Weather in St. John

St John is the smallest of the main US Virgin Islands and the most protected — roughly two-thirds of it falls within Virgin Islands National Park, meaning the beaches at Trunk Bay and Maho Bay remain genuinely pristine. There's no airport, so everyone arrives by boat, which keeps the pace slow and the development light. It's the kind of place where snorkelling with sea turtles off a beach you reached on foot feels entirely normal.

Best areas to stay in St. John

Cruz Bay

The island's small main town, with the ferry dock, restaurants, shops, and a lively but compact waterfront.

Trunk Bay

The island's most famous beach, with a marked underwater snorkelling trail through Virgin Islands National Park.

Coral Bay

A more low-key settlement on the quieter east end, popular with sailors and known for its laid-back bars.

Maho Bay

A calm, shallow bay where sea turtles regularly feed close to shore, with eco-camp accommodation nearby.

Getting to St. John

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Flights

Fly via a US gateway to St Thomas (STT), then take a 20-minute ferry from Red Hook or Charlotte Amalie to Cruz Bay.

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From London

~10-11 hours from London via a US connection, plus the ferry crossing.

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Getting around

Open-air safari taxis run set routes; a rental jeep gives the most flexibility for reaching the national park's beaches.

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit St John?

December to April is driest and most popular. May and June offer warm weather with fewer visitors, while hurricane season runs June to November.

How do I get to St John?

Fly to St Thomas (STT), then take a short ferry from Red Hook or Charlotte Amalie to Cruz Bay, St John's main town.

What is Virgin Islands National Park?

It covers about 60% of the island plus surrounding waters, protecting beaches, hiking trails, and coral reefs, with Trunk Bay's underwater snorkelling trail among its highlights.

Do I need a car on St John?

Open-air taxis (safari buses) and a rental jeep both work well — a jeep gives more freedom for reaching quieter beaches like Hawksnest and Maho Bay.

Is St John expensive?

It's one of the pricier USVI options for accommodation given limited development and high demand, though beach access itself is free and the national park has no entry fee.

Traveler reviews

★★★★★

Snorkelled with turtles at Maho Bay within minutes of arriving, completely unforgettable. The whole island feels protected and unspoiled compared to the other USVIs.

Ellie F. · February 2024

★★★★★

Trunk Bay is rightly famous but Hawksnest was just as beautiful and quieter. Renting a jeep for a few days was the best decision we made.

Marcus T. · April 2023

★★★★☆

Cruz Bay has a really nice small-town vibe in the evenings. A bit pricey for accommodation but the beaches more than make up for it.

Lou P. · January 2024