A tiny but mighty island enveloped by the Caribbean Sea: Our St John travel guide
03 November 2022
Caribbean
‣
St John
St John vacation rentals
The perfect stay
in St John, USVI
This lush, verdant dot in the middle of the Caribbean is one of the most beautiful of all the region’s islands. In fact, it’s so special that over two-thirds of it are protected as a National Park. With gloriously soft sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters, St John is the quintessential tropical vacation paradise, and our luxury St John villas are the perfect hideaway from the stresses of modern life.
While it’s the smallest of the US Virgin Islands (USVI), St John is one of the most popular with travellers looking for a tropical hideaway with plenty of authentic island personality. This tranquil island has avoided any over-development and still has that languid, laid-back feel. It’s a serene vacation destination where secluded luxury villas sit in harmony with their natural surroundings. The island also benefits from some of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean, with hidden coves and secret spots where you’ll be the only people on the sand all day long.
While it’s the smallest of the US Virgin Islands (USVI), St John is one of the most popular with travellers looking for a tropical hideaway with plenty of authentic island personality. This tranquil island has avoided any over-development and still has that languid, laid-back feel. It’s a serene vacation destination where secluded luxury villas sit in harmony with their natural surroundings. The island also benefits from some of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean, with hidden coves and secret spots where you’ll be the only people on the sand all day long.
As the night falls, St John’s bars and restaurants serve up authentic Caribbean food and potent rum punch cocktails while the sun paints the sky in a kaleidoscope of colours. Cosy up and savour the breathtaking views from the comfort of your luxury beachfront villa rental after a busy day of exploring. This is island life at its most relaxed, allowing you to relish the true Caribbean experience in all its glory.
Things
you can’t miss in St. John, USVI
- Explore the beautiful coral reefs by following along the popular underwater snorkel trail at Trunk Bay Beach to discover the stunning, colourful reefs up-close.
- Set off on a hike through the island’s National Park - our favourite route is the Lind Point Trail which leads to a breathtaking outlook of Cruz Bay harbour.
- St John is a paradise for foodies and home to a world-class dining scene sure to delight your tastebuds, from floating taco and pizza bars to extravagant fine-dining feasts.
Our insider tips for St John
Popular destinations in St John
Cruz Bay Quarter, the heart of St John
The main point of entry onto the island and a thriving community filled with restaurants, bars and boutiques, Cruz Bay Quarter is a laid-back town where sunny afternoons stretch on forever, and yachts bob gently in the harbour. As there are no airports on the island and visitors have to travel by ferry to reach St John, Cruz Bay is the first glimpse you’ll get of the green hillsides and sandy beaches. As major towns go, Cruz Bay is possibly one of the most delightfully relaxed in the whole of the Caribbean, where the pace of life is gentle, leisurely, and carefree.
Maho Bay Quarter, St John’s best beach
Consistently voted as the favourite beach on the island by visitors, Maho Bay Quarter sits tucked away on the northern side of the island. This is the stuff of Caribbean dreams, from the sugar-soft white sand to the swaying coconut trees that line the shore. Its shallow, warm and crystal-clear waters make it perfect for paddling, and with facilities available, as well as watersports and beach cafés nearby, Maho Bay Quarter is family-friendly and welcoming. Strap on a snorkel and flippers and you’ll soon be sharing the ocean with the turtles that call St John home.
St John's villas you will love
Our St John villa rentals
Francis Bay Estate
10 PEOPLE -
5 Bedrooms -
6 Bathrooms
Lime Tree
10 PEOPLE -
5 Bedrooms -
6 Bathrooms
Peter Bay Villa
8 PEOPLE -
4 Bedrooms -
5 Bathrooms
Villa Carlota
10 PEOPLE -
5 Bedrooms -
7 Bathrooms
Marea Villa
10 PEOPLE -
5 Bedrooms -
6 Bathrooms
Estate Rose
8 PEOPLE -
4 Bedrooms -
6 Bathrooms
“For me, St John is the definition of an island paradise. This island may be petite, but it is home to some of the world's most stunning beaches and two-thirds of the island is reserved as a lush national park. I adore relaxing and recharging amidst the unspoilt landscape here.”
