12 Best Things to Do in St. John (What I’d Actually Do Again)

Waterlemon Cay. Not watermelon. I said it wrong at least five times before I got it right.

This place is worth the effort, which is probably why it still feels (a little) under the radar. We got there around 9 am and there was just one other couple.

On an island where the popular beaches can feel like a group chat you didn’t mean to join, this felt… suspiciously peaceful.

Getting there takes about 20 minutes on foot along a flat but rocky trail hugging the coastline. Sea urchins are everywhere. Like, enough to make you suddenly very aware of where you’re stepping.

We took it slow, picked our way in, and once you’re past that part, it opens up.

And yeah, it’s as good as people say.

We saw bright coral, huge sea fans moving with the current, a whole group of squid just hovering there like they were plotting something, tons of tropical fish, and two sleepy nurse sharks.

Out of everywhere we snorkeled on St. John, this was easily our favorite. And we’ve snorkeled in a lot of places. Like, enough to be a little annoying about it.

If you’re planning a trip and trying to figure out where to snorkel on St. John, I put together a detailed snorkeling guide with the 11 best spots!

Maho Bay Beach offers a beautiful narrow stretch of white sand, calm waters, and plenty of shade. Perfect for a relaxing beach day.

It’s often hailed as the top spot to see turtles, and while we did spot a few while snorkeling in the seagrass beds, Francis Bay ended up being the turtle jackpot for us.

Maho Bay’s parking lot fills up fast, so arriving early is your best bet. Across the street, you’ll find Maho Crossroads, a fun little pop-up village with a food truck, tiki bar, water sports rentals, and bathrooms.

The beach is a hit with families thanks to its easy access and shallow waters, so expect more crowds.

For a quieter experience (and more turtles!), head to Francis Bay Beach just next door.

It’s wider, less busy, and has calm, protected waters. There are also a few picnic tables and a portable restroom.

At Francis Bay, I lost count after spotting over 10 turtles. Everywhere I turned, there was another one! The seagrass beds are like a turtle magnet, and we even came across a few stingrays while snorkeling.

Looks like the secret’s out.

If you’re looking to escape the busier North Shore beaches, head over to Hansen Bay Beach on the island’s eastern side.

It’s a peaceful spot with soft white sand and calm, protected waters. Perfect for a relaxing beach day.

A lovely local named Thalia maintains the beach, and from what I understand, she owns the land in front of it.

She’s done an amazing job keeping the area clean and has even planted palm trees to add some much-needed shade in the future.

Thalia provides chairs, kayaks, and paddleboards for visitors to use, along with picnic tables and portable bathrooms. She relies on donations to keep things running smoothly, so be sure to bring some cash and show your appreciation.

Snorkeling here is a breeze in the calm bay, and yes, we spotted a few turtles cruising through the water!

We absolutely loved this hidden gem on the Coral Bay side!

Miss Lucy’s sits right on the water, is super laid-back, and the kind of place where you sit down and accidentally stay way longer than planned.

We split the crunchy fish and the grouper reuben. I know… a grouper reuben? Sounds odd, but trust me, it was incredible! Hands down our favorite dish at Miss Lucy’s.

The fish was perfectly cooked, piled onto toasted rye with slaw, Swiss, and this tangy remoulade that somehow just worked.

Also, this is where I had my first Lime ’N Da Coconut and now I think about it more than I should. It’s rum, fresh lime, and coconut blended into this dangerously easy-to-drink situation.

If you’re anywhere near Coral Bay, go. It’s one of those spots that just feels good to be at.

Trunk Bay is the kind of beach that makes you stop mid-sentence and go, okay… I get the hype now.

It’s easily the most famous beach on St. John, and yeah, the whole “#1 beach in the world” thing from The World’s 50 Best Beaches doesn’t feel exaggerated once you’re standing there.

The sand is so soft it almost feels fake, and the water is that bright, unreal aquamarine that makes you question every other beach you’ve ever defended.

This is also one of the few beaches on the island where you can actually settle in for a full, comfortable beach day. There’s a snack shack, a bar (critical), chair rentals, snorkel gear, plus actual showers and restrooms

We swam out to the snorkeling trail around Trunk Cay, which is an easy swim and clearly marked. But I’m being honest, the snorkeling itself didn’t blow me away.

As a beach though? It’s fantastic.

I put together a full Trunk Bay guide with 8 tips for planning a smooth beach day here, because a little strategy goes a long way at a place this popular.

Some of the best spots here make you work for it, and these two definitely do.

You’ll want a 4WD for this. Not optional, in my opinion. We rented our Jeep from Amalie Car Rental.

First up is Little Lameshur Bay. Getting there is… a bit of a commitment.

There were a few stretches where I genuinely considered turning around, and we were in a Jeep. If it’s rained recently, I wouldn’t risk it.

Once you make it, parking is easy and the beach feels almost untouched.

For snorkeling, head left when you’re facing the water and follow the shoreline out toward Yawzi Point. This ended up being one of our favorite snorkel spots!

The water can get a little rough as you get closer to the point (I wore my snorkeling vest), but that’s also where it gets really interesting.

Think deep drop-offs, little crevices, and way more marine life than you expect.

The second off-road stop is Grootpan Bay, and this one really earns the “hidden” label.

This is not a lounge-all-day kind of beach. It’s rugged, a little wild, and the drive in keeps most people away. Which, honestly, is the whole appeal.

Definitely bring a 4WD. The road isn’t playing around.

When we got there, there was just one other car.

The beach itself is more pebbly than soft sand, but the water is super clear and perfect for snorkeling.

We headed left and followed the coastline toward Kiddel Bay, and it ended up being one of the better snorkel stretches we found.

