A day trip to St. John is one of the most common add-ons for families based in St. Thomas
— the ferry ride is short, and St. John’s beaches (Trunk Bay in particular) are frequently ranked among
the best in the Caribbean. Here’s how to actually plan the logistics.
What to Know
- Ferries to St. John run from Charlotte Amalie and Red Hook; Red Hook is the shorter crossing (about 20 minutes) and runs more frequently.
- Roughly two-thirds of St. John is Virgin Islands National Park — Trunk Bay charges a small per-person park entry fee, most other beaches are free.
- St. John has very limited taxi and rideshare availability compared to St. Thomas; renting a car on St. John itself (or bringing one via the car ferry) gives far more flexibility for a day trip.
- Trunk Bay’s underwater snorkeling trail is genuinely good for kids just learning to snorkel — marked, shallow, and well-trafficked enough to feel safe.
- Pack everything you’ll need for the day; St. John’s beaches have fewer rental/amenity stands than St. Thomas’ busier beaches.
- Plan to catch a ferry back with real buffer time — the last crossings run earlier than many first-timers expect, especially from Cruz Bay.
Getting There: Ferry Logistics
The Red Hook-to-Cruz Bay ferry is the standard route for a day trip, running about every 30-60 minutes
and taking roughly 20 minutes each way — check the current published schedule before you go, since
frequency varies by season. The Charlotte Amalie ferry runs less often but can be more convenient if you’re
staying closer to town. Either way, buy tickets at the dock rather than in advance; both routes are typically
walk-up and pay-as-you-board.
Filter out the noise and find what works for your family.
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St. John has far less taxi availability than St. Thomas, and rideshare apps have limited coverage, so a
day trip built around visiting more than one beach really benefits from a rental car. You can rent on St.
John itself (a small local fleet, often open-air Jeeps well-suited to the island’s steep, narrow roads) or
bring a car over on the vehicle ferry from St. Thomas, though the vehicle ferry takes longer and costs more
than the passenger-only option.
Compare St. John rental options against simply taking taxis if you’re only planning to visit one beach for the day.
What to Pack and What to See
Trunk Bay is the headline stop for most families — its marked underwater snorkeling trail is one of
the more approachable ways for a beginner to try snorkeling, and the beach itself is wide and family-friendly,
though it does charge a modest National Park entry fee. If you have time for a second stop, Hawksnest Beach
is calmer and less crowded. Bring reef-safe sunscreen, water, and snacks with you — St. John’s beaches
have noticeably fewer food and rental stands than St. Thomas’ busier spots, so don’t count on buying what
you forgot. For beach-by-beach detail on St. John itself, see our
St. John snorkeling guide and
St. John regional guide.
Alternative: Making It a Longer St. John Stay
Some families use the day-trip ferry as a preview and end up wishing they’d stayed on St. John for a
night or two instead — if your itinerary has flexibility, properties like the Westin St. John or
smaller inns like St. John Inn make an overnight add-on straightforward without needing to change your
St. Thomas return flight. This avoids the tightest part of a single-day trip: the pressure of catching a
specific return ferry before it stops running for the night.
Plan Your Days in St. Thomas
Browse family-friendly tours, snorkeling trips, and day activities on St. Thomas.
Quick Answers
How long is the ferry from St. Thomas to St. John?
About 20 minutes from Red Hook, the shorter and more frequent of the two routes; the Charlotte Amalie ferry takes longer but runs less often.
Do you need a car on St. John for a day trip?
It helps a lot if you want to see more than one beach — taxi availability is limited compared to St. Thomas, and rental Jeeps are commonly used for the island’s steep roads.
Is Trunk Bay worth the entry fee?
Yes for most families — its marked underwater snorkeling trail is one of the more approachable ways for a beginner or young kid to try snorkeling safely.
Where to Stay in St. John
Ritz-Carlton St. Thomas
A baby concierge program, a kids’ waterslide, and free kayaks on a calm, protected beach in Great Bay.
Secret Harbour Beach Resort
Full-kitchen suites directly on a calm snorkeling beach, a quieter and more budget-friendly alternative to the island’s big resorts.
Bolongo Bay Beach Resort
An all-inclusive option with free kayaks and regular sea turtle sightings just offshore, simpler for families who’d rather not budget every meal separately.
Point Pleasant Resort
Villa-style units with full kitchens and three pools, right next to Coki Beach and its shore snorkeling.
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