TRAVEL TO SAINT JOHN, USVI
ADVENTURE,  FOOD,  MOTIVATIONAL SPIRITUAL,  NATURE,  TRAVEL HIGHLIGHTS

TRAVEL TO SAINT JOHN, USVI

How do you get there? It can be slightly complicated with all the steps involved… SAINT JOHN, USVI is a fabulous destination to explore and enjoy! It’s gorgeous beaches and multitude of snorkeling opportunities beckon tourists! But how exactly do you get there? Here is a comprehensive guide providing all the necessary steps.

GO & ENJOY a week luxuriating at some of the most beautiful beaches of the world! Who doesn’t like that idea? Here is a guide to what I think are the easiest steps to TRAVEL TO SAINT JOHN, USVI! The bluest, cleanest, salt water ocean glistening with the sparkle of the sunshine can be found here. If you are so lucky to visit this island paradise, GO! This island will not disappoint! The stunning views from the elevation down to the shorelines provide a different perspective around each turn as you drive on the left through these rustic, narrowly paved, carved into the steeply hilled roads.


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St Johns best beaches

My husband and I have been very fortunate to explore many interesting Caribbean/West Indie locations. We are drawn by the beauty of these paradise themed islands. A gentle breeze to keep the overwhelming heat at bay is necessary, of course, when we determine our visit locations. Nature’s beauty draws us every time though… The beauty of each area in the Caribbean is vastly different, but one constant always present while exploring are the gorgeous beaches and snorkeling opportunities. Saint John’s is top of our list for one of the most beautiful places to soak up the rays! So how exactly do you get there? Continue reading for a guide on TRAVEL TO SAINT JOHN, USVI. The steps are listed below!

CLICK HERE: FOR BEST SAINT JOHN USVI SNORKEL SPOTS

CLICK HERE: FOR BEST SAINT JOHN USVI  BEACHES


CLICK ON THIS LINK TO LEARN MORE


“We need the tonic of wildness…At the same time that we are earnest to explore and learn all things, we require that all things be mysterious and unexplorable, that land and sea be indefinitely wild, unsurveyed, and unfathomed by us because unfathomable. We can never have enough of nature.”

– Henry David Thoreau



TRAVEL TO SAINT JOHN, USVI

FLY INTO CYRIL E. KING AIRPORT

Is there any better way to spend your lazy vacation days than at a gorgeous beach?

 

St John USVI North Shore Beaches

All along Saint John’s famous North shore lies the most amazing beaches!

Hurricane Season here is from July to October. The average temperature is above 80 degrees during this time. The major airlines that routinely fly schedules into Cyril E. King Airport are: American, Delta, Virgin Atlantic, Jet Blue, British Air, and Alaskan Air.

It was raining prior to our landing here in Saint Thomas, USVI. Upon landing, you walk from the plane to the tarmac outside to your welcoming gate. Locals in cultural costumes welcome you within the airport. It was an instant Caribbean party theme!

Cyril E. King Airport

The Cyril E. King International Airport (CEKA) is a public airport located on the southwestern side of St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands (approximately two miles west of the capital city, Charlotte Amalie.)  CEKA is one of the busiest airports in the eastern Caribbean.  Interestingly, it is one of the deepest man-made runways in the world extended from 4,200 to its present 7,000 length in 1992. The two-story airport terminal was built in 1990. It measures 190,000 square feet on the first floor and has 11 gates.

Cyril E. King Airport

​The airport has very interesting history! The US purchased the US Virgin Islands in 1917.  The first airport on St. Thomas was a small airstrip built in the 1920s in what was known as Mosquito Bay.  Mosquito Bay was dredged, filled in, and renamed Lindbergh Bay.  On Jan. 22, 1928, the first passengers arrived on St. Thomas by air via the La Nina, a monoplane owned by the Aerial Express Co. of San Juan carrying its pilot and four passengers. 

