutes. There is usually a 10 am ferry from Charlotte Amalie to Cruz Bay that is about 45 minutes.

St. John Restaurants

🍴Dave & Jerry’s Island Steakhouse - Dave & Jerry’s Island Steakhouse is fine dining option on St. John. Located in Cruz Bay, Dave & Jerry’s Island Steakhouse offers culinary delights.

🍴Zozo's - Zozo's offers casual dining with a lovely views overlooking Caneel Bay. Perfect for families, Zozo's is a great option when choosing where to dine on St. John.

🍴St. John Provisions - St. Johns Provisions offer amazing coffee, pastries, and breakfast options. It is a grab and go type of place with outdoor seating.

Hidden Gems In St. John

Saltpond Bay - Saltpond Bay is truly a hidden gem. This beach is gorgeous and is only accessible by a long path (Saltpond Bay Trail). Anyway, this secluded beach is located in the southeastern area of the island in the Virgin Islands National Park.

Gibney Beach - Gibney Beach is a but easier to get to then Saltpond, but it is equally as beautiful. It is tucked away off North Shore Road on the northwestern part of the island. You have to walk on a trail to get there, but it's pretty short.

St. John Travel Guide FAQs:

What is the best month to visit St. John?

The very best time to visit St. John is December - April. But if you are looking for the best prices go during the shoulder seasons May + June.

Is St. John worth visiting?

Yes! St. John is totally worth visiting. If you love gorgeous beaches, hiking, and unique + off the beaten path experiences - you will love St. John.

How many days do you need in St. Johns?

You could do a day trip from St. Thomas to see the highlights or spend a week to lounge on a beach - depends on the kind of trip you are looking for.

St. John Travel Guide Wrap Up

If you have the opportunity to visit St. John - do it. The natural beauty is seriously unmatched. If you liked this post we think you will love our Complete Guide To St. Thomas and our 4 Day USVI Itinerary.