St. John Starter Kit

New to our slice of paradise? Perhaps you only have one cruise ship day to discover what our island has to offer or this is your inaugural visit to St. John. Either way, here are a few tips to ensure that you receive an iconic first impression.

Greeting

English is the primary spoken language on this unincorporated United States territory. However, you may overhear local residents conversing in different dialects due to the diverse history of the population. Spanish, French Creole, blends of African, Danish and Portuguese are also widely spoken. The most important greeting to practice out of cultural respect is simply, “Good Morning,” Good Afternoon,” Good Day” or “Good Night” before engaging in further conversation.

Dress

One may assume that any style of dress is acceptable on any Caribbean island. Not so on St. John. Again, respecting cultural boundaries (and believe it or not, law), it is unacceptable to wear swimwear anywhere other than the beach, and public nudity is forbidden. Gentlemen are expected to wear shirts unless on the beach or poolside as well. Most Virgin Islanders are conservative in general and greatly appreciate visitors that show respect for local customs.

National Park

Two-thirds of St. John belongs to the Virgin Islands National Park and we strive to keep it pristine. Leave only footprints and take only pictures, as the saying goes.

Strange Laws

There is no open container law here and the legal drinking age is 18. You may receive a ticket if you are on the phone while driving however.

Best Beach

Asking a St. Johnian which is his or her favorite beach is like asking which is your favorite child. With a different one for every day of the month, you’re sure to find the one(s) you like. Trunk Bay is undoubtedly the most photographed and most visited on St. John. Conde Nast Traveler, the National Geographic Society and many other publications have labeled it one of the most beautiful in the world.

Sunscreen and Sound

It’s against the law to have anything except reef-safe sunscreen in the Virgin Islands. And let’s do away with sunscreen spray – it’s not welcome on boat charters and it’s not friendly to your downwind neighbors at the beach. It’s also kind to keep music on the beach to a minimum. Our National Park rangers are allowed to ticket offenders of sound, litter and smoking on the beach so let’s keep it classy folks!

Keep Left

Renting a vehicle on St. John is encouraged if you’re comfortable driving on the left. It’s especially challenging to remember when pulling out of a parking lot or turning a corner. Fortunately, no one goes over 30 mph because our roads are often narrow and windy, so drive with caution. For everyone else, open air taxis are abundant and go most everywhere on island.

Tipping

St. John is largely dependent on tourism. Like the rest of the United States, 15 to 20 percent gratuity is customary at restaurants, bars and service-related activities. Some places automatically add a service charge for larger parties.

We hope your visit is one to remember and we know that it won’t be your last!