Tips for your stay on St. John

We look forward to your arrival.

***Please let us know if you are renting a vehicle on St. Thomas.***

If you have secured our service for a free meet and greet, please call your greeter when you reach Red Hook, before boarding the ferry or before boarding the car barge, so that we can assure a proper greeting. We will be sending you an email 8-10 days prior to your arrival containing your greeters name and phone number.

Your greeter will be holding a sign saying CRANDALL ON ST JOHN
Start your vacation with a fully-stocked fridge and avoid time-consuming shopping.
We provide professional delivery of your choice of food and spirits direct to your vacation property.
https://landlubberlogistics.com/home . Here you can order your groceries and pay.

Arriving on St. Thomas

1. Fly into the Cyril E. King Airport (STT) on Thomas and continue to St. John by ferry.

2. Retrieve your luggage.

3. Proceed outside to taxi dispatcher. Rates are posted.

4. Tell him/her that you are going to the Red Hood Ferry or Crown Bay.

 Passenger ferries to St. John depart St. Thomas from Red Hook and from Crown Bay.

Airport to Red Hook, St Thomas

30-45 minute taxi ride between airport and Red Hook ferry dock.
approx. $15.00 one-way *rates are subject to change
Airport to Crown Bay, St Thomas
5-6-minute taxi ride from airport to Crown Bay
Approx. $6.00 one way * rates subject to change. Ferry cost is 25.00 one way (CASH)
The ferry leaves Crown Bay at 3:30 pm and 5:30 pm only
Stop in at Tickles Marine side Restaurant next to the ferry for a quick bit or spirits

You may schedule a private taxi ahead of time by contacting
Slimo's Limo Airport Pick Up http://www.slimoslimo.com/ at 340-714-7546

If you are renting a vehicle on St Thomas

Car barge service is available between the two islands;
departing from Red Hook, St. Thomas and arriving in Cruz Bay St. John.
Barges run regularly but are not as reliable as passenger ferries.
Tickets are not interchangeable between the ferry’s so we recommend buying a one way ticket 30-35 dollars one way.
Barges leave once they are full, so be there at least twenty five minutes before the departure time to get in line.

We suggest only considering a car barge if your flight lands before 4pm due to the time spent waiting on luggage & the drive time to the barge ramp in Red Hook & if your flight departs from St Thomas after 10am due to the barge schedule on St. John and being able to arrive at the airport 3 hours prior to your departure.

Passenger Ferry Schedule

Transportation Services and Varlack Ventures (340) 776-6282 (340) 776-6412

Between Red Hook, St. Thomas and Cruz Bay, St John

One Way Round Trip
Adult (Resident) $6.50 $13.00
Adult (Non-Resident) $7.00 $14.00
Kids (2-11) $1.00 $2.00
Seniors * $1.50 $3.00 locals only
Luggage/Boxes $4.00 piece

Red Hook → Cruz Bay
5:30 am ** | 6:30 | 7:30 | 8:00 | 9:00 | 10:00 | 11:00 | Noon | 1:00 | 2:00 | 3:00 | 4:00 | 5:00 | 6:00 | 7:00 | 8:00 | 9:00 | 10:00 | 11:00 | Midnight
Cruz Bay → Red Hook
6:00 am | 7:00 | 8:00 | 9:00 | 10:00 | 11:00 | Noon | 1:00 | 2:00 | 3:00 | 4:00 | 5:00 | 6:00 | 7:00 | 8:00 | 9:00 | 10:00 | 11:00 pm

* VI residents only, proof of age required (62+). ** Not on Weekends.

Times are subject to change
St. Thomas - St. John Car Barge
(Times are subject to change)
Barges operate between St. Thomas (Red Hook) and St. John (Cruz Bay). No charge for vehicle’s passengers. Arrive at least 25 minutes before departure.
Port Authority Fee: $3 per Car, small SUV, Motorcycle; $4 per truck, van, large SUV.

Love City Car Ferries
Captain Vic (340) 779-4000

One Way Round Trip
Car $50.00 $65.00
Red Hook → Cruz Bay
7:00 am * | 9:00 | 11:00 | 1:00 | 3:00 | 5:00 | 7:00 pm
Cruz Bay → Red Hook
6:15 am * | 8:00 | 10:00 | Noon | 2:00 | 4:00 | 6:15 pm
* Not on Weekends or Holidays

Global Marine's Tug Life
35
Minutes
One Way Round Trip
Car $50.00 $65.00
Red Hook → Cruz Bay
6:15 am * | 8:00 | 10:00 | noon | 2:00 | 4:00 | 6:00 pm
Cruz Bay → Red Hook
7:15 am * | 9:00 | 11:00 | 1:00 | 3:00 | 5:00 | 7:00 pm
* Not on Sundays

Dress Code
Informal: islanders wear cotton or lightweight clothing with sandals or sneakers. Away from the beach, swimsuits should be covered up. Bring hats and plenty of sunscreen to protect you from the Caribbean sun! Most restaurants are casual. For upscale restaurants, lightweight shirts and dress shorts or slacks are recommended for the gentlemen and sundresses or short outfits for the ladies. Whatever you pack will likely be too much- Pack lightly!

