Red Hook

Red Hook is where St Thomas meets St John: the passenger and car ferries run from here across Pillsbury Sound, and the harbour around them holds marinas, charter operators, dive shops, bars and the boat traffic that goes with all of it. It is the island's working boating centre rather than a resort strip, busiest at the ferry hours and in the evenings when the marina bars fill.

What you actually see

• The ferry dock - the crossing point for St John and the British islands.
• The marinas - charter boats, sport fishers and liveaboards moored together.
• The dive and charter operators - the base for most of the island's water trade.
• The evening bars - the marina strip that fills after dark.

When to go

December to April is the high season and busiest. Ferries run through the day with reduced evening service. Weekends and holidays crowd the parking.

Honest expectations

Parking around the ferry is difficult and often full. It is a working harbour rather than a scenic town. Prices in the marina bars are high.

Nearby

Secret Harbour is south, and St John is across the sound.