St. John Facts

Of all the US Virgin Islands, St. John is probably the most unspoiled, thanks to the contribution of one of the world's best known philanthropists, Laurence Rockefeller. Had it not been for Rockefeller's gift of money and his desire to preserve beautiful St. John, the landscape would probably look more commercial, much like the other Virgin Islands. More than half of the island is designated as a National Park, making for a wonderfully unspoiled tropical island with 22 preserved nature trails.

In 1956, Rockefeller donated 5,000 acres to the United States National Park Service to initiate this preservation project. The park contains many beautiful beaches, some of them among the most photographed...

..., the smallest and least densely populated of the three U.S. Virgin Islands, is a wonder of untouched rocky coastline, beautiful crescent-shaped bays, and white-sand beaches. Inland, miles of hiking trails lead past the ruins of 18th-century Danish plantations to panoramic views. A smattering of pastel-painted houses, Mongoose Junction shops, and restaurants and bars populate sleepy Cruz Bay. St. John is definitely sleepy, and that's why people love it.

Things to Do

Explore island history at the Annaberg Sugar Plantation Ruins, a once thriving 18th-century mill and plantation. Hike the 22 trails of the Virgin Islands National Park to see archaeological sites dating back to the time of the Taino...