What AI Says You Should Do on Your St. John Vacation
With more than 1 billion reviews on roughly 8 million establishments, it’s no wonder many of us vet out our travel destinations on TripAdvisor. The world’s largest travel planning platform has jumped on the AI bandwagon offering computer generated itineraries. Let’s take a look at what it recommends for a trip to St. John.
First, it’s important to note that the trip planning software provides suggestions by leveraging human insights from businesses and travelers on the website. On the home page, users are greeted with a “build a trip in minutes and get a personalized itinerary just for you.” We were curious, so after entering St. John (be sure to include U.S. Virgin Islands), number of days and type of travel, this is a condensed version of what we received along with our comments.
Here is your trip to St. John for 7 Days for a group of friends:
Day 1
Welcome to St. John, US Virgin Islands! Get ready for an amazing adventure filled with must-see attractions, hidden gems, museums, culture, great food, outdoors, wine & beer, arts & theatre, adventure and sports, and history.
On your first day, we have a fantastic itinerary planned for you. Start your day by visiting Honeymoon Beach, a breathtaking attraction where you can relax on the pristine white sand or take a dip in the crystal-clear waters. Next, explore the Annaberg Sugar Plantation and learn about the island’s rich history and culture.
Finally, head to Caneel Bay Beach, known for its picturesque beauty and tranquil atmosphere. Enjoy the stunning views and take a leisurely stroll along the shore. Get ready for an unforgettable day of exploration and relaxation.
Our Notes: Caneel Bay Beach is only accessible by boat. ZoZo’s Restaurant is the only operational business on this beach which requires a shuttle service from the parking lot. This establishment closes in slow season.
Day 2
On the second day of your trip to St. John, US Virgin Islands, I recommend starting your day by visiting Francis Bay, a must-see attraction known for its stunning beach and crystal clear waters. After enjoying the beauty of nature, head to Cruz Bay Landing for a delicious meal with your friends. This popular eatery offers a variety of dishes to satisfy your taste buds.
In the afternoon, make your way to Trunk Bay Beach, another iconic attraction known for its picturesque views and excellent snorkeling opportunities. Take your time to relax and explore the underwater world. To end your day, visit The Longboard, a trendy eatery that offers a fusion of flavors and a great selection of drinks. Enjoy the vibrant atmosphere and indulge in some great food and drinks with your friends.
Our Notes: The National Park Service charges a modest fee to enter Trunk Bay Beach for patrons 16 and over from sunrise to sunset.
Day 3
On the third day of your trip to St. John, US Virgin Islands, get ready for an exciting day filled with must-see attractions and outdoor adventures. Start your day by taking the Inter Island Boat Service to explore the beautiful surrounding islands.
Next, head to Mongoose Junction, a charming shopping center known for its unique shops and galleries. Afterward, make your way to Cinnamon Bay, where you can relax on the pristine beach and enjoy the crystal-clear waters. For some thrill, visit Maho Bay Beach, famous for its snorkeling opportunities and vibrant marine life.
Finally, don’t miss the Coral Reef Underwater Park Trail, where you can snorkel or dive to explore the stunning coral reefs. Get ready for a day full of fun, nature, and unforgettable experiences!
Our Notes: The Coral Reef Underwater Park Trail is located in Trunk Bay.
Day 4
On the fourth day of your trip to St. John, get ready for an exciting day filled with amazing attractions and delicious food! Start your day by embarking on the breathtaking Ram Head Trail, where you’ll witness stunning views of the island’s coastline.
Next, head to the picturesque Little Lameshur Bay, a hidden gem with crystal clear waters perfect for snorkeling. After that, make your way to Coral Harbor, known for its charming shops and vibrant local culture. Don’t miss the opportunity to relax at the beautiful Salomon Beach, surrounded by pristine white sand and turquoise waters.
Finally, satisfy your taste buds at The Lime Inn, a fantastic eatery offering mouthwatering dishes. Enjoy your day exploring the best of St. John!
Our Notes: Salomon Beach is only accessible by boat or a short hike on the Lind Point Trail behind the National Park Visitor’s Center.
