The smallest and least-developed of the U.S. Virgin Islands — nearly two-thirds of it protected as Virgin Islands National Park, home to Trunk Bay, Cinnamon Bay and some of the best beaches in the Caribbean.
St. John is the smallest of the three U.S. Virgin Islands and by far the least developed — roughly two-thirds of the island and much of its surrounding water are protected as Virgin Islands National Park, land largely donated by Laurance Rockefeller in 1956. There's no airport and no cruise-ship pier; most visitors arrive by ferry from St. Thomas. View map →
What development exists is centered on Cruz Bay, the island's one real town — everywhere else is beach, trail or forest. Read the full fact sheet →
Nationality: U.S. citizens (no vote in presidential elections) · Size: 50.8 km² (19 sq mi) · roughly two-thirds is Virgin Islands National Park
Island stations, live.
Our community of featured businesses is growing, making it even easier to discover and support local favorites.
Island Life Jeep Tours All destinations are customized with your driver the morning of your trip, to fit your vacation dreams. Their tours include: private tour guide with local knowledge of the islands, brand new Rubicon Jeeps, pick up and drop off, snorkel gear, cooler, unlimited Rum/Vodka + (mixers), water, soda, juice, Tervis tumblers for the day, noodles, swim vest, beach chairs, car chargers
★ Cool factor: Customizeable Tours Visit site
Patagon Scuba Dive Center is a PADI 5-Star Dive Operation. They are celebrating their 20 years in service Their Patagon Dive Centers are located at: Saint Thomas: The Ritz-Carlton, and Saint John: Caneel Bay, A Rosewood Resort Experience the waters of the Virgin Islands "Patagon Style"! Their multilingual staff can instruct SCUBA in English, Spanish, Italian, German, and French. Come enjoy a professional and personalized underwater experience!
★ Cool factor: They operate from a 5 star location! Visit site
US Virgin Islands Each of our three major islands has a unique character all its own. St. Croix's Danish influence is perfect for visitors who prefer a laid-back experience. Two-thirds of St. John is a national park. Its comfortable pace is perfect for enjoying the island's world-renowned beaches. St. Thomas boasts one of the most beautiful harbors in the world. As the most visited port in the Caribbean, downtown Charlotte Amalie offers elegant dining, exciting nightlife, duty-free shopping and even submarine rides.
★ Cool factor: No passports required for US citizens Visit site
Premier Destination Services is the DMC (Destination Managment Company) in St. Thomas and St. John, US Virgin Islands and specializes in service management for corporate groups and incentive groups whether it's group-travel, accommodation or corporate-entertainment. Experience the Best these Caribbean islands have to offer!
★ Cool factor: Serves both St. Thomas and St. John Visit site
gandor.tv specializes in creating, maintaining, hosting and promoting websites in the Caribbean. They are known for their customer service, maintenance packages, fast response, e-commerce, booking systems and social media magic and creation of advertisments.
★ Cool factor: They create, maintain, host and promote websites. Visit site
Tap And Still has three branches, in Havensight and Redhook in St. Thomas and Cruzbay, St. John. Join them for melt in your mouth smash 1/4 pounders, home made veggie burgers, 1lb hotdogs, wings, tap beer and so much more! They have regular theme night parties, bands and DJs.
★ Cool factor: Best burgers and beers in the US Virgin Islands Visit site
Sunfari VI Jeep Tours. Our philosophy behind our company is to offer tours that are not only personal & private , but affordable as well. At Sunfari we're about making the smallest footprint while still enjoying all of what our beautiful island has to offer you. Sightseeing, hiking, beaches, snorkeling, paddle boards, kayaks & even powerboating. We have it all & will customize your day to exactly how you wish!
★ Cool factor: Mad Max style jeeps Visit site
JeepsVI.com specializes in renting Jeep Wranglers on St. Thomas US Virgin Islands. St. Thomas is relatively mountainous and nothing can get over these hills as effectively as a Jeep Wrangler. Rent a jeep and go island hopping. There are regular car ferries between St. Thomas and St.John, US Virgin Islands.
