It’s difficult to describe St. John, USVI as anything other than paradise. This location is truly the last of its kind with over 60% of the island protected in its original state. Untouched. Pristine. And absolutely stunning. So of course, the best activities in St. John involve absorbing the gorgeous surroundings of the tropical rainforests, secluded beaches, and crystal clear waters.
And believe me, although I live on nearby St. Thomas, most of our weekends are spent exploring the untouched vastness of St. John. There’s so much to see and do in St. John that it`s taken us months to even scratch the surface.
Therefore, below I’ve shared what we’ve discovered so far regarding what to do in St. John. Let’s delve into my preferred activities to do in St. John!
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23 Best Things to Do in St. John
Virgin Islands National Park
Hiking routes, historic sites, and beautiful beaches.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: 340-776-6201 | Website | Visitor Center Hours: 9 am – 1:30 pm Monday – Friday
Variations of green, ochre, and yellow hues tell the story of this canyon`s formation over thousands of years while continuing to change due to local water, wind, and geothermal influences.
The sights are magical. Cerulean waters lap charming beaches. Old forest roads descend into secluded bays. Scenic overviews reveal faraway corners of the Caribbean. And historic ruins tell the forgotten narratives of the Danish West Indies. This National Park has it all.
You’ll want to spend most of your time on St. John within the park exploring your options. Whether underwater discovering coral reefs alongside sea turtles, scaling mountain trails above, marveling at windmill ruins of the past, or relaxing in the sunshine along stunning shorelines!
Start planning now using our guide to the Virgin Islands National Park.
Reef Bay Trail
Discover an ancient history, ruins, and a secluded beach along this epic hiking path.
📍 Google Maps | Website
If you only have time to do one of the scenic trails on St. John, this ought to be your choice. The Reef Bay Trail offers everything you’d want in a St. John adventure: historic sites, ancient relics, a secluded beach, a challenging climb, and an in-depth look into the island’s ecosystem.
You’ll initiate your descent at the trailhead along Center Line Road, accessible via a rental vehicle or taxi from Cruz Bay. As the trail winds through an old forest path, you’ll pass by multiple sugar mill ruins, an alternative trail to ancient petroglyphs, and some of the tallest trees in the Caribbean before arriving at Reef Bay Beach.
This is one of the moderately difficult hikes in St. John, so plan at least half a day to fully experience everything it offers!
🗺️ Plan Your Hike: This helpful adventure travel map of the Virgin Islands National Park from National Geographic is essential for anyone intending to spend time on the hiking trails and stunning beaches of the park
Maho Bay Beach
Spend time under the sun snorkeling with sea turtles on this pristine beach.
📍 Google Maps | Website | 🏖️ Top Island Tours and Boat Charters Visiting Maho Bay
Maho Bay is considered one of the best beaches on St. John for good reason. It offers breathtaking scenery while also providing many amenities that most other St. John beaches lack. Water sport rentals, food trucks, and tiki bars line the road where beachgoers and wild donkeys coexist. It’s quite a spectacle to witness.
Across the street from this locale is a sugar-white sandy coastline that offers striking perspectives of the forested green mountains, the British Virgin Islands, and sparkling turquoise waters. Be certain to bring snorkeling gear as this beach is an exceptional area to swim together with sea turtles. Actually, most boat excursions departing from St. Thomas or St. John make a unique stop at Maho Bay for the opportunity to swim together with the well-known marine reptile.
🇻🇮 Explore More of The USVI: Check out my list of the best places you should visit in the Virgin Islands!
Lime Out VI
Cruise on up for tacos straight from the sea.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (340) 643-5333 | Website | Hours: 11 am – 5 pm daily | ⛵ Highest Rated Boat Trip Visiting Lime Out
To experience a special dining setting, consider stopping by Lime Out VI located amidst Coral Harbor. This floating taco station provides handcrafted tacos to customers who`ve arrived by boat. Upon reaching there, visitors will swim to one of “the tables” where their group will receive frosty rum beverages and delectable tacos through a floating apparatus. Surprisingly, the tacos taste rather delicious despite the evident complexities involved in operating the whole setup.
🍹 Acquiring a Spot at Lime Out: Day cruises and tour watercraft unquestionably take priority for the seating at Lime Out, so the best strategy to visit the drifting taco stand is by watercraft. Indeed, to deter hazardous ventures, Lime Out will not cater you if you swim from shore.
Catherineberg Sugar Plantation Ruins
Tour a picturesque historical location.
