Short
Description Geared toward nature lovers, over half of St. John is home to a National Park which is above and underwater. Pristine beaches and incredible landscapes highlight the smallest island in the US Virgin Islands.
Local
Weather Average yearly temperature is 82° F. From September thru January expect some brief rainfall. Annual rainfall average is 40 inches.
Other
Destinations
Description The smallest of the three US Virgin Islands, St. John is located at the Northwest corner of the islands, where the Atlantic meets the Caribbean. It rates as one of the most enchanting spots in the Caribbean. Through the years its beauty has remained untouched; most of St. John appears as idyllic and pristine as it did when Columbus first sighted it over 500 years ago. A mere 20-minute boat ride from St. Thomas, St. John is a non-commercial, low-key treasure island.
Much of the island's natural beauty has been preserved thanks to the efforts of American financier Laurance Rockefeller. In 1956, he purchased and then deeded large portions of the island to the National Park Service. Now over half of St. John's 21 square miles is cared for by the Park Service and is open for exploration with fabulous trails and scenic vistas. Lace up your shoes and take a hike on the Reef Bay Trail. This lovely downhill trail includes a 200-year-old sugar plantation and petroglyphs carved by the Carib Indians. The reward at the end-a lovely beach to wiggle your toes in the sand and cool off. The trails through the park are easy and accommodating, as are the numerous guides that are available to accompany you. On foot or by safari bus, you'll enjoy exploring and discovering the majesty and history of St. John.
St. John's beaches are first rate, luring photographers from all over the world looking for perfect white sand, clear turquoise-blue water and majestic palm trees. You'll never get bored lounging on the sand or floating on a raft built for two in one of St. John's many secluded bays.
A large portion of the National Park is underwater. Trunk Bay provides some of the best snorkeling in the world. You can rent snorkeling equipment and follow the white, red, and blue buoys that outline the shallow water trail. The 15 underwater plaques identify the corals and fish that inhabit these waters. VI Snuba Excursions offers a fun experience for snorkelers at Trunk Bay to breathe through a regulator and dive 15-20 feet down to get a closer look at the diverse marine life. Divers will find plenty to love further off shore, where the conditions are usually calm with a variety of reefs and wreck sites just a short boat ride away, making it a great locale for beginners.
St.John has more to offer than just natural beauty. There are restored plantation homes to visit, sugar mill ruins, historic buildings, and the laidback artist colony of Cruz Bay. This village-size town has pastel-colored West Indian architecture, parks, museums, funky bars, interesting restaurants, and unusual one-of-a-kind shops.
Local Information The local currency is the US Dollar, so there is no need for conversion.
The official language of St. John is English.
Electricity is normally 110 volts AC. American appliances are fully compatible.
Taxis on St. John are open-air pickup trucks with seats in the rear. Don't let the description fool you, there are some very fancy taxis here. Car rentals are about $65 a day and you should try to get a four wheel drive. Driving is on the left and a US drivers license is required to rent a car.
Eastern Standard Time is used within St. Thomas. April to October is Eastern Daylight Time, in conjunction with US summer hours.
Airport
Information There is no airport located on St. John. To get there, you would fly into Cyril E. King Airport (STT) on the island of St. Thomas. From there, you can take a ferry to St. John (approximately a 20 minute ride). The airport is located located just west of Charlotte Amalie, on the south coast of St. Thomas. Major carriers sevicing the island include Air Anguilla, Air St. Thomas, American Airlines, American Eagle, Cape Air, Carib Air, Continental, LIAT, US Airways , WINAIR and various air charter companies.
Entry
Requirements We recommend all U.S. Citizens travelling abroad should carry a passport due to heightened security at airport check-in and immigration. If you do not have a passport or are not an American citizen, please contact your airline or your local consulate or embassy in regards to travel documentation necessary for your vacation.
