St. John is the smallest of the three main US Virgin Islands and by far the most pristine. About two-thirds of the island is protected as Virgin Islands National Park — which means the beaches, coral reefs, and tropical forest here have largely been spared the development that has shaped neighbouring St. Thomas and St. Croix.
The island is reached by ferry from St. Thomas, a 20-minute crossing to Cruz Bay, the main town. Cruz Bay has restaurants, dive shops, and the park visitor centre. Trunk Bay is famous for its underwater snorkel trail and is one of the most photographed beaches in the Caribbean; Cinnamon Bay and Maho Bay are less crowded and equally beautiful. Throughout the park, the ruins of Danish colonial sugar plantations sit among the vegetation, alongside Amerindian petroglyphs — a layered history of indigenous settlement, colonial exploitation, and slavery.
The island has no airport; all access is by ferry from St. Thomas. Camping is available within the national park.