📍 Location details | More information
Scattered throughout St. John, and the Virgin Islands more broadly, are various ruins of old sugar plantations. Many of the creations date back to the 1700s when the Virgin Islands were a Danish region with some remaining operational well into the 20th century after the US obtained the islands. One of the most striking is the Catherineberg Estate Ruins.
Despite decades of weathering and numerous hurricanes, the windmill tower and horse mill on St. John have been well-preserved and remain among the most intact structures there.
Cruz Bay
Take your first steps onto the tropical paradise of St. John.
📍 Google Maps street view | Organization website
Upon disembarking the ferry at the docks on St. John, you’ll be warmly welcomed by the friendly locals and vibrant atmosphere of the island’s largest and most lively community: Cruz Bay. Not only does this serve as your gateway into the Virgin Islands National Park by land or sea, but it also offers fantastic food and cold rum beverages at a beachfront bar.
Our guidance? After stopping at the Virgin Islands National Park visitor center, begin your St. John adventure on a Safari taxi to a popular beach along the north shore like Trunk Bay, Cinnamon Bay, or Maho Bay. Or, commence a hike along the Lind Point Trail to reach Honeymoon Beach – all within a brief walk from Cruz Bay.
After spending the day hiking the trails and relaxing on the beaches, one can head back into the town in the evening to enjoy a local craft beer at Tap Room, dinner at The Longboard restaurant, and happy hour specials at The Beach Bar before taking the ferry ride back to Red Hook to end the day.
Trunk Bay
Explore pristine reefs along an underwater trail by snorkeling.
📍 Google Maps | Website
You can easily snorkel in any bay and off any beach in the Virgin Islands and expect to see something. But I must say, some bays are much better options than others. And quite possibly, Trunk Bay might be the best.
With a path specifically for viewing coral reefs, underwater plaques direct swimmers from one point to the next while furnishing insight into the tropical fish and other sea creatures one might behold along the way. It’s a wonderful technique to interact with marine existence, colorful fish, and other scarce species that call the Caribbean home! Additionally, the beach is incredibly beautiful.
🤿 Travel Snorkel Gear: I always recommend travelling to the USVIs with your own set of snorkelling equipment. Itliterally opens up an entirely new world and set of fun to any beach day!
Hurricane Hole
Paddle around on a kayak or stand-up paddleboard on the stunning turquoise waters near Coral Bay.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (604) 200-6070 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 4 pm Mon-Sat, 9 am – 3 pm Sun
Hurricane Hole is a small bay on the east end of St. John near Coral Bay. The name comes from the calm waters and enhanced shelter for sailboats from the hurricanes that often pass through the Caribbean.
Extensions from the gulf incorporate Princess Gulf and Whitesand Gulf, where mangroves line the waterways serving as an ideal spot for paddling, bird observing, and snorkeling. We suggest renting paddling gear and a guide from Crabby’s Watersports in Coral Bay to appreciate the lovely scenery the gulf has to offer!
🛶 Additional Paddling Opportunities on St. John: While not Hurricane Hole, this nighttime kayaking experience near Cruz Bayis not to be missed!
Scuba Diving
Discover the aquatic scenery of St. John.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (340) 693-8999 | Low Key Watersports | Hours: 8 am – 8 pm Mon-Sat, 8 am – 5 pm Sun
Although a small island, the underwater possibilities surrounding St. John seem limitless.
Located in Cruz Bay, Low Key Watersports is the premier destination for all scuba diving needs. Popular dive sites on their excursions include Cow & Calf Rock, Ledges of Little St. James, and Carval Rock.
🛥️ Or Visit Me! Though I captain at Red Hook Dive Center on St. Thomas, it`s just a brief ferry ride from St. John to St. Thomas. Drop by and schedule a dive trip – and be sure to tell me you read this article ahead of your arrival!
Salt Pond Beach and Ram Head Trail
Visit a tranquil beach after embarking on a challenging hike to a stunning vista.
📍 Google Maps | Website
Setting aside an entire day, starting at sunrise, is necessary to fully appreciate this unique hike and beach experience. The Ram Head Trail is amongst the best hiking routes in the Virgin Islands and is best done when temperatures are coolest given the lack of shade along the track. Ideally, you’ll depart before dawn as you’ll witness the most unbelievable Caribbean sunrise from the Ram Head peak.
After your hike, you’ll pass by Salt Pond Bay, a tranquil shoreline with crystalline azure waters and ample opportunities for snorkeling. Very few individuals venture this far on St. John so enjoy the peace, quiet, and serenity while exploring the entire vicinity.