The US government further developed the airstrip and renamed it Bourne Field. It served primarily as an airfield for the US Military.  The airport was turned over to the VI government after the military ceased operations in the territory after World War II.  The original airport terminal was an old military hangar constructed in the 1940s and the airport was named in honor of Harry S. Truman, the 33rd President of the United States. 

On October 3, 1984, the airport was renamed after the late Governor Cyril Emmanuel King – the second elected governor of the US Virgin Islands.  Construction of the current airport terminal began in 1980 and was completed in October 1990.


“To escape and sit quietly on the beach – that’s my idea of paradise.”

– Emilia Wickstead


TRAVEL TO SAINT JOHN, USVI

SET-UP CAR RENTAL IN ADVANCE TO MEET YOU AT THE AIRPORT

JEEP RENTAL SAINT JOHN USVI

jeep rental saint john usvi



We were welcomed graciously at the airport by the car rental people who provided us with our jeeps. We had a bigger group so two were rented for the week. It was quick and easy. Then we were off for the drive the length of Saint Thomas to the car ferry dock in Red Hook. The drive from this airport to Red Hook Ferry is about 20 km or 10-12 miles. It takes around 30 minutes to reach by car or taxi. Plan accordingly as coordinating your arrival in Saint Thomas, traffic to Red Hook, and the car ferry schedule can be a trick!



DON’T FORGET TO PACK YOUR SNORKEL GEAR! CLICK HERE: TOP 10 THINGS TO PACK FOR TRAVEL

Do you snorkel? What age did you learn? Do you remain a snorkeling enthusiast sharing the underwater world with your family and friends? Where is your favorite place to snorkel?


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“The beach to me is a sacred zone between the earth and the sea, one of those in-between between places where transitions can be experienced – where endings can be mourned and beginnings birthed. A walk along the beach offers the gift of the unexpected.”

– Joan Anderson


TRAVEL TO SAINT JOHN, USVI

ARRANGE A CAR FERRY (BARGE) FROM RED HOOK BAY TO CRUZ BAY (ENIGHED POND BAY)

Travelers without a vehicle can hire water taxis to cross between these two islands. It takes 20 minutes. Costs approximately $6 each way and run from 6am-12pm. Passengers without a vehicle can also just ride a passenger ferry with a group.

Barge Ferry from red hook to cruz bay usvi

Well, I must say, this was a very unique experience! Traveling between the islands is possible with your vehicle! You must ride a car (barge) ferry. Several steps that no one explains to you must also be adhered to to achieve this goal! Check the Barge schedules! There are three companies that provide this service.

A port fee is collected before entering the car barge loading area. It is $3-$4 per vehicle separate from the barge fee (that is collected once upon the barge).

The Red Hook ferry location services both passenger ferry and car ferry but at two separate docks that are marked with separate entrances. You should arrive 45 minutes early to board a ferry as many cars will be lined up ahead of you to ride the scheduled ferry. When it is your turn in line to board the ferry with your vehicle, be prepared to back onto the ferry to park your car in the guided designated parking location…it is a tight fit! You really have to experience this to truly understand the unique experience.

BEWARE: Remember that 3 different ferry companies run out of these docks on separate schedules when determining if you want to purchase a round trip ticket (round trip tickets must be used with the same ferry company.)

Barge car ferry view USVI

God has painted an amazing view with His creative talents. Enjoy by degrees the introspective relaxation that overtakes you as you journey to the island of Saint John. It is a transitional journey that occurs while traveling to the island and the ferry ride prepares your soul for the island that lies ahead. Above is a photo of Saint John Island from the ferry far off in the distance and below is a photo as the ferry approaches the landing dock.

Saint John USVI Ferry view


“The three great elemental sounds of nature are the sound of rain, the sound of wind in a wood, and the sound of the ocean outside on a beach.”

– Henry Beston


TRAVEL TO SAINT JOHN, USVI

NAVIGATE TO YOUR ACCOMODATIONS RESERVATION

Trunk Bay Beach, North shore Beaches Saint John USVI

 

Navigation to your reservation happens next on this journey. Once the ferry unloads in Cruz Bay, make sure your navigation app on your phone is uploaded to reveal the driving directions to your reservation location. If you drop signal while driving it may be challenging to locate your reservation. Signal is sketchy on the island of Saint John. Your cellular carrier will notify you when your signal switches to British VI from the USVI. Beware of roaming fees.

