St. John Information and Map

St. John Self-Guided Tour

St. John Island Facts

St John is part of the US Virgin Islands and is a US Territory. Residents enjoy all the benefits of US citizenship, including those of ownership, offered under the US flag.  We are not entitled to vote in US elections, since we do not have a US Senate representative, thus no vote in the Electoral College.

The United States Virgin Islands

The Tropical Island of St. John Virgin Islands

Since St John’s location is in the northern section of the Caribbean island chain, (approximately 50 miles east of Puerto Rico) St John qualifies as a true tropical destination. Rainfall in the Virgin Islands averages 43 inches a year, primarily during the months September – June.  Temperatures average between 77 and 84 degrees in winter, 82 – 90 degrees in summer.  Cooling tradewinds blow east to northeast in the winter switching south to southeasterly in the summer.  Weather can be very changeable around the island, and it is not uncommon to travel through various rain showers in the course of a 20 minute drive to town!  

Most travelers arrive in St John via the Cruz Bay ferry which departs from either downtown St Thomas or East End (Red Hook).  Miami is just over 1000 miles to the northwest, direct flights from New York take as little as 31/2 hours!

St John’s topography is varied.  Since it is a hilly island, roads are curvy and driveways can be steep.  The island is about 13.5 miles long and about 6 miles wide.  Add the hills and travel can take longer and be more varied than what you may expect.  Bordeaux Mountain, located mid-island, is the highest point of St John at 1277 feet. 

Views, Views, and More Views

The far eastern reaches of the island, East End and Concordia, are generally long spines of land which extend into the surrounding waters, and are usually drier and windier than mid island Bordeaux.  All of this amazing topography leads to amazing views encompassing the Caribbean Sea, neighboring islands in some cases island chains, harbors or even just beautiful tropical foliage.

A Star Gazers Bonanza!

If you look to the night skies the number of constellations visible from St John is remarkable.  Few places can boast a sky which encompasses the Southern Cross and the North Star. Watching Scorpio traverse the evening sky from your own deck is a special experience.

Coral Bay, St. John

Only thee major roads, so no worries, mon

The road network of St. John extends in a three fold direction from Cruz Bay. Use the middle road to travel most directly through the island, called Centerline Road.  Centerline actually draws as straight a line as possible on this curvy island all the way to the very eastern tip, appropriately named East End.  The traveler will intersect two crucial junctions, one at “Columbo’s,” a well established yogurt stand which marks the spot where Centerline Meets North Shore.   Or, from here travel east down the mountain to the haven of “Coral Bay.” 

St. John’s North Side – Cruz Bay and North Shore

Cruz Bay, St. John

No stoplights, No Airports, No Bathing Suits…

As you walk through the busy streets of Cruz Bay you will notice everyone dresses to come to town, please no bathing suits! In fact it is possible to receive a ticket for improper attire!

An Important West Indian Custom

Spend some time with local West Indians and you can learn a lot about the island.  A wonderful custom here is greeting everyone with a “good morning” or “good evening.”  Remembering this simple courtesy will enrich your life as you get to know individual locals.

St. John's World Famous Virgin Islands National Park

This is what initially attracts most people to St John, these gorgeous white sand crescents and the shallow tropical waters adjacent.  Every color of blue can be seen here.  Neighboring emerald green islands sit on the horizon.

Beaches Gibney and Hawksnest

Finally by following several switch backs the North Shore Road, you will intersect with Centerline.  Take a left to Coral Bay, or turn right and head back along North Shore Road to Cruz Bay.

THE Triangle

As you enter into what feels like the beginning of the village of Coral Bay, the roads meet.  This is “The Triangle”, a point at which the road divides east and south.  East to East End, south to Concordia, Salt Pond Bay, and Lameshur Bay.

Coral Bay’s Sports, Music and Food

Across the street is “the ball field”.  Over the years many events have been held here.  This is the finish line for the Eight Tuff Miles cross island race which is held every February.  For many years a wonderful haunted house was created every Halloween.  In the spring the Coral Bay Jazz festival is a really fun event, listen to big name jazz artists under the stars! 

