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VACATION GOALS: St. John USVI

I have fallen in love with St. John. We were fortunate to be “stuck” in USVI during the COVID pandemic. We traveled between St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix from March 10 to now, June 14, 2020. Most food establishments have offered to-go food and masks are required, beaches were closed for a few weeks but everything is opening back up to tourism now and it feels good! There are no quarantine issues, but there is a strong “no mask no service” policy on all 3 islands.

Since 2/3 of St. John is a National Park it feels very natural, charming, peaceful and protected. The town in Cruz Bay has quaint shopping and a variety of food choices. Almost every beach is sandy and has turquoise water. Renting a Jeep is a great way to see the island. You can take a car or person ferry from St. Thomas to enjoy St. John. There are so many fabulous hikes with incredible views and fun snorkeling spots. St John is definitely is one of my favorite places after traveling for the past 8 months. 

Here are some quick suggestions on our favorite things to do and see in St. John USVI.

Hike: Ramshead, Reef Bay(Petroglyphs!), Waterlemon, Maho, Cinnamon Bay
Check out this cool video our boat friends, Tales From a Passport, posted recapping our Ramshead hike:

https://youtu.be/fXZtFNdeV3E

More info on the parks: https://www.nps.gov/viis/index.htm

Shopping: Mongoose Junction (souvenirs, art, surf shop, hook bracelets, photography, St. John brewery beer and hats, clothing, so many cute shops)

https://www.mongoosejunctionstjohn.com/https://vibecollection.com/collections/hook-bracelets

HOOK BRACELETS:
You’ll see a lot of locals wearing hook bracelets. I bought mine from VIBE. I also saw some really pretty ones at St. John Jewelers located by The Longboard.
HISTORY OF THE HOOK
Following Caribbean tradition: Wear the hook facing in to keep the love close to your heart and facing out if you are open to a new love in your life. Children wear them facing in to show that their heart belongs to their parents! #LOVEHOOK
https://vibecollection.com/collections/hook-bracelets

Favorite dining:
Island Cork (wine bar): order the Rose and charcuterie board with truffle salami (yum!) http://islandcork.com/

North Shore Deli (order a side of potato salad!!) http://northshoredeli.restaurantsnapshot.com/

The Longboard (order the Froze and any of the sushi wraps- omg they are so good! Lovango wrap is spicy!) https://www.thelongboardstjohn.com/

La Tapa (fabulous pasta!) http://www.latapastjohn.com/

Provisions – awesome breakfast or lunch spot. (order iced coffee and sausage cheese biscuit!) https://m.facebook.com/stjprovisions/menu/

Greengos: Get your Mexican fix. Great margaritas and beef tacos! https://greengoscantina.com/

Irie POP : pronounced eye-ree has handcrafted ice pops! (strawberry limeade is my fave!) https://iriepops.com/

There are many other restaurants that I’ve heard are amazing but I’m suggesting places we have actually been to. We didn’t get to try Morgans Mango, but have heard great things.

Deep Sea Fishing Private Charter: sportfishingstjohn.com
My crew caught a tuna, 2 barracuda and a wahoo!

Favorite beaches:
*Honeymoon beach. It has a cute bar/food spot too “Bikinis” https://onislandtimes.com/bikinis-on-the-beach-honeymoon-beach-st-john/

*Hawksnest is gorgeous!

Hawksnest Bay Beach

So is *Cinnamon Bay and *Maho Beach.
Honestly St. John has some of the prettiest beaches I’ve ever seen! Check out this great beach guide:

North Shore Beaches

Snorkel: Trunk bay, Waterlemon, Caneel, Mangroves at Hurricane Hole

For boaters:
There is a dinghy dock in Cruz Bay located by the ferry dock.
Grocery Stores:
Starfish https://starfishmarket.com/
Dolphin  https://www.dolphinmarkets.com/

*There’s a cute bookstore & pharmacy by Starfish.

Since it’s a national park, no tubing or wake boarding is allowed. Underwater lights are not permitted. Fishing is not okay either. Mooring is mostly what is available in each bay but some places you can anchor. Check your charts! We learned all of this the hard way;)

Accommodations: **Since we live on our boat I don’t have hotel recommendations,  but I have one friend that recommends The Westin.  Another friend rented a property in Cinnamon Bay and I personally visited the house and it’s beautiful with an unbelievable view!😍

Here are some pictures from our time in St. John~

Flying high off the catamaran in Caneel Bay!

Maho Beach has great hang out spots! Delicious burgers and chicken sandwiches from the food truck too.

Maho Beach: Donkey Crossing! There are adorable donkeys on the island that freely roam!

Incredible hike to America Hill Great House Ruins. The hike is steep but the view is worth it! Take your water and hiking/tennis shoes!

My friend, Heather, and I at La Tapa. It is a nice island dining spot. Masks were required until we were seated. Be sure to wear your mask to the bathroom too.

This incredible view is from the Cinnamon Ridge house located over Cinnamon Bay

Honeymoon Beach is one of my favorite beaches! Bikinis Bar is there with chair rentals, paddle board rentals, frozen drinks and food!

The Longboard has delicious food, amazing froze, cute stickers, hats and souvenirs!

A sunset family pic on Hawksnest Beach. Thank you Mathis Riiber for the amazing picture!

Awesome hike to the sugar mill ruins of Annaberg

Breakfast or Lunch at Provisions is always a good idea!

Mongoose Station

Peace Hill Trail

Hurricane Hole

Inside pic of our home, Colette!

Follow our Instagram @cruisingcolette for daily pictures of our adventures.

Let me know if you are going to St. John and if I can help with any questions.

I am so thankful for my sweet friend, Susan (aka Dora The Explorer), who showed me around and helped me fall in love with St. John. Also our time here was so memorable because of our dear friends on Sailing Yacht KoKoMo and also fun new friends we made, Heather and fam. St. John is endearing and you’ll become addicted too! But it’s even better with friends 🙂

AND if you’ve been or lucky enough to live there what is your favorite part?!

 

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