St. John’s vibrant main town and port, Cruz Bay is home to most of the 28-square-mile island’s restaurants, bars, stores and dive centers.
The main “town” on St. John is Cruz Bay. It’s the arrival place for ferries from St. Thomas, its home to the post office and government offices, and it’s a center for shopping, eating, drinking and being merry! Cruz Bay’s nickname is Love City; earned because of its eclectic, take it easy vibe.
While in Cruz Bay you can visit the National Park Visitor Center, stop into the Elaine Sprauve Library (housed in the 1750’s Estate Enighed House), grab a cool beverage and relax in Cruz Bay Park, or take leisurely stroll through the shops and restaurants.
St John is the smallest of the 3 US Virgin Islands located in the Caribbean. The island measures just 9 mi X 3 mi ( 28 sq mi ). 2/3 of the island and surrounding reefs are protected by the US Virgin Islands National Park.
With no airports on the island, the ferry to Cruz Bay is most visitors first glimpse of St John. It’s also the economic and social hub – with a busy inter-island ferry dock, Virgin Islands National Park Visitors Center and bustling bay rimmed with restaurants and shops.
Sitting on the island known as the Jewel of the Caribbean, Cruz Bay is surrounded by tropical beauty. Watersports are a big draw for visitors, with fantastic snorkeling and Scuba diving around the bay. Those preferring their watersports above the waves can take catamaran charters and watch the sunset in style, rent dinghies for fun exploration of the coastline or embrace their inner fisherman by joining a fishing tour. Cruz Bay vacation rentals are good for afternoon siestas before a fun evening spent cruising the lively beach bars in town, meeting the locals and dancing to live reggae music.
In the mood for some shopping? Cruz Bay has many wonderful shops along the wharf and surrounding streets.