The Ultimate Girl Friends St John Getaway Planning Guide

At every stage of our lives we have friends, good friends, that we enjoy spending time with. Although it may be simpler when you’re in your twenties; there’s a growing trend for girlfriend getaways at all ages! Reuniting your college sisterhood? Perhaps your group is formed of the bonds of motherhood and parenting? Maybe you’re besties are celebrating the freedoms of the empty nest? Or perhaps one of your friends is celebrating a milestone birthday? Whatever brings you together we hope this guide will help you plan your girlfriend getaway on St John, US Virgin Islands.

START PLANNING EARLY

1 year is ideal. Friends with families/kids/pets and/or hectic jobs will need every bit of 365 days to arrange their lives for a getaway. The foundation of successful trip planning is having plenty of time to bring each piece of the trip, together!

Connect with your Core Group of Besties

Throw the idea out there and see who’s interested. Throw it out again to see who is really interested ; )

Talk about Destinations, Dates and Budget

There are lots of great destinations. From skiing in the winter to wine country in the Fall. But the most popular destinations are tropical. Our focus is on this tropical getaway. Somewhere exotic? Someplace warm? Someplace where a white sand beach is rimmed with coconut palms. A destination where the aqua blue water is your window onto brightly colored schools of Atlantic Blue Tangs, Queen Trigger Fish, adorable sea turtles and myriad of colorful hard and soft corals!

What makes St John the Perfect Destination?

I’ll set aside the travel writer prose, for just a moment, in favor of these wow-me bullet points!

• Top Ranked Beaches
• Some of the best shallow water snorkeling in the Caribbean
• No passports required ( for US citizens. However, you will need them for travel to and from the British Virgin Islands – should you choose a charter excursion).
• St John has no air port – which translates to fewer visitors.
• 2/3rds of the island is protected by the US Virgin Islands National Park
• St John has over 500 vacation villas, condos and resort timeshares to choose from. See link below for direct w/Owner vacation rental web site.

Budget your St John Island Vacation

St John is not known for being an inexpensive destination. This tiny island imports much of what is consumed. From food, fruits and vegetables to clothing to gas/fuel. Nearly everything is shipped or flown in to the Virgin Islands. To help you establish a budget – here are some commonly required products and services and their local prices*.

Vacation Rentals: An average 4 bedroom villa with pool costs approx. $3,750-$5,500/wk during High Season ( save 30% during Low Season).

Taxi ride from Cyril King airport STT to Red Hook ferry to St John = $15 pp + $2/per bag.
Red Hook Ferry to Cruz Bay, St John = $8.15 pp + $4/per bag

Rental car/Jeep™ = $75-$90/day 4-6 passenger

Food – bananas = $0.65-$1.29/lb. Grapes = $8.19/lb. Starfish Market bakery/deli – Crusty Sourdough Bread = $5.99. Almond croissants = $1.90. Cheerios™ = $7.99. Pace chunky salsa = $4.89.

Massage: Avg $125/hr

Day Charter: St John snorkeling tours and trips into the BVIs run between $600 to $950.

Dining Out
Cruz Bay Landing: Blue Banana pancake breakfast = $11. Veggie omelet = $12.
The Lime Inn: Local grilled lobster $36/lb. Drunken Ribs = $23.
The Longboard: Happy Hour $6 Painkillers! Fried calamari = $16.

When to Visit St John?

This really depends on your group. But here are the pros and cons for visiting St John during “High Season” and “Low Season”.

High Season typically runs from mid December to mid April. This coincides with winter for much of the continental United States. It’s also peek holiday season … including Christmas, New Years and Spring Break. The number one reason to visit during High Season has to be to escape the winter weather at home. Number two, celebrate a holiday(s) with family or friends. High Season visitors will find that beaches, restaurants and transportation are, as you might expect, at a premium. Vacation rental rates average about 30% higher; with some villas charging an additional 10%-20% during Holidays.

Low Season typically runs from mid April to mid December. Vacation rental and resort rates are typically about 30% less than High Season nightly/weekly rates. While you may not get the winter escape – you can enjoy the same great beaches, activities and weather at a significant savings!

Want more information on ways to save on your St John vacation? Check out our vacation planning guide.

OK, so you’ve decided on a girl’s trip to St John.
Now What?

Research and book air fare for your dates.
According to MentalFloss.com the best time to buy your tickets is 62 days in advance for the winter months, 90 days in advance for spring flights and 47 days in advance for summer travel. Which airlines have flights into St Thomas, US Virgin Islands? Airlines servicing STT

Browse and Book Accommodations.

If you’re an AirBnB or VRBO user we’ve got news for you! The convenience of booking on those sites comes at a price. VRBO charges a “service fee”, aka Booking Fee, capped at $499. AirBnB also charges a “service fee”, no cap, at a rate of 0%-20% of your booking! That can add hundreds and hundreds ( in some cases thousands …) of dollars to the cost of your vacation rental. Luckily St John has a Book Direct with owners/managers web site! Search over 260 listings from adorable and romantic island cottages to charming B&Bs to St John Resorts and the entire spectrum of villa rentals. Rates start as low as $65/nt/low season and can go as high as $3,825/nt for a luxury villa during Holiday dates! You’ll also find exclusive discounts and a Villa by Name Directory. Happy browsing …. www.StJohn-VillaRentals.com

Island Activities

You know your group better than anybody else. So research some options for group activities. St John has some fantastic day sail and power boat charters. Full or 1/2 day snorkeling charters. Sunset sails. Kayak, hike and snorkel ecotours. National Park hiking trails.

Individual or twosie activities – spa/massage/yoga

Provisioning Service vs Shopping

Transportation

You’ll be booking and using a variety of transportation including airport shuttles, ferry ( Red Hook/St Thomas to Cruz Bay/St John ), safari taxis, rental car(s). If your group is traveling together consider private airport transportation which can be booked online via CaribbaConnect. Ferry tickets are purchased at the ferry terminal ( extra charge for bags + tip). Safari taxis, located by the ferry dock, will take passengers to most of the popular North shore beaches.

Shopping Suggestions

Cruz Bay: Mongoose Junction: Lulee St John , Just Beach, Caravan Gallery, Portico, Freebird ( by the ferry dock). Coconut Coast Studios ( Frank Bay). St John Spice/Wharfside. Pink Papaya/Cruz Bay
Coral Bay: Isola Shops: Zemi, Jolly Dog Trading

Restaurant Suggestions

Upscale: Cruz Bay: Extra Virgin Bistro, Morgan’s Mango, La Tapa
Casual<>Mid: Cruz Bay: Lime Inn, St John Brewers / Tap Room, The Longboard Cantina, Tap and Still. TBD Restaurant ( Coral Bay )

Bar Suggestions

Cruz Bay: DRINK, The Beach Bar, St John Brewers/Tap Room
Coral Bay: Aqua Bistro, Rhumblines/Indigo Grill, TBD Restaurant
Hansen Bay / East End: Lime Out VI – floating taco bar!

Best Happy Hours

Check out our article on the best St John Happy Hours