St. John itinerary: a week of day trips, by the drive

A week of St. John day trips, day by day

The order follows two things: how far each day drives from Cruz Bay, and which constraint bites first. The near North Shore goes early in the week because its lots fill by mid-morning; the long south and east drives go once you know the road; the off-island day sits where the weather lets it.

Drives measured on the road network in September and October 2026.

What the seven days cover, and why in that order

The national park, for the most part. Beaches line the North Shore 8 to 25 minutes from Cruz Bay; the Annaberg ruins and the swim to Waterlemon Cay sit at Leinster Bay; the Reef Bay Trail runs down a valley to the south shore; and the bays past Coral Bay take the longest drives on the island. Entry to the park is free, and Trunk Bay alone charges a fee, per the National Park Service as of October 2026.

Why the near North Shore comes early

Because its lots are the first to go. The National Park Service says Hawksnest's lot is limited and often full by mid-morning, and Hawksnest is 8 minutes from town, so reach it early.

Trunk Bay, 13 minutes out, is the one beach on the island with a charge: $5 per person, 16 and over, from sunrise to sunset, per the National Park Service. The park's fees page says card or mobile only from October 1, 2026, though one line on it still says cash is taken for passes; bring a card. Its restrooms and showers keep 8 am to 4 pm on the park's hours page, last updated December 2024. Cinnamon Bay, 17 minutes from town, finishes the day; the campground behind the sand closes every September and October, so in those months come with your own lunch and water.

Maho, Annaberg and Francis on one morning

Day three runs to the end of North Shore Road. Maho Bay, 18 minutes from Cruz Bay, has a 33-space lot at its eastern end, which is why it goes first. From there the road splits toward Leinster Bay: the Annaberg lot is about 27 minutes from town, entry to the ruins is free, and the walk along the Leinster Bay Trail to Waterlemon Cay is about 20 minutes each way by the park's reckoning. The park lists no toilets at Leinster Bay.

Francis Bay, 25 minutes out and the last beach on the road, is the afternoon: the park calls it one of its quieter areas, and its water is calm enough for a first snorkel.

How hard is the Reef Bay Trail?

Hard enough to have a day to itself. The National Park Service describes about three miles from the trailhead to the beach, a 900-foot climb on the way back, and "a steep strenuous hike" over rocky ground that can be slippery even when dry, 2 to 4 hours, on a page last updated September 2023. Along the way are petroglyphs the park attributes to the Taino and the ruins of a Danish sugar plantation.

The trailhead is near mile marker 5 on Centerline Road. The park's page describes no boat; plan to climb out yourself, and carry the water for it.

Coral Bay and the south shore in one loop

Coral Bay is about 26 minutes from Cruz Bay, and the south shore beaches lie beyond it. Salt Pond Bay is 41 minutes to the lot, then a 10-minute walk down to the sand, with restrooms and picnic tables but no drinking water on the park's list. Little Lameshur is 45 minutes, the farthest lot we measured.

The constraint is the last stretch to Lameshur. The National Park Service recommends four-wheel drive because the road is rocky, and many rental agreements forbid it, so ask the rental company before you go. A rebuild that will close that road is pending; no closure was posted as of 8 October 2026.

The East End, the longest drive on the island

The East End is about 40 minutes from Cruz Bay, past Coral Bay. Haulover Bay, 38 minutes out, has park sand on both sides of the road; Hansen Bay, 39 minutes, sits outside the park on a public shoreline behind private land.

The tradeoff: an hour and twenty minutes in the car for a beach that is quiet because it is far. It is the right last day if the week has left you wanting less company; otherwise spend day seven near town and keep an eye on the last ferry.

Day trips off St. John: St. Thomas and the BVI

St. Thomas is the easy one. The ferry from Cruz Bay to Red Hook takes 20 minutes and costs $8.15 an adult one way, per Transportation Services of St. John as of October 2026. Keep the last boat in mind: the Red Hook ferry has its own timetable, and a car crosses on a separate barge.

The British Virgin Islands are another country. The BVI Tourist Board says anyone arriving by air or sea must present a passport to enter and to leave, and since January 1, 2025 the entry form is filled in online before you arrive. Its ports of entry are Road Town and West End on Tortola, Great Harbour on Jost Van Dyke and St. Thomas Bay on Virgin Gorda. US citizens need no passport anywhere else on this itinerary; what to carry for the flight and the trip home is the subject of the passport and entry guide.

A St. John day trip from St. Thomas runs the other way and is short. Take the Red Hook boat, then a taxi from the Cruz Bay dock to one North Shore beach: Trunk Bay is 13 minutes and has the restrooms, showers and snack bar a day visitor wants, for the $5 fee. Annaberg, about 27 minutes out, suits a second stop if the morning starts early.