The smallest and most pristine of the U.S. Virgin Islands, St John is 60% national park — a rare Caribbean island of world-class beaches, sea turtles, and zero traffic lights.
Small luxury ships anchor directly in Cruz Bay and tender passengers ashore. Most mainstream cruise passengers visit St John as a day trip from St Thomas — plan ahead for ferry times.
💡 Pro move: Allow at least 2 hours before your ship's departure from St Thomas to catch the ferry and taxi back. Missing the ferry = missing your ship.
St John has no deep-water pier — all cruise ship arrivals are by tender or inter-island ferry.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| Windstar, Silversea, SeaDream, Explora Journeys | Cruz Bay anchorage📍 | Tendered |
| Most cruise lines (via St Thomas) | Red Hook Ferry Terminal, St Thomas → Cruz Bay📍 | Tendered |
From world-famous snorkel trails to Danish plantation ruins, St John's national park status keeps it beautifully low-key.
Consistently ranked one of the world's top beaches, Trunk Bay features a self-guided 650-ft underwater snorkel trail with plaques identifying coral and fish. Gear rental on-site, plus lifeguards, showers, and a snack bar.
Find St John snorkel tours →Maho Bay is famous for green sea turtles grazing in its shallow seagrass beds — sightings are nearly guaranteed. Free entry. Maho Crossroads across the street has food trucks and kayak rentals.
Find St John sea turtle tours →One of the best-preserved 18th-century Danish sugar plantations in the Caribbean. Self-guided ruins include the windmill tower, boiling house, and slave quarters, with sweeping views of the British Virgin Islands.
Find St John history tours →A National Park-guided strenuous hike through tropical forest to ancient Taino petroglyphs and sugar mill ruins, ending with a boat ride back to Cruz Bay. Must be booked in advance through the NPS.
Find Reef Bay hike bookings →Charter a catamaran or speedboat for a full or half day to visit secluded cays, snorkel offshore reefs, and reach beaches otherwise inaccessible. Great time-saver if visiting from St Thomas.
Find St John boat charters →A 1-mile moderate hike starting just behind the National Park Visitor Center in Cruz Bay, leading to the secluded Honeymoon Beach and Salomon Beach. The only beach you can reach on foot from town.
Find St John hiking tours →Cruz Bay itself is very walkable; the island's beaches require safari taxi rides due to steep mountain terrain.
From the ferry dock, explore the colorful waterfront town — the National Park Visitor Center, Wharfside Village shops, The Beach Bar, and Woody's Seafood are all within a 5-10 min walk.
Begin at the NPS Visitor Center behind the dock, follow Lind Point Trail through forest to Honeymoon Beach — the only North Shore beach reachable on foot from Cruz Bay.
Climate normals for St John, U.S. Virgin Islands (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainy Days | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 79°F / 26°C | 76°F / 24°C | 11 | 6:54 AM | 6:03 PM |
| Feb | 78°F / 26°C | 76°F / 24°C | 10 | 6:46 AM | 6:20 PM |
| Mar | 78°F / 26°C | 76°F / 24°C | 7 | 6:27 AM | 6:28 PM |
| Apr | 79°F / 26°C | 77°F / 25°C | 10 | 6:02 AM | 6:35 PM |
| May | 80°F / 27°C | 78°F / 26°C | 11 | 5:45 AM | 6:45 PM |
| Jun | 82°F / 28°C | 79°F / 26°C | 10 | 5:43 AM | 6:56 PM |
| Jul | 82°F / 28°C | 80°F / 27°C | 14 | 5:51 AM | 6:58 PM |
| Aug | 83°F / 28°C | 80°F / 27°C | 17 | 6:01 AM | 6:45 PM |
| Sep | 83°F / 28°C | 80°F / 27°C | 16 | 6:07 AM | 6:21 PM |
| Oct | 83°F / 28°C | 80°F / 27°C | 17 | 6:13 AM | 5:56 PM |
| Nov | 82°F / 28°C | 79°F / 26°C | 16 | 6:25 AM | 5:41 PM |
| Dec | 80°F / 27°C | 78°F / 26°C | 12 | 6:43 AM | 5:45 PM |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
Transport options from the pier — taxis, shuttles, transit passes, and whether ride-share apps work here.
St. John has no deep-water pier — cruise ships anchor offshore and tender passengers directly to the National Park Service Dock in Cruz Bay town center.
The main local transport. Shared open-air safari buses run fixed per-person rates to beaches and attractions. Within Cruz Bay ~$7-8/person; Trunk Bay ~$9-12/person (less per person when sharing). Rates are set by the Taxi Association and are cash-only.
The island public bus runs between Cruz Bay and Coral Bay along Centerline Road. Fares are $1 (seniors and disabled ride free) but service is infrequent — not ideal for cruise passengers on a tight schedule.
Rental agencies in Cruz Bay offer 4WD vehicles, recommended for the island's steep, winding roads. Best option for exploring the entire island independently.
Local operators offer organized sightseeing safari tours covering highlights like Trunk Bay, Annaberg Plantation, and scenic overlooks — convenient for cruise passengers with limited time.
Upcoming cruises that call at St John, U.S. Virgin Islands. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.