ISLAND ATTRACTIONS . . . Discover the reefs, the trails and the ruins. Explore the St. John's trails and historic back roads by foot, by car, by bike, or by horse/donkey. Go beneath the waters, snorkel, scuba or snuba and tour the coral reefs and rock croppings. [Go directly to menu]

The island is networked with tended hiking trails leading to historical sites and hidden beaches which can be hiked on your own or, if you choose, with a knowledgeable guide who will point out and explain to you the unique aspects of St. John's flora, fauna and tell you the history of the old ruins that liberally sprinkle the islands.

Learn about the intricate eco system of the precious corals, be awed by the magnificently colored fish. Go fishing, take a day sail, fly through the air behind a power boat. The islands attractions are numerous and the ways to discover them varied.

Exploring St. John, VI by Horse, Donkey, Bike

Historical & Archaeological Sites on the island of St. John, VI

Events & Festivals on St. John, US Virgin Islands

EXPLORING by Horse, Donkey or by Bike

Carolina Corral Trail Rides by Horse or Donkey, (340) 693-5778 Located in Coral Bay. Half day and Full day rides offered, lunch & drinks included. Ride to beach for snorkeling, explore the historic mountain roads or choose a flat ground ride for the younger children and less intrepid. Sunset and full-moon rides are also available.

Arawak : Guided Mountain Bike Tours. A great way to see the Virgin Islands National Park, riding top-quality, front-suspension Cannondale mountain bikes. Several routes to choose from, for both novice and experienced cyclists.

St. John Adventures ~ Bike tour

HISTORICAL & ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES

National Park Headquarters: A good place to start: books, maps, excursions.

The Battery, now the St. John's Administration Building, is built on the foundation of a 18th century fort. Small museum in the old prison cells: Open 10-2 Mon-Fri. Free. Seashells, old maps.

Elaine Sprauve Library & Museum: Restored Manor House built in the 1750s. The museum is open 9-5 Mon-Fri. Photos, drawings, local crafts and a few Indian and colonial artifacts. 340 776 6359

Ivan Jadan Museum director/curator Doris Jadan, memorabilia relating to the life of the her husband: Ivan a renowned operatic tenor who lived many years on St. John. www.ijadan.vi

Lind Point Trail will take you to the Lind Battery (early 1800s) once a British gun emplacement

Cinnamon Bay Sugar Factory Ruins A short walk tour with signs identifying points of interest and vegetation

Cinnamon Bay Archaeological Dig: Taino artifacts dating back 500 years. Take a tour or volunteer some time. The Dig at Cinnamon Bay | Volunteer

Annaberg Plantation Ruins is the most complete sugar plantation ruins in the Virgin Islands. Take the 30 minute self-guided walking tour and visit the slave quarters, windmill, horse mill, cistern, oven rum still and dungeon. During the winter season there are demonstrations and tours highlighting the chores and crafts of the Danish Plantation days and the workings of a sugar mill and factory.

The Annaberg windmill was built in the early 1800s, and is almost 40 feet high.
The windmill crushed the sugar cane and gravity led the juice through gutters to the factory. Alternatively when there was not enough wind, horses were used to turn rollers crushing the sugar cane.

For more information visit Virgin Islands National Park headquarters in Cruz Bay or contact them at (340)776-6201 ext. 238.

Ruins of the Catherineburg Sugar Mill and Rum Factory: (Hammer Farms) Restored in 1986 it is one of the earliest plantations on St. John mid 1700s. A good example of barrelled vaulting construction. Check out the storage vault beneath the windmill the round mill which is found across the road. In the 1733 slave revolt, Catherineberg served as headquarters for the Amina warriors, a tribe of Africans captured into slavery.

