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877 311 7759International : +1 352 505 2805
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Visiting
by air from the United States
| Salomon Bay
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Salomon is a small, lovely beach accessible only by trail, Lind Point Trail. As there is no road access the beach is often sparsely populated. Salomon is a great beach for enjoying a relaxing day. Good snorkeling is available at the rocky headland that extends into the water between Salomon and Honeymoon Bay. Although illegal in the Virgin Islands, nude sunbathing at Salomon Bay was once overlooked by authorities making it the unofficial nude beach on St. John. This has changed, park rangers presently patrol the beach and issue tickets to offenders.
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Honeymoon BayHoneymoon is a tranquil little beach. It offers you beautiful white sand and crystal clear waters. You can access the beach via the Lind Point Hiking Trail that connects Cruz Bay to Honeymoon and Caneel Bay. The beach is lovely and because it is not accessible by cars it is usually not crowded. It is popular with hiking tours, and is a delightful beach to relax on after an enjoyable hike. Honeymoon Bay is also popular with charter boats from mid-morning to mid-afternoon. Snorkeling can be enjoyed at the rocky headland that extends into the water between Salomon and Honeymoon Bay.
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| Caneel Bay
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Caneel Bay is a fabulous white sand beach lined with lovely tropical foliage. The water is usually very calm and crystal clear. Caneel Bay is home to the Caneel Bay Resort and the beach is accessible through the resort's entrance. It is requested that you check in with the front desk and collect a day-visitor's guide. A water sports concession rents small watercrafts. Caneel Bay can be hiked to from Cruz Bay.
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Hawknest BeachHawknest, a National Park Beach, has gorgeous clear water and a pretty shoreline. A covered shed with picnic tables makes the beach a favorite with residents, particularly on weekends for picnics and in late afternoons for a relaxing swim after work. This beach has good parking and is easily accessed from the road. The beach is lined with sea grape trees that offer a bit of shade. A great beach for enjoying a few hours of perfect waters and sunshine!
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| Denis Bay
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Denis Bay is a pretty and quiet beach. Its powdery white sand shore is often sparsely populated, primarily because its only accessible by a rugged trail or by boat. The trail begins at the Peace Hill trail and descends to the western extreme of the bay. Denis Bay is part of the National Park. There is fair to good snorkeling to be had. Bring snacks and drinks with you as there are no amenities. The property behind the tree line at the beach is private.
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Jumbie BayJumbie Bay is a lovely little beach. Often sparsely populated it is a great spot to enjoy some private beach time; spread your towel, beach blanket or just to lay in the sand. A walk down wooden steps and a short trail leads you to the beach from the main road. Parking is limited to a few roadside spots. A small sign on the roadside indicates the beach; it is easily missed. The water at Jumbie can be choppy on windy days. Use caution when swimming as the water deepens quickly. A hard beach rock covers an area of the beach with sandy areas around it. Snorkeling can be enjoyed on calm days along a shallow reef that extends from the right side of the beach.
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| Trunk Bay
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Beautiful waters and wonderful white sand has made picturesque Trunk Bay one of the most popular beaches on St. John. Renowned for it's underwater snorkeling trail, Trunk Bay is definitely worth a visit. Six hundred and fifty (650) feet of underwater trails are a highlight for Trunk Bay's visitors. You can rent snorkel gear on the beach. Trunk Bay is part of the National Park and is the only beach on St. John that has an admission fee. Fee is collected from 8am to 4pm. The beach is a popular stop on tour itineraries and can get very busy on days when there are several cruise ships in port on St. Thomas or anchored off of St. John. Trunk Bay has been voted one of the most photogenic beaches in the Caribbean. Lifeguards are on duty daily.
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Cinnamon BayCinnamon Bay, at about 1 mile, is the National Park's longest beach. This great beach offers snorkeling, swimming, volleyball and more. A watersports concession stand rents windsurfing equipment, kayaks and mountain bikes. There is good snorkeling around Cinnamon Bay Cay, a short swim from shore. The clear waters will tempt you to spend your time swimming and snorkeling, while the palm trees will call you to spread your beach blanket in the shade and relax. Across from the beach and campground entrance/parking area is a Hiking Trail through the Cinnamon Bay Plantation ruins. This is definitely a beach you can spend the whole day at.
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| Maho Bay
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Maho Bay is a long beautiful, white sand beach. It is close to the road so access is easy, however roadside parking is limited. Boaters often frequent Maho on weekends. The bay is calm and sheltered. Seagrass beds in this shallow bay provide food for green sea turtles, which are seen often in the early morning and late afternoons. The water is relatively shallow and deepens gradually making it great for children. Maho Bay is often sparsely populated on weekdays so finding a quiet spot for yourself is easy.
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Francis BayVisit Francis Bay and you will find yourself on one of St. John's longest beaches. This beautiful beach has calm waters and a lovely, sandy shore. Often sparsely populated on weekdays its easy to find a nice quiet spot. Picnic tables are available. The Francis Bay Trail runs along a salt pond and offers great bird watching. There is good snorkeling for beginners along the western end of the beach towards Maho Bay. For strong swimmers, enter the water from the rocky section of other end of the beach. Halfway out from the bay's point begins a varied, narrow reef. For those with a kayak, Whistling Cay, adjacent to the bay, offers very good snorkeling.
