Must-SeeBeachesNational parksBeachesSnorkeling

St. John

An island that's about two-thirds national park, with Trunk Bay's snorkel trail, sugar-mill ruins and steep green hills.

Photo: Fred Hsu (Wikipedia:User:Fred Hsu on en.wikipedia) · CC BY-SA 3.0

Laurance Rockefeller bought much of St. John and gave it to the nation in 1956. So the Virgin Islands National Park still covers most of the island and much of its surrounding reef.

It's the least developed of the three main islands. There are no big resorts along its north shore, only a string of perfect bays.

Must-See in US Territories If You're Nearby in United States If You're Nearby in North America

Best Time: December–May
Time Needed: 3–4 days
Cost Level: $$$$
Open: Year-round
Getting There: Fly to St. Thomas (STT), go to Red Hook by taxi, then take a 20-minute ferry.

What to See

4 of 5 are free

PaidHalf a day

Trunk Bay

White sand and an underwater snorkel trail with plaques on the reef. There's a small fee.

Free2 hours

Maho Bay

A calm, shallow bay with sea turtles grazing right off the road.

Free45 minutes

Annaberg Sugar Plantation

Windmill and factory ruins, telling the hard story of slavery here and the 1733 uprising.

FreeHalf a day

Reef Bay Trail and Petroglyphs

A long downhill hike through forest to ancient Taíno carvings.

FreeAn evening

Cruz Bay

The small, walkable ferry town of beach bars and shops.

Know Before You Go

Bring proof of citizenship. US citizens don't need a passport to go, but you do clear customs on the way home, and a passport is the easiest ID.
Hurricane season runs from June to November, peaking from August to October. Check forecasts and consider travel insurance.
They drive on the left here, in American cars. Rent a jeep, as the roads are steep.
Use reef-safe sunscreen: others are banned in the USVI.