St. John, US Virgin Islands
St. John is a bit more "laid back" than the more populated island of St. Thomas and its capital, Charlotte Amalie. More than half of the 12,500 acres making up St. John are devoted to the Virgin Islands National Park. Many visitors focus on the natural beauty and choose cabin or camping accommodations for their stay. However, resort and villa options are also available.
The park took shape in the 1950s and has expanded to include the small Hassel Island. Visitors also enjoy the Coral Reef National Monument that covers more than 12,000 acres of submerged area near the island. This is a great place to experience the beautiful beaches and lush vegetation of the U.S. Virgin Islands.
(Description continues after the featured listings)
St. Thomas Vacation Guide -- Continue
St. John has only about 4,000 permanent residents, many of whom chose this as a home because of the natural beauty, the culture and history of the Danish plantations and, of course, the ocean setting. In the largest town on the island, Cruz Bay, visitors will find shops and other amenities, including restaurants and grocery stores.
One of the key attractions on St. John: the beaches, which visitors consider to be among the best in the world. Hiking trails put the energetic visitor close to nature, in the deep-green of the tropical forests. Overall pace on St. John is "relaxed," which draws many first-time visitors who then want to return as soon as possible. It's necessary to fly into Cyril E. King Airport on St. Thomas then take the daily ferry service to St. John or one of the other islands.
Take a few minutes to select your vacation accommodations, with an eye toward the scenery and the amenities as much as toward the price. Most beach access is just a short drive away. Public beach access is plentiful. Villas offer private swimming pools and additional services as arranged. While the accommodations are naturally more limited on this less-populated island, there are some luxury spots to choose from. When it's time for a relaxing dinner, choices range from very casual to formal meals on the bay. Experienced visitors to St. John try different selections from Caribbean, French and Italian kitchens.
The majority of visitors and new residents choose St. John for its relaxed atmosphere, its music and the feel of being in one of the most beautiful natural locations on the planet. Away from the more cosmopolitan feel of St. Thomas and its capital city, St. John is known for open-air bars, local musicians and excellent food with a local flair.