St. John Activities and Things to Do
Our Activities Coordinator, St. John Adventures in Gallows Point Gourmet welcomes the opportunity to arrange any or all of your St John Island activities at no additional charge to you. Car rental, water sports rentals, and other amenities such as en-suite spa treatments can be booked prior to your arrival or while you are on island.
After you've enjoyed your time around St John and other islands, you can relax in the Jacuzzi or relish the beautiful sunsets by the pool.
St John Island Tour
We are so close to town, it is not necessary to rent a vehicle for your entire stay, but we highly recommend exploring St. John in a rental car at least for a day or two. Due to the high demand of rental cars during certain times of the year, we highly recommend reserving a car in advance of your arrival. St John Adventures in Gallows Point Gourmet can arrange your car rental - at no additional cost to you.
Virgin Islands National Park
The Virgin Islands National Park makes up just over half of St. John island. The North Shore beaches and hiking trails start just outside of Cruz Bay. We recommend all first time visitors to St John first go to the VI National Park Visitors Center, for a better understanding of just how important the Park is to your overall vacation experience on St. John
St John Watersports Activities
St John is very popular for all watersports – fishing, day sails, scuba, boat rentals, snorkel trips, or especially just soaking in the Caribbean sea.
Island Hopping
Although there are plenty of beautiful beaches and things to do, St. John's close proximity to St. Thomas and the British Virgin Islands gives you many opportunities to discover their beauty as well with “day trips.” Private charters and public ferries operate frequently between St. John and St. Thomas as well as and the British Virgin islands of Tortola, Virgin Gorda, and Jost van Dyke. (If you plan to go to the BVI, make sure you bring your passport OR your birth certificate and a picture ID). St John Adventures in Gallows Point Gourmet can advise you of all fares and schedules, and book your trips- at no additional cost to you..
Shopping St John and St. Thomas
St John has a wonderful and diverse selection of shops and jewelry stores, from Mongoose Junction to Wharfside Village in Cruz Bay, and a delightful handful of eclectic and islandy shops in Coral Bay. The serious shopper might want to consider a day trip to St Thomas, the largest duty free shopping port in the world.
St John Events
St John has many charitable initiatives, with lively and enthusiastic events that both locals and visitors attend and participate. Here's a list of events for 2010. There are also numerous “Galas” between January and April, raising needed funds for worthwhile causes, such as the Friends of the VI National Park, Animal Care Center of St John, Gifft Hill School, and Sprauve School.
The Friends of the VI National Park also offers numerous activities and seminars throughout the year.
February 14 Valentine's Day
Each year at St. John's Trunk Bay beach there is a free marriage vow renewal ceremony in celebration of Valentine's Day conducted by wedding officiate Anne Marie Porter. All are welcome to join the love.
February 27 (Annually the Last Saturday in February)
Each year this race becomes a bigger event on St. John. The race course begins and ends at sea level and along the 8 mile route participants will reach elevations of some 1000 feet as they run/walk/crawl from Cruz Bay to Coral Bay via Centerline Road.
March
The St. John Blues Festival with opening Blues Festival party at Island Blues in Coral Bay. Blues Party at Mongoose Junction Courtyard in Cruz Bay and dozens of local and international Blues artists.
April 26-May 1
Events all week long including Carnival Parade. The cultural fair features lot of exotic local cuisine. Food, candies, pastries and other goodies which are not always available, can be found at this event. Come see the parade featuring mocko jumbies, carnival royalty, listen to bands play, dancing troupes include hundreds of masqueraders.
May 22
Dozens of the finest, four-legged, furry denizens of St. John and St. Thomas show their stuff at the annual dog show benefiting the Animal Care Center of St John, with categories such as Best Costume, Best Dancer, and Best Jumper.
Sunday of Memorial Day Weekend in May
Friends of the Park Friends hosts its annual Beach-to-Beach Power Swim at Maho Bay Beach, St. John. Swimmers compete as an individual or as part of a 3-person team.
June 17-July 4
Considered locally as our “Carnival” St. John Festival is a combination of celebrating the traditions of Carnival with emancipation and independence. Festivities include musical venues, the village, food fair, parades and on July 4th the BIG parade and fireworks.
Normally first week, or first full moon in August
"The Super Bowl of Sport Fishing Tournaments" Fishing in the U.S. Virgin Islands - tuna, tarpon, barracuda, round in the Greater Virgin Islands.
September Sunday of Labor Day Weekend
The 12th annual Love City Triathlon includes a half-mile swim, a 14-mile bike ride, and a four-mile run. The event begins in Big Maho Bay and is open to individuals and teams.
October 31 - Halloween
Celebrate an island-style Halloween with Annual Kid's Trick or Treating from 3:30 – 6 at Mongoose Junction and then Halloween costume contest at Skinny Legs, Coral Bay, St. John and pumpkin carving contest at Maho Bay Camps for kids and adults.
November - Thanksgiving Weekend
Sailing season officially begins on St. John with Thanksgiving Regatta with all classes of boats welcome to enter. U.S. Virgin Islands boasts world-renowned Caribbean island-hopping sailing.
December 2010
Annual St. John Christmas Children's Parade
Usually the first weekend in December, events are scheduled throughout the weekend including the St. John Christmas Music Festival in celebration of the season.
December 2010
Annual themed fundraiser at a local luxury villa to have fun and raise money for the Animal Care Center of St. John.
