St. John is the smallest of the three U.S. Virgin Islands and encompasses just over 27 square miles. This picturesque island is located just minutes from St. Thomas and St. Croix, and continues to be a popular beach vacation destination in the “American Caribbean”. For many travelers, St. John is a hideaway destination, an idyllic escape to enjoy the beautiful views of the island, relax on the coral sands and enjoy scuba diving and charter boat excursions. Almost two thirds of this island make up the Virgin Island National Park, so there’s no shortage of natural sites to explore. In fact, many naturalists and nature lovers head to St. John specifically to hike the nature trails, trek through the hillside and explore the lush green areas around the island. The park itself encompasses about 5,6000 acres of off-shore marine areas. Register for a tour with a park ranger to learn about the history and geology of the island, as well as the island’s flora and fauna varieties.

Two-thirds of St. John is a national park and is the perfect island for outdoor enthusiasts and those who are looking for an adventurous getaway. From hiking and camping, to birdwatching and nature excursions, St. John offers a wealth of opportunities for those who want to explore the great outdoors in the Caribbean.

Since St. John is only a short ferry ride from St. Thomas, many travelers go to and from both islands when visiting the U.S. Virgin Islands. Still, St. John is one of the most tranquil and peaceful destinations in the U.S. Virgin Islands and is the perfect place to relax near the waters, enjoy an afternoon of sailing, diving and kayaking, head off on a power boat adventure, or just spend the day snorkeling around the beautiful marine waters.

Popular activities in St. John include watersports, sport fishing, swimming and boating. You’ll find dozens of charter boats and yachts docked at the shores of the beaches on any given day, and the island hosts several yachting events and other boat competitions throughout the year. Many visitors to St. John are only in St. John for the day as part of their cruise vacation. St. John caters to cruise ship vacationers with several small shops, boutique stores and restaurants near the bay. Head further inland to visit some local artist studios, island art galleries and craft shops that feature handmade works of art and collectibles.

St. John Weather and Best Time to Visit

The average annual temperature in St. John is about 81 degrees, with August and September being the hottest months of the year where temperatures can reach the lower to mid-90s. The island does experience heavy rains during November, at the end of hurricane season which runs from June through November. Tropical storms may interfere with your vacation plans when you are traveling to the island from August to October. Peak travel season is during the winter months when travelers head to the American Caribbean to escape the colder weather and enjoy some sunshine. You’ll find some of the best travel deals and low hotel and airfare packages during the peak of summer and during some parts of hurricane season.

Experience St. John

Head to Cruz Bay to experience some of the local town life in St. John and enjoy some of the area’s best shopping and dining hotspots. You can walk to most places in town so you won’t need a rental car. However, you may find it easier to rent a car or a jeep to travel to several other parts of the island. St. John is easily accessible by ferry boats that leave from Virgin Gorda and Tortola every day. Sea excursions and guided jeep tours are a great way to explore some of the different sites around the island and learn more about the area.

Since St. John is comprised mostly of hiking trails and natural sites, many visitors spend a good portion of their trip hiking the nature trails and exploring some of the hidden beaches off the beaten path. You can find a number of watersports shops and boat rental destinations near the beach. Head to the Cruz Bay Visitor Center to pick up maps and get some tips on some of the best trails around the area. The Lind Point Trail connects the U.S. Virgin Islands National Park Visitor Center to Honeymoon Beach and Canal Bay. The trail takes you through cactus scrubs, a forest and up to the Lind Point overlook. Don’t miss the chance to hike through the ruins of Annaberg, an old USVI sugar plantation. This has become one of the most popular attractions in the US Virgin Islands and you can see the Annaberg Mill during your trip.

You’ll find several beautiful beaches around St. John. Most of the tourist favorites are located on the northern side of the island around Cinnamon Bay and Hawknest Bay. Caneel Bay is where you might run into a celebrity or two, and has become a popular destination for those who want a more upscale beach experience. This beach boasts stylish amenities and most of the food and drink prices are higher than average.

St. John has also become a popular destination wedding site, so it’s likely that you’ll find a ceremony taking place on the beach or at one of the larger resorts on any given day. The island is also home to several spacious event venues and banquet rooms.

If you’re staying at the Westin St. John Resort & Villas, one of the larger resort properties in St. John, you’ll be within easy reach of Great Cruz Bay’s beaches. This is an idyllic destination for snorkeling, windsurfing, kayaking, parasailing and fishing.

Other popular St. John beaches include:

• Cinnamon Bay – also a National Park campground

• Francis Bay – located near the Leinster Bay Trail

• Hawksnest Bay – a quiet and peaceful beach

• Leinster Bay – a popular beach for swimming, near the Annaberg Ruins

• Maho Bay - a popular place for beach vacation rentals and boating

• Reef Bay – on the south side of the island and one of the larger protected bays

• Rendezvous Bay – popular for sailboats, located on the east side of the island

• Trunk Bay – the place to explore the underwater snorkel trail and artistic underwater plaques