St. Croix vs St. John: The Differences & Best One to Visit

Mermaid Beach, St. Croix

Are you dreaming of a Caribbean getaway in the U.S. Virgin Islands? St. Croix and St. John are both incredible options, but deciding which one can be difficult. Below, we’ll discuss St. Croix vs St. John, including their similarities and differences to help you choose your destination and start planning your vacation.

Explore how each island compares in terms of geography, beaches, food, costs, and more.

Overview of St. Croix vs St. John

While St. Croix and St. John both have beautiful beaches and laid-back atmospheres, there are also some differences. Here’s an overview of each island, with more details below.

	St. Croix	St. John
Geography	The larger of the two islands with beautiful beaches and two distinct landscapes: a rainforest and a desert-like area	A smaller island that mostly consists of a national park with rolling hills and scenic beaches
Beaches	A mix of calm bays, reef breaks, and turtle nesting beaches – all with gorgeous scenery	Quiet, relaxing beaches covered with white sand
Food	Many food options, including local favorites and fine dining	Delicious, but fewer restaurants
Activities	Many outdoor, cultural, and historical experiences	Nature-centric, with incredible beaches and over 20 hiking trails
Vibe	A good mix of locals and tourists, plus a relaxed lifestyle with the opportunity for nightlife activities	Laid-back but with more tourists, especially during the busy season
Cost	Typically more affordable accommodations, dining, and car rentals	Can be more expensive due to limited development and boutique hotels

Geography

St. Croix and St. John are about 60 miles apart. St. Croix is about 22 miles long and 7 miles wide, while St. John is about 9 miles long and 5 miles wide. 

To get to St. John, you’ll typically fly into St. Thomas, the other U.S. Virgin Island, then ferry over. There are several convenient ways to fly into St. Croix (e.g., from St. Thomas, Puerto Rico, and many airports stateside).

Nearly two-thirds of St. John is a national park, and most of the island is covered with lush green hills and stunning beaches. St. Croix’s landscapes are also beautiful, with rolling hills, picturesque beaches, and scenic hiking trails. One side of St. Croix is a rainforest, while the other side offers a desert-like atmosphere.

Jack and Isaac Bay Preserve, St. Croix

Beaches

You can’t beat the beaches on either island – they both have gorgeous beaches with clear blue water. Most beaches on St. John are covered with white sand, and St. Croix’s beaches are more diverse, with a mix of calm bays, reef breaks, and turtle-nesting beaches.

While Trunk Bay is one of St. John’s best and most popular beaches, there are many spots to swim and snorkel, relax, and enjoy the scenery.

Cane Bay, Rainbow Beach, and Sandy Point are a couple of our favorites on St. Croix. That said, there are countless popular and secret beaches throughout the island.

Trunk Bay, St. John

Food

One perk of St. Croix being larger with a bit more infrastructure is that there are more food options, and they’re amazing! There are tons of options, whether you want to enjoy a fine dining experience or try authentic island food – La Reine Chicken Shack is one of the best!

While St. John doesn’t have as many dining options, there are still some amazing spots to eat, and you certainly won’t go hungry. You can also take a 45-minute ferry ride over to St. Thomas for even more restaurant experiences.

Activities

St. Croix and St. John both offer fun outdoor activities, including diving, snorkeling, spending time on the beach, and hiking.

St. John is more nature-focused, with most activities being outdoors. Most visitors spend the majority of their time on the beach. There are also over 20 hiking trails throughout Virgin Islands National Park, which covers about 60% of St. John. 

Beach days and outdoor excursions like boat trips and ziplining are also a significant part of life on St. Croix. There are also many cultural and historical experiences, including local events and historical sites such as Columbus Landing on Salt River Bay and Fort Christiansvaern.

Salt River Bay, St. Croix

Vibe

St. Croix and St. John both have a laid-back vibe, especially in comparison to St. Thomas. 

While St. John offers more relaxing activities and fewer nightlife experiences, there are several bars, many of which are open late night. If you’re visiting St. John and want to party, we recommend going over to St. Thomas for a bit. While St. John’s nature offers a peaceful experience, it can feel more touristy, especially during winter and spring.

St. Croix is a good mix of locals and tourists and offers a slow-paced lifestyle. However, you can also enjoy a more active nightlife as there are many things to do at night, including late-night bars, the casino, and evening kayaking.St. Croix and St. John both have a laid-back vibe, especially in comparison to St. Thomas. 

Cost

St. Croix generally offers more affordable accommodations, dining, and car rentals. St. John tends to be more expensive due to limited development and boutique lodging, but you can save on activities by spending time outdoors.

Both locations offer a range of price points for hotels or vacation rentals and food for more options. You can also save if you visit during their low seasons – summer or fall.

Is St. Croix or St. John better?

St. Croix is better if you want a mix of experiences, including culture, history, and nature. St. John is better if you’re a nature enthusiast who wants to enjoy the outdoors for your vacation. 

Each island offers a unique experience, and they’re both worth visiting. We love St. Croix’s local vibe and fun activities, and St. John’s stunning scenery.

If you can visit both, a few days or more on each island is ideal. You can fly between St. Croix and St. Thomas with Cape Air or Fly the Whale, and take a short ferry ride to St. John from St. Thomas.

St. Croix vs St. John: Conclusion

We hope you found this article helpful and are excited for a Caribbean getaway to the U.S. Virgin Islands!  Both islands are beautiful, fun, and relaxing – and you can’t go wrong with either option.

If you decide to visit St. Croix and want to start planning fun activities, book a kayaking adventure with Virgin Kayak Tours. There are several guided tours and rentals so that you can explore the stunning Salt River Bay.