Cruises from St John

Saint John is one of the “collection” of Virgin Islands located in the Caribbean Sea, and an unincorporated part of America. Saint John is the smallest of the three main islands, the others being St. Thomas and St. Croix. It is also the most expensive of the three. The island lies four miles east of Charlotte Amalie, the capital of the territory located on St. Thomas Island. The area of the island is just less than twenty square miles and according to the census in 2000 has a population of just over 4,000. There is no airport on the island, which is reached by ferry from St. Thomas and Tortola every hour, and from Virgin Gorda, Jost Van Dyke and Anegada.

The tropical temperature of St. John makes it a year round holiday idyll with its fabulous white beaches and lush green spaces. St. John is a haven for those who love nature and the wilds, as a protected national park, cover two-thirds of the area of the island. The protection that is given to the park ensures that its lush greenery, natural vegetation and wildlife will remain a beautiful tourist attraction for many years to come. The park was donated to the island by the son of John D. Rockefeller. The park is home to more than eight hundred different species of plant and wildlife, which means that there is a lot for visitors to enjoy and explore.

For those seeking more than lush greenery and wildlife, Saint John offers fantastic white beaches and coconut trees. Here you can laze under the swaying palm leaves or go scuba diving around the beautiful coral reefs that populate the turquoise waters surrounding the island. The island was first settled by the Arawak Indians in AD 300. It was later colonised (along with St. Thomas and St. Croix) in the mid eighteenth century by the Danes who are also believed to have named the island St. John. The Danish settlers established sugar plantations that were populated by African slaves. The Island also witnessed the first significant slave rebellion in the New World.

Saint John is often referred to as the most beautiful of the Caribbean Islands and is rich in history. It is still possible to find some Indian artefacts that predate the time of Columbus. Trunk Bay, the location of one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, along with the ruins of the sugar plantation Annaberg, are the two areas of parkland that receive the most visitors. Visitors love the beaches of Trunk bay as well as the sailboat charter, surfing, swimming and snorkelling that are offered there.

You can stay at one of the luxurious resorts that the Island offers or rent an elaborate villa with wonderful views and up to the minute fixtures and fittings. Although Saint Johns is a small island, there are plenty of sites, shopping, and a variety of restaurants, fashionable beach bars and grills—something, in fact, to appeal to everyone.