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🇻🇮 Virgin Islands · U.S. Territory

St. John

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.

19 sq mi island Cruz Bay main town +1 (340) calling code
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🏛️ Capital: Charlotte Amalie (St. Thomas) 👥 Population: ~3,881 💵 Currency: US Dollar 🕐 Time zone: AST (UTC-4) 🚗 Drives on: the Left ☎️ Calling code: +1 (340)
Get to know it

Mostly National Park, Barely Developed

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 →

See St. John Featured Businesses → See St. John Tours → See Flights to St. John → See CoolestCarib St. John Community →
Flag of the U.S. Virgin Islands

St. John at a Glance

Nationality: U.S. citizens (no vote in presidential elections) · Size: 50.8 km² (19 sq mi) · roughly two-thirds is Virgin Islands National Park

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US Virgin Islands
🧭 Tourism

US Virgin Islands

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
Budget Rentals
🚗 Car Rentals

Budget Rentals

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
Patagon 'Scuba' Dive Center
📍 St. John

Patagon 'Scuba' Dive Center

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
Sunfari VI Jeep Tours
🚙 Tours

Sunfari VI Jeep Tours

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
Island Life Jeep Tours
🚙 Tours

Island Life Jeep Tours

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
Caribberan Blue
🚙 Tours

Caribberan Blue

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
Premier Destination Services
💻 Other Services

Premier Destination Services

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
JeepsVI.com
🚗 Car Rentals

JeepsVI.com

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
Tap And Still
🍽️ Eat & Drink

Tap And Still

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
gandor.tv
💻 Other Services

gandor.tv

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
Thrifty Car Rental and Dollar Rent a Car
🚗 Car Rentals

Thrifty Car Rental and Dollar Rent a Car

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 site

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St. John Tours & Activities

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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Island Chaser Private Yacht Charters
Cruz BayExplore & Book
Picnic Snorkel Sail
Cruz BayExplore & Book
VIPDS - Group Transportation
Cruz BayExplore & Book
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Beyond the beaches

5 Fun Facts About St. John

The stories behind the postcard — a few things worth knowing before you go.

1

Virgin Islands National Park

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.

2

Trunk Bay

Regularly ranked among the world's most beautiful beaches — a protected underwater snorkeling trail runs along part of the shoreline, marked with underwater signs.

3

Annaberg Sugar Plantation

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.

4

Cruz Bay

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.

5

Peaceful Atmosphere

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.

Don't miss

Top 10 Things to Do

Ranked by locals — the St. John essentials.

  • 1Explore Virgin Islands National Park
  • 2Swim at Caneel Bay (see beaches below)
  • 3Snorkel Hawksnest Beach
  • 4Trunk Bay's underwater snorkeling trail
  • 5Hike the Reef Bay Trail
  • 6Scuba dive off Caneel Bay
  • 7Beach bar nightlife in Cruz Bay
  • 8Scenic drives across the island's hills
  • 9Hike to the Coral Bay petroglyphs
  • 10SUP yoga on the water
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Map, Weather & More

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National anthem

“Virgin Islands March”

The serious facts

St. John Fact Sheet

Nationality
U.S. citizens by birth — residents of the U.S. Virgin Islands do not vote in presidential elections and have only non-voting representation in Congress.
Capital
Charlotte Amalie, on St. Thomas, is the USVI territorial capital. Cruz Bay is St. John's own main town — the arrival point for the ferry from St. Thomas and the island's only real commercial center.
Size
50.8 km² (19 sq mi) — the smallest of the three U.S. Virgin Islands.
Population
3,881 as of the 2020 U.S. Census — the smallest population decline of any USVI island, correcting the legacy page's own internally inconsistent "4,300" vs. "4,170 (2010 census)" figures.
Currency
US Dollar. Major credit cards are widely accepted, especially in Cruz Bay.
Government
An organized, unincorporated territory of the United States. Governor: Albert Bryan Jr., currently in his final term. Lieutenant Governor: Tregenza Roach. USVI's non-voting Delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives: Stacey Plaskett.
Time zone
Atlantic Standard Time (AST, UTC-4) year-round — no daylight saving.
Drives on the
Left — despite U.S. currency, U.S.-spec vehicles and driving on the right elsewhere in the U.S.
Calling code
+1, area code 340.
Coordinates
Latitude 18°20′N, Longitude 64°44′W.
Banks
Banco Popular, First Bank VI and Scotiabank operate branches serving St. John, largely via Cruz Bay.
Geography
Part of the Virgin Islands, themselves part of the Leeward Islands group — separated from St. Thomas by a narrow strait crossed by ferry, and from the British Virgin Islands by the Sir Francis Drake Channel.
Brief History

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.

Pick your pace

St. John Beaches

🏖 Trunk Bay

Regularly ranked among the world's most beautiful beaches, with a marked underwater snorkeling trail running along part of the shoreline.

🏖 Cinnamon Bay

The island's longest beach, backed by National Park campground and hiking trails — great for a full beach day with room to spread out.

🏖 Caneel Bay

A string of seven quiet coves inside the former Caneel Bay resort property, with calm water good for swimming and snorkeling.

🏖 Francis Bay Beach

A peaceful, less-crowded National Park beach backed by a salt pond that's good for birdwatching — often calmer than Trunk Bay.

🏖 Maho Bay Beach

Shallow, calm water close to shore makes this a favorite for sea turtle sightings while snorkeling right off the sand.

From a local

Caribbean Tip of the Day

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Tips by Liz Strauss, an experienced traveler and piano entertainer. www.lizpiano.com · Disclosure

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CoolestCarib St. John Members

Island Life Jeep Tours Budget Rentals Coolest Carib Sunfari VI Jeep Tours Caribberan Blue JeepsVI.com gandor.tv Patagon 'Scuba' Dive Center Thrifty Car Rental and Dollar Rent a Car Tap And Still Premier Destination Services US Virgin Islands
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