St. John vs St. Croix: Battle of the Islands

St. John is home to some incredible beaches, and Trunk Bay is easily one of the best. In fact, it was even named the #1 beach in the world in 2024 by The World’s 50 Best Beaches.

Picture powdery soft white sand and clear turquoise water, basically, the kind of beach you daydream about when someone says “Caribbean.”

During our trip, we visited 11 different beaches across the island, and I’ve covered them all in my guide to my 12 Favorite Things To Do in St. John.

St. Croix has some lovely beaches too, like Cane Bay, Isaac Bay, and Rainbow Beach.

While they’re beautiful in their own right, they don’t quite match the wow factor of St. John’s beaches.

St. Croix is a standout when it comes to food. I’d argue it has some of the best eats in the U.S. Virgin Islands!

Whether you’re craving a sit-down meal at a fine restaurant, a casual bite from a food truck, or some authentic island comfort food, St. Croix delivers.

One of our favorites was La Reine Chicken Shack, where we devoured some seriously delicious BBQ chicken. Easily the best we had on the island.

St. Croix even celebrates its vibrant food scene with the annual Taste of St. Croix festival, where celebrity chefs join in to showcase the island’s amazing flavors.

Do not get me wrong.

St. John also has some amazing places to eat as well, but St. Croix definitely wins the food category.

One of our favorite meals in St. John was the grouper reuben at Miss Lucy’s. Weird combo, yes, but it works and it is incredible!

St. John tends to feel a bit more touristy and crowded, especially around popular attractions.

That’s one of the reasons we loved staying in Coral Bay. It felt more laid-back with a fun, relaxed “hippie vibe” that was a nice contrast to the busier parts of the island.

St. Croix, on the other hand, is the largest of the U.S. Virgin Islands, so everything feels more spread out and less congested.

As we drove around St. Croix and chatted with locals, we really got a sense of the island’s rich culture and easygoing vibe.

We’re big snorkeling fans and have been lucky enough to enjoy some incredible snorkel adventures all over the world from the Maldives to Moorea.

When it comes to snorkeling, St. John is a gem with plenty of fantastic spots you can access right from shore. No boat tour needed!

Expect to spot plenty of turtles (especially at Maho, Hansen Bay, and Francis Bay), schools of blue tang, stingrays at Haulover Bay North, vibrant coral, and even nurse sharks at Waterlemon Cay.

For all the details on the 11 amazing snorkel spots we explored, check out my St. John Snorkeling Guide.

St. Croix has some fantastic snorkeling spots too, though not quite as many as St. John.

One of our favorite experiences was snorkeling beneath the pylons at Frederiksted Pier, where vibrant orange, red, and yellow coral covered the structures, creating a colorful home for all sorts of marine life.

Another unforgettable spot is Buck Island, where we swam through the underwater trail and found ourselves surrounded by a massive school of Jacks. Such a cool moment!

We also spotted some beautiful starfish at Dorsch Beach and swam with adorable turtles at Cane Bay. 

Grocery prices were also noticeably lower in St. Croix.

While in St. John, we checked out four different grocery stores: Starfish, Dolphin Market, Calabash, and Love City.

Starfish was the largest of the bunch, but still relatively small. It had the best prices on the island, though groceries in St. John still tend to be pretty pricey.

While we were in St. Croix, we did all our grocery shopping at the main supermarket, Plaza West (now called The Market).

Surprisingly, prices were quite reasonable, and they had a great selection of local produce at affordable rates.

We also spotted plenty of bulk Costco items. They even carried my favorite Kirkland Organic Strawberry Spread!

St. John was absolutely stunning, with its winding roads and rolling hills creating postcard-worthy views at every turn.

Many vacation rentals are tucked high up in those hills, giving you some seriously impressive panoramas.

My husband and I loved waking up each morning to a breathtaking view over Coral Bay from our villa. It was the perfect way to start the day.

If you’re still deciding where to stay, be sure to check out my guide to the top boutique rentals by neighborhood for some great options.

St. Croix, on the other hand, is relatively flat compared to St. John.

While you won’t find the same dramatic hilltop views, there are still plenty of gorgeous sights to enjoy.

During our stay in Cane Bay, we lucked out with a villa perched right on a cliffside overlooking the ocean, and the views were pretty spectacular!

For more details on where to stay, check out my guide to the best accommodations in St. Croix.

Another perk of St. Croix is the abundance of beachfront properties.

Finding accommodations right on the sand can be tricky in St. John, but in St. Croix, beachfront stays are much easier to come by!

It’s hard to say that St. John is better than St. Croix or vice versa. It really depends on what kind of vacation you’re after.

If you’re craving pristine beaches, stunning panoramic views, top-notch snorkeling, and plenty of DIY adventure, St. John is the way to go.

Be sure to check out my St. John Itinerary for tips on how to make the most of your visit.

On the other hand, if you’re drawn to rich island culture, incredible food, beachfront stays, and a wide variety of attractions, St. Croix should be at the top of your list.

My St. Croix Itinerary breaks down all the best spots to visit and things to do.

Honestly, we loved both islands, each for its own unique charm and experiences!

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Are you Team St John or Team St Croix?

Let me know in the comments below!