Island vacation usually means hanging at your resort and spending most of your time by the pool or beach. But St. John has a ton of areas that are worth exploring and visiting. Travelers have a few options when it comes to getting around the different parts of the island. Keep reading to learn which option would best suit your needs!
Rent a Car
One of the best ways to see St. John is by car, and it’s recommended that you rent a four-wheel-drive vehicle, which you can get in town or reserve in advance. Always remember: Drive on the left and follow posted speed limits, which are generally very low.
There are only two gas stations on St. John, one of which is known to be closed much of the time. The more reliable of the two stations is in the upper regions of Cruz Bay, beside Route 104.
Unless you need to carry luggage, which is recommended to be locked away in a trunk, you should consider renting a Jeep which allows you to best enjoy views of the surroundings and are the most fun way to tour St. John. They cost around $80 to $95 a day
Since parking spaces are hard to come by, some people prefer renting a small car. And the smaller your vehicle, the easier it is to maneuver around tight spaces. It is not, however, recommended to rent a low-to-the-ground sports car, as the roads are not always evenly paved and besides being hard to drive, it can be easily damaged..
Grab a Taxi
You won’t have any trouble finding a taxi to take you anywhere in St. John. Taxi rates are set by the island’s Taxi Association and fares are posted throughout the island, even in taxis. Typical fares from Cruz Bay are $8 to Trunk Bay, $9 to Cinnamon Bay, and $18 to Maho Bay. Waiting charges are $1/minimum per minute after the first 5 minutes. Between midnight and 6am, fares are increased by $.50.
Taxis meet the ferries as they arrive in Cruz Bay, but you can also hail one as well. Many taxi drivers operate multi-passenger taxi van shuttles or open-air safari taxis (truck beds that have been converted to open-air seating). Taxi vans can transport approximately 8 to 12 passengers to different destinations on the island, while safaris can usually fit up to 25 people. It’s cheaper to jump on a van or safari than ride a taxi on your own if you’re going between your hotel and Cruz Bay, but just keep in mind that you’ll be making stops along the way.
If your cell phone works on the island, you can try calling one of the taxi stands or an individual driver you’ve established a relationship with.
Besides being less expensive than a vehicle rental, using taxis to get around St. John means not having to find a parking spot. During the busy season, finding a place to park at the North shore beaches can be challenging.
Getting Around on Foot
If you love walking, then you’re in luck — St. John is easily walkable if that’s your preferred mode of getting around. The most pedestrian-friendly place on St. John is within Cruz Bay, and you can easily get anywhere just by walking. You can also get around Coral Bay pretty easily on foot, although it is slightly more spread out and there is no sidewalk.
Take the Bus
The local bus service runs buses between Cruz Bay and Coral Bay, along Centerline Road about once an hour, costing $1 for adults and $.75 for children.
To get from Cruz Bay to Coral Bay without taking a car, taking the bus is always an option. It takes a route from the ferry dock across Centerline to Coral Bay and then from Coral Bay out to Salt Pond and back, making a loop just past Skinny Legs before heading back to Cruz Bay. The schedule is set to meet the passenger ferry in Cruz Bay at approximately 20 minutes past the hour, beginning at 6:00am and ending at 7:25pm. However, the schedule changes often due to maintenance issues, weather, holidays, etc., so it’s often best to call and verify the times if you need to be somewhere at a specific time. Bring a book or listen to some music so you can relax and enjoy the view.
Book Your Vacation
Ready to get packing? Book your stay and start counting down the days until you can feel the warm sand under your feet.
