Dining / Restaurants
Beaches
Surfing
Under water sports
Sailboat Charters
Hiking

Skinny Legs Grill (In Coral Bay)
The best local hamburgers and grill
(340) 779-4982 

Asolare in Cruz Bay (Up the hill by the National Park)
The best harbor view and fusion cuisine
(340) 779-4747 

Chateau De Bordeaux (Highest peak on the island)
The best French cuisine and Coral Bay view
(340) 776-6611 

Miss Lucy's  (An authentic local spot - just east of Coral Bay)
The best conch fritters
(340) 779-4747  (Just East of Coral Bay)

Caneel Bay Resort (Outside of Cruz Bay)
The best buffet
(340) 776-6111 

Chloe and Bernard 's  (Westin Hotel in Cruz Bay -the pool is great to look at)
The best fine dining
(340) 693-8000

 

St. John was chosen as one of the "Top Top Beaches In The World" by National Geographic.

The beaches here are ideal for sunbathing. The crystal clear turquoise waters make St. John a fantasyland for snorkeling & swimming.

All of the beaches are open to the public. We list the three most popular here, but suggest you go exploring for others.  Many provide cove-like, quiet settings and have some of the most crystalline water you will find anywhere in the world.

Trunk Bay
Facilities include an underwater snorkeling trail, bathhouse, snack bar, and snorkel gear rental. Lifeguards are on duty daily. 

Cinnamon Bay 
Facilities include a water sports center which rents snorkel gear and windsurfers. Attendants at the center can arrange day snorkeling, sailing, and scuba diving lessons and/or excursions.  

Hawksnest Bay
Facilities include changing rooms, trails to remote beaches, and picnic areas (with tables, grills, and restrooms). 

Surfing

Head for Hull Bay where the waves build over an off-shore reef.  Morning Star has gentle rollers close to the shore.

For Underwater Sports

Ranked as one of the World's top  diving and snorkeling centers, St. John also has a National Underwater Park.  A self-guided snorkeling trail is marked by underwater signs that identify the fish life and coral.  A "not to be missed" adventure on this tropical island paradise.

Snorkelers and divers are not to touch or stand on living coral, which can be easily damaged. 

Taking shells from the sea and removing coral is against the law.
Be careful not to step on black sea urchins.  If you do, vinegar will dissolve their barbs.

 

SAILBOAT CHARTERS

Click here for more information.

Fantastic Hiking Trails

Always notify friends where and when you will return.  Don't hike alone and be sure to take a map with you. Allow ample time for rest stops and water breaks.  Remember, this is a tropical island. Don't become dehydrated - bring plenty of water to drink. Drinkable water is NOT available on the trails.

Always stay on the trails and do not cross Private Property lines. Wear comfortable shoes, never sandals.  Wear loose fitting, breathable clothing. Bring a hat, sunscreen, and a watch.\

Full descriptions of trails are available at the State Park Visitor's Desk. Always check with the State Park to get the latest trail condition report. Depending on the season, some trails could be dangerous to travel.

NORTH SHORE TRAILS

Annaberg Area (0.2 mile, 30 minutes)
Mangrove forest and shallow reef flats with plenty of wildlife sighting opportunities.  Self-guiding walking tour of Annaberg Sugar Mill Ruins up the hill from picnic area. Scenic overlook.

Cinnamon Bay Self-Guiding Trail (0.5 mile. 1 hour)
A historic and nature loop trail that passes through old sugar factory sites and tropical trees. Trail begins east of of the entrance road into Cinnamon Bay Campground.

Lind Point Trail (1.1 miles, 1 hour)
One of the most popular trails on St. John.  Connects National Park Visitor Center at Cruz Bay with Honeymoon Beach at Caneel. Trail climb to scenic Lind Point overlook (elev. 160 ft.) Small trail also to Salomon Beach. Cactus scrub environment.

Caneel Hill Trail (2.4 miles, 2 hours)
Joins Cruz Bay village with Northshore Road entrance to Caneel Bay.  A 0.8 mile climb from Cruz Bay leads to scenic overlook atop Caneel Hill (elev. 719 ft.) Trail continues uphill (elev. 848 ft.) then descends to Northshore Road through forest.

Caneel Hill Spur Trail (0.8 mile, 40 minutes)
Starts from Lind Point trail. Crosses Northshore Road at a point overlooking Cruz Bay and Caneel Bay.

Water Catchment Trail (l.0 mile, 30 minutes)
Forest trail between Centerline Road and the Northshore Road. Trail joins the Caneel Hill trail at certain points.

Turtle Point Trail (0.6 mile, 30 minutes)
Trail begins at north end of Caneel Bay Plantation. Enter property through main gate. Register at the front desk.

Cinnamon Bay Trail (1.1 miles, 1 hour)
Starting about 80 yards east of the entrance road into the Campground, the forested trail goes up hill to meet with Centerline Road.

Leinster Bay Trail/Road (0.8 mile, 30 minutes)
Follow the old Danish Road eastward along the seashore from the Annaberg picnic site to Waterlemon Bay. Good boat anchorage and swimming. Snorkeling is excellent around Waterlemon Cay.

SOUTH SHORE TRAILS

Ram's Head Trail (1.0 mile, 1 hour)
Rocky Trail begins at the south end of Salt Pond Bay Beach. Switchbacks up a hillside to crest 200 feet above the Caribbean Sea. Magnificent scenery. Dangerous footing areas.

Reef Bay Trail (2.2 miles, 2 hours)
This descending rail begins 4.9 miles east of Cruz Bay on Centerline Road. Visible remains of four sugar plantations. Picnic site and toilets by Reef Bay sugar mill, close to the beach.  Remember, there are no lifeguards.  National Park Service give Guided hikes regularly.  

Petroglyph Trail (0.2 mile, 15 minutes)
Trail starts 1.5 miles down the Reef Say trail. Rock carvings attributed to early Indians. 

Lameshur Bay Trail (1.5 miles, 1 hour 15 minutes)
Trail connects Lameshur Bay and Reef Bay trail. Dry open and forest hiking. 1.2 miles from the Reef Bay junction a spur trail leads 0.3 mile to a salt pond and the coral beach at Europa.

Yawzi Point Trail (0.3 mile, 20 minutes)
Trail leads from Little Lameshur Bay Road (near beach) through scrub vegetation to isolated private coves.

Bordeaux Mountain Trail (1.2 miles, 1 hour 30 minutes)
Steep trail connecting shady Bordeaux Mountain Road with Lameshur Bay 1,000 feet below.

Salt Pond Bay Trail (0.2 mile, 15 minutes)
Evaporated, crystallized Salt Pond.  Trail begins at the parking area 3.9 miles south of Coral Bay. Trail leads down to Salt Pond Beach and picnic area and cactus area.  Swimming and snorkeling.  Toilet.

Drunk Bay Trail (0.3 mile, 20 minutes)
For shelling.  Start at the south end of Salt Pond Bay Beach.  Turn to the east on Drunk Bay trail along the north side. Dangerous Swimming area.

Ram Head Trail (1.0 mile, 1 hour)
Rocky Trail begins at the south end of Salt Pond Bay Beach. Switchbacks up a hillside to crest 200 feet above the Caribbean Sea. Magnificent scenery. Dangerous footing areas.