The last time I came to the islands, which are part of the United States Virgin Islands, was eight years ago. Today, there are more than 1,000 islands, nearly two-thirds of which are designated as U.S. national parks.
More than half of the island is located in the U.S. Virgin Islands National Park and it is possible to camp on any part of the island. The best place to stay on St. John is the little independent charmer that can be found in the two small towns of the islands. It is said that it is above all what has made it so difficult for St. John to develop in recent decades, with its high cost of living.
The Westin St. John (rates see below) is a true St. John resort on the island, offering a wonderful, wonderful experience, with great views of the Caribbean Sea and a beautiful beach.
The sprawling, now independently run Sugar Bay Resort is one of the island's most popular tourist destinations, and a popular day trip includes a day trip from the resort to the bar, which you can hop on and off the beach to enjoy great views of St. John. The Virgin Islands National Park is a destination for outdoor activities that protects almost half of the island. It is dominated by land that is home to over 1,000 miles of beaches and more than 2,500 hectares of national parks and reserves.
Saint John is also home to one of the world's most popular tourist destinations, Sugar Bay Resort. Saint John also bears a strong resemblance to other Virgin Islands islands, such as St Kitts and Nevis and the Cayman Islands.
The ferry runs daily from Saint John to St. Kitts and Nevis and the Cayman Islands and twice daily from the port of St. John's. Ferries depart every two hours from the port of Saint John to the islands and once every three hours for the rest of the year.
This is a great day trip to get a sense of what is happening nearby, and it is easily accessible by boat from the port of St. John.
Those who prefer to stay on land can explore the Reef Bay Trail, which leads from the tip of the island to plantation ruins and down to the sea. It can be slippery, so wear good shoes, especially if you're hiking or kayaking, as it can cause serious injuries to the ankle and foot.
First of all, St. John is part of the group known as the Virgin Islands, and it is a member of both the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Caribbean. It is divided into two groups, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, which are together, with all the certainty and ease that this implies, but St. John will be part of the latter.
Since 1956, about 60% of the island has been protected as a National Park of the Virgin Islands, administered by the United States National Park Service. Of the three U.S. Virgin Islands, St. John makes up the bulk of the island, and is seen by many seasoned vacationers and naturalists as a great place to hike, camp, fish, kayak and other outdoor activities. It is not only a huge asset to St. John, but also a popular destination for many visitors to the Caribbean and the world, as it offers a truly unique experience of life to the islands.
St. John is a divided chain of islands in the U.S. Virgin Islands, a heavily wooded stretch of land surrounded by rocky bays and coves protected by the National Park Service and the United States National Wildlife Refuge System.
Trunk Bay is the most popular beach on St. John, and this tiny, 11-acre beach is part of the Virgin Islands National Park and is one of the best beaches in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Located in Wharfside Village, the St. John Resort overlooks the island's most famous beach, Trunks Bay, as well as a number of other popular beaches. The time-honoured St John Resort offers stunning views of Trunk Bay and the surrounding Virgin Islands National Park.
Of the three US Virgin Islands, the visit to Saint John is the highlight for me and it is my favorite snorkeling spot. From the beach you can go directly into the water and you have access to hiking trails in the park as well as a number of other picturesque beaches.
Virgin Islands Ecotours offers several kayaking, hiking and snorkeling adventures that start and end depending on the tour. There are also a number of good accommodations in St. John, such as Cruz Bay, which is located just a few miles south of the island's capital, Saint John. A private charter company affiliated with the US Virgin Islands National Park Service (USVPS) offers a variety of charter cruises as well as captain charter to the most popular tourist destinations of the islands.