Insects
We have constant trade winds that normally keep the mosquitoes away, but if they come around, use your favorite insect repellent and keep the screens closed. Be nice to the little island lizards….they eat the mosquitoes! We cannot turn off the tree frogs or the crickets at night - relax and enjoy the chorus!
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/magazine/2015/05/what-really-works-against-bug-bites/index.htm

Cell Phones
AT&T, T-Mobile, are common carriers on the island.

Check with your carrier and plan before you leave because too often tourists are thrilled to see they have coverage- only to get hit with a huge roaming bill a month later.

There are dead spots on the island and be prepared for dropped calls if you are calling from a moving vehicle.

Verizon has some coverage but very often roaming charges are applied. You can text with no additional fees although please be sure to check with your carrier.

Whomever your provider, excluding Choice, beware using your phone beyond Caneel Bay on the North Shore Road.

The British Virgin Islands have a stronger signal due to the lack of FCC regulations and at most of the more popular beaches your phone will pick up their signal over ours. This can be majorly expensive- international roaming- so just turn your phone OFF at the beach. Even receiving a text will cost money.

Local Customs
Caribbean manners are important! In our West Indian culture, we show respect for others by saying, “Good morning” and “Good Evening” before anything else. West Indians take pride in this tradition and are appreciative when visitors make the effort to understand the ways of the islands.

Hiking & Safety
Being approximately three-quarters National Park land, St. John attracts nature lovers.
All of that wild, open space invites one to get out on foot and set-off for discoveries.

ALL hiking on the island will require sun protection, lots of water, and foot protection. Sturdy sandals are fine, as long as you feel comfortable hiking in them. Pick up a trail map from the National Park Visitors Center to help you plan your trip.

Probably the most popular hike is the Reef Bay trail. The simple version of this trail starts on Centerline Rd. Parking is limited. A 3 mile trail will take you down to the ocean past ruins, petroglyphs, and potentially waterfalls. The rivers and waterfalls on St. John run only after a heavy rain. This is a well-marked trail with informational signs along the way. There are many trails that connect to this one. You can go as far as you have energy and the trails are pretty established and safe.

Another notorious hike is the Ram's Head Trail, particularly during a Full Moon. This trail begins on the Coral Bay side and goes past the Salt Pond trails. It makes a great daytime hike and you can bring your beach gear to swim as well. If you do have the good fortune to be there for a Full Moon you will want to start before the sun really sets. If you wait till it gets truly dark you are likely to lose the trail unless you have an experienced guide. PS- Miss Lucy's is on the road home from here and they do a fabulous Full Moon dinner with entertainment.

If you have strollers, wheelchairs, or just want a flat and accessible trail there are paths are both Francis Bay and Cinnamon. The Francis Bay boardwalk goes around the marshes and the Cinnamon boardwalk wanders through the ruins. Bring bug spray for the Francis trail.

Want to hike to the beach? Try parking at the National Park building, near Mongoose Junction, and walk to Salomon or Honeymoon Beach via the Lindt Point Trail. You can either walk directly there on the water side of the road or head up to Margaret's Hill (or Caneel Hill) for a spectacular view and then cruise down to the beach- you can take the flat trail back home again. Not a long hike and a very fun adventure.

Looking to spend a full day on the trail? Try Johnny Horn and Brown Bay linked together. You may want to park a car at one end and taxi to the other- or double back for a longer hike. Johnny Horn is accessed in Coral Bay past the Moravian Church and Brown Bay is accessed through Waterlemon Cay.

Make sure you plan accordingly. Check to weather to make sure you won't be trapped in the rain, bring plenty of water, sun protection, and stay on the marked trails.

Once you are on the island, a big safety tip would be to lock your car when you leave things in it. Leaving a bag with a cell phone or money in your unlocked car at the beach is a very tempting invitation for someone to pick it right up. It would be very rare for anyone to smash in the windows, but in general just don't leave temptations in your car.

Travel Documents
U.S. citizens are not required to have passports or proof of citizenship when ENTERING the U.S. Virgin Islands from a U.S. airport, but we strongly suggest them.

All arrivals to the U.S. Virgin Islands from foreign airports are required to show proof of citizenship and pass through customs.

All persons LEAVING the U.S. Virgin Islands, whether American citizens or not, must be prepared to show proof of citizenship upon leaving the islands to return to the mainland.

Visit the U.S. Passport office (http://travel.state.gov/) for more information and up to the minute changes.
Please verify boarding requirements with your airline.

U.S. Currency, Language, Trip Insurance, Time, Postage and Packages
The USVI currency is the US dollar.

Trip Insurance is recommended. Please visit one of these sites
Travelguard.com*CSATravelProtection.com*Travelxinsurance.com*Progressive.com/insurance/travel for more information and pricing.

We are in the Atlantic Standard Time Zone so in the Fall Back period we are 1 hour ahead of EST and in the Spring Forward half of the year we are the same as EST.
The voltage is the standard 120 that is used in the mainland US, no adapters are needed.

