Cruz Bay

Cruz Bay is where the ferries land and where almost everything on St John happens: a few streets around a small harbour, with the national park visitor centre at one end, a Danish-era battery on the point, restaurants and shops in low buildings, and a green in the middle where the island gathers. Roughly two thirds of St John is national park, donated by Laurance Rockefeller in 1956, so the town is one of very few places on the island where development is concentrated. It is small enough to walk in twenty minutes, and it is the base for hiring the jeep that the rest of the island requires.

What you actually see

• The harbour - ferries, boats and the town wrapped around it.
• The national park visitor centre - maps, trail advice and exhibits.
• The Battery - the Danish-era fortification on the point.
• Wharfside and Mongoose Junction - the two small shopping quarters.

When to go

December to April is the dry high season and the town is busiest when cruise passengers come across from St Thomas in the middle of the day. Mornings and evenings are calmer. Ferries run frequently from Red Hook and less often from Charlotte Amalie.

Honest expectations

It is very small and half a day covers it; the reason to be on St John is the park rather than the town. Prices are high, since everything is shipped through St Thomas. Parking in town is difficult. Ferry queues in high season can be long and the last boats back to St Thomas are earlier than people expect.

Nearby

The north shore beaches are minutes away; Coral Bay is half an hour across the island.