How is St. John different than US mainland beach towns?

This is a great article about cultural norms in the US Virgin Islands. It is not considerate to blast your music on the beach. If your music can be heard by people outside your group, it’s too loud.

What can I do for fun in St. John?

This is a great list called the self serve concierge with suggestions on boat charters, island transportation, private chefs, grocery provisioning services, photographers, and even a kid sitter!

What should I bring to St. John?

To ensure your St. John vacation is successful, this blog post details important items to consider bringing on your trip other than a swim suit and flip flops.

Should I buy trip insurance?

Yes, between COVID, airline delays and hurricane season, buying CFAR (Cancel For Any Reason) insurance is a smart decision. You will have the option to purchase travel insurance when booking on this site.

Should I rent a car?

If you stay at Pina Playa Villa, I strongly recommend you rent a car. You could get around by Safari Taxi, but will waste precious vacation time waiting to be picked up as this home is not on their main route. Rent local and early. I highly recommend renting from Amalie Car Rental near the STT airport. They will pick you up at the curb and take you to their off-site location to get a Jeep. From there, you will drive about 30-35 minutes to Red Hook to catch the car barge. When you return, they will meet you at the airport, so you can jump out and get in line; they will take the car back. The advantage of renting from Amalie is you will load your luggage and drive it to the villa. If you rent a car on St. John, which is also a good option, you will need a taxi in STT, and possibly one on St. John to reach your villa. There are many car rental options in St. John.

What’s it like to drive on St. John?

One of its unique features is that you drive on the left side of the road in St. John. While this takes a bit to get used, you’ll get the hang of it quickly. There are no stoplights on St. John and the speed limit does not exceed 30 mph, so take your time and enjoy the ride and views. If someone is on your tail, slow a bit and allow them to pass on the right. Keep an eye out for donkeys who like to stand in the middle of the road at times. Finally, there are numerous potholes on the road which can be avoided if you aren’t going too fast.

Should I make a reservation for the car barge?

Yes, it’s easy to do and costs $65 for a round trip. There are three ferry options, but I always use Love City Car Ferries. Read this post for everything you’ve always wanted to know about taking the car barge. Be sure to be inside the parking area queued up 30 minutes in advance. There are drinks and snacks available to purchase while you wait. Be prepared to back the car onto the ferry (that is a bit of an adventure). When you arrive in St. John, you will drive straight off the ferry. Also, there is a bar at the top of the Love City Car Ferries (named Vic). Get out of the car and enjoy the 20-minute ride to St. John.

How does the people ferry work?

If you rent a car in St. John, you will have two people ferry options from St. Thomas to Cruz Bay in St. John. (Note: the ferry is the local term for the people ferry whereas the car barge carries cars.) Option 1 includes taking a taxi from the airport to the Red Hook ferry dock on St. Thomas. This taxi ride can take 30-40 minutes depending on traffic. You can buy ferry tickets online in advance or onsite. Option 2 is called the “Crown Bay ferry,” allows you to enjoy a longer ferry ride. Take a taxi from the airport to the Crown Bay ferry dock. This option from InterIsland Boat Services costs a little more but saves you the long taxi ride across St. Thomas to Red Hook.

Where can I park in Cruz Bay?

There are many restaurant, bar and shopping options in Cruz Bay, but not a lot of parking and navigating the one-way streets can be tricky. Parking is readily available at The Lumberyard. Save money and buy a 2 or 3 day pass. There is some parking behind the Mongoose Junction shopping “mall.”

Can someone buy groceries for my villa before I arrive?

You will arrive in St. John after a full day of travel. The last thing you’ll want to do with a carload of hungry people is go to the grocery store. Landlubber Logistics is awesome at stocking your villa kitchen before you arrive. With your advance notice, I will coordinate access to the villa for the Landlubber team. Contact them at least a week prior to your arrival. And for fun, follow them on Facebook. Billy has hilarious posts.

Where can I rent snorkel gear?

Save money by renting equipment for a week. Just Beach in Mongoose Junction (Cruz Bay’s version of a mall) has equipment. In Coral Bay, rent from Busy Bee. One day rentals are also available on Maho Beach. Or, put your equipment in your suitcase and bring it over.

What’s the best beach on St. John?

There are too many excellent beaches to pick one. Here are the advantages of several beaches I love.

Hawksnest: great snorkeling, bathroom facilities

Cinnamon Bay: stunning beach, just gorgeous, bathroom facilities and a casual outdoor cafe within the campground

Trunk Bay: world famous for its beauty; snorkel on the right side

Francis Bay: beautiful, peaceful, can be less crowded, rustic bathroom

Maho: almost guaranteed to see sea turtles.  Rent a SUP and you can easily spot them as they come to the surface.  There are food and SUP vendors across the street reminiscent of the North Shore of Oahu. Can be crowded.

Salt Pond (past Coral Bay): easy to see a turtle, off the beaten path so less crowds, enjoy this beach after hiking Ram Head Trail, 1/3 mile hike from parking lot to the beach, don’t miss the 1/4 mile hike to Drunk Bay

Saltwell Bottom Beach: not often on many best beach lists, but has great snorkeling, chairs and umbrellas to rent from the nice family that manages the beach; its 1 mile past Hansen Bay Beach on the East End, small entrance fee. I’m not sure why I’m sharing my ‘secret’ beach.

Hansen Bay: popular East End beach, small entrance fee, and I’ve seen HUGE iguanas wandering the parking lot.

Honeymoon: requires a taxi fee of $10/person, plus tip; has SUP/kayaks to rent, food/drink to buy, and chairs/cabanas to rent. Definitely more commercialized than other beaches.

Where can I hike in the Virgin Islands National Park?

Hike in paradise on a different trail each day! Visit the VI National Park site or AllTrails to learn about each trail and which is the best fit. My favorite day is hiking Ram Head Trail and Drunk Bay Trail, then spending the rest of the day at Salt Pond Beach. This location is a 10-15 minute drive from Pina Playa Villa on the quiet side of Coral Bay.

What are the best restaurants?

First, almost every restaurant is casual, meaning you don’t have to dress up, but you do need to cover up! Wearing a swimsuit or see-through cover-up is not appropriate off the beach within the STJ culture. Shorts and flip-flops, sure. During high season, I suggest calling for reservations. Below are a few of my suggestions; not a complete list by any means!

In Coral Bay, Skinny Legs has great burgers, Rhumb Lines for a nicer dinner, Wok on the Beach for yummy Asian fusion (soon to convert to Surf Club Cantina with street tacos), Salty Mongoose for pizza and rum, and Miss Lucy’s for casual waterside dining.

Midway between Cruz Bay and Coral Bay, The Windmill Bar has casual lunch food and an outdoor bar vibe with a spectacular view of sunsets. Coco Jim’s Cafe next to the Midway gas station is not to be missed. His lobster roll, BBQ chicken, chili dog, and Painkillers are top-notch. Enjoy a delightful conversation with a local. Jim is an island treasure. The deli in the Midway gas station is also a quick lunch stop.

In Cruz Bay, Tap Room in Mongoose Junction for a brewpub and casual American food, 1864 for sushi and seafood in a gorgeous open dining room in Mongoose Junction, High Tide or The Beach Bar for waterside dining right off the ferry, Cafe Roma for Italian, Dave and Jerry’s Steakhouse, Morgan’s Mango for Caribbean/seafood.

You can consult Fodor’s for high-end restaurants.