St. John and the BVIs

Where to stay:

Do yourself a favor and rent a private villa.
You'll have a whole house to yourself, privacy and most villas have your own pool. I prefer the privacy of renting on Bordeaux Mtn.

Things to do/places to visit:

My favorite activity is renting a center console dinghy from www.calypsovi.com. This allows you to see the whole island in one day. Be sure to rent and bring the snorkel gear because the dinghy allows you to snorkel places that can only be snorkeled by boat. Calypso also has a great day trip on the Bad Kitty boat which goes to The Baths
The Baths

next to Cooper Island Beach Club, then to White Bay where you have to get a Pain Killer at Soggy Dollar Bar (best bar in the world!)
Soggy Dollar Bar

and finally back to St. John. It is a great trip but can be a little expensive. If you don't want to do the entire day on Bad Kitty I would highly recommend taking a ferry boat over to Jost for the day.

As far as beaches, Trunk Bay

and Cinnamon Bay

are the two most popular and thought of as most beautiful beaches but can be crowded. My favorite beach is Little Cinnamon Bay Beach which is hidden behind some rocks with no one on it (Your own private beach!). Here is how to get there... go to Cinnamon Bay. Once you walk to the beach, take a left. At what seems like the end of the beach, there will be some large dark rocks. Facing the rocks, look to your left you should see a faint trail that will take you up and over the rocks through some trees/brush. Take it slow and pack lightly as the trail can be slippery. Welcome to your own private piece of paradise!

My second favorite beach is Maho Bay.

Maho is much less crowded, easier access, and no sea urchins. Nearly every time I have gone to there I see sea turtles and starfish.

Restaurants:

My personal favorite dish Ultimate Pad Thai at Rhumb Lines. Best overall food Aqua Bistro. Best burger Skinny Legs. Best view Asolare. If you want Caribbean lobster go to The Lime Inn. St. John has excellent food and many great eats!

If you taking a nature walk or hiking go hike the Ram Head Trail or another great trail is the Reef Bay Trail in the Virgin Islands National Park but it is quite a hike, about 2 miles all uphill climbing over rocks on the way back up.

If you rent a jeep just go drive around the island and explore.

One other word of advice, everything is on "island time." Schedule doesn't mean a whole lot down there. For example the ferry schedule can change day of, so especially when you leave be sure to give ample time in case a certain ferry isn't running.

Happy Travels!