Florence Crawley
Why stay with us?
Curated and inspected homes, villas & chalets
Luxury linen and toiletries
Round the clock support
Complimentary weekly clean
Dedicated concierge
Earn & redeem Accor ALL loyalty Reward points
Personal Meet & Greet
Complimentary medical support in partnership with AXA
Enhance your St John vacation
Your luxury onefinestay rental villa in St John comes with a host of additional services, including wellness activities, sports and equipment hire, dinner reservations, a personal chef, childcare, car hire, entertainment, and celebratory decorations. Just ask your dedicated concierge for more details.
Essential St John, USVI information
When to visit St John
JAN
78F
FEB
78F
MAR
78F
APR
80F
MAY
82F
JUN
84F
JUL
84F
AUG
84F
SEP
84F
OCT
82F
NOV
80F
DEC
80F
Please note: these are the average temperatures reported but can vary greatly due to weather conditions, such as heat waves etc. We kindly invite you to contact us for more information, including confirmation that your chosen villa has air conditioning, to ensure a comfortable stay.
Best time to go
During spring: from mid-April through to early June is the best time to visit St John. With the dry season starting in December and running through the spring months, you are practically guaranteed endless sunny days and an average temperature in the high-20s°C (82°F). The beaches are quiet from late spring onwards, giving you plenty of opportunities to find your own secret nook and settle down for a lazy day on the sand.
During summer: during the summer there is a slightly higher possibility of rain but these are usually short bursts that clear through quickly to leave blue skies once again. Celebrations in early July include St John’s carnival, where you’ll be invited to join in with the festivities and get to try some of the island’s Afro-Caribbean-influenced food and drinks.
During autumn: the autumn season is quiet in St John, and there is the risk of an occasional storm especially in late October and into November. However, these are rare and this is one of the most peaceful times on the island, with serene beaches and the chance to spot the first of the whales and turtles that head to the surrounding waters during the winter months. Temperatures remain relatively static at the low to mid-20s°C (around 78°F).
During winter: the start of the dry season also sees temperatures climb up a degree or two from the autumn dip, and the chances of rain fade away. December sees a series of festivals for the Christmas and New Year period, and the beaches, bars and restaurants are lively after the quiet autumn period. Whale watching is popular during the winter as these beautiful creatures make their way past the islands on their annual migration.
How to get there
Make the journey as memorable as the arrival at your luxury St John vacation rental. Your dedicated concierge can arrange transportation from the closest airport to your St John villa.
By plane
There is no airport on St John, so visitors usually fly to Cyril E King Airport on St Thomas and then travel by taxi to the ferry terminal.
By boat
There is an hourly service from Red Hook, St Thomas to Cruz Bay. The journey takes around 20 minutes and is a wonderful way to arrive on one of the most laid-back islands in the Caribbean. Ferries also run from various British Virgin Islands, including Anegada and Virgin Gorda. Water taxis connect the islands and can be booked in advance.
By car
St John is relatively small and the roads can be steep, particularly in the interior. It’s best to rent a vehicle with 4WD capability that can make light work of the steep switchbacks and hilly tracks. Bear in mind that you drive on the left side of the road on the island. Your dedicated concierge will be able to arrange car hire for you, as well as transfers to and from your St John villa rental.
Local tips
- If you want to check out different beaches or explore the island beyond just the west side, a rental car will give you much more flexibility in getting around.
- Cabs here are a bit different to usual. The most popular form of taxi on the island is the ‘open-air safari’ - a truck with a converted flatbed that holds 12 – 20+ people.
- When out swimming, snorkelling or scuba diving make sure to wear reef-safe sun lotion and to always respect the coral reefs. The reefs surrounding St. John are unfortunately becoming damaged due to the increased visitor traffic.
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