St. John and St. Thomas are two incredibly beautiful islands to visit, and, if you are visiting from the United States, very accessible, since they are part of the US Virgin Islands. Few people know that staying in St. John is like – or actually is – staying in a National Park. And it is fortunate for anyone who has visited this wonderful place that the island has been so well preserved. The natural vegetation, the white sand beaches, and the crystal clear water are quite breathtaking.
The snorkeling here, as it is in most islands of the Caribbean, is excellent. But what is particularly charming about snorkeling in this district is that if you swim across a certain channel in St. Thomas, you will reach a certain island known for its turtles. This area of St. Thomas is aptly titled “Turtle Cove.”
If you can spend the time to have an extended stay in St. John and St. Thomas, it is a great idea to rent a car and explore the islands. If you don’t live in a location like this, as the majority of people don’t, it can be quite interesting to spend some time soaking in the local culture. Being, as mentioned before, part of the United States, it is really easy to become acquainted with people since there is no language barrier. You may hear several languages spoken in St. John and St. Thomas, including French Creole and Spanish, but just about everybody speaks English also. If you have the opportunity, head East towards Coral Bay and visit what is perhaps one of the coolest hangouts on Earth: Skinny Legs. The catch phrase of Skinny Legs is one that sums up the attitude of St. John and St. Thomas very well – “A Pretty OK Place.”
As with so many vacations, I think most people who visit St. John and St. Thomas will find that a trip of any length, even a pretty long stay, won’t seem long enough.