Saint John, US Virgin Islands is a wonderful vacation spot full of sandy beaches, turquoise water and history. I was drawn to the island after hearing stories about St. John, USVI from my dad who would venture there during summers. He would go there, because my grandmother worked on cruise ships off of the port of Saint Thomas.
History
Interestingly, Saint John was colonized by the Danish in 1718. I was surprised to learn this. During their occupation, the Danish kept slaves. Following the occupation of St. John by the Danish, a slave revolt offered in 1733. Emancipation of slaves didn’t take place until 1848. However, the island of Saint John USVI didn’t become a US territory until 1917. This occurred when the US offered to buy the land to set up a military base.
In this article, I’ll explode 3 things you can do when visiting this beautiful and historical island.
Cinnamon Bay
Cinnamon Bay is one of the beaches my dad spoke fondly of during his time on the island. As a result, this was very much a stop on my list and it should be on yours too. The reason why is because the water is some of the bluest I’ve seen. The sand is fine, which also makes the white sandy beach perfect for sunbathing.
Annaberg Sugar Plantation
To learn more about the history of the island beyond the brief introduction I gave, this landmark on the island is a must see. Formally used in the 1800s, the ruins of this sugar plantation remain in surprisingly good shape. However, they also serve as a reminder of the islands dark history.
Trunk Bay and Hiking Nearby
While I didn’t hike during my time on the island, I’d highly recommend Trunk Bay as a hiking starting point.
St. John is a great winter escape. While it is most commonly visited between December and March, the island is great year round.
When will you visit? -K
Stampchaser Photography 