Day 5
On the fifth day of your trip to St. John, US Virgin Islands, you can explore a mix of attractions, beaches and cultural sites. Start your day by visiting Hurricane Hole, a beautiful natural attraction known for its calm waters and scenic views.
Then head to Gibney Beach, a hidden gem that offers tranquility and crystal-clear waters perfect for swimming and snorkeling. Next, visit Catherineberg Ruins, where you can explore the remains of a historic sugar plantation and learn about the island’s history. After that, relax at Hawksnest Beach, one of the most popular beaches on the island, with its white sand and turquoise waters.
Finally, don’t miss the St. John Experience Gallery, where you can immerse yourself in the local culture through art and exhibits. Enjoy a day full of adventure, history, and natural beauty!
Our Notes: Hurricane Hole is a collection of mangrove-lined bays on the East End of the island. Accessing this area by land is challenging so we suggest chartering a boat or guide to kayak or paddle-board the area. Gibney Beach shares just a few parking spots with Oppenheimer Beach which is essentially the same stretch of beach. The property behind a white picket fence is where Gibney Beach begins. A brief downhill hike is required to access.
Day 6
Start your sixth day in St. John with a visit to Tektite, a must-see attraction known for its underwater research habitat. Explore the fascinating world beneath the surface and marvel at the marine life.
Next, head to Haulover Bay, a hidden gem offering pristine beaches and crystal-clear waters perfect for snorkeling or simply relaxing under the sun. Afterward, make your way to Peace Hill Windmill, an iconic landmark with panoramic views of the island. Take in the breathtaking scenery and snap some photos.
For adventure and nature lovers, the Reef Bay Trail is a must. Embark on a scenic hike through lush forests, past ancient petroglyphs, and end at a beautiful waterfall. Finally, immerse yourself in the local arts scene at Bamboo Studio, where you can admire and purchase unique handmade crafts. Enjoy a day filled with attractions, nature, and culture!
Our Notes: Tektite was once a NASA study location on humans living underwater for prolonged periods of time. The .7 mile trail to access the area has a moderately strenuous ascent and some rock scrambling. North Haulover is best experienced with the waters are calm. South Haulover is an easy entry year round.
The Reef Bay Trail takes over three hours with a strenuous 900-foot elevation on the way back up. We recommend taking a National Park ranger-guided hike which, in addition to having a boat waiting to take you back to Cruz Bay, it’s also a great way to explore and learn about the vegetation, sugar plantations, Taino carvings and much more along this trail.
Day 7
On the seventh day of your trip to St. John, US Virgin Islands, get ready for another exciting day filled with amazing attractions and delicious food. Start your day by hiking the beautiful Brown Bay Trail, where you can immerse yourself in the stunning natural scenery.
After working up an appetite, head to Aqua Bistro, a fantastic eatery known for its great food and charming atmosphere. In the afternoon, embark on the Caneel Hill Trail, a popular attraction that offers breathtaking views of the island. For more adventure, explore the L’Esperance Trail and enjoy its scenic beauty.
Finally, wrap up your day by relaxing at the Beach at Genti Bay, a hidden gem where you can unwind and soak up the sun. Enjoy the perfect blend of nature, culture, and food on this unforgettable day!
Our Notes: Aqua Bistro is no longer in business. There are plenty of other restaurants in Coral Bay to satisfy your appetite. The Brown Bay Trail is a moderately strenuous 1.6 mile trail with gradual inclines and few areas with shade. It does offer lovely views and leads to a beach to cool off.
The Caneel Hill Trail is 4 miles in and out. For those in good physical condition, you are rewarded with stunning panoramic views. The L’Esperance Trail is a bit over 5 miles in and out and covers fairly steep terrain. Similar to the Reef Bay Trail, we highly suggest taking a ranger-led hike to learn about the amazing history of this area. Genti Bay is also for physically fit hikers. Arriving by sea is certainly easiest, but if you choose land, you’ll hike the Reef Bay Trail for access to a secluded beach.
Overall, the AI suggestions are an adequate mix of things to do on St. John, however, further research is needed for each experience. There’s really nothing like the local point of view so don’t hesitate to ask our team for advice to get the real scoop. After all, this is our home and we enjoy sharing it with you!
