Things to Do at Cruz Bay

Cruz Bay serves as St. John's main port and only town, its small harbor filled with sailing yachts, day-trip boats, and car ferries that connect the island to St. Thomas and the British Virgin Islands. The town centers around a handful of streets lined with stone buildings from the Danish colonial era, including the restored customs house that now serves as a visitor center for Virgin Islands National Park. Walking the waterfront, you can smell diesel fuel from ferry engines mixing with salt air and grilled seafood from restaurants where charter boat crews gather for sundowners. Most activities in Cruz Bay are free - wandering the small shops, people-watching at the harbor, and hiking the short trail to Honeymoon Beach - though a good meal costs $25-35 at waterfront restaurants. Visit late afternoon when the charter boats return and the small town comes alive with stories from day trips to hidden coves and coral reefs.

Most visitors arrive by ferry from Charlotte Amalie or Red Hook on St. Thomas - the ride takes about 20-45 minutes depending on your departure point. The Red Hook route is generally more convenient and frequent. If you're staying on St. John, Cruz Bay is easily walkable from most nearby accommodations. Driving here means navigating narrow, winding roads that can be challenging if you're not used to left-hand traffic, but taxi service is readily available throughout the island.