St. John Island Sightseeing: Annaberg Ruins, Trunk Bay & Virgin Islands National Park

Cruz Bay•moderate

Difficulty

moderate

Duration

2–3 hours

Fitness Level

Participants should be in moderate physical shape—able to handle short walks on uneven ground and a few flights of stairs or slopes.

Overview

Cross the short channel to St. John for a condensed, scenic primer on the island: panoramic overlooks, white-sand beaches, and the evocative ruins of the Annaberg sugar plantation. This half-day tour pairs natural spectacle with local history and practical stops at the park’s most famous views.

St. John Island Sightseeing: Annaberg Ruins, Trunk Bay & Virgin Islands National Park

Bus Tour

Select participants and date

Date

Thu, Oct 30

Travelers

When the ferry slips away from St. Thomas and the channel narrows, St. John rises like a green bruise against the horizon—jagged ridgelines giving way to cliffs that plunge into water the color of cut glass. You step off at Cruz Bay and a compact tour bus is waiting, the driver already scanning the sky for wind and the ocean for that one perfect shade of blue that often steals afternoons here.

Adventure Photos

St. John Island Sightseeing: Annaberg Ruins, Trunk Bay & Virgin Islands National Park photo 1

Adventure Tips

Buy your ferry ticket in advance

Roundtrip ferry tickets between St. Thomas and St. John are not included—purchase ahead to avoid lines and ensure timely return to the ferry terminal.

Use reef-safe sunscreen

Marine ecosystems here are fragile; use reef-safe sunscreen to protect coral and marine life while you snorkel or sunbathe.

Wear sturdy footwear

Annaberg’s ruins and several overlooks require walking on uneven stone and sand—closed-toed shoes or sturdy sandals make exploring safer.

Plan for tight stop windows

Stops are brief (15–60 minutes); prioritize what you want to see and move promptly to make the most of each viewpoint.

Local Insights

Wildlife

Green sea turtle
Brown pelican

History

St. John’s landscape bears the legacy of Danish colonial agriculture—plantation ruins like Annaberg reflect an 18th–19th century sugar economy reliant on enslaved labor.

Conservation

Much of St. John is protected as Virgin Islands National Park; visitors should stay on trails, avoid touching coral, and use reef-safe sunscreens to limit human impact.