Of all the islands, St John is probably the most unspoiled, thanks to the contribution of one of the world's best known philanthropists, Laurence Rockefeller. Had it not been for Rockefeller's gift of money and his desire to preserve beautiful St John, the landscape would probably look more commercial, much like the other Virgin Islands. More than half of the island is designated as US National Park land, making for a wonderfully unspoiled tropical island with 22 preserved nature trails. USVI - St John CoastLine St John CoastLine In 1956, Rockefeller purchased 5,000 acres from the Danish West Indies Company and gave it to the United States to initiate this preservation project, which celebrates its 45th anniversary in 2001. Within the park are many beautiful beaches, some of them among the most photographed in the Caribbean; it also has a bounty of wildlife, birds and marine life, and provides a clean nesting places for a variety of turtle species. Virgin Islands National Park, renowned throughout the world for its breathtaking beauty, covers approximately 3/5 of St. John, and nearly all of Hassel Island in the Charlotte Amalie harbor on St. Thomas. Within its borders lie protected bays of crystal blue-green waters teeming with coral reef life, white sandy beaches shaded by seagrape trees, coconut palms, and tropical forests providing habitat for over 800 species of plants. Trunk Bay, Hawksnest Bay, Cinnamon Bay, and Maho Bay are just four of the dozens of beaches. Cruz Bay, the center of activity on St. John, contains colorful shops, lively bars, and fabulous restaurants. Cruz Bay is the "Downtown" of St. John. Shopping and dining are plentiful, with local artwork, luxury items, and local and international cuisine. The Elaine lone Sprauve Library and Museum near downtown Cruz Bay contains historic artifacts and works created by local artists. Nearby Hawksnest Bay has a pristine beach popular with snorkelers for its nearby reef. Most accommodations of St. John are located in and around Cruz Bay, the ferry drop-off point from St. Thomas and the location of most of St. John's shopping and dining. Accommodations on the island include luxury all-inclusive resorts, charming inns, and private homes and villas. All lodging is within easy reach of the Virgin Islands National Park and the famous beaches and cays along the north side of the island. Unlike St. Croix and St. Thomas, St. John offers camping for its visitors. Cinnamon Bay Campground, "the most famous campground in the Caribbean," is just a two-minute walk from Cinnamon Bay Beach. The campground offers equipped cottages and tents as well as basic campsites. The eco-resorts of St. John, including Maho Bay Camps and Concordia Eco-Tents, provide tents with porches, basic kitchens, and beautiful views. Harmony on Maho Bay cottages that run on solar and wind power and are built almost exclusively of recycled materials. Overall, St John has a small community feel and has managed to stay quaint in spite of controlled tourism development. At one end of the main town of Cruz Bay is the attractive shopping area called Mongoose Junction, built of local stone. Beautifully designed, the Junction includes upscale shops, art galleries and restaurants. The town has a variety of small restaurants, and a couple of inns like the popular Tamarind Court, one of the island's best accommodation values. It's located only three blocks from the main ferry pier. http://www.caribbeanmag.com/search/St_John/ en-us Copyright 1998 e-TravelMedia.com/CaribbeanMag.com Fri, 5 Sep 2008 02:05:55 EST http://www.caribbeanmag.com/search/St_John/ Fri, 5 Sep 2008 02:05:55 EST The Virgin Islands, just 18° north of the equator, has a true tropical climate. The peak period for visiting is January through April. However, some of the best snorkeling is in early summer, when the winds are calm and the water flat. Summer daytime temperatures range from the high 80s to low 90s, and winter temperatures range from the high 70s to low 80s. The hottest months are August and September, when the day temperatures can average in the 90s F/32-38 C. There is more rain during the fall than at other times, but most rain, no matter what time of year, is confined to brief, intense showers. Winter is about 5 F/3 C cooler than the rest of the year, and it's a good idea to take a sweater for the evenings any time you visit: Trade winds blow continuously. Expect rain all year long, with October and November being the wettest months, and February and March being the driest. Hurricane season centers around August and September. June-November is officially the hurricane season, though it's usually still a fine time to go (if you're worried that a hurricane might come through, get trip-cancellation insurance that covers inclement weather). http://www.caribbeanmag.com/search/weather/St_John/ Fri, 5 Sep 2008 02:05:55 EST http://www.caribbeanmag.com/search/car_rentals/St_John/ Fri, 5 Sep 2008 02:05:55 EST Restaurants and Dining: http://www.caribbeanmag.com/search/restaurants/St_John/ Fri, 5 Sep 2008 02:05:55 EST