Simple Favorites from St. John
If you know me at all, you know- we love St. John. I’m often asked for recommendations, so I decided to put together a list of my simple favorites from St. John, just for you. While I have a fuller guide for planning your trip, sometimes itโs nice to have the shorter version- the places, beaches, meals, and experiences Iโd recommend first.
These are the simple favorites Iโd happily return to again and again.
Favorite Place to Stay on St. John
Rent a house.
If you can, skip the standard hotel route (there aren’t many on the island anyway) and rent a villa or home through Airbnb, VRBO, or an on-island rental company. St. John is one of those places where the view becomes part of the vacation.
Morning coffee on a private terrace, extra space to spread out, maybe a pool, maybe sunset viewsโit all feels slower, more relaxed, and more memorable.
Favorite Way to Get to St. John
Take the Crown Bay Marina ferry from St. Thomas.
Itโs one of the easiest and most relaxing ways to arrive. The ride feels calm and scenic, and itโs especially convenient when your rental car or taxi can be waiting for you once you arrive.
A lovely start to island time.
Favorite Car Rental on St. John
Aquarius Car Rental.
A reliable Jeep makes all the difference on St. John, and good service matters even more on an island. Having the freedom to explore beaches, overlooks, and winding roads at your own pace is worth it.
Favorite Drink in Cruz Bay
Longboard’s tasty pineapple drink- Heart and Sol.
Smoky, bright, a little spicy, and served with a tajรญn rim. Itโs the kind of drink you order once and think about later.
Sit outside, settle in, and start vacation properly.
Favorite Pizza on St. John
Lovango Rum Bar.
After a beach day, pizza always sounds right. They serve up delicious wood-fired pizza. Casual, satisfying, and easy- exactly what vacation dinners should sometimes be.
Favorite Special Dinner on St. John
Morganโs Mango.
If you want one memorable dinner out, make it here (and make reservations). Try for lobster night if your trip lines up with it. Itโs a longtime favorite for good reason.
Warm atmosphere, great food, and a wonderful place to linger.
Favorite Happy Hour With a View
The Windmill Bar.
Perched high above Cruz Bay, this is the place for sunset drinks and sweeping views over the water.
Come for a drink, stay longer than planned.
Favorite North Shore Beach
Maho Bay.
Maho is one of the easiest beaches to love. Calm water, soft sand, and often sea turtles grazing in the shallows.
Bring snorkel gear, rent a paddleboard, or simply claim a quiet patch of beach and stay awhile.
Favorite Remote Beach
Gibney Beach (Oppenheimer Beach).
Small, peaceful, and tucked away. There are only a few parking spots, so arrive early.
If you make it there, it feels like finding a secret.
Favorite Boat Rental
Wharfside Watersports
Rent a dinghy, Zodiac, or Boston Whaler and spend the day exploring the North Shore beaches, quiet coves, and snorkeling spots like Henley Cay.
One of the most fun and memorable ways to experience St. John.
Favorite Coral Bay Adventure
Mangrove snorkeling.
It may not sound glamorous, but itโs one of the most unique experiences on St. John. Quiet water, winding mangroves, and so much sea life.
You can reach it by dinghy rental (rent from Coral Bay), charter, or guided excursion.
Favorite Picnic Lunch on St. John
North Shore Deli.
One of my favorite island traditions is packing a cooler and heading out for the day with lunch already handled.
North Shore Deli makes excellent sandwiches, snacks, and drinks to bring along for beach days and adventures. Some of the best lunches on St. John are eaten with sandy feet and an ocean view.
Favorite Hike-In Beach
Salt Pond Bay.
A short walk leads you to one of the prettiest beaches on the island. It feels quieter and more removed, with good snorkeling and a peaceful atmosphere.
Always worth the walk.
Favorite Hike
Ram Head Trail.
Park near Salt Pond Bay and continue out to Ram Head. The hike ends with expansive sea views and one of the most dramatic landscapes on the island.
One of the best payoff hikes on St. John.
Favorite Island-Hop Day Trip
Jost Van Dyke, BVI.
If you want to spend a day in the British Virgin Islands, make it Jost Van Dyke.
Beach bars, turquoise water, and a stop at Soggy Dollar for a Painkiller make for a classic Caribbean day.
Final Thought
St. John is beautiful in the obvious ways- clear water, white sand, hills, palms. But what keeps people returning is the feeling of it.
So if you plan a trip to St. John, save this list of my simple favorites on St. John or for a more detailed guide, check out, “A Simple, Unhurried Guide to St. John, USVI“. Happy travels!
