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St. John is the smallest and least densely populated of the three U.S. Virgin Islands. During the 17th century, the island was divided into two units, one English and the other Danish. Sugarcane drove the islands' economy during the 18th and early 19th centuries. In 1917, the US purchased the Danish portion.
Laurence Rockefeller purchased many acres of land on St. John and donated them to the United States. Virgin Islands National Park preserves 12,624 acres, along with water adjacent to St. John. The coastline is rocky with lush hillsides, white sand and pebble beaches, bays and coves. There are numerous hiking trails in all sizes and shapes. Cruz Bay is the center of activity on St. John. Its also the port of entry to the USA. It offers a concentration of bars, restaurants, boutiques, art galleries, perfumes, sportswear shops, jeep rentals, medical clinic, post office, pharmacy, etc. Wharfside Village begins at the Ferry Dock; follow the streets lined with local flavor through to Mongoose Junction. You will be delighted with the interesting and eclectic selections.
Beaches:
Cinnamon Bay, found in the National Park, is the most famous campsite in the Caribbean.
Hawksnest Bay is a narrow white sand beach lined with seagrape and coconut trees.
Trunk Bay, one of the world most beautiful beaches and offers excellent snorkeling and swimming.
St. John is blessed with many other beaches such as Maho Bay, Coral Bay, Salt Pond Bay, Leinster Bay and Caneel Bay.
Activities:
Beaches, Snorkeling, windsurfing, parasailing, Kayak tours, power boating, day sails, sport fishing, scuba, bird watching and exploring. St. John has a spectacular Carnival during the weeks of July 4th every year and host many other celebrations such as a Jazz Festival, etc.
Points of interest:
Annaberg Sugar Plantation Ruins, Annaberg Historic Trail, Fort Berg at Coral Bay, Leinster Bay Trail and Reef Bay Hike
Area:
20 square miles
Location:
Located in the Lesser Antilles at 18 degrees North latitude and 65 degrees West longitude.
Capital
Charlotte Amalie on St. Thomas
Language
English and American Creole
Population
4500
Currency
US dollar (USD)
Climate
Sub-tropical with easterly winds and temps from 70 90s year round.
Time Zone: Atlantic Standard Time, which is one hour ahead of Eastern Standard Time or the same as Day Light Savings Time.
How to Get to St. John
Fly to St. Thomas. Major airlines fly directly to St. Thomas from many US hubs. Take a 30-45-minute taxi ride to Red Hook ferry to Cruz Bay(about a 15 minute ride). The ferry runs every hour on the hour 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.
When traveling to the Virgin Islands, U.S. citizens do not need passports.
Photography: Don Hebert
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