Visit the Idyllic Island of St. John
St. John in the Caribbean is the most pristine of the three US Virgin Islands.
The nine-mile-long, three-mile-wide island of St. John is truly one of the most beautiful of all Caribbean islands. The smallest of the three U.S. Virgin Islands, St. John is not only picturesque, but it's also a nature lover's paradise, with nearly two-thirds of the island covered by a protected national park.
For visitors and residents, that means this lovely little island will stay beautiful for years to come. While many Caribbean islands have succumbed to growth and overwhelming tourism, St. John will remain much as it is today.
The National Park
Much of the land that makes up the U.S. Virgin Island National Park was purchased and donated to the United States by philanthropist Laurance Rockefeller, son of John D. and brother of Nelson. He also helped fund the expansion of many other national parks throughout the nation.
Visitors to the national park portion of St. John will find so much to explore, including more than 800 species of magnificent tropical plants and plenty of wildlife.
If you prefer, you can sit on the white sandy beaches, shaded by swaying coconut palms, or scuba dive through the abundant coral reefs found in the turquoise waters here.
The remains of Danish Colonial sugar plantations make for interesting sightseeing and you may even spy some Pre-Columbian Amerindian artifacts on this island which is rich in history. The miles and miles of hiking trails throughout the park provide guests with the opportunity to view many of these sites.
Trunk Bay, one of the world's most exquisite beaches, and Annaberg, site of the plantation ruins, are the most visited sections of the park. Visitors to the Trunk Bay region can charter a sailboat, take a snorkeling excursion, kayak, swim, windsurf, or parasail.
Lodging in the national park on St. John is available at the Cinnamon Bay Campground. The Virgin Islands National Park Archaeological Lab is located near the campground and is a fun place for guests of all ages to visit.
Some of the world's leading eco-resorts are also located on St. John, but visitors who book these resorts certainly won't be "roughing it." Most are more than ample, with modern amenities, and some of them are downright luxurious!
Outside the National Park
At first glance, St. John appears to be an eco-tourist's heaven. While that may be true, the fact remains that the island also offers enough luxury to keep all kinds of tourists happy, including those who'd rather not spend their time hiking through national parks and hobnobbing with local wildlife.
If you're looking for the best in accommodations, you'll find a few luxury resorts on the island and many elaborate villas that are available for rental, with amenities and views that will knock your socks off.
Restaurants on St. John are surprisingly varied, despite the small size of the island. Guests will find everything from funky beach bars and grills to international cuisine including Italian, French, Chinese, Tex-Mex, West Indian, and Caribbean. The seafood is phenomenal!
While neighboring St. Thomas is the shopping capital of the U.S. Virgin Islands, the shops on this island are much more upscale and interesting, devoid of the cheap souvenir shacks that sell mugs, refrigerator magnets, and snowglobes.
Getting Here, Getting Around
St. John does not have its own airport. Visitors will fly to St. Thomas and take the 20 minute ferry ride to the capital city of Cruz Bay.
Once there, the bus service is fine and will get you where you need to go. You can also hop a ride on an open-air taxi, which are quite reasonably priced. However, it's even more fun to rent a car and explore the island, especially in a Jeep or 4-wheel drive vehicle.