Water Pleasures
The 41 lovely beaches on St. John are recognized as some of the world's finest. The beaches tend to feature sugary sand, shade from sea grapes and palm trees, rocky promontories on the edges and lively reefs close to the water's edge.
More than a third of the national park is underwater. Waters surrounding the park support a diverse complex of soft and hard corals, such as brain, star and elkhorn. Myriad marine creatures - groupers, parrotfish, angelfish, damselfish and wrasses - make their homes in the reef, alongside invertebrates like sponges, urchins, bristle worms and anemones.
Fascinating snorkeling is found off most beaches; snorkel boat trips offer tours around the island and access to reefs off uninhabited neighboring cays. Other water-based adventures include parasailing, kayaking, windsurfing and fishing. Watch for migrating whales during the winter months in Pillsbury Sound between St. Thomas and St. John.
Diving in the waters surrounding St. John is perhaps the island's most spectacular experience, with an average visibility of 60 to 100 feet, 80-degree water, and colorful corals and fish vying for your attention.
Four key dive spots are Eagle Shoals, with tunnels and swim-throughs; Carval Rock, a large rock formation noted for turtles and tarpon; Thatch Cay in Pillsbury Sound, with a labyrinth of tunnels and arches; and Grass Cay, known for barracuda and stingrays
Fun for young ’uns
Children can play putt-putt or hike downhill while visiting St. John.
RIDE A HORSE Clip-clop on a friendly horse along a scenic woodland trail at
Carolina Corral. Call for days, times and starting location. Adults $75, children $65 for a 90-minute excursion. Wagon rides wend through Coral Bay. Adults $10,
children $7. 340-693-5778
BE SWINGERS Play miniature golf at Pastory Gardens, which offer a spectacular view of neighboring St. Thomas. The course winds through lush greenery and boasts a man-made waterfall. Placards at all 18 holes give tidbits of island history. Daily, 4 p.m. to midnight. Adults $12, kids 12 and under $8. One mile from Cruz Bay on Route 10. 340-777-3147
HIKE THE HILLS At Virgin Islands National Park, take an easy (for older children) 2.2-mile guided hike down the Reef Bay Trail to the ruins of an old plantation. A short side trip leads you to rock carvings made by the Taino Indians from A.D. 900 to A.D. 1400. A bus ride from the park’s visitor center in Cruz Bay and a boat ride back from Reef Bay beach runs $21. Call for days and times. 340-776-6201
EXPLORE THE SEASHORE Join a Virgin Islands National Park ranger for a walk along the seashore at Leinster Bay. Look for land crabs and for fish swimming among the mangrove roots. Good for children of all ages. Call for days and times. At the Leinster Bay trailhead near Annaberg
Plantation. 340-776-6201
BEACH IT Trunk Bay is a great bet for families because it has lifeguards, changing rooms, cool showers, flush toilets, snorkel gear rental, a snack bar and a gorgeous strand of white sand with some shade. Older children will enjoy snorkeling the underwater trail that points out the bay’s features. Younger kids can splash around at the water’s edge. Adults $4, children under 16 free.
340-776-6201
