Things To Do On a St. John Yacht Charter
Although a St. John yacht charter is just a short sail away from its prominent and much busier neighbors, St. John feels like it lives, and thrives, in a different world. The wildest of the U.S. Virgin Islands, St. John is an idyllic nature lover’s playground. With only a small yet buzzy harbor town and a few select resorts, this untouched pocket of tropical wilderness is one of the best snorkeling and hiking destinations in the Caribbean.
On a St. John yacht charter, you can anchor in tranquil coves with startling white sandy shores and discover secluded beaches blissfully devoid of footsteps. Nearly 2/3 of the island is preserved as National Park. Although the main town of Cruz Bay sees its share of visitors, the great majority of the island is a verdant tropical wilderness, home to an incredible array of wildlife.
With a fervently strong sense of community, St. John residents continue to protect their corner of heaven. And after spending a few days exploring its treasures, both underwater and on land, you may well understand why their passion is so strong. Here are just some of the unforgettable experiences you can look forward to on a St. John yacht charter.
1. Night One of Your St. John Yacht Charter - Leinster Bay
The premier snorkeling destination on St. John is Waterlemon Cay in Leinster Bay on the northern end of the island, a fantastic spot home to colorful coral and favored by an array of marine creatures. With hand-sized starfish, three species of turtles, stingrays, octopus, and an endless schools of tropical fish, this sheltered bay is an absolute visual feast. So don your snorkel gear and spend a morning exploring St John’s underwater world.
2. Explore the Annaberg Ruins
From Waterlemon Cay, take the steep trail that leads you up to the ruins of the old Annaberg Sugar Plantation, a fascinating historical site which offers breathtaking views down to the bay. The trail is lined with information boards and viewpoints, making for great rest stops along the way.
3. Paddle board in Mary’s Creek
While still in Leinster Bay, grab a paddle board and head west to explore the far reaches of Mary Creek, a shallow bay framed by mangroves and home to even more marine creatures. Ever dreamed of trying yoga on a paddleboard? Here is the sheltered place to do it.
4. Rent a Jeep and explore the island’s interior on your St. John Yacht Charter
The island’s interior, brimming with interesting historical sites set amidst a rugged and lush landscape, is a maze of roads, enticing you to discover hidden coves, desolate beaches, ancient petroglyphs and innumerable hiking trails. A self-drive tour of the island is easy and fun but just remember to drive on the left-hand side of the road!
5. Wine, dine and shop at Mongoose Junction
You’ll find Mongoose Junction is just a short walk from the center of Cruz Bay. This is no ordinary shopping mall. With its maze of stone paved walkways framed by luscious gardens, and buildings constructed from native stones and mahogany, Mongoose Junction is one of the most distinctive sites on St John. Least of all for the superb dining and shopping options it offers. Local fine art galleries showcase the fabulous artifacts produced on the island, and you’ll find gorgeous jewelry and unique souvenirs to bring home. Help preserve the island’s fragile ecosystem by shopping for souvenirs at Friends of the National Park Store, delight the taste buds with shrimp tacos at Viva Cantina and round off your relaxing afternoon with a waffle cone ice cream from St. John Scoops.
6. Bar hop in Cruz Bay
Cruz Bay is the epicenter of the island’s nightlife and it is here that you’ll find the best bar crawl spots. How about starting with a delicious cocktail at Drink St John, while soaking up a stellar sunset from the comfort of their fabulous outdoor couches? Then, you could move to the casual Beach Bar for a legendary Painkiller – perhaps complemented by a killer serve of spicy nachos – before moving next door to Joe’s Rum Hut, reputed to have the best Happy Hour deals on the whole island. Considering it also boasts smashing views and great food – sharing a pizza by the beach here is a must - Joe’s is the kind of place that’ll entice you to move to St. John permanently!
7. Cruise the Cruz
The main harbor of Cruz Bay boasts a myriad of boutiques and craft stores, selling locally-made wares. It's a great place to explore at leisure, and wandering the main drag, checking out the goodies and stopping for a relaxing seafood lunch is about as good as it gets. Especially the morning after a bar crawl!
8. Enjoy an exceptional dinner at Asolare
For being such a small island, St John boasts quite a few exceptional restaurants, all offering superb food coupled with breathtaking views, all of which combine to make for a truly unforgettable dining experience. One of our favorites is Asolare, set next to the Lindholm Estate on the hill above Cruz Bay, only a 5-minute cab ride away from the dock. Impeccably designed and furnished,
Asolare offers an unrivalled feast for all the senses. From the French-Asian fusion cooking, to the impressive wine and cocktails list and the incredible views, either of Cruz bay or St Thomas, depending on which table you nab, Asolare is that perfect ‘last night’ of a St. John yacht charter experience you’ll remember for years to come.
We have an exciting range of luxury St John yacht charters to suit every taste, budget, and group size.
Contact us for more info and come discover this unforgettable corner of the Caribbean.
