Great Cruz Bay, St. John Guide

St John—20-minute ferry ride from St. Thomas—opens the door to the “friendliest” and smallest of the US Virgin Islands. Over half of St. John’s 21 sq. miles is cared for by the park service and is open for exploration with fabulous trails and scenic views. Guests can camp out right at the oceans’ edge at Maho Bay, or, the most famous campsite in the Caribbean, Cinnamon Bay. Both camps offer watersports, food and supplies on-site. (Reservations are a must during high season.) Reef Bay Trail is also worth a hike! This downhill trail includes a 200-year-old sugar plantation and petroglyphs carved by the Carib Indians. Guests shouldn’t overlook Snuba, a combination of snorkeling and scuba diving. St. John is the only place in the Caribbean where it’s offered. Though St. John is not known for its nightlife, Cruz Bay does have colorful shops, lively bars, and some wonderful restaurants.

St. John is a small island in the Caribbean Sea, located in the United States Virgin Islands. It is known for its beautiful beaches, clear blue waters, and lush green forests. The history of this island is a fascinating one, shaped by a mix of indigenous tribes, European colonization, and the transatlantic slave trade.

The island was first inhabited by the indigenous Taino people, who called it “Ciboney,” meaning “rocky land.” These peaceful tribes lived off the land, fishing and farming on the island’s fertile soil. However, in 1493, the Spanish explorer Christopher Columbus arrived on St. John during his second voyage to the New World. He claimed the island for Spain and named it “San Juan,” after the Christian saint.

For the next few centuries, St. John remained relatively untouched by European powers. It wasn’t until the early 17th century that the Dutch and the English began to show interest in the island. In 1625, the Dutch established a small settlement on St. John, but it was soon abandoned due to conflicts with the indigenous tribes.

In the mid-17th century, the English established a permanent settlement on St. John, building a fort and establishing sugar plantations. The island’s fertile land and ideal climate made it an ideal location for sugar production, and the English brought in enslaved Africans to work on the plantations. The island became a hub for the transatlantic slave trade, with thousands of enslaved Africans brought to St. John to work on the sugar plantations.

In 1733, the island was sold to the Danish West India and Guinea Company, and it was renamed “St. John” after the Danish king, King Christian VII. Under Danish rule, the island’s economy continued to thrive, with an increase in sugar production and the establishment of rum distilleries. However, the enslaved Africans on the island faced brutal and inhumane treatment, leading to several slave revolts.

In 1917, the United States purchased St. John, along with the rest of the Virgin Islands, from Denmark. The island’s economy shifted from sugar production to tourism, with the development of luxury resorts and hotels. Today, St. John is a popular destination for tourists seeking a tropical paradise, but its history as a hub for the transatlantic slave trade is not forgotten.

In 1956, the majority of the island was designated as a national park, preserving its natural beauty and protecting the historical ruins of the sugar plantations. The island continues to thrive as a popular tourist destination, offering a mix of Caribbean culture, stunning landscapes, and a rich history.