Whether you are taking a day trip or staying in St. John, there are many great activities to enjoy. We recently visited St. John and had the opportunity to stay for a week and visit many of the beautiful beaches as well as most of the bars and restaurants.

Beaches: all beaches boast white sands and awesome Caribbean blue waters. You can always bring your own cooler and snorkeling gear is suggested in the clear, warm waters.

• Cruz Bay – great for beach bars and landing location for ferry. There is really no “beach”, but there is sand in front of the bars and the areas is entirely walkable from the ferry. The main town has many restaurants, gift shops, bars shopping, including jewelry sores to buy your hook bracelet.
• Coral Bay – this is a day trip to the “other” side of the island. Plan on a harrowing cab ride or bring your own jeep. Remember, driving on the left side of the road and the roads are steep with sharp cutbacks. Coral Bay is beautiful and is worth the trip if you are spending more than a couple of days on island.
• Honeymoon Beach – closest beach to Cruz Bay and ferry dock. A beautiful beach that generally has food and drink options. **
• Cinnamon Bay – one of my personal favorites for years. Cinnamon always has food and drink options as well as watersport rentals.
• Trunk Bay – most photographed beach in St. John and. If you are going for 1 day, I highly recommend that you visit Trunk or Cinnamon as a must see! Food, drink, bathrooms, showers and rental of chairs and snorkel gear are all available.
• Maho Bay – another beautiful option on the North Shore. Maho contains more parking and is very convenient. The waters are shallow and sandy, with very little rocks. Maho is great for families as there are many shade trees and places to set up a picnic.
• Hawksnest Beach – a beautiful beach and only a couple of miles from Cruz. This is a much smaller beach and does not have amenities of Trunk or Cinnamon. Because of this, Hawksnest is often less crowded and also a beautiful place for snorkeling and quiet. Bring your own cooler, snorkel gear and chairs as there are no rentals available.

Bars/Restaurant:

• Windmill Bar – located about 1 mile up Mainline Road from Cruz Bay. DO NOT WALK. The views are awe inspiring and they generally have nightly live music to provide a lively atmosphere, especially during sunset. You will have to walk about 100 yards on rugged terrain, but it is definitely worth the “hike.”
• Beach Bar – located on the water in Cruz Bay. A great place to chill, grab a bite and wait for the ferry. It is basically an outdoor sports bar and they often host live entertainment, especially on weekend evenings.
• Lovango Rum Bar – If you like pizza, this may be THE BEST ever. Handmade by Italian chefs in brick oven, even the plain pizza is out of this world. If you like an Old Fashion, the smoke infused Rum old fashion is magnificent, or do a flight of rums.
• High Tide – next door to Beach Bar and steps from the ferry. Sit in chairs on the beach for relaxation and a drink before heading back on the Red Hook ferry.
• Woody’s Seafood Salon – famous as a St. John’s drinkery. Their fish bites are awesome but be careful as the waitresses will get you intoxicate Really, the staff is great and the bar is a ton of fun whether for pre-meal, post-meal or instead-of-meal stop. If nothing else, stop in for a Ting Shot!
• DRINK! – fun and interesting bar menu when they are open. Drink is open only after 5:00 and may host private parties. Fun place overlooking Cruz Bay and located on the patio of Low Key Watersports.
• Quiet Mon Pub – previous trips was fun with balcony overlooking St. During this trip, we didn’t see any patrons so didn’t stop in.
• Tap & Still – with balcony overlooking Cruz Bay street and looking directly at Woody’s. Walk up the stairs and have a cocktail or your favorite beer!
• Skinny Legs – if you go to Coral Bay, stop in Skinny Legs for a great meal. Like most of St. John’s, very informal and eat out of a basket.

What Else:

• Low Key Watersports – located in Cruz Bay and walkable from the ferry, LowKey can cover any watersports needs. If you want to rent a small boat, go on a scuba dive trip or rent snorkel gear for the day/week, stop in Low Key.
• St. John’s Scoops – located in Cruz Bay; stop in and grab an ice cream or smoothie!