Top Things to do in Cruz Bay
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Top 10 Free Things to do in Cruz Bay, St. John
St. John’s vibrant main town and port, Cruz Bay is home to most of the 28-square-mile island’s restaurants, bars, stores and dive centers. Two-thirds of affluent St. John is a national park, and many safari buses and jeeps set out from Cruz Bay. Don’t miss local art and history at Elaine Ione Sprauve Museum or the pristine sand of Hawksnest Bay, popular with snorkelers due to its nearby reef. There is no airport; ferries connect the town of 2750 with other U.S. and British Virgin Islands.
Restaurants in Cruz Bay
1. Maho Bay Beach
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2,679 reviews
Reviewed By LR417 - Barnegat, United States
This beach is absolutely beautiful. However, snorkeling is only average as there is virtually no coral. No schools of brightly colored tropical fish. However, turtles, sting rays and some large fish were sighted. The beach offers a bar, refreshments and rudimentary bathroom facilities. The taxi ride from the ferry in St John also offered glimpses of other pretty west side beaches.
2. Bajo El Sol Gallery, Art Bar & Rum Room
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 49 reviews
Located at Mongoose Junction, Bajo El Sol Gallery & Art Bar is a hybrid art gallery, bookstore, café, rum and cocktail bar. As a gallery and events space, Bajo El Sol is dedicated to offering the best in Virgin Islands fine art and cultural expression. At the Art Bar you'll also find Puerto Rican espresso coffee, chocolates, wine, craft cocktails, lite savory bites and locally made pastries. You’ll also find the largest selection of aged rums in Cruz Bay, which can be sampled in curated tasting flights. Curator Priscilla Hintz Rivera and writer David Knight Jr. took the helm of the established gallery in 2016. Hintz Rivera and Knight both grew up in the Virgin Islands and the Caribbean region, and they love engaging visitors about Caribbean history and the dynamics of the current society on St. John. Visit us during one of our many events for an immersive experience; we frequently host artist talks, poetry readings, film screenings and much more.
Reviewed By nikkisW6430RI - St. John, Caribbean
Had David to help us, let him choose our flights based on our specific tastes and he nailed it. Service was fantastic, rum was better....got my Grandma a beautiful piece of jewelry by a local artist.
3. Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 62 reviews
Reviewed By D5296VDmarieg - Eden Prairie, United States
This parish is my absolute favorite. The staff, the choir, the Deacons, and the amazing Father Anthony make this so joyful.
4. Wharfside Village
5. Island cork
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 54 reviews
Reviewed By jeepguy79CJ
My wife and I were in town for a week with friends and went there have a bottle of wine alone for a date night. The hostess seated us quickly and had a few recommendations and Paul was able to answer our questions regarding wine selection. Even though the COVID restrictions were still in place limiting the seating, we were able to get a table and order a bottle and charcuterie plate fairly quickly. The wine was great and the truffle salami was incredible. Highly recommend.
6. Pink Papaya
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 19 reviews
Reviewed By BRM5378 - Wilmington, United States
Every year when we visit St John we make sure to stop at the Pink Papaya! We collect the coconuts that are hand painted to look like fish. This is my favorite souvenir that we ship home to hang in our porch! Linda the owner is wonderful and she has a variety of gifts from unique jewelry to great signs about St. John!!
7. Oppenheimer Beach
8. Lind Point Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 73 reviews
Reviewed By JudyK288 - Boston, United States
Starts at the National Park Building (bathrooms and cold water for free, sunscreen and shirt for sale, maps also available). Free parking if you get there early and get one of the passes from the rangers. The trail splits into an upper (harder with better views) or lower (more moderate and direct) spurs. The hike to Honeymoon is about 1.25 miles taking 30-40 minutes and is moderate. Solomon is about 10 minutes less. There are no services at Solomon but Honeymoon has bathrooms, waterspouts/chair rentals, gift shop, drinks (with and without alcohol) and food available. Solomon is more secluded. There are a few nice views along the trail (more with the upper spur) but it is mostly in the wooded area. It is a dirt path with lots of rocks.
9. The Marketplace
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 54 reviews
Reviewed By JudyK288 - Boston, United States
Has expanded over the last year and becoming more upscale, even with an area to taste some cheese and crackers. Since the liquor store across the hall from here closed, they have stocked all the wines, beers and hard liquors that you need. There meats are very good, as is the bakery and the produce. The prices are higher than at some of the other groceries but they (for the first time in my 10+ years of shopping there) are now clearly marked. You will pay 2-4 times more that you would pay in New England for most items but picking store brands and looking for sale items will ease the pain somewhat. Junk food (soda, crackers, chips, cookies) are sky high but sticking with the basics will also help with the final bill.
10. Maho Crossroads
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 73 reviews
Maho Crossroads is a minimum footprint, energy efficient, self-powered pop-up village across the street from Maho Beach in St John, US Virgin Islands. The property consists of the Paddle-In Tiki Bar on a moveable trailer, the Furthest VW Bus conversion food truck, and Love Maho Beach Boutique.
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