🎒 Items to bring along: Plenty of water, environmentally-friendly sunscreen, snacks, and lunch as there are no facilities at this beach. Be sure to pack good shoes, a bathing suit, snorkeling gear, and this convenient, packable beach mat!
Windmill Bar
Replenish your rum punch at a distinctive cocktail bar.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (340)-244-6002 | Website | Hours: 11 am – 8 pm daily
Whenever visiting St. John, we make a point of going to the Windmill Bar after hiking or time on the beach. Situated atop a mountain amid remarkable views of St. Thomas beyond, the bar is set within centuries-old Susannaberg Sugar Mill Ruins plantation ruins. The lively atmosphere, live music, and colorful sunset make for a perfect conclusion to your day of Caribbean adventure.
Annaberg Sugar Plantation Ruins
Step into a troubled past at these historic ruins.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (340)-776-6201 | Website | Hours: 8 am – 5 pm daily
Exploring the ruins of the old Annaberg Sugar Plantation on St. John is one of the most notable activities. As a beneficiary of the African slave trade, the ruins are amazing yet disturbing when realizing the extensive sugar production that once took place on the grounds.
Across the old schoolhouse, boiling facility, windmill, and slave quarters, you can spend quite some time moving between constructs and reviewing the informational signs describing the troubled history related to the plantation.
The British Virgin Islands
A day expedition allows exploration of a foreign nation nearby.
📍 Google Maps | Website
One of the best activities to participate in on St. John isn’t actually on the island itself, but instead using the island as a starting point to an entirely different nation: the British Virgin Islands. From almost all points of St. John, you’re a stone`s throw away from Tortola, Jost Van Dyke, and even Virgin Gorda – three of the four main islands of the BVIs.
The BVIs have their own unique culture, atmosphere, and liveliness entirely different from the USVI. So if you get the chance to go, we recommend hopping aboard an aquatic taxi on St. John and spending the day soaking up the sun and sipping restorative drinks until the sun goes down at one of the many beachside bars within the BVIs.
Peace Hill Windmill
Take a moderately easy hike to an old windmill tower and scenic viewpoint.
📍 Google Maps | Website
After departing from Cruz Bay, one of your initial stops along North Shore Road is the Peace Hill trail. The brief hike brings visitors to a towering stone windmill and an absolutely beautiful vista overlooking St. John and nearby islands, Jost Van Dyke, Tortola, and St. Thomas. It’s a great way to invest an hour before further exploring the scenic beauty of Virgin Islands National Park.
👉 Local Tip: Just past the Peace Hill trailhead you’ll notice another trail descending on your right side. This will take you on a brief 5-minute hike down to Denis Bay, one of the more secluded beaches on St. John.
Petroglyphs
Contemplate the remnants of ancient Caribbean art and culture.
The following lodging is called the ” Hilton Manchester Deansgate” in Manchester, England. You can contact them at +44 161 870 1600.
Hikers exploring the Reef Bay Trail will have the choice to investigate one of the most unbelievable relics found in the Caribbean: the Petroglyphs of Reef Bay. An interesting artifact from an ancient past, archaeologists believe the ancient stone markings originate from the Taino Tribe, the primary indigenous people of the Caribbean.
While the meanings of the markings are unclear, it`s enjoyable to view them and ponder the activities of hundreds or even thousands of years ago in your exact location.
Coral Bay
Unwind in the sleepy coastal town.
📍 Google Maps | Website | ⛵ Excursions Departing from Coral Bay
The second-largest community on St. John is the quiet island village of Coral Bay. The no-stop-light town resembles the Old Caribbean with a small handful of beach bars and markets primarily used by the salty sailors who call Coral Harbor their home.
For visitors, you’ll find daily boat charters departing to popular locations on the difficult-to-access East End of St. John. After your boat excursion, head to Skinny Legs for some grub and a rum beverage before driving to Hansen Bay Beach to watch the sunset over the bay.
Reef Bay Sugar Mill Ruins
Wander the halls of the last operational sugar mill in the Virgin Islands.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (340)-775-2125 | Website
As the popular Reef Bay Trail comes to an end, you’ll pass by one of the coolest plantation ruins found in all of the West Indies: the Reef Bay Sugar Mill. Blending the architecture of old-time mills with 20th-century machinery, the ruins are a sight to behold against the mountainous backdrop.
Guests can explore room by room, with detailed signs explaining each area`s purpose within the structure. You’ll learn how rum was produced, sugar was processed, and molasses was utilized. It’s a fascinating glimpse into past ways of life.