Coral Bay’s Unique Establishments

Next you driver will notice Sputnik’s and the Donkey Diner on the right hand side of the road.  Sputnik’s is a colorful local bar which from time to time has been known to host West Indian “jump ups.” (In other words, dancing to Caribbean reggae music.)   The “Donkey Diner” next door has great pizzas and breakfasts.   This area is considered the heartbeat of “Coral Bay’. 

Dock, Dinghies, Cheeseburgers, and Our Coral Bay Office

Access to the water (Coral Bay) is a few yards down on the right, just past the Fire Station and down to the water. The old concrete dock now hosts dozens of dinghies, but in past times this was the main Customs dock for the East End of St John.  In fact, if you stand on the dock and look upward to the left you will see an old stone house which was in fact the Custom’s house.  Skinny Legs (better known as just “Skinny’s”) is across the parking lot from the Fire Station (famous for its cheeseburgers!)  and is considered by all St. Johnians and visitors alike to be a real Caribbean destination!  Across the street from Skinny’s is our Coral Bay Town & Country office, in the Town and Country Building, along with K2 Video, Windspree Vacation Homes and C4th, a clothing embroidery company.  Again the traditional Danish colors, yellow walls and red roof are seen.

East End, St. John

Due to its “remote” location, East End has an ambience all its own.  The air is clear and clean, the sun is strong and the breeze is brisk. Beautiful water for swimming and snorkeling is close at hand.  Properties located in East End are technically in Hansen Bay.  A strong sense of community exists, with an active neighborhood association.

The British Virgin Islands and Beyond

The road then travels through sections of the Virgin Islands National Park.  As you approach the end of this portion of St. John (known as the East End) the dips become hills and there are wonderful views to the left (northward) overlooking the Sir Francis Drake Channel in the British Virgin Islands, which are just a few miles away (by water) from St. John.  Imagine Sir Francis Drake first sailing his fleet of ships down this channel!  Locals refer to them as the “BVI’s” and are home to a host of a large fleet of charter yachts as well as numerous very fun beach bars to visit and explore.  Modern day pirates hang out in these areas (or they wish they were pirates)

Authentic St. John –  Vie’s

Further on, you will pass Vie’s, a locally owned food stand and a fun destination in itself!  A big tamarind tree marks the spot; enjoy garlic chicken wings then take a walk across the street and swim at the beautiful white sand beach. This is my definition of a tropical paradise, pristine water and a white sand beach. Peace and quiet.  Remember, though, this is private property and definitely IS Caribbean country; you may well meet a few chickens, goats and donkeys out here.

Right Turn at THE Triangle

If you were to return to THE Triangle where we enter Coral  Bay and take a right turn instead of a going straight, you will encounter one of the most beautiful drives on St John!   This road hugs the coast all the way to the end of the road, passing through the more populated part of Coral Bay, and you will see sailboats moored in the harbor on your left and Cocolobo Plaza on your right. This is a fun collection of shops with a nice open air bar and restaurant with Aqua Bistro Restaurant as its centerpiece. 

Coral Bay Kayaking, Snorkeling, and Dinghies

If you are interested in renting a kayak, diving gear or just want local info stop by Coral Bay Watersports – or Crabby’s as we know it. Always ready with a story or laugh, they can surely guide you to the best water spots in the area.  A little further up the road is “Sweet Plantains,” an excellent dinner destination, that this young couple blends local custom food with sophisticated taste. 

Miss Lucy’s Restaurant - Infamous, Informal, and Inviting

Further down and few dips and hills is the famous “Miss Lucy’s,” a restaurant with an unbeatable location.  Waves splash 10 feet from your table, cooling tropical breezes keep you comfortable.  And with Sunday Brunch with Jazz and her Full Moon Parties, Miss Lucy’s is one of Coral Bay’s (and St. John’s) most renowned hot spots.

Eco Tourism on St. John

Estate Concordia Resort is 5 minutes further along.  Created by environmentalist Stanley Selengut, Concordia is an eco friendly resort perched above the hillside overlooking Ram Head and Drunk Bay with stunning views and Tradewinds direct from the Atlantic.  Concordia has become very popular due to its reasonably pricing and eco-friendly design. Its proximity to nearby Salt Pond beach also helps make it popular. 

