St Croix vs St John: Which Island Is Better to Visit?
Are you torn between a vacation in St. Croix vs St. John? You’re not alone. Deciding between these two equally beautiful but distinctly different vacation experiences can be difficult.
I’ve been lucky enough spend time on both St Croix and St John. In fact, they were two of the first Caribbean islands I visited, and continue to be two of my favorites.
Each island has its own special vibe and attractions, offering two completely different kinds of vacation. St. Croix has lively towns and a buzzing nightlife in Christiansted, while St. John is known for its peaceful and secluded empty land within Virgin Islands National Park.
In this blog post, I’ll be sharing my insights and drawing comparisons to help you decide between these two US Virgin Islands. From safety to beaches and activities and logistics, here’s everything you should know before making your decision!
Booking travel soon? Here are my favorite reputable USVI resources
– Book your villas a vrbo.com
– Find tours at viator.com
– Search for hotels from booking.com
My Local USVI Partners
– Key N Go Car Rental (Use CaribbeanUncovered to let them know I sent you!
St Croix vs St John: Which Island Should You Visit?
When comparing St. Croix and St. John, both islands have unique offerings that make them ideal destinations, depending on what you’re looking for in a vacation.
St. Croix, being the larger of the two islands, offers a richer variety of activities, excursions, and nightlife. Its cultural and historical relevance adds depth to the overall experience.
Conversely, St. John, the smallest of the US Virgin Islands, is famous for its natural beauty and serenity, particularly in Virgin Islands National Park, which covers roughly 3/4 of the island.
So, if you’re seeking a quiet retreat immersed in nature, St. John should be your destination of choice.
There’s plenty more to discuss about these two islands, so let’s dive in deeper.
St Croix vs St John: Which Island is Safer?
St John has the lowest crime rate in the Virgin Islands. It’s the smallest of the three USVI and has the smallest population.
This doesn’t mean St Croix is dangerous. The US Virgin Islands operate under US law and are considered a safe traveling destination for you and your families.
Both islands have their share of safety risks, as any vacation destination does – mostly petty theft and vandalism. St Croix and St Thomas tend to have more crime among local islands, as opposed to crime against tourists and vacationers.
Just be mindful of your surroundings and be smart, like locking doors and not carrying around valuables or traveling alone at night, and you’ll be okay and feel safe on your trip to St Croix or St John.
⭐ Which is safer St Croix or St John? St John
St Croix vs St John: Which Island is Larger?
St Croix is the largest of the three US Virgin Islands with 84 square miles of land mass and a population of under 50,000 residents. It has a variety of landscapes including arid hills, rainforests, and stunning beaches.
The island is dotted with historical landmarks, from ancient petroglyphs to sugar plantations, and has a vibrant culture with a mix of African, European, and Caribbean influences.
In contrast, St John is an enchanting paradise under 20 square miles in size and home to only 4,100 residents. Despite its small size, St John has an abundance of natural attractions and is known for its pristine white sand beaches and healthy green forests.
Don’t forget to pack your snorkel gear. The island also has an incredible underwater world that attracts snorkelers and scuba divers from all over the world.
So while St John may be smaller in size, it’s definitely not lacking in beauty or charm. Both islands offer unique experiences that are worth exploring!
St Croix vs St John: Which is larger? St Croix
St John or St Croix: Which Island is Easier to Get to?
The answer depends on your preferred mode of transportation. They are both located in the eastern Caribbean, though St Croix is a bit further away from the US coast.
While both destinations require a flight, the journey diverges from there. St. John requires an additional ferry ride following your arrival at Cyril E. King Airport in St. Thomas.
Various convenient ferry services, like Varlack – Ventures and Love City Car Ferries operate daily to get you from St Thomas to St John. You can even opt for a private water taxi for an added splash of luxury. Trips range from 20-45 minutes.
On the flip side, if St. Croix is your final destination, prepare for a longer flight path that typically includes a layover in either St. Thomas or Puerto Rico. Conveniently, there is an airport in St Croix unlike in St John.
No additional ferry ride is required, making the route somewhat more streamlined. Whether you opt for the one-stop journey to St. Croix or the multi-method transport to St. John, both islands offer a unique travel experience worth every step of the journey.
