No matter where you call home on the map, the island of St. John is bound to be a captivating destination. Of all three U.S. Virgin Islands, St. John is perhaps packed with the most flavor, color, scenery, entertainment and natural beauty imaginable. From turquoise waves to white sand beaches, there are as many reasons to travel this direction as views. However, if you happen to hail from Canada, there’s something even more intriguing about this tropical locale. Here are a few reasons St. John Virgin Islands just may be Canada’s favorite vacation destination of all.

Budget-Friendly Travel

St. John is a Caribbean Sea oasis of beauty that’s teeming with beaches, forests, mangroves, marine life and more. When you’re making your way here from Canada, it’s possible to do so on a budget! Enjoy the exotic feeling of escaping the hustle and bustle of everyday life with the added bonus of paying for entertainment, drinks, and dining in U.S. dollars. This convenient conversion rate means you’ll be able to stack the itinerary to the top without having to worry about breaking the bank.

Tropical Charm

St. John is notorious for its collection of breathtaking beaches and year-round warm weather. While Canada enjoys beautiful summers, those who aren’t fond of the ice and snow may not find winter in the north to be the most enjoyable. Instead of enduring it, Canadians can always escape it with a quick trip to St. John where the sun promises to be shining and the sand beckons you to dig in your toes.

A Comprehensive Destination

Living in Canada provides ample opportunities to explore, but it might take you days to do so as you drive across an undeniably sprawling landmass. St. John on the other hand, has long been intriguing to Canadians for its comprehensive layout that’s filled with wonder and beauty. Leave the hours of driving far behind and instead, make the most of adventures in the Virgin Islands National Park where waterfalls, hidden away caverns, hiking trails, and tropical flowers await all within the span of a single day of exploration.

Amazing Food

Those with a passion for pleasing the palate will find a trip to St. John incredibly satisfying. While Canada has its fair share of delicious dishes, there’s something irresistible about a trip to St. John where amazing Caribbean fare seems to be available around every corner. From seafood to savory infusion establishments, St. John never disappoints on the culinary front.

Extraordinary St John Virgin Islands Tours

The opportunities are vast when it comes to a diverse lineup of activities and St John Virgin Islands tours available to Canadian tourists. It may be the sheer number of options that make this destination so incredible. From dolphin spotting to snorkeling amongst tropical fish, coral reef and sea turtles, tours on St. John cover land, sea, and sky. Head out on a chartered yacht for the day or go off-roading with a local guide. No matter where your interests or passion lies, St. John has something for you.

Book a Stay Today

When you’re looking to get out of town and immerse yourself in a destination that’s as beautiful as it is exciting, look no further than booking a trip to St. John. The team at Cimmaron St. John is here to help you get settled in a gorgeous vacation rental that keeps comfort, luxury and convenience top of mind. Contact us today for more information and to start planning!

The spring season is finally just around the corner and with it comes Spring Break, one of the best times of the year to visit St. John! The US Virgin Islands is always a tropical destination getaway but Spring Break lets you experience some of the most fun the islands host throughout the year. Here are some fun things you can do for a St. John’s spring break:

Explore Around Cruz Bay

While St. John may be one of the more peaceful locations in the US Virgin Islands, there is still plenty to explore for an exciting Spring Break. Cruz Bay is one of the largest cities on the island and will keep you entertained for days. Some of the most beautiful beaches can be found right outside of Cruz Bay. Maho Beach is rated one of the top beaches in the US Virgin Islands each year with its beautiful backdrop and clean shoreline. Spend the day relaxing under the sun, snorkel around the shallow bay, or hike around the beautiful Ram Head Trail just further up the road.

Indulge Your Cravings

Of course, any Spring Break getaway needs access to delicious food to keep you fueled throughout your journey. Our Market Smoothies features healthy and delicious options that are perfect for any time of the day. Fine dining at Extra Virgin Bistro on their Caribbean-themed cuisine cannot be outdone. But if you are like most Spring Breakers to St. John, you want to find somewhere where the drinks are just as tasty. Drink St. John lets you enjoy handmade cocktails paired with their decadent menu. Or try out the Longboard – Cantina where you can find a cold beer and freshly-grilled burger.

