Saint John, U.S. Virgin Islands
Island Caribbean island with Virgin Islands National Park
An island with two‑thirds designated as Virgin Islands National Park, Saint John draws visitors for Trunk Bay’s beach, snorkelling reefs, Reef Bay hiking and the small ferry town of Cruz Bay.
Saint John is one of the three main U.S. Virgin Islands and is noted for its high proportion of protected land and coastal scenery. A large part of the island is preserved as Virgin Islands National Park, and the island’s beaches and trails are primary reasons visitors come.
- National park coverage: About 60 percent of the island is contained within Virgin Islands National Park, offering protected beaches, hiking trails and historical plantation ruins.
- Access: Main access is by ferry from St. Thomas into Cruz Bay; cars and taxis are limited so many visitors use walking, biking or taxis to get around.
What to See #
- Cruz Bay: Cruz Bay on the island's west side serves as the main ferry and supply port and is the usual arrival point for visitors coming from St. Thomas.
- Beaches and park: Trunk Bay and other beach areas within Virgin Islands National Park that include marked snorkeling trails and protected marine areas.
- Coral Bay: Coral Bay on the island's east side, a smaller settlement with access to inland trails and quieter shoreline areas.
How to Get to Saint John, U.S. Virgin Islands #
To reach the island of Saint John, fly into Cyril E. King Airport (STT) on nearby St. Thomas, then take a taxi or shuttle to a ferry terminal - common departure points are Red Hook or Charlotte Amalie. Frequent ferries and water taxis run to Cruz Bay on Saint John (the crossing is roughly 15-30 minutes depending on route); from the Cruz Bay ferry dock the main town and beaches are a short walk.
Tips for Visiting Saint John, U.S. Virgin Islands #
- Arrive on Saint John early in the morning (before most ferry arrivals) to enjoy popular beaches like Trunk Bay and Cinnamon Bay with far fewer cruise-ship visitors and easier parking near Cruz Bay.
- Use the main Cruz Bay ferry dock as your arrival point and pick up local maps at the National Park Visitor Center there - many quieter hikes and beaches (for example, Salt Pond Bay and the Reef Bay Trail) are best reached from Cruz Bay rather than trying to drive straight to the most famous beaches.
- If you want solitude, head to the island's east end and smaller coves mid- to late afternoon when the popular western beaches are busiest; the island's trail network rewards short hikes to less-visited beaches.
Best Time to Visit Saint John, U.S. Virgin Islands #
Visit December-April for the sunniest, driest conditions and the best beach and hiking weather.
Weather & Climate near Saint John, U.S. Virgin Islands #
Saint John, U.S. Virgin Islands's climate is classified as Tropical Monsoon - Tropical Monsoon climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 20°C to 30°C. Abundant rainfall (1271 mm/year), wettest in October.
January
January is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 20°C. Moderate rainfall (74 mm).
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February
February is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 20°C. Moderate rainfall (50 mm).
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March
March is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 20°C. Moderate rainfall (68 mm).
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April
April is warm with highs of 28°C and lows of 21°C. Regular rainfall (80 mm).
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May
May is warm with highs of 29°C and lows of 22°C. Significant rainfall (129 mm).
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June
June is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 23°C. Moderate rainfall (75 mm).
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July
July is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 23°C. Regular rainfall (91 mm).
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August
August is the warmest month with highs of 30°C and lows of 23°C. Significant rainfall (130 mm).
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September
September is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 23°C. Significant rainfall (151 mm).
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October
October is warm with highs of 29°C and lows of 22°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (155 mm).
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November
November is warm with highs of 28°C and lows of 22°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (155 mm).
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December
December is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 21°C. Significant rainfall (113 mm).
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