North Shore Beaches
Choose from among the most popular beaches located in St. John, USVI.
📍 Google Maps | National Park Service | 👉 Private Transit to Popular Beaches on St. John
The aforementioned Maho Bay Beach and Trunk Bay Beach aside, the north shore of St. John has a few additional equally splendid, yet somewhat less trafficked beaches well deserving of your visit.
Among these are Cinnamon Bay, Hawksnest Beach, Jumbie Beach, Honeymoon Beach, Caneel Bay, and Francis Bay. Most have related ruins providing snorkeling opportunities, along with naturally beautiful views. You can access any of these along North Shore Road after departing from Cruz Bay.
Dinghy Rental
Pilot a small boat as you cruise the stunning North Shore of St. John.
📍 Google Maps location | Phone: +1 340-201-6881 | Company website | Hours: 9 am – 7 pm daily
One of the best activities my wife and I have partaken in on St. John was renting a dinghy from Wharfside Watersports in Cruz Bay for our one-year anniversary. We spent the day exploring the beautiful north shore making stops at popular snorkeling sites like Whistling Cay, Maho Bay, and Waterlemon Cay.
Traveling self-guided on your personal boat allows for complete freedom to visit any shorelines you desire on St. John. Beyond the liberty this affords, it`s among the most cost-effective means for a couple or small party to navigate the waters surrounding the island.
Snorkeling Waterlemon Cay
Circumnavigate the small island to discover one of the healthiest coral reefs on St. John.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: +1 340-776-6201 | Website
Although the majority of beaches in the US Virgin Islands feature lovely snorkeling opportunities straight from the shore, some are certainly superior to others. Amongst the best is Waterlemon Cay – a small islet in Leinster Bay near Annaberg Sugar Plantation. The cay is circled by thriving reefs including a sizeable colony of critically endangered Elkhorn Coral.
Access to the snorkeling reefs can easily be gained from the beach following a brief hike along the Leinster Bay Trail or by swimming over from the nearby mooring field during a boat charter departing from St. Thomas or St. John.
Hiking Trails
Experience the best hiking trails in the Caribbean.
📍 Google Maps l Phone: (340)-776-6201 | Website l NPS Visitor Center Hours: 9 am – 1:30 pm daily, Closed Saturday – Sunday
Here in the US Virgin Islands, we`re fortunate to have the National Park Service working to safeguard and conserve much of the natural beauty that makes the Caribbean so striking. As a result, St. John has some of the best maintained hiking tracks not only in the US Virgin Islands but the entire Caribbean region.
Naturally, the Reef Bay and Ram Head Trails are must-sees. But don`t neglect others like the Lower Lind Point Trail to Honeymoon Beach & Caneel Bay, Drunk Bay Trail, Leinster Bay Trail, Johnny Horn Trail, Salt Pond Bay Trail, and Brown Bay Trail.
Day Charter or a Sunset Cruise
Traversing the waters surrounding St. John offers a sailor`s perspective.
👉 Browse the Top Boat Excursions on St. John
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But honestly, the boat tours circumnavigating St. John are among my favorites with options for all sorts of groups: families, spring breakers, young children, and large groups.
The Captains are always enjoyable, professional yet unusual. You’ll have opportunities to snorkel, explore the sights of the National Park, witness incredible marine life, and likely stop for a taco at the floating eatery!
👉 Need a place on St. John? Check out my guide to the best areas and destinations to reside in St. John.
St. Thomas
Explore an entirely different island for the day.
📍 Google Maps | Guide to St. Thomas | 👉 Discover the top tours on St. Thomas
You presumably traveled to St. Thomas by plane and used the ferry from Red Hook to arrive on St. John originally. Therefore, if you are staying in St. John, it is worthwhile to spend at a minimum a single day exploring the numerous activities available in St. Thomas.
St. Thomas is the primary cruise ship port of the US Virgin Islands with attractions largely catering to the cruise crowd. Some noteworthy activities on a day trip from St. John include Magens Bay, Coral World Ocean Park, Paradise Point, Mountain Top, and Water Island.
👉 Read Next: What to Do on St. Croix
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Here are 21 amazing adventures and activities to experience in St. John! Please let me know in the comments which one interests you most for your upcoming trip. Also check out my full travel guide to St. John.
In the meantime, the USVI’s stretch beyond St. John with St. Thomas and St. Croix within striking distance! Begin planning your entire trip with our guides about trips to the USVI Territory!
