Things to do in  St John

The majority of St. John is covered by the Virgin Islands National Park, a stretch of preserved wilderness that offers protection and preservation for fish, corals, marine life, and tropical and migrating birds. The park also protects the island’s reef, with public access at the mangrove bay of Hurricane Hole, east of Coral Bay. Snorkeling is a popular activity all along the coastline.

Located on the northwest shore of St. John and part of the Virgin Islands National Park, Honeymoon Beach is an idyllic tropical paradise of white sand, palm trees, and clear shallow waters. A concession offers cabana and chair rentals, amenities, and food and drinks, making for an easy and relaxing day on the beach.

Sitting in the middle of a coral reef encircled by sand and the waters of Leinster Bay, the tiny island of Waterlemon Cay off of St. John is a favorite among snorkelers. It’s home to a wealth of coral and marine life, which is why it ranks so high with travelers. From the Leinster Bay Trail on the north side of St. John, visitors can catch a view of Waterlemon Cay.

Trunk Bay’s talc-soft sands, turquoise waters, and lush green backdrop make it one of the most photographed and most famous beaches on St. John Island. Just offshore of this earthly paradise, a marked-out underwater trail serves as a popular snorkeling spot, with information about coral formations and sea life. It’s a great activity for beginner snorkelers, kids, and older adults.

Maho Bay, perched on St John’s northern shore, is named after the Maho tree, which you can identify by its heart-shaped leaves and bright yellow flowers. The coconut palm-lined stretch of sand allures with its calm, shallow waters and a coral reef just offshore popular for snorkeling.

Caneel Bay is one of the first beaches you come to as you drive up North Shore Road out of St. John’s main port, Cruz Bay. Much of the coastline here is monopolized by an extensive resort, which suffered severe damage from hurricanes in 2017 and remains closed. Caneel Bay is located within the Virgin Islands National Park and is still accessible through ecotours.

One of the smaller snorkel spots in St John, Whistling Cay is a deep-water snorkeling area, with depths of 40 feet or more. The clear waters allow visitors to see down into the deep to view large coral formations; they can either snorkel the surface and admire the coral from afar or free-dive down to explore them up close.

St. John's Coral Bay prides itself on being the raffish alternative to the island’s main point of arrival, Cruz Bay. Its few dozen houses are haphazardly sprinkled on the green slopes above Coral Harbor, a scenic, protected cove. The town’s charm lies in its friendly, laid-back bars and restaurants where—unlike in some Caribbean locations—tourists won’t necessarily outnumber the locals.

One of the most beautiful and convenient beaches on St. John, Hawksnest Bay is a favorite for families with children and visitors coming from the ferry docks at Cruz Bay. Swaying palm trees and sea grapes line the narrow beach, which has restrooms, grills, and a shaded picnic area.

Back in its heyday, the Annaberg Sugar Plantation was one of 25 facilities on the island producing sugar, along with molasses and rum. All that remains today are ruins, but they are an important reminder of St John’s past, and visitors can walk a trail that leads through important structures such as slave quarters, windmills, and factory remains.

Perched on the scenic southeast coast of St John, Salt Pond Bay shimmers with crystal clear waters fronted by a rocky, white-sand beach. The beach offers an escape from the crowds of Cruz Bay, with calm waters for swimming, tide pools filled with marine creatures, and a coral reef in the middle of the bay for snorkeling.

A walk along Reef Bay Trail uncovers the history and culture of St. John. The 2.2-mile (3.5-km) trail descends through shady forest and through several sugarcane estates before finishing at the Reef Bay sugar mill near Genti Bay. Keep an eye out for Taino petroglyphs carved into the basalt rock along the way.

Just off the northwest coast of St. John, Henley Cay is a small uninhabited island separated from the mainland by the Durloe Channel. Spanning 11 acres (4.5 hectares) and only accessible by boat or kayak, Henley Cay is rich in colorful coral, tropical fish, and other marine life. It also offers fantastic snorkeling.

If you’re looking to shop while visiting St. John, Mongoose Junction is the place to go. Considered the island's premier shopping and dining destination, Mongoose Junction is home to a number of stores selling local Caribbean products such as furniture and textiles, clothing, jewelry, and beach essentials.

Sun, soft sand, and warm, shallow waters characterize Leinster Bay—a favorite among beach lovers seeking solitude. It’s also one of the best snorkeling and scuba diving spots on St John thanks to the colorful coral reef of Waterlemon Cay, where it’s possible to spot sea turtles, stingrays, starfish, and schools of blue tang and parrotfish.