St. John, USVI

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A typical beach day for us starts early: we pack a cooler with drinks and lunch, arrive at the beach in the morning for parking, and spend the day swimming and snorkeling through lunchtime. In the afternoon, we head back to Cruz Bay to explore town or grab a bite before returning to the villa for pool time and sunset views.

For first-time visitors, we recommend staying near Cruz Bay. This area offers the easiest access to restaurants, grocery stores, ferry arrivals, and some of the island’s most beautiful beaches. Our preferred way to experience St. John is by renting a private villa near Cruz Bay with a pool, giving you the perfect balance of adventure and downtime.

Having a car is essential. Driving is on the left, and a Jeep is highly recommended to comfortably handle the island’s steep and winding roads. One of the best parts of visiting St. John is driving to stunning beaches across the island—many accessible via short hikes that make each visit feel like a discovery.

Some of our favorite beaches include Hawksnest, Trunk Bay, Jumbie Bay, Maho Bay, Cinnamon Bay, and Salt Pond. Many offer excellent snorkeling directly from shore, making it easy to explore marine life without booking excursions.

A typical beach day for us starts early: we pack a cooler with drinks and lunch, arrive at the beach in the morning for parking, and spend the day swimming and snorkeling through lunchtime. In the afternoon, we head back to Cruz Bay to explore town or grab a bite before returning to the villa for pool time and sunset views.

Groceries are available on St. John, but they can be expensive. We plan ahead by bringing key food items—especially proteins—in a checked cooler. Frozen shredded chicken, pork, or even a homemade lasagna travel well with ice packs, while staples like pasta, rice, and beans are easy to find on the island. Families may want to bring kid-friendly favorites like frozen chicken nuggets. While we cook often, Cruz Bay also has excellent restaurants, so dining out is always an option.

For families, a little preparation goes a long way. Bring sunscreen and bug spray, and know that most villas provide beach towels and often umbrellas. If not, umbrellas and snorkel gear can be rented in Cruz Bay. The snorkeling on St. John is outstanding, and we recommend renting fins, masks, and snorkels for the duration of your stay.

One of our favorite excursions is a day trip to Jost Van Dyke, departing from the Westin. We are repeat customers of Cruz Bay Watersports who does a great job on this day trip. You’ll snorkel along the way and spend the afternoon at the iconic Soggy Dollar Bar, with your feet in the sand and a painkiller in hand. Important note: You must bring your passport to enter the BVI!

Plan to stay at least one week. Getting to St. John requires flying into St. Thomas and taking a ferry, making travel days longer—but once you arrive, the island rewards those who slow down and settle in.

St. John is natural, uncrowded, and deeply memorable. It’s a place that invites you to unplug, explore, and return again and again—just like we have.