Most places accept major credit cards. A lot of restaurants and shops do not accept American Express. Taxi’s do not except credit cards.

Express mail via the US Postal Service is the quickest way to receive/send important packages.

To mail a package to St. John in advance of your arrival, call 340-779-1804 or email us [email protected] for mailing instructions, so your box will be at your accommodation when you arrive.

RECOMMEND BOAT & FISHING CHARTERS

justfishstjohn.com 340-201-9329
Rockhoppin.com 340-626-2859
Blacksailvi.com 340-244-7245
Sailcloud9.com 340-998-1940
Divelowkey.com 340-693-8999
Beachchartersvi.com 340-473-9481
Palmtreecharters.com 340-642-8522
Sunshinedaydreamvi.com 340-642-3895
Cruzbaywatersports.com 844-548-1561
Stjohncharters.com 340-998-4399
Saltydazeusvi.com 340-690-7258

Stand Up Paddling
http://www.rockhoppin.com/

Rent snorkel gear
www.divelowkey.com/

Golf course on St Thomas
www.mahoganyrungolf.com

Below are some helpful links about St. John that may be of interest to you
• National Park Service link to information on the Virgin Islands National Park
www.nps.gov
• Link to The St. John Guide Book, St. John Map and St. John Activity & Road Map
www.islandtreasuremaps.com
• St. John Beach Guide for all beaches on the island www.stjohnbeachguide.com
• General information about St. John www.stjohnusvi.com
• Information about St. John, St. Thomas, and St. Croix including ferry schedules and taxi rates www.vinow.com
Mobile Guide to St John www.stjohnexperience.com

We recommend making dinner reservations for the following restaurants:

Cruz Bay Restaurants – Casual Dining
The Banana Deck – $$$ – bar, American, Caribbean, seafood 340-693-5055
Cruz Bay Landing – $$ – bar, pub, American, Caribbean, café 340-776-6908
Shambles St. John – $$$ – centerline road- BBQ-Pizza-burgers, American 340-777-4015
High Tide Restaurant – $$$ – bar, seafood, American, Caribbean 340-714-6169
Joe’s Rum Hut – $$ – bar, American 340-775-5200
Greengos Cantina-$$$-Mongoose Junction-Mexican, Caribbean 340-777-8226
Margarita Phil’s – $$$ – Mexican, Southwestern 340-693-8400
Sun Dog Cafe – $$ – American, Caribbean, grill 340-693-8340
The Beach Bar – $$ – bar, pub, American, grill 340-777-4220
The Longboard – $$ Casual, Caribbean 340-715-2210
The Tap Room – $$ – St John Brewer’s bar, pub 340-715-7775
Uncle Joe’s BBQ – $ – BBQ 340-693-8806

Cruz Bay Restaurants – Fine Dining
Café Roma – $$$ – Cruz Bay – Italian, pizza, 340-776-6524
Dave and Jerry’s Island Steakhouse-$$$-Cruz Bay-Steak and seafood 340-779-9614
Extra Virgin Bistro – $$$$ – Cruz Bay – Seafood, Italian, American, Mediterranean, 340-715-1864
La Tapa – $$$$ – Cruz Bay – seafood, Italian, Mediterranean, Spanish, 340-693-7755
Morgan’s Mango – $$$$ – Cruz Bay – Caribbean, seafood, 340-693-8141
Ocean 362 – $$$$ – Cruz Bay – Seafood, Caribbean, American, Vegetarian-friendly, 340-776-0001
The Terrace – $$$$ – Cruz Bay – seafood, French, 340-779-8550
The 18 64 - $$$$- Mongoose Jct.- seafood, steak, American 340-777-1864
Lime Inn-$$$-Cruz bay- Tasting menu-340-776-6425
________________________________________

Coral Bay Restaurants – Casual DINING

Rhumb Lines – $$$$ – Cruz Bay – Asian, Thai, fusion, Caribbean, 340-776-0303
Miss Lucy’s – $$$ – Friis Bay – Caribbean, American, seafood, brunch 340-693-5244
Skinny Leggs - $$ - Coral Bay pub style 340-779-4982
________________________________________

Delis
North Shore Deli – $$ – Cruz Bay – DELI 340-777-3061
Sam + Jacks Deli – $$ – Cruz Bay – DELI 340-714-3354
________________________________________

Food Trucks
Little Olive – $$ – Cruz Bay – Food Truck, Mediterranean, Greek, vegetarian-friendly 340-998-5162
Roti King-$$-Cruz Bay- Roti’s -304-998-5162

Pizza
Café Roma – $$$ – Cruz Bay – Italian, pizza, 340-776-6524
Ronnie’s Pizza – $ – Cruz Bay – pizza, 340-693-7700

West Indian
Hercules Pate – $ – Cruz Bay – Caribbean 340-776-6352
Heading East Bar & Grill-$$-Centerline road-Caribbean 340-201-2658
Flavors-$$-Centerline road-Caribbean-340-244-8357
P & P Point-$$-Frank Bay-Caribbean 340-693-8587