About St. John: Discover Your Paradise at On The Rocks

About St. John

St. John is a lovely and enchanting island that is noted for its unmatched natural beauty, its tranquil peacefulness

and its outstanding homes and villas. Nearly two thirds of St. John’s 22 square miles are a U.S. National Park

and as a result, its 3,500 inhabitants live on one of the least spoiled and most pristine islands in the Caribbean.

Fodor’s Guide to the Caribbean states that, “St. John comes close to realizing that travel folder dream as an

‘unspoiled tropical paradise.’

Beautiful and largely undisturbed, John is covered with tropical vegetation. Clear, gleaming white sand beaches

fringe the many bays scalloped out along St. the Northern shore, and the iridescent water is perfect for swimming.”

The island’s breathtaking beauty, its friendly inhabitants, perfect year-round weather and diverse vacation

activities result in St. John being rated as an “excellent” vacation island by 90% of its visitors. One visit to

this enchanted isle will show you why St. John is loved by vacationers.

Vacation Information & Things To Do In St. John USVI

CLIMATE

The climate on St. John is considered to be one of the most ideal in the world with average daily temperatures of 82 degrees and a 5-7 degree variation from winter to summer months. Nights are always comfortably warm, even in winter months, and the air is never humid. Rainfall tends to come at night in brief but sudden showers, and rarely does a storm linger over the island for more than a day.

DRESS

The dress on St. John is very casual and informal with shorts, short sleeved shirts or T-shirts, or casual summer dresses, worn by nearly everyone. No restaurants require a coat or tie, but shirts for men and cover-ups for women are required in Cruz Bay at all times. There is also some great shopping on the island if you are looking for some new clothes!

MONEY, CURRENCY

The U.S. dollar is the local currency in the U.S. and British Virgin Islands. Scotia Bank and 1st Bank are on St. John. Both have ATM’s that usually works from 9 am to 5 p.m. There is also an ATM at the Market Place Complex.

RESTAURANTS

St. John has more than 35 places to dine, ranging from chic and expensive restaurants to funky beach-side food stands. After dark the island comes alive with hotel and villa guests seeking out one of the island’s cozy and romantic restaurants. The St. John Guide contains a list of our recommended places to dine.

ACTIVITIES

St. John is a mecca for all outdoor activities and especially water sports. Our courteous and attentive on island staff is on duty 7 days a week and will be pleased to advise you on any of the following activities: scuba diving, snorkeling, swimming, sailing, windsurfing, power boating, kayaking, sportfishing, hiking in the National Park, tennis, paddle boarding, spa services, parasailing (St. Thomas) and golf (St. Thomas).One of the favorite activities of our guests is merely lounging around your private pool, enjoying the spellbinding views and reading or relaxing in the splendid privacy and comfort of your own beautiful home.

GETTING TO ST. JOHN

American, Delta, Jet Blue, Spirit Air and United all fly to St. Thomas.

Once on St Thomas there are numerous taxi’s at the St Thomas Airport eager to transport you to the Red Hook ferry terminal. The taxi driver will load as many people & luggage in to the van as space permits. The charge is approximately $15-$20 per person, depending on how much luggage you have & how much you tip. Please inform the driver you are headed to Red Hook & St John. The taxi ride takes approximately 40-60 minutes depending on the time of day & the number of passengers being dropped off at various locations on St Thomas. The Red Hook Ferry leaves for St John every hour on the hour from 6:00 am to 12 midnight. You will buy your $8.15 ferry ticket inside the ferry terminal. Luggage is $4 per piece of luggage. For Private Taxi Service from the St Thomas Airport to Red Hook we recommend Warren Gordon – 340.474.0090 or warrengtaxi@yahoo.com.

There is a new ferry between St Thomas & St John & is operating out of the Crown Bay Ferry terminal. This ferry is about a 5-7 minute taxi ride from the airport (taxi cost is approx. $5 per person). The ferry from St Thomas to St John departs at 3:30 & 5:30 pm. The cost of the ferry is $20 per person and $5 per piece of luggage. The ferry takes approximately 40-45 minutes. This ferry does not arrive or depart from the regular ferry dock in Cruz Bay. It arrives & departs from the Creek on St John. The Creek is beside the old customs’ building & the Virgin Islands Visitor Center.

GETTING AROUND ST. JOHN

The unique beauty of St. John’s National Park is best explored by jeep. A jeep rental is required for most villa and condo rentals and it is recommended for all guests. There are numerous jeep rental companies on St. John, all of which are owned by local businesspersons. We recommend that you make your jeep rental at least 4-6 months in advance, because they do sell out in busy months between November-May.

We do offer one 4 door Jeep Wrangler, available during your stay. Let us know if you would like to add on the jeep.

SHOPPING

Be sure to plan time for shopping on St. John! Stroll through the boutique style shops on island for T-shirts, Caribbean souvenirs, one of a kind art pieces and unique jewelry.

We have created our list of favorite stores below. We hope you enjoy them as much as we do.

Buy yourself something special and create an everlasting memory of your stay on St. John.

GROCERY STORES

Cruz Bay

STARFISH MARKET | 340.779.4949 Visit Website
DOLPHIN MARKET CRUZ BAY | 340.776.5328 Visit Website
DOLPHIN MARKET CHOCOLATE HOLE | 340.776.5322 Visit Website
PINE PEACE MARKET | 340.693.8725 Visit Website

Centerline Road

MIDWAY GROCERY STORE | 340.473.6991 Visit Website

Coral Bay

DOLPHIN MARKET | 340.776.5327 Visit Website
LOVE CITY MINI MART | 340.693.5790 Visit Website
CALABASH MARKET | 340.775.7172 Visit Website

SPECIALTY SHOPS IN CRUZ BAY

THE LITTLE THINGS | 340.244.2768 Visit Website
BAMBOO STUDIO | 340.776.0669 Visit Website
CARAVAN GALLERY | 340.779.4566 Visit Website
COCONUT COAST STUDIO | 340.776.6944 Visit Website
FREEBIRD CREATIONS | 340.693.8625 Visit Website
LITTLE SWITZERLAND | 248.809.5560 EXT 10040 Visit Website
ST JOHN EXPERIENCE GALLERY | 340.690.4852 Visit Website
V.I.B.E COLLECTION | 340.643.1122 Visit Website
BAJO EL SOL GALLERY | 340.693.7070 Visit Website

SHOPPING DESTINATIONS ON ST. JOHN

MONGOOSE JUNCTION | Visit Website
You will enjoy exploring this open-air shopping center. Includes handcrafted goods, jewelry stores, art galleries, clothing stores, restaurants and bars.

WHARFSIDE VILLAGE
Located on the water in Cruz Bay. The shorefront stores and bars are still under construction but the stores along the street side are open. Some of the best souvenir shops can be found here.

CLOTHING & APPAREL

GIFTS & SOUVENIRS IN CRUZ BAY

SHOPS IN CORAL BAY

JOLLY DOG | 802.489.4167 Visit Website
ZEMI ISLAND DESIGNS | Visit Website