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This page contains suggestions for what to and not to do on the island as well as basic travel info (e.g., drive on the left). What To Do or Not To Do Get island map from the state park office in Cruz Bay. It's the most accurate, but even it labels two goat trails as roads: Route 204 from Centerline near Gifft Hill to the N. Shore Road and the road from Centerline near the N. Shore Rd intersection down to Coral Bay. Do NOT attempt to take these roads. Ask for the map if not out and have the Park Service folks show you the two non-roads. Ask your rental car company if you can park in their lot when in Cruz Bay. During the day, most lots and parking spaces in Cruz Bay are full. Ask your rental company in advance if you can park there if needed. Don't
TOUCH the green apples:
Never touch the green apples y Don't eat the large black centipedes: They are poisonous when eaten, so stick to the small brown ones. Cover-up when not on beach: Bathing suits only are not welcomed attire in town. Don't leave valuables in your car while snorkeling or hiking. Keep picnic items packed away: Mongoose and donkeys have become adept at stealing picnic food left unattended (or sometimes attended). Make sure to keep things in coolers or otherwise packed away.
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Basic Travel Information Area Code: Cell Phones: Day Trips: |
| Driving: Driving is on the LEFT, British style. |
| Dress: St. John is exceptionally informal when it comes to dress code standards with shorts and shirts the standard daytime attire. Both the custom and the law state that bathing suits are not to be worn anywhere but on the beach. Casual clothes/casual elegance are suitable for evenings although jackets for men are required at Caneel Bay. A jacket of sweater might be appropriate for cooler winter evenings. Documents for arrival onto St. John: Every person entering St. John/the US Virgin Islands should be in possession of a valid passport or a certified birth certificate and photo ID and a valid return ticket. Electricity: 110 volts/50 cycles-same as in the U.S. No adapters necessary for visitors from North America but European visitors will require one. Golf: No golf course on the island…The closest golf would be on nearby St. Thomas at the Mahogany Run Golf Course. Grocery Shopping: Visitors will find the supermarkets in St. John are well stocked and offering a staggering array of exotic and distinguished specialty foods for the good life. The island boasts four stateside style mini-markets that provide a more than adequate supply of fresh and frozen meats, staples and an array of basic frozen and canned goods. The island, also, has a gourmet/health food store, a produce store, an excellent bakery and a great deli. We do not think the small saving in cost is worth the aggravation and loss of vacation time that a trip to a St. Thomas supermarket entails. Hiking: A variety of hiking opportunities exist on St. John. Be sure to stop in Cruz Bay at the Virgin Islands National Park Headquarters (phone 340.776.6201) which is open daily from 8:00 AM until 4:30 PM for a pamphlet describing the 22 trails that meander to and through plantation ruins, open valleys, semi-rainforests and seaside beaches. The park offers 22 trails in all which encompass some 20 miles. The trails range from easy to very difficult and from fifteen minutes to over two hours. Do be sure to wear sturdy hiking shoes and bring a hat and sunscreen. The Reef Bay Trail is one of the island’s most popular and it is here that you may see the pre-Columbian petroglyphs. History: The history of the Virgin Islands started with Christopher Columbus’ second voyage in 1493. He sighted St. Croix first which he named Santa Cruz and claimed it for Spain. He then proceeded to sail further North where he found the other islands and christened them “Las Islas Virgenes” or the Virgin Islands. Sir Francis Drake, an English navigator and infamous plunderer of Spanish galleons, sailed through the sea passageway separating the British and American Virgin Islands and which is today known as the Sir Francis Drake Channel. In the 1660’s, various European powers (Holland, France, England, Spain, Denmark & the Knights of Malta) all wanted to possess the Virgin Islands but in 1671 it was Denmark that clearly ruled St. Thomas. Denmark established the first permanent settlement there and by 1718 they expanded to St. John. A fort was constructed in Coral Bay on St. John, one of the safest harbors in the Caribbean. In 1733, Denmark purchased St. Croix from France and united the three Virgin Islands of today. The United States bought the islands in 1917, as part of a military defense strategy for $25 million but it was not until 1927 that the