Ultimately, the decision of which island to visit comes down to personal preference and your preferred mode of transportation.
St Croix vs St John: Which is easier to fly to? St Croix
Which Island Has Better Beaches?
St John offers a more beautiful landscape of beaches if that’s your priority.
Both islands have their fair share of beautiful beaches (I even prefer these Caribbean beaches to Hawaiian beaches). If you’re looking for a more laid-back, picture-perfect beach experience, St John is the way to go.
Not only will you find fewer tourists on these beaches, but the Virgin Islands National Park in St John covers about 60% of the island, and there are many secluded beaches where you can relax in peace.
You can also enjoy several hikes in St John that will take you to some of these pristine beaches. Reef Bay Trail is one of my favorites, and most visitors will agree!
For those who want a more action-packed beach vacation, St Croix is the better choice. In addition to the spectacular beaches lining the coast, visitors can also snorkel through Buck Island Reef National Monument.
So your choice will depend on whether you’re looking for a relaxing getaway in St John Virgin Islands or an adventurous vacation in St Croix. But overall, I have to choose St John for having the most beautiful beautiful in USVI.
St Croix vs St John: Who has better beaches? St John
Which island is better for snorkeling?
Being known for its famous beaches, St John has some unbeatable snorkeling on its most popular beaches like Honeymoon Beach and Trunk Bay.
Trunk Bay has an underwater snorkel trail for beach-goers to follow. The water in most parts of USVI in calm and safe for even beginner snorkelers.
St Croix has fewer well-known beaches but is located near Buck Island National Reef Island. This national park and protected reef is located on an uninhabited, untouched island off the coast of St Croix.
For this reason, and this reason only, I have to choose St Croix for having the best snorkeling when comparing St John and St Croix! This is not only my favorite thing to do in the Caribbean, but one of the most popular excursions in St Croix.
On the island, you’ll find Turtle Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. The snorkeling around the reef offshore is filled with colorful, healthy fish and a variety of marine life from large schools of fish, and sea turtles. I’ve even seen a shark swimming through this reef before.
St Croix vs St John Which is better for Snorkeling: St Croix
St John vs St Croix: Which Island is Better for a Honeymoon?
If you are looking for a more fast-paced vacation with lots of things to do, then a honeymoon in St. Croix may be the better choice.
But for a peaceful and intimate getaway, St John is a no-brainer. St. John is known for its secluded beaches and hikes, making it the perfect place to enjoy some quality time with your new spouse.
Meanwhile, St. Croix, being the larger island of the two, offers a livelier nightlife and more excursions. However, it can get more crowded there.
While both islands offer a range of romantic activities, couples looking for a more intimate experience may want to consider honeymooning on St. John.
St Croix vs St John: Which is better for honeymoon? Depends
Should You Visit St Croix or St John with Kids?
St John is ideal for families who want to spend time together exploring the island outdoors.
There are numerous hiking trails and beaches that are perfect for a day trip, and the island’s history and culture are fascinating learning opportunities for kids of all ages.
Head to the Reef Bay Trail to spot famous ancient petroglyphs or take a ranger-guided hiking trip through the national park.
If you’re looking for more of a resort vacation, St Croix is the better option. There are more family-friendly resort options and more opportunities for family outings and excursions.
Think: hiking to the Annaly Bay Tide Pools, watching the sunrise at Point Udall, or learning about the history of Fort Christiansvaern.
Whichever island you choose, you’re sure to create lasting memories with your family.
Small caveat: My pick for a family vacation in Virgin Islands would be St Thomas. St Thomas offers a variety of family-friendly resorts, family activities, and museums – overall, more things to do than both St Croix and St John. The island also caters to a variety of budgets, with plenty of budget-friendly and free things to do.
St Croix vs St John: Which is better for families? St Croix
St Croix vs St John: Which Island is Cheaper?
St Croix has a few more options to choose from, budget-wise since the island is larger. St John is the island of luxury in the US Virgin Islands. St Croix is much more cost-friendly, particularly with hotels and resort options.
Celebrities like Kenney Chesney have homes here and yachts owned by Jeff Bezos make frequent stops here. To give you an idea:
- The average price in St Croix for 3 nights in a 3-star hotel for 2 adults is $891.75
- The average price in St John for 3 nights in a 3 star hotel for 2 adults is $1227.6
Entry Requirements for St Croix and St John
St Croix and St John are both United States territories, and the US Virgin Islands entry requirements are the same as United States entry requirements.