Find the Nightlife

Take the short ferry over to St. Thomas, where the abundant nightlife can be found in Red Hook and Charlotte Amalie. Several nightclubs can be found in both towns that are perfect for the college-aged travelers to enjoy. The Keys – Dueling Pianos feature great cocktails while you get to enjoy the dueling piano performers up on the stage.

Spring Break in St. John

Act now and start planning your St. John’s spring break. Your Spring Break experience will be complete with our exclusive vacation rentals that feature luxury amenities that are second no other lodging on the island. Book online today and see why St. John is the premier Spring Break destination.

As the cold winter months get closer and the temperature drops, it’s time to start planning your winter vacation to the tropical paradise of St. John, Virgin Islands. This tiny, exclusive, 9×4 mile island has it all—from beautiful beaches and eclectic villages to pristine waters that you can sail, snorkel, fish, dive, boat, or do just about anything you like. What sets St. John apart from the other Caribbean islands is its abundance of white sand, crescent beaches and steep hillsides covered in lush tropical vegetation. The Virgin Islands National Park covers two-thirds of St. John and has a lot to offer the outdoorsy traveler looking for St John activities in the heart of nature.

Horseback Riding

Nothing beats riding a horse on a trail as you take in amazing ocean views and the flora and fauna of St. John. At the Carolina Corral in Coral Bay, you will meet and interact with horses, donkeys, dogs, cats, chickens, ducks, sheep, baby goats, and baby donkeys. Or book an afternoon Happy Hour Wagon Ride and learn how to drive a team of donkeys.

Annaberg Plantation

Built around 1721 by the Danish settlers, this plantation made rum, sugar, and molasses for decades. But its rum days are behind it, as it was turned into a museum that you can visit to learn about sugar production. The windmill, slave quarters, and the factory have been preserved and are part of the tour. There’s an admission fee for Annaberg Plantation, but the scenic views and walk back in history is well worth it.

Reef Bay Trail

Trails are part of the charm of St. John. This trail, however, offers an exceptional experience, since it cuts through the jungle vegetation as it winds down to Reef Bay. It’s a 2.5 miles trek on rock ground so you’ll need a pair of trusty shoes to take you down the trip. Along the way, you can see an ancient petroglyph site with its famous rock carvings and, if there have been recent rains, a waterfall.

Cruz Bay

This quaint town is the main hub of St. John — the island that the locals call Love City. It has beautiful restaurants, shop-lined streets, and bars to quench your thirst. The Virgin Islands National Park Visitors Center is in the center of town. Get a first-hand taste of the charms of a small town nestled against a beautiful bay. You can easily spend a whole day here shopping, dining, and drinking. The friendliness of the locals is just the icing on the cake.

Virgin Islands National Park

Last, but not least, is the biggest attraction of St. John. The Virgin Islands National Park covers over 60% of the island and is filled with coral reefs, beaches, and hiking trails. You can’t possibly take it all in on one short stay, so ask the concierge staff at Cimmaron StJohn for recommendations to get you started until you can continue to explore on your next trip to St. John. It is so worth it.

St. John is one of the most scenic islands in the Caribbean. Call us today for more information about St John activities and to book your vacation rental.

The Reef Bay Trail in the U.S. Virgin Islands National Park holds the secrets of St.John’s tropical forests, sugar mill ruins, and ancient petroglyphs. The two-mile trail explores the depths of the island, featuring a steep rocky terrain, 40 foot waterfall, and a freshwater pond near the trail’s end. When adventuring from your CimmaronStJohn vacation home, pack a light lunch, plenty of water, and a swimsuit to take a dip. Other trails along the island explore a taste of nature and history. These include the Ram’s Head Trail and Cinnamon Bay Trail, but the Reef Bay Trail is a sure favorite of St. John hiking trails.