Drunk Bay

Salt Pond  St. John

Salt Pond is one of the most beautiful beaches on St John, with a long sandy crescent with wonderful swimming and snorkeling.  A trail also leads to the dramatic headland of Ram Head and to Drunk Bay. A local ritual is the full moon hike to Ram’s Head.  Wear good shoes and take a good flashlight. Natural beauty at its finest!

Lameshure and Little Lameshur

Lameshur and Little Lameshur are the literal “end of the road” as the National Park intervenes between here and Fish Bay (only long hiking trails will get you close to Fish Bay from here, there is no drivable road to Fish Bay).  These beaches are spectacular white sandy crescents, with excellent swimming and snorkeling, hiking and normally great protected kayaking place. This is also the home of the home of The Virgin Islands Environmental Research Station (VIERS). You can reach

St. John’s South Side

Leaving Cruz Bay, you will pass St John’s newest commercial development, The Marketplace.  This beautiful complex was designed by Glenn Spear, the same architect responsible for Mongoose Junction.  Hand built native stone walls, arched openings and custom mahogany trim details, such as doors and windows are his trademarks.  The Marketplace has helped modernize Cruz Bay.  Inside this complex you can find  a complete supermarket, video store, book store, bank, mail center, Art Association of St John, drug store, restaurants, hardware store, bakery and internet café and retail stores. 

Just down the road is Jacob’s Ladder, a steep hill which has many stories about it.  Lost loads, slippery tires, wrecks, you name it.  But it is a great landmark! 

Westin, Great Cruz Bay and Chocolate Hole

From the top you see out of town, the roofs of the Westin Hotel and the neighborhood of Great Cruz Bay. Great Cruz Bay and Chocolate Hole are bodies of water which are surrounded by a neighborhood of exclusive homes.  Average price is over 1 million dollars.  A strong neighborhood association has worked diligently over the years to upgrade the road system in this area.  Many of these villas are in short term rental programs; this is a wonderful way to enjoy the island of St John on vacation. 

Rendezvous and Ditliff

Past Chocolate Hole the road winds, again! and as you come to the rise you will see Rendezvous & Ditliff, consisting of a peninsula and surrounding hillsides.  St Croix is on the horizon on very clear days. In the far distance is Ram Head, a landmark on the southern shore of St John. (You may recall that Ram Head trail, which starts at Salt Pond on the East Side tour, and is one of our most popular hiking trails.

Fish Bay

Fish Bay lies at the end of the southernmost road of the original three in Cruz Bay.  This neighborhood is about 15 minutes from the hustle and bustle of Cruz Bay; a paved road leads to this undisturbed residential neighborhood.  Many of the neighborhoods on the island have formed neighborhood associations.  The main purpose of these groups is to protect the neighborhoods from over development and to maintain roads within the neighborhoods.  Several years ago the Fish Bay Owners Association was instrumental in getting the road to Fish Bay paved, thus property values have risen as a direct result.

Petroglyphs - Reef Bay Trail

The Best Hike on St. John

Hiking trails follow old roads from Fish Bay leading to the ruins of what was the largest Sugar factory existing on St John at Reef Bay. Standing on the shoreline of Reef Bay, and looking to the west, once again the visitor will see impressive homes on the hillside.  This area is Fish Bay and these are the views which overlook pristine St John.  These homes enjoy views only of National Park lands, including dramatic Ram’s Head and they are within a 15 minute drive to downtown Cruz Bay. Long hiking trails connect Fish Bay to Reef Bay and then over to Lameshur, which was the end of the (driving) road on the East End trip.

St. John Island, all the way 'round

If you do our little day tour, you have made a complete circuit of our beautiful island of St John.  You have driven through the varied landscape: the dry part, the wet part, the windy part, the close part, the far part, the flat part and the hilly part.  Maybe you have an idea of what part you like?  One of the best things about St John is its diversity, land and people. 

It seems every time you enter into a new activity, you are able to meet a whole new group of people who usually are very accomplished.  It is true that often things are not as easy as they could be here, not as easy or as it is in the “states”.  But that is why we appreciate it so!  The spirit of adventure is still alive here.  You are on St. John.