★ Cool factor: Visit St. John with car ferry! Visit site
Budget has been providing the U.S. Virgin Islands with outstanding service for more than 20 years. They have the largest selection of well-maintained vehicles at low, low prices. They also offer mini-lease plans, and quality pre-owned vehicles. With locations all over St. Thomas and St. John, Budget can meet all of your rental needs.
★ Cool factor: $1 500 worth of coupons to every customer. Visit site
Caribbean Blue Boat Charters is a boat chartering, boat renting company based in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands, and do tours all over the US and British Virgin Islands. You could rent a boat and captain it on your own or request for a captain and crew.
★ Cool factor: Pick your destination. They'll take you there. Visit site
Thrifty Car Rental and Dollar Rent a Car encourage you to maximize your stay by exploring. They are independently owned and operated, both Thrifty Car Rental and Dollar Rent a Car encourage you to maximize your stay by exploring both St. Thomas AND St. John US Virgin Islands with your vehicle. Enjoy the island's lowest rates and select from a variety of new, luxurious vehicles. Experience the island famous, eco-friendly propane powered shuttle to and from the Cyril E. King airport in air conditioned luxury! Call for reservations.
★ Cool factor: Free and quick Shuttle Service to and from airport! Visit siteNo businesses in this category yet.
Real, lived-in advice from travellers and locals — trip reports, packing lists and the tips that make a Caribbean vacation go smoothly.
These St. John tours or activities are independently operated. After booking, the tour operator will contact you directly with your reservation details.
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The stories behind the postcard — a few things worth knowing before you go.
Roughly two-thirds of St. John and much of its surrounding waters are protected national park — donated largely by Laurance Rockefeller in 1956, making the island one of the least-developed in the Caribbean.
Regularly ranked among the world's most beautiful beaches — a protected underwater snorkeling trail runs along part of the shoreline, marked with underwater signs.
A well-preserved 18th-century Danish sugar plantation ruin inside the National Park, with exhibits on the enslaved people who worked it and the island's colonial history.
The island's one real town — small, walkable and full of local restaurants and shops, and the arrival point for the ferry from St. Thomas.
No airport, no cruise pier and a National Park covering most of the island keep St. John noticeably quieter and slower-paced than St. Thomas.
Ranked by locals — the St. John essentials.
See the island before you go.
“Virgin Islands March”
Arawak peoples settled St. John around A.D. 300, later displaced by Caribs around A.D. 1300. Christopher Columbus sighted the Virgin Islands in 1493, but it was the Danish West India Company that established the first permanent settlement on St. John in 1718, extending Danish colonial control from neighboring St. Thomas.
The Danish crown took direct control of St. John in 1754, developing sugar plantations worked by enslaved Africans — conditions harsh enough to spark one of the largest slave rebellions in the Americas, the 1733 uprising that held parts of the island for months. Slavery was formally abolished in the Danish West Indies on 3 July 1848.
The United States purchased St. John along with St. Thomas and St. Croix from Denmark in 1917 for $25 million in gold, and residents gained U.S. citizenship in 1927; the USVI has elected its own governor since 1972. In 1956, Laurance Rockefeller donated roughly 5,000 acres of St. John land to the federal government, creating Virgin Islands National Park and permanently shaping the island's largely undeveloped character today.
Regularly ranked among the world's most beautiful beaches, with a marked underwater snorkeling trail running along part of the shoreline.
The island's longest beach, backed by National Park campground and hiking trails — great for a full beach day with room to spread out.
A string of seven quiet coves inside the former Caneel Bay resort property, with calm water good for swimming and snorkeling.
A peaceful, less-crowded National Park beach backed by a salt pond that's good for birdwatching — often calmer than Trunk Bay.
Shallow, calm water close to shore makes this a favorite for sea turtle sightings while snorkeling right off the sand.
Tips by Liz Strauss, an experienced traveler and piano entertainer. www.lizpiano.com · Disclosure
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