Transportation to Reef Bay Trail

You will find off road parking at the Reef Bay trailhead along Centerline Road about halfway between Cruz Bay and Coral Bay.  The rocky trail descends steeply from 900 feet above sea level to the rocky beach at Reef Bay.  Bring plenty of water, bug spray, and wear sturdy walking shoes.  To avoid the steep 2-mile uphill return, you can make advance reservations for a guided tour of the trail through the U.S. Virgin Islands National Park.  The tour includes transportation to the trailhead and then a boat ride at the end of the trail back to the National Park Visitor Center in Cruz Bay.

Reef Bay Trail Water Features

A hike through the tropical forests of St. John wouldn’t be complete without some beautiful water features. Along the Reef Bay Trail, you will find a stunning 40-foot waterfall, with a freshwater pool at the base. This fresh water at the bottom provides a home for a variety of wildlife. Shrimp, frogs, fish, hummingbirds, and dragonflies live near this reflective pool. You can take a rest here near the end of your hike and take in all the beautiful shades of green among the ripples.

Reef Bay Trail Sugar Mill Ruins and Petroglyphs

There are some historic elements along the Reef Bay Trail that will catch your attention. The sugar mill ruins along the Reef Bay Trail remind you of a different era on the island and carry a dark shadow of history. Another historic element is visible on the rocks surrounding the freshwater pool near the trail’s end. Here, you will see some mysterious carvings. Archaeologists believe that these carvings are in fact sacred symbols carved by Taino Indians over 1,000 years ago. These petroglyphs are a great historic treat at the end of a great hike.

Stay with CimmaronStJohn

After hiking the Reef Bay Trail, come back to your CimmaronStJohn vacation villa. Relax on your expansive deck and in your private pool of Jacuzzi. Enjoy incredible panoramic views of the island, surrounding bays and beaches, and the Atlantic Ocean or Caribbean Sea. Then, make a delicious dinner in your own kitchen or go out to eat at one of the wonderful restaurants on St. John. Finally, once you’re done with all your day’s adventures, return to the lounge chairs on your deck and gaze at the amazing star field.

Here at CimmaronStJohn, we host an in-house concierge staff that will book your boat trips! During your stay at one of our luxurious vacation villas or condos, we will make sure that your St. John boat tours are planned and your stay is comfortable! Here is what you need to know about booking the best St. John boat tours with our concierges.

Boat Tours in St. John

When it comes to booking your St. John boat tours, we take into account all your wishes and combine them with our expert knowledge. We will schedule a full or half day for you to spend on the water on a powerboat, sailboat, or fishing boat. Whatever St. John boat tours you decide to embark upon, you will have an exciting island adventure! We will make sure of it.

What Else Our Concierge Services Include

Worry-Free Vacation

Along with planning boat tours in St. John and other island excursion, the CimmaronStJohn concierge staff provides other amenities. We want to make sure that your vacation is worry-free! After all, you are escaping to a beautiful island in paradise to get away from all those daily worries and troubles! Once you arrive, we want to make sure you feel relaxed and ready for a wonderful vacation.

Arrival

We will be waiting for your phone call from the airport and again while you are boarding the ferry from St. Thomas to St. John. Upon your arrival, you will be met by a member of our concierge staff. This team member will help to pick up your rental car (if applicable) and then escort you to your vacation home. We want to make sure you feel welcomed right away! You will find a complimentary custom-designed welcome bag in your vacation home fridge complete with snacks and beverages for your party. You will also receive a welcome folder, with a St. John Guidebook, maps, and a Places to Explore book. This includes a variety of information, including the best St. John restaurants, activities, and duty-free shopping locations.

Maintenance

We also provide meticulous maintenance to provide you with a spotless vacation villa! Our maintenance staff is available 24/7 to assist with all concerns and repairs. This is all done with the least amount of disruption to your vacation. We will work during the times that are convenient to you! And we prepare in advance so that you are taken care of ahead of time as well.