residents were granted U.S. citizenship. Laurence Rockefeller purchased the island of St. John in 1956 and deeded large portions of the island to the National Park Service. Currently, over half of the island’s 21 square miles lies under its protective care. Horseback Riding: Available at Bordeaux Mountain. Internet: If you’re bringing your laptop and want to get connected locally, please go to www.viaccess.net and see their home page. Click on the personal link and sign up with your credit card number and tell them the phone number of your villa (we will provide). The rate is $19.96 per month for unlimited access with a one-month minimum. Internet Cafes (2): (1) Cyber Celtic Café/Quiet Mon Pub: Cruz Bay (next to La Tapa) www.quietmon.com 340.779.4799 (2) Connections Cruz Bay 340/ 776-6922 Coral Bay 340/ 779-4994 Language: The official language is English spoken although islands residents often speak it with a Creole or West Indian lilt. Laundry: Only a select few villas on the island provide guests access to the villa’s washer and dryer for personal use. Professional laundry service, however, is available in town. Location: St. John is located approximately 1,500 southeast of New York City. Nightlife: Nightlife is somewhat limited on St. John and consists of dancing and occasional live bands. For the most current information about local entertainment, please refer to any of the local newspapers such as the Daily News, The Tradewinds, or the Island Trader. Duffy’s Love Shack is usually a lively spot at night and local music such as calypso; soca and reggae may be enjoyed at Fred’s in Cruz Bay. Parking In Town: Available parking in Cruz Bay will vary with the time of day and is usually jammed. For shopping, part in either Wharfside Village or behind Mongoose Junction. While there is no metered or pay parking on the island, please note that the time restrictions and handicapped parking spaces are strictly enforced. Regular parking tickets range between $25 and $50 with handicapped violations being upwards of $1000.00 Population: 3000-4000 Shopping: Cruz Bay, the arrival point for boats and ferries from St. Thomas, is a charming town situated on a picturesque harbor at the west end of the island. The majority of shops are all located around Cruz Bay but visitors should note that the island is not a duty-free shopping haven. Rather, the island offers smaller shops that specialized in local crafts and art. Wharfside Villa is located just steps from the ferry dock and offers quaint shops, watersports and restaurants. A bit further from the ferry dock (around a 5 minute walk) is the charming Mongoose Junction shopping plaza that offers studio shops, fine boutiques, galleries, jewelry shops, restaurants and watersports St. John Sports: Horseback riding, sports fishing, snorkeling, snuba, diving, parasailing, sailing, tennis, kayaking are all available on the island. Snorkeling & Diving: St. John offers exceptional close in snorkeling directly off it’s spectacular white sand beaches. First time visitors will not want to miss the famous, although sometimes crowded, underwater snorkeling trail at Trunk Bay. Visitors may snorkel and follow the various buoys that outline the shallow water trail. The 15 underwater plaques identify the corals and fish that inhabit these waters. Tennis: The majority of the resorts (The Westin Resort) on the island have tennis courts that may be booked even if you are not a guest for a court fee. Call the Pro-Shop at the Westin for court times and availability (693.8000 ext. 1740) as well as information on clinics and private lessons. Additionally, there are public courts at the town courts located across the street from the Fire Station in Cruz Bay. Time Zone: St. John falls in the Atlantic Time zone, which is one hour ahead of US Eastern time. The island does not observe daylight savings time. Topography: St. John is only 9 miles long and 4 miles wide with a total area of 20 square miles. It is mountainous (86%) of the land surface is of wooden slopes rising to 12,00 feet at Bordeaux Mountain) and features a very irregular coastline of fabulous beaches tucked between the many bays and coves. Tourist Board Contact Information: USA/New York Office: 372.USVI Transportation: There are a few options other than cars:
Weather: 80s during the day, dropping to 70s in the evening. May average is 80 degrees with 1.3 days of rain. Rainiest month is April with 7.5 days of rain. If it rains, it should end very quickly.
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There are also pages on flight information, where to stay, car rental suggestions, or ideas for what to bring.
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ou see on the island, they are from
Machineel trees and are poisonous to the touch and taste.