Citizens of the United States, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands can enter with a government-issued ID and do not need a passport. Travelers can also island hop between St John, St Thomas, and St Croix without a passport.
Because the US Virgin Islands are a US territory, traveling there is much like traveling within the states. With these entry requirements in mind, travelers can enjoy all that the US Virgin Islands have to offer without any hassle.
One things to note: If you plan to visit the British Virgin Islands while in USVI, US citizens will need a passport!
Things to Do in St Croix vs St John
St Croix has more things to do in terms of sightseeing and excursions, whereas St John offers more outdoor adventures like snorkeling, relaxing on the beach, and hiking trails in Virgin Islands National Park.
The biggest difference in comparing things to do on each island is whether you want fast-paced or island-time.
Things to Do in St Croix
Christiansted and Frederiksted are the two main towns in St Croix. Christiansted has a wider variety of dining options and nightlife. You can find day trips and excursions from each town.
1. Excursion to Buck Island Reef National Monument
Heading to Buck Island Reef National Monument is a must-do in St Croix. Spend the day exploring one of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean and snorkeling around a highly protected, colorful coral reef filled with marine life.
2. Explore the Christiansted Boardwalk
The US Virgin Islands are well-known for their $1,600 duty-free shopping cap. Every 30 days, US citizens can bring back $1,600 worth of duty-free merchandise. Christiansted is a great spot to do local shopping. You’ll also find plenty of open-air bars with awesome ocean-views and many dining options.
3. Hike the Carambola Trumble Trail to the Tide Pools
This hike to the Tide Pools is a popular day-trip in St Croix. If you’re looking to spend the day outside, this four-mile trail ending with some natural pools to cool off in is a great idea.
Things to Do in St John
4. Virgin Islands National Park
Virgin Islands National Park covers two-thirds of St John, so it should absolutely be on your St John itinerary. There are multiple hiking trails from various points, for all levels of hikers. You can also camp at the Cinnamon Bay Campground if you want to get up close and personal with the nature of this national park.
5. Petroglyphs of Reef Bay
These ancient national landmark carvings were made by the Taíno people, who once inhabited the island. You can spot them on many of the popular hikes around St John, so keep an eye out!
6. Day Trip to St Thomas
Enjoy a day trip to St Thomas from St John to explore the busiest island in USVI. A trip from Cruz Bay to Red Hook is about 20 minutes and from Cruz Bay to Charlotte Amalie, about 45 minutes. From there, spend a day or two exploring all the things to do in St Thomas.
Hiking in St Croix vs St John
If you’re looking for the best hikes in USVI, St John is the island for you. The Virgin Islands National Park is filled with tons of hiking trails (some of the coolest hikes in the Caribbean), short and long, easy and hard, for beginner to advanced hikers.
Many of the hikes on St. John will take you to secluded beaches, ancient ruins, and incredible, panoramic overlooks. St John is more mountainous than St Croix, so of course the views are more grand from St John’s hikes.
Don’t worry – St Croix does have plenty of trails to enjoy as well.
⭐ St Croix vs St John for Hiking: St John
Who has a Better Nightlife?
St Croix is the better option if you’re looking for an island with nightlife. Christiansted is full of fun dining, open bars, and even a few nightclubs.
St John US Virgin Islands is more of an “It’s 5 o’clock somewhere” drinking spot with beach bars and happy hours scattered throughout the island.
⭐ St Croix vs St John for Nightlife: St Croix
Day Trip from St John to St Croix
Currently, ferries aren’t running from St John to St Croix, but the 90-minute ferry ride does operate at certain times from St Thomas.
Conclusion: Is St John or St Croix better for your next vacation?
So, St Croix vs St John – which is the better island for your next vacation? The answer really depends on what you’re looking for in a vacation! Hopefully I’ve cleared your questions up to help you make a decision!
If you want beautiful beaches and plenty of activities to keep you busy, along with two awesome cities, go with St. Croix. If seclusion and relaxation are more your thing, head to St. John instead.
No matter which island you choose, I guarantee that you won’t be disappointed! TIme to start planning!