Recommendations & Arrangements

Our CimmaronStJohn staff is on call from 9am to 6pm, at your service. We will assist in recommendations and arrange everything from boat tours in St. John to hiking trips. We will also arrange diving excursions, snorkeling, sunset sails, dining experiences, water sports, and shopping excursions. We don’t want you to spend your valuable vacation time worrying about any of these arrangements! We love taking care of our treasured guests.

CimmaronStJohn

After your St. John boat tours, come back to your relaxing CimmaronStJohn vacation villa and enjoy our on-site amenities. These include pool, large decks, jacuzzis, gas BBQs, equipped kitchens, luxurious beds, and more. We can’t wait to see you here in paradise and make sure your trip goes smoothly!

There is some unique St. John wildlife that you might just spot during your vacation stay with CimmaronStJohn! There are quite some colorful creatures, ranging from birds and marine life to reptiles. With the variety of terrain on the island, you will find these creatures at all different locations, from the beachfront to the forest to underwater. Be sure to bring your camera during your explorations so you can snap some images of these fabulous animals. Here are just a few of the unique creatures that make up St. John wildlife.

St. John Wildlife

Sugar Bird

The bananaquit, commonly known as the Sugar Bird, is a popular species among St. John wildlife. They have bright yellow breasts and stripes on their faces, blended with other gray feathers. These colorful birds are easy to spot and great to photograph if you can catch them in action!  Put a bowl of plain white sugar on your deck and they will come!  They are so beloved on St. John that there is even a store named after them in Mongoose Junction!

Mongoose

Speaking of Mongoose Junction, another popular creature in the St. John wildlife spectrum is the mongoose!  The mongoose was actually brought to the U.S. Virgin Islands in the 1800s to control rat populations on the sugar plantations.  Although the venture failed (the mongoose is active in daylight and rats at night), the mongoose is credited with the demise of snakes on the island.  Keep an eye out for a creature that looks like a cross between a squirrel and a weasel when you hike through the Virgin Islands National Park.

Goat & Sheep

You might expect to see some tropical birds and fish, but did you think you might spot some goats during your stay with CimmaronStJohn?  You will find wild goats roaming across the roads and grazing on hilltops around the island. You will also find their companion sheep, who roam freely in Coral Bay.  St. John goats and sheep look alike, but you can tell the difference – “tail up” = goat and “tail down” = sheep.

White Tailed Deer

St. John wildlife includes the white tailed deer, which was introduced to the island back in the late 1700s. These cute Bambis do very well in the U.S. Virgin Islands, swimming between the islands! You can see these creatures on the beach as well as in the ocean, though they are more commonly found in the lush forests that cover St. John.

Iguana

Iguanas are a staple in St. John wildlife. They are everywhere on the island! The particular species is the green iguana, but they change into various colors in chameleon fashion. These large lizards are active during daylight hours.  They are vegetarians, and you can to spot them high in the trees, swimming in the ocean, or basking on sunlit rocks.

Donkey

Another unique animal on St. John is the donkey! These curious wild creatures are all over our laid-back island, and they sure aren’t shy about getting to know visitors. Leave a meal unattended, and some moochers will make their appearance. A product of the plantation days, donkeys are now left to roam free, becoming a classic kitschy resident.

Parrotfish

Snorkeling and scuba diving during your vacation will allow you to see some truly amazing St. John wildlife. One featured creature is the colorful parrotfish. There are many species of this magnificent fish around St. John, including the fantastic rainbow parrotfish. These fish are not only beautiful but also responsible for the fine white sand found on St. John beaches. Parrotfish break off bits of coral and rock and grind it up with their teeth, turning it into sand! A single parrotfish can produce around 200 pounds of sand every year.

Bat

Fun fact! The only animal native to St. John is the bat. The bats on the island are important pollinators of several floral species and seed dispersers for fruit plants. They are also great consumers of those pesky mosquitos that you want to avoid during vacation. You should still bring your bug spray, but if you see a bat, thank them for their job of eating those awful insects!

CimmaronStJohn

You will even enjoy St. John wildlife at your CimmaronStJohn villa. Many of these creatures are known to make a visit to houses around the island communities. Keep your eyes out for some unique St. John wildlife!