Petroglyphs and Sugarmill Ruins along the Reef Bay Trail: Partially restored Reef Bay Sugar Factory, the Jossie Gut Plantation Ruins, Estate Par Force and petroglyphs. The petroglyphs were done by the Tainos, early St. John inhabitants, or another theory is by African slaves of the island's colonial era. Petroglyphs & Ruins along the Reef Bay Trail | Reef Bay Trail / Cinnamon Bay Hike | Petroglyphs

Peace Hill and the ruined windmill at Christ of the Caribbean in the ruins of the Denis Bay Plantation Built in the 50s it was donated to the BI National park in 1975 represented Inner and Outer Peace. Destroyed by Hurricane Marilyn in 1995

Emmaus Moravian Church in Coral Bay is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. A masonry structure, built by the Moravian missionaries who ministered to the slaves and taught them to read. The cornerstone was laid by slave preacher and mason Cornelius at the end of 1700s. Now referred to as the Bethany Moravian Church if you visit it note the beautiful renovated 18th century parish hall, the vaulted cistern and dutch ovens.

Fortberg on Fortberg Hill in Coral Bay Built by Danish 1717 destroyed by the slaves during the revolt in 1733 In 1807-14 the British built a battery

National Park Underwater Trail - Virgin Islands National Park
The world's first marked underwater trail located near the shoreline, making it one of the best snorkeling spots in the Caribbean.

EVENTS & FESTIVALS on ST. JOHN

St. John Festival : June - July 4. St. John Carnival originates in the colonial times when the plantation owners attempted to appease the slaves and encourage them to work harder. Officially first celebrated in 1928 it was scheduled to include Easter and Christmas. Costumes, music and dance were integral of the celebrations. Now starting with the Organic Act Day (3rd Monday of June) it includes Emancipation Day on the 3rd of July and culminates on July 4th with the celebration of Cultural day. An ongoing celebration of the emancipation of the slaves by the Danes in 1848. The colorful costumes, calypso music, and dancing parades and antics of the Mocko Jumbi stilt dancers are highlit with fireworks.

VI Carnival - April, St. Thomas's Carnival,

St. John Blues Festival: March - The St. John Blues Festival 2005 will be March 23rd through March 27th with the big concert on Saturday evening March 26th. The festival will highlight "Woman in Blues" and will showcase some of the hottest female Blues artists in the country.

Jazz in the Moonlight: Winter season at the Westin Resort. Adults $10.00 each, children under 18 free. Proceeds from the concert series go to the Moonlight Foundation's scholarship fund for St. John Students.

Epiphany Theater Company: totally volunteer, not-for-profit company.
epiphanytheater@hotmail.com 776-6744, 714-2807

Some of the events at Skinnies: The Pitch 'n Bitch, Kentucky Derby (May), Wagapalooza (June)

Miss Lucy's: Full moon parties each month in season. Pig roast, local vegetables, great music & dancing. Jazz Brunch each Sunday in season.

Annual St. John Arts Festival, February - A celebration of art & culture. Free lunch and dinner time concerts in Cruz Bay park and special presentations at St. John School of the Arts. Also daily food fairs and craft displays. The varied island music includes scratch bands, reggae, school marching bands and church choirs. The Artists' Association of St. John holds an exhibit in tandem, and local artists display their works around town at the various galleries. The Epiphany players, St. John's community theater group put on special presentations. This 11 day art-fest raises funds for art scholarships for the community youth. For further information contact: Frank Langley: (340) 779-4038, president of the all volunteer not for profit organization, the St. John Arts Festival Inc.

Love City Triathlon: Each Labor Day Weekend since 1998 the St. John Landsharks, a group of endurance athletes on St. John, host the annual Love City Triathlon - a swim, bike and run event consisting of a half mile swim, a fourteen mile bike ride, and a four mile run, the event begins in Maho Bay then circles St. John and ends in Coral Bay. Participants in the triathlon can do all three legs individually or form a relay team with one or two other participants and each compete in one or two legs.

8 tuff Miles is a foot race from Cruz Bay to Coral Bay via Centerline Road that has been held on the last Saturday of February since 1997. All are welcome to participate in the even and volunteers are always needed. 340-779-4035

Wagapalooza: A dog event that takes place at Skinnies each year in the month of May or June to raise funds for the St. John Animal Shelter.

St. Paddies Day Parade in Cruz Bay.