St. John day trip

The ferry from Red Hook takes about 20 minutes and runs every hour, which makes St. John the easiest island day from St. Thomas. Less frequent boats go from Charlotte Amalie and take about 45 minutes. Two thirds of the island is Virgin Islands National Park, so once you leave Cruz Bay it is mostly forest, trails, plantation ruins and beaches.

Cruz Bay is the small port town where the ferries land: shops and bars, the Mongoose Junction courtyards, and the national park visitor centre, which has trail maps. Taxis wait beside the ferry terminal and are plentiful for the north shore beaches. Driving is on the left and the roads are steep, so a jeep is the usual rental.

Trunk Bay is the beach most people come for. It has an underwater snorkelling trail around Trunk Cay, a small islet a short swim out, plus a lifeguard, showers and a snack bar. The park charges an amenity fee there for anyone 16 and over, and it takes cards and phone payments only, no cash. For something quieter, the one-mile Lind Point Trail starts behind the visitor centre in Cruz Bay and ends at Honeymoon Beach, and the Annaberg ruins on the north shore are a partly restored sugar factory and windmill.