There are only a few small local grocery stores. Stop off on your way through to load up on your grocery items that you will need before arriving at your reservation. Many locations are pretty remote and far from conveniences, so plan accordingly.


Plan an adventure!



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“I read and walked for miles at night along the beach, writing bad blank verse and searching endlessly for someone wonderful who would step out of the darkness and change my life. It never crossed my mind that that person could be me.”

– Anna Quindle



TRAVEL TO SAINT JOHN, USVI

REPEAT IN REVERSE

So obviously when it comes time to leave the island to catch that return flight home, the same planning in reverse is required. Know the ferry schedules, arrive early enough to make the scheduled ferry ride. Leave enough time to drive the length of Saint John (if your reservation is located on the East End) along with the driving length of Saint Thomas to arrive at the airport. Don’t forget to build in the requisite couple of hours prior to your flight building in the time to return the car rental too. Whew! It can be a lot to schedule all of this wisely, so be smart and plan.



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“At the beach, life is different. Time doesn’t move hour to hour but mood to moment. We live by the currents, plan by the tides, and follow the sun.”

– Unknown


TRAVEL TO SAINT JOHN, USVI

BLESSINGS

The adventure of traveling to Saint John is wonderous! If you are able to plan a full day of travel on either side of your trip (just for the process of all the scheduled travel allowing ample time), that actually makes the most sense! It is a long day! It is so worth that long day though!

What a blessing this place is to enjoy! Everywhere you look you will find God’s handiwork. From the flowers blooming to the ocean waves lapping the shorelines, nature’s beauty abounds. So many beautiful views are there to be enjoyed around every curve of the winding roads! It is an amazing place to behold!

East End Saint John USVI

“The beach is truly home, its broad expanse of sand as welcoming as a mother’s open arms. What’s more, this landscape, which extends as far as the eye can see, always reminds me of possibility.”

– Joan Anderson


Each view above the water is beautiful here! HOWEVER, the views below the surface of the water are just as exquisite! ENJOY the views below water too!


Have you leaned back while gazing up at the winter night sky while in the Caribbean and studied the Southern hemisphere constellations? On a night when light is not polluting the inky black night sky try this out! So many stars to gaze at and attempt the names of the constellations!

I look forward to hearing from you! Have you ever traveled to Saint John, USVI? What did you think of the work involved with just getting there?

God’s amazing gifts can be found wherever you travel and with whomever you share your time. Please be sure to stop and realize this in your explorations and hold this knowledge close to your hearts too! I hope you enjoyed reading about the travel to Saint John, USVI!

Did you notice some affiliate links along the way?? If you plan to buy any of the products we mentioned or search for other purchases, please consider clicking through our link on this page. It won’t cost you a dime, and it will help our website continue running and offering you further inspirational travel adventures!

Inspirationally Yours,

Barbara

BIO: https://www.inspirationaltraveladventures.com/about-us/

About Me

A 1993 graduate of Michigan State University, Barbara earned a BS in Social Science Pre-Law. She is a Business Manager/HR Director. Her passion is travel, discovering new places, experiences, cuisine, cultures while enjoying temperate climates. Barbara is a newly transitioning empty-nester who became a travel blogger. She’s a great photographer, talented writer, and has a great family to highlight in adventurous sons.

WEBSITE: www.inspirationaltraveladventures.com


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jeep rental saint john usvi

TRAVEL BLOG🛩 * ADVENTURE🛶 * INSPIRATION🌞 Thanks for exploring our travel blog! We hope to assist you in your next adventure through learning from ours! We are transitioning empty-nesters perpetually seeking our next luxury snorkeling adventure! Daily God’s awe inspiring inspiration surrounds us with all of His natural beauty in every direction if we but slow down to observe. Take a moment each day to ENJOY!

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