St Croix Vs St John (Which Island Is Better For A Vacation)

St Croix and St John are two islands included in the group of islands called US Virgin Islands.

These islands are overseas territories of the United States of America. As a result, US citizen can travel to both of these without a passport.

Although both islands are US Virgin Islands, they are different in look and feel as well as the unique experience offered to visitors.

In this article, we will comprehensively compare St Croix to St John to help you decide which island is better for your next Caribbean vacation.

As a general rule, St John is ideal for an outdoor enthusiast who loves beaches, snorkeling and hiking. Alternatively, St Croix is perfect for a visitor who wants to peaceful environment with more nightlife, beaches and easier access to United States of America.

Read on for further details and explanations on how these two magnificent US Virgin Islands compare. Contribution to this article was made by individuals who visited both islands on vacation.

St Croix Vs St John: Which Island Is Bigger

St Croix is the bigger of the two islands and also the largest of the four major US Virgin islands. It is 84 square miles while St John is only 19.6 square miles.

St John has the higher point of the two islands with Bordeaux Mountain being is 1,277 feet while Mt Eagle in St Croix is 1,088 feet.

St Croix Vs St John: Entry Requirements & Access

St Croix and St John are both part of the US Virgin Islands group and as such US citizens do not require a passport to enter.

Nevertheless, there is a difference in the options available for access into these islands. The airport in St Croix is only for domestic passengers. The international airport of the US Virgin Island is the Cyril E King airport in St Thomas.

Visitors to St Croix have the option to enter the island via airplane or boat whereas the only way to access St John is via ferry or charter boat.

The Henry E Rohlsen Airport is a domestic airport that is located six miles from the capital city in St Croix named Christiansted.  This airport receives daily inter island flight along with cargo and military airplanes.

St Croix Vs St John: Which Island is Safer

St John is the safer of the two islands and is also the US Virgin Island with the lowest crime level.

According to the St Thomas Source, since the pandemic there has been an increase in crimes within the US Virgin Islands. The territory recorded 49 homicides in 2020, two on the island of St John. There were 27 in St Croix and 20 in St Thomas respectively.

St Croix Vs St John- Which Island Has Better Amenities

Being the larger of the two islands, St Croix has better amenities. In addition to having an airport which St John, several major businesses have a presence in St Croix.

These include businesses such as K-mart, Walgreens, Rainbow, Office Max, Subway, Pizza Hut and Kentucky Fried Chicken.

St Croix Vs St John- How Does the Landscape Differ

St Croix is the flatter of the two islands. St John is hilly and mountainous. As stated above the highest point in St John is higher than St Croix.

Additionally, two thirds of St John is designated as Virgin Island National Park. Therefore, St John is wooded and forested in appearance.

Visitors may find the roads on St Croix easier to navigate due to the terrain of the island. The roads in St John are narrow and curvy. In some areas you may need to stop and reverse when going around a corner.

St Croix Vs St John- Which Island Is Has Better Beaches

If beaches are your priority then St John is the clear winner. Trunk Bay Beach is the most iconic beach on the island and is usually what you will see in photographs for the US Virgin islands.  For snorkeling enthusiasts, there is an underwater trail.

Cruise passengers usually take the ferry across from St Thomas where the boat is docked just to enjoy this beach.  There is an entrance fee along with facilities such as bathrooms. A lifeguard is also stationed at this beach. Beach chairs, umbrellas and snorkel gears are available for rent.

Cinnamon Bay Beach is also a well-loved spot by locals and visitors to the island for swimming and snorkeling in St John. This beach is the longest white sand spot on the island. This is the only beach where camping facilities are available.

St Croix on the other hand also has great beaches with Sandy Point Beach being one of the most popular. Sandy Point Beach is a long beach and has been rated one of the best beaches in the US Virgin Islands.

It is 3 miles long however there are no facilities such as beach chairs and umbrellas. This beach is also a nesting place for turtles and as such is closed for about 5 months of the year for turtle nesting season.

Rainbow beach is also another popular beach on the west end of St Croix. It is known for its calm waters and soft white sand. Beginner snorkelers will love this beach for its amazing wildlife and shallow waters.

St Croix Vs St John: Which Island Is Better For A Honeymoon

The response to this truly depends on the preference of the individuals. If the priority is all inclusive beach front resorts, then St Croix is the winner.

There are several beach front properties with some being adult only in St Croix. Examples of these include The Palms at Pelican Cove and The Buccaneer Beach and Golf resort.

On the other hand, if the preference is to be wrapped in nature, then St John is the perfect choice. There are no all-inclusive resorts in St John.

However, there are villas, cottages, inns and resort like options available. The Westin St John is the closest property to the typical Caribbean resorts.

There are restaurants, bars, spas and pools available. Grande Bay Resort and Lavender Hill are also other options that you should explore if visiting for a honeymoon.

St Croix Vs St John- What Are The Unique Things To  Do

Unique Things To Do In St Croix

Explore Ham’s Buff Lighthouse- is a fantastic spot for incredible views. This lighthouse was designed and built by the Danish sometime between 1913 and 1915. In 1917, the Danish West Indies was sold to the United States of America.

Visit Point Udall- is a location of significance in St Croix as it is the most eastern point of the United States.  The Millennium monument was erected in the year 2000 as this is the first place that the American soil experiences the sunrise.

Unique Things To Do In St John

Visit Mongoose Junction- is a shopping mall located in Cruz Bay built incorporating the vegetation and Danish history of St John. At Mongoose Junction you will find a variety of shops which includes art gallery, delis, jewelery shops and more.

Explore Annaberg Plantation Ruins- St John was a producer of sugar in the 1780’s and Annaberg plantation was one of the 25 factories on the island. The ruins are protected by the Virgin Island National Park and a key feature that stands today is a windmill. A historic must see if you visit St John.

Hike-With two third of the island being a National Park, there are numerous hiking trails of varying difficulties. Ram Head Trail is one of trails with a moderate difficulty level but features glorious and scenic views.

Final Thoughts

On a whole, St John is a great choice for a traveler whose priority is enjoying the beach, hiking and snorkeling in a peaceful and tranquil environment. On the other hand, St Croix is perfect for a visitor who wants to stay at an all- inclusive resort, wants access to amenities and enjoys the beach.

If you are contemplating traveling to the St Croix, US Virgin Islands or the rest of the Caribbean, cruising is an affordable option to consider. I have recently completed an informative course by cruise specialist, Emma Cruises which you should check out titled How To Cruise For Less.

This course provides detail tips and techniques on how to save money while cruising onboard, onshore as well as the importance of insurance. So if you if you are considering a cruise for your next Caribbean vacation, check out How To Cruise For Less.

Need More Information?

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