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| Leinster/Waterlemon Bay
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Leinster Bay, is bordered by the Leinster Bay Trail. The area before the parking lot is great for walking and exploring. Mangrove trees line the left side of the bay. The water is very shallow for a distance and then it quickly drops off and becomes the open ocean. The shoreline is fairly pebbly, however there are a few sandy areas that can be used to enter the water for a swim. A 10-15 minute walk from the parking area down the trail will bring you to a narrow stretch of sand. Another 10 minutes down the trail is Waterlemon Bay, a lovely, often quiet beach. Waterlemon Cay, located a longish swim from shore, offers excellent snorkeling. Walking along the rocky coast on an unofficial trail to the tip of the bay will allow you to enter at a closer point to the cay for a shorter swim. A strong current runs along the back, right side of the cay, use caution.
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Dining on St. John, US Virgin Islands
Restaurants on St. John offer you various levels of enjoyable dining experiences. From casual outdoor dining to five course meals on patios over looking moonlit Cruz Bay, you will enjoy it all. Experienced chefs create mouth-watering entrees, often offering a large selection from continental cuisine to French, Italian and Caribbean foods. Virtually every restaurant has a bar and every bar has a grill. For the visitor to St. John, it would take a rather extensive visit to eat everywhere, but there a few places that one should not miss.
One way to gauge
the popularity of restaurants in a particular place is to ask those who
have been there to name a couple of places they remember. When people
who have visited Cruz Bay, St. John are asked to name a couple
favorites, one name seems to pop up more than any other.
In Cruz Bay, one should be
sure to seek out some of the local fare. An island favorite is the
Pate', a sweet bread filled with a variety of fillings including fish,
lobster, beef, chicken and of course, conch. Cuisine in the Virgin
Islands is an interesting blend of cultures thanks to the history of
the islands. Influences from the Americas, Europe, Africa, India and China all come together in Caribbean Cuisine and St. John is a great
place to taste all these influences.
Asolare: Offers
a fusion of Euro-Asian cuisine in spectacular surroundings. Dinner
nightly, reservations recommended. Northshore Road Cruz Bay.
Tel: (340) 779-4747
Cafe Roma: A
local's favorite! Steak, Chicken, Veal and Seafood Vegetarian Entrees.
Dinner (9") Specialty Pizza Pies. (Pizza Pies 16" or by the slice for
take out or at the Bar). Nightly specials.
Tel: (340) 776-6524
Caneel Bay Beach Terrace: Buffet
on a covered terrace.
Tel: (340) 776-6111
Caneel Bay The Equator: Dinner
on a covered terrace, specializing in sauces and foods from the Equator.
Tel: (340) 776-6611
Chateau Bordeaux: Fine
dining / International Cuisine, located on the highest outlook point on
St. John. Dinner nightly, reservations recommended. Centerline Road,
Bordeaux Mountain.
Tel: (340) 776-6611
The Fish Trap: The
Fish Trap offers the freshest fish, seafood, and much more at
surprisingly reasonable prices. Another way to decide where to eat when
visiting, is to see what the local press has had to say. Open and Flying At Raintree Court in Cruz Bay Tropical
Patio. Fresh fish specials, early-bird specials, homemade desserts.
Tel: (340) 693-9994
Inn at Tamarind Court: Pasta,
Sushi and Sandwiches.
Tel: (340) 776-6378
The Lime Inn In: Cruz
Bay (limin' is West Indian for relaxing). Grilled local lobster, fish,
steaks, on outdoor terrace. Casual.
Tel: (340) 776-6425
Morgan's Mango: Cuisines
of the Caribbean, fresh seafood, vegetarian dishes, frozen tropical
drinks. An open air restaurant that combines the flavors of the
different islands in the Caribbean. Dinner only from 5:30 to 10:00pm.
Reservations recommended.
Tel: (340) 693-8141
Paradiso: Traditional
American fare with a children's menu, dine in the air conditioned dining
room or sit and watch
the world go by on the balcony. Located in Mongoose Junction. Open for
lunch, Mon-Sat. 11-3pm.
Shipwreck Landing: Coral
Bay, Best Conch Fritters on the Island, frozen drinks, fresh seafood,
specials nightly, open air dining on Coral Bay, "the Real St. John
Experience"! Live music every weekend.
Tel: (340) 693-5640
Skinny Legs: A
Coral bay local hideout, Light grill w/sandwiches, soup, & fish. Open 7
days a week 11 am - 9:00 pm.
Tel: (340) 779-4982
Sogo's Restaurant: Located
in the heart of Cruz Bay. Specializing in West Indian and American
Cuisines. Open
Monday-Saturday for lunch and dinner.
Tel: (340) 779-4404.
Woody's Seafood Saloon and American Seafood Grill: "The
Caribbean's best happy hour".
Tel: (340) 779-4625
Stone Terrace : Enjoy the elegant atmosphere of fine dining while at The Stone Terrace overlooking the waterfront at Cruz Bay Harbor, St. John. Watch the pelicans diving in the bay, the boats going in and out of the harbor and the lights flickering in the background. All the while you'll delight in Chef Aaron Willis' eclectic menu, served with the freshest ingredients, and prepared with a taste and feel of the Caribbean style and setting in mind.
The V. I. Daily News Escapade in February, 2004, had this
to say about "The Stone
Terrace Restaurant" :
"Once again, Daily News readers selected Stone Terrace Restaurant to
receive multiple awards in the annual Best of the VI competition. In
addition to being selected St. John's No. 1 choice for gourmet dining,
the restaurant also was lauded for best restaurant host, and best
vegetarian food."
Tel : 340-693-9370
USVI Government Links
The Office of the
Lieutenant Governor in the United States Virgin Islands.