St. John: Not Too Close, Not Too Far Away
If you’re looking to take a vacation this winter, you might be looking to travel somewhere that seems far away but isn’t too expensive to reach, that is different but has all the comforts of home, and that has an exotic air even though it is still close to civilization. These are all understandable desires – but does such a place really exist?
For many years, I was skeptical, but that all changed this winter when I visited St. John. This small Caribbean island is a member of the United States Virgin Islands and is located just a few miles off the coast of St. Thomas, which a major gateway for American travelers coming to the region. To reach St. John one needs only to fly into Charlotte Amalie (St. Thomas’s major city) and then make a quick trek across the separating bay. A multitude of daily ferries between the two islands insures that no aviation equipment is ever required.
Upon my arrival at St. John I quickly realized that this island is special. In currency, language, and supermarket availability it is certainly American, but by every other measure it is a world onto itself. Sparsely populated, with lush forests, jagged topography, and sand beaches whiter than the one cloud drifting overhead, St. John offers the idealized Caribbean getaway in all of its real, physical form.
Here are a few itinerary necessities for any St. John vacation:
-Cruz Bay. The first place you see in St. John and the island’s only real town, Cruz Bay has a population of just under 3,000 people. But the town is far from sleepy; with a eclectic mixture of Europeans, young Americans, aging hippies, and local natives, the town is bursting with diversity and energy. It also offers numerous quality food options.
-North Shore beaches. Perhaps the most pristine string of beaches in the world can be found on St. John’s North Shore. Tucked away just off of Route 20, beaches such as Trunk Bay and Cinnamon Bay boast calm, crystal-clear water and bright white sand. Surprisingly, unless a cruise ship happens to be passing by, there’s a good chance you’ll find the beaches refreshingly desolate as well.
-Virgin Islands National Park. Over half of the island is taken up by the Virgin Islands National Park, which includes lush tropical rainforests, numerous waterfalls and hiking trails, and even the remains of centuries-old plantations. Hiking to the center of the park can provide an exquisite view of the whole island and of the surrounding waters.
These are St. John’s three main attractions, and I highly recommending spending a full day on each one if you seek to maximize your island experience. But even if you don’t, and instead sit on the beach for the duration of your visit, there’s no doubting that St. John is one of the most accessible and exotic places in the Western Hemisphere.
