Day Trips from St John. Excursions, Nearby Cities, Tours

Nearby Destinations

St. Thomas: The most common nearby trip. St. Thomas is larger and more developed than St. John, a short ferry ride away.

British Virgin Islands (BVI): Destinations like Jost Van Dyke (for Soggy Dollar Bar and White Bay Beach), Tortola (largest BVI island), and Virgin Gorda (for The Baths, unique granite formations) are reachable by boat charters or organized tours.

Travel Choices

St. Thomas ferries: Public passenger ferries from Cruz Bay, St. John, to Red Hook, St. Thomas, run hourly (15-20 min).
BVI Charters: Hiring a private boat from Cruz Bay or Coral Bay are famous for BVI visits. These manage customs procedures.
Independent Travel St. Thomas: Easy via public ferry. Explore Charlotte Amalie, take cabs to beaches, or rent a car.
BVI Tours: Organized boat tours are highly recommended. Operators manage customs and create smooth multi-spot experiences.

Excursion Planning

St. Thomas Day Trip

Allocate a full day (8+ hours), including ferry travel.

Suggested Itinerary

Early ferry to Red Hook.
Taxi to Charlotte Amalie for shopping and sites like Fort Christian or 99 Steps.
Afternoon at Magenthe Bay of Beach for relaxation.

BVI Day Trip

A full day (8-10 hours) is typical for a boat charter.

Common Itinerary

Visit Soggy Dollar Bar on Jost Van Dyke.
Explore The Baths on Virgin Gorda.
Include a couple of snorkeling stops at pristine cays.

Important Considerations

Passport and Fees

British Virgin Islands travel needs your passport, even for U.S. Citizens.
Customs clearance occurs both entering and exiting.
Factor in additional customs fees when budgeting.
Fees are separate from charter cost, typically paid in cash to captain or operator.

Booking Tours

For tour bookings, visit GetYourGuide.
Browse and book various day trip options.
Check cancellation policies before booking.
Read reviews from other travelers.

Regional Travel Facts

Puerto RicoMajor Caribbean travel hub.
St. ThomasDirect flights from many U.S. Cities.
Other IslandsAccessible via STT or The Island of enchantment connections.
Passport & VisasVerify requirements for each destination.

USVI FocusSt. John, St. Thomas, St. Croix show nature, history, shopping.
Sailing AdventureMulti-day sailing from St. John to BVI has immersion.
TransportationSTT flights to PR and other islands. Ferries from St. Thomas to other USVI or BVI.
PlanningThorough planning for multi-day trips and international travel.

Travel Documents Reminder

When planning multi-day extensions or trips to other countries, always check passport, visa, and health requirements for each destination.

Natural Wonders & Culture

St. John has natural wonders, and the wider U.S. The Virgin islands archipelago also include historical and cultural sites.

Natural Escapes

The Virgin Islands National Park covers most of St. John. Salt River Bay National Historical Park and Ecological Preserve on St. Croix highlights history and nature, including mangrove forests and bioluminescent bays.

Scenic Landscapes

Beyond St. John's Ram Head and Bordeaux Mountain, St. Thomas has panoramic views from Drake's Seat and Mountain Top, with different archipelago perspectives.

Coastal Environments

St. John's remote South Shore beaches, like Themeshur Bay, are rugged and secluded. Magens Bay is a famous, sheltered crescent-shaped beach on St. Thomas. St. Croix features calm Christiansted Harbor and wilder east end coasts.

Cultural Excursions

Historical and cultural sites abound across the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Historical Sites

St. Thomas: Fort Christian, 99 Steps in Charlotte Amalie.
St. Croix: Christiansted National Historical Landmark, Fort Frederik.
Insight into Danish colonial architecture and emancipation history.

Rural Life

St. John has limited agricultural areas. Coral Bay Village a more laid-back atmosphere than Cruz Bay.

Farm Visits

St. Croix, with flatter terrain, has more extensive agricultural areas and working farms.
This has a different view of island life.
Learn about local farming practices.

Planning for Stays

St. Thomas overnight stay:Facilitates more comprehensive exploration of shopping, dining, history, beaches.

British Virgin Islands multi-day sailing:Explore several BVI islands deeply.

St. Croix multi-day visit:Two historic towns, plantations, bioluminescent bay, rainforest.

Transportation connections:Flights from STT to Puerto Rico and other Caribbean islands.

Longer Regional Travel:Combination of St. John, St. Thomas, and St. Croix shows diverse USVI experiences.

Sailing Adventure:Multi-day sailing from St. John to BVI for an immersive nautical experience.

Natural Phenomenon Note

The bioluminescent bay on St. Croix is a natural phenomenon.
Best experienced during moonless nights.
Check moon phases for optimal viewing.
Book tours in advance.
It is an unique natural spectacle.

In-depth Exploration

For those with more time, combining St. John with other destinations has a richer Caribbean experience.

St. Thomas & BVI Extended Stays

Extend a St. Thomas day trip to an overnight stay for comprehensive exploration.

BVI Exploration

Consider a multi-day sailing charter to explore BVI islands more deeply.
This brings an unmatched sailing and island-hopping experience.
More extensive planning and customs formalities apply.

St. Croix & Beyond Extended Stays

A multi-day visit to St. Croix, the largest of the USVI, has a different vibe.

Island Hopping

St. Croix has two historic towns (Christiansted and Frederiksted).
Significant historical plantations and diverse natural attractions.
Includes the bioluminescent bay and the only rainforest in the USVI.

Logical Next Destinations

Puerto Rico a major Caribbean hub, with direct flights to many U.S. Cities, easily accessible from St. Thomas.

Further Travel

Other Caribbean Islands: Many are accessible via flights from St. Thomas or connections in Puerto Rico.
St. Barth for luxury.
Anguilla for pristine beaches.

Longer Regional Travel

A blend of St. John (nature, beaches, relaxation), St. Thomas (shopping, bustle, Magenthe Bay of), and potentially St. Croix (history, culture, rainforest, bioluminescence) shows diverse experiences within the U.S. Territory.

Sailing Adventures

Multi-day sailing itinerary that starts in St. John.
Ventures into the British The Virgin islands archipelago, plus go backs to St. Thomas.
Brings an immersive nautical experience.

Planning Resources

Book Experiences

For more day trip and excursion booking, check GetYourGuide.

Browse Options

Browse and book various experiences and tours designed for your interests.

Read Reviews

Read traveler reviews and details to make informed choices for your adventures.

Passport Essential

Visiting the British Virgin Islands requires your passport, even for U.S. Citizens, and customs clearance both entering and exiting. Factor inside additional customs fees when budgeting.

Day Trips from St John