Tons of fish, some healthy coral, and those big sea fans moving with the current.

I brought my waterproof bag for my stuff and car keys. We always pack our own snorkeling gear at this point because rentals are hit or miss.

This isn’t the easiest beach to reach, but if you’re up for it, it’s 100% worth the effort.

Skinny Legs is one of those Coral Bay spots that feels like it’s been part of the island forever, because it basically has.

It opened back in 1991 when two friends, Moe and Dougie, decided to go for it. The name comes from their legs, which honestly tracks once you hear it.

Moe wore white sneakers, Dougie was known for knee-high socks. That’s the level of personality you’re walking into.

The vibe is super casual, no pressure, just good food and people hanging out. And the burgers? Genuinely some of the best we had on the island. Simple, juicy, no shortcuts.

Get the Painkiller. No question. It’s strong, smooth, and goes down a little too easy.

Also, they have this thing where they don’t use fryers or blenders. At first I didn’t think much of it, but it actually says a lot about how they do things. It’s intentional, a little old-school, and it works.

They’ve even landed on Esquire’s Top 100 Bars list, which feels very on brand once you’re there. It’s not trying to impress you, and somehow that’s exactly why it does.

St. John has a lot of solid hikes, but if you’re only doing one, make it Ram Head.

Multiple people told us this was the hike to do.

It starts at Salt Pond Bay, then takes you past Blue Cobblestone Beach before climbing up to the viewpoint. The effort is moderate, but it sneaks up on you a bit, especially in the heat.

Along the way, you’ll pass these wild-looking Turks Head cacti that make the whole trail feel a little different from the usual tropical scenery.

The payoff at the top is worth it. Wide open views, ocean in every direction, and just enough breeze to cool you down after the climb.

There’s basically no shade, though. Bring more water than you think you need and don’t underestimate the sun.

One of the best parts is you can knock this out in the morning and still have time to snorkel or hang at the beach after.

Be sure to read my Ram Head Hiking Guide with parking details, trail route, and a few tips.

This little vegetarian spot near Starfish Market in Cruz Bay ended up being one of our favorite low-key finds.

Everything is fresh, flavorful, and satisfying, which isn’t always a given with lighter, plant-based spots. They do smoothies, juices, and a solid lineup of vegetarian dishes that don’t feel like an afterthought.

The place was founded by Chef Shaibu Abdulai, who’s originally from Ghana and trained at the Culinary Institute of America, so there’s real skill behind everything coming out of the kitchen.

We ordered the cold noodle Thai peanut salad and a veggie panini, and both were packed with flavor.

But the surprise hit was the sea moss smoothie. I was skeptical. It sounds like something you convince yourself to like. But it was delicious!

I also grabbed a turmeric ginger juice, and I’m not saying it fixed my entire body after hiking and snorkeling all day… but it didn’t hurt.

If you want something fresh that still feels like a proper meal, this spot is 100% worth a stop.

We always try to get a feel for a place through what we’re drinking, not just what we’re doing.

In Oaxaca, it was mezcal. In Saba, it was Saba Spice. In Barbados, we found Foursquare and haven’t shut up about it since.

In the U.S. Virgin Islands, it’s all about Botany Bay rum.

We picked up a bottle of their Estate Reserve, a small-batch rum aged in both French and American oak, and ended up using it for our Lime N Da Coconut phase of the trip.

If you’re into rum even a little, it’s worth grabbing a bottle and bringing a taste of the island back with you.

St. John is one of those places that’s just better when you explore it on your own.

I’d absolutely recommend renting a Jeep. It gives you the freedom to bounce between beaches, chase good snorkeling, and check out hikes without being tied to taxis or schedules.

We rented ours in St. Thomas and took the car barge over, which made everything really easy. Once we got to St. John, we were good to go.

You’ll especially appreciate having it once you get out toward the east side.

The roads get steep, narrow, and very winding, and if you’re heading to spots like Little Lameshur or Grootpan, you’ll be glad you didn’t try to wing it in a basic car.

Quick heads up though, you’ll be driving on the left. It takes a minute to adjust, but honestly, after driving in Madeira, this felt pretty manageable.

If you’re planning to rent a car, here’s the car rental company we used. We had a really smooth experience and would book with them again in a heartbeat!

When it comes to where to stay on St. John, most people look at Cruz Bay or Coral Bay, but there are a few other areas worth considering too.

We chose Coral Bay, mostly for the views and quick access to top snorkeling spots, and I have zero regrets.

A lot of the villas are tucked up in the hills overlooking the harbor, and our place had one of those views you just sit and stare at longer than expected. I could’ve easily spent an entire day on that balcony doing absolutely nothing.

Cruz Bay is the opposite vibe. It’s closer to restaurants, bars, and anything you might want to walk to. If you don’t feel like driving much at night, this is the easier option.

It really comes down to how you want your trip to feel.

If you’re still deciding, I put together a full island breakdown of the most popular areas to stay, who they’re best for, and a few standout stays that are actually worth booking.

St. John completely lived up to the hype for us.

It actually reminded me a bit of Kauai. Lush, a little rugged, and packed with things to do if you plan it right.

We didn’t just wing this trip. We mapped it out ahead of time, and it made a huge difference in how much we were able to see and do without feeling rushed.

If you’re someone who likes a mix of beach time, snorkeling, and a few solid adventures in between, St. John really delivers.

I hope this list of our 12 favorite experiences helps you plan a trip that feels just as full.

And if you want it all laid out step by step, check out my full 9-day St. John itinerary. It’s exactly how we’d do it again.

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Questions about our best things to do in St. John?

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