St. John Island & Trunk Bay Tour: Small Group Guide

Island tour and beach time without fighting the crowds

A small group tour departing St. Thomas visits St. John's Virgin Islands National Park, the Annaberg Sugar Plantation and Trunk Bay Beach with a local guide and National Park entry included. Hotel or cruise ship pickup is available depending on which option you choose. Round-trip ferry tickets to St. John are purchased separately at the dock for $16.30 per person. The tour runs four to five hours and operates with a minimum of four guests.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Trunk Bay2h · entry included
2. Annaberg Sugar Plantation20m · entry included
3. Virgin Islands National Park30m

St John island tour and beach time

• Ferry ride from Redhook to St John
• Drive through Virgin Islands National Park
• Stop at Cruz Bay and Trunk Bay Overlooks
• Visit Annaberg Sugar Plantation
• Relax and snorkel at Trunk Bay Beach
• Free time to explore Cruz Bay town

The experience

The day starts with pickup at your St. Thomas hotel or cruise ship dock, then heads to the ferry terminal. The ferry ride itself crosses open water to St. John, and once you arrive, a local guide takes over for a tour of the island that covers the Virgin Islands National Park, the Annaberg Sugar Plantation (a partially restored sugarcane factory), and overlooks at Cruz Bay and Trunk Bay where you can collect National Park passport stamps. The guide handles the history and context. You get the views without having to navigate or plan the stops.

After the island tour, you have free time in Cruz Bay to wander the town's unique architecture, eat lunch at a local restaurant, visit galleries or shop for one-of-a-kind pieces. Then it's back to Trunk Bay Beach for the afternoon. You can relax on the sand, rent snorkel gear to explore the coral reef and watch tropical fish, or simply soak up the rays. The beach time is unstructured. You decide how to spend it.

The group stays small, which means fewer people jostling for space at the overlooks and on the beach. You'll need a moderate level of fitness for the day, and make sure you're clean of sand and wearing dry clothes before getting back in the vehicle after your beach time. The ferry tickets are not included in the tour price, so budget $16.30 per person for the round trip. They're available for purchase at the dock when you arrive.

What’s included

• Local guide in English or Spanish.
• Virgin Islands National Park entry fees.
• hotel or cruise ship pickup depending on your option.
• ferry ride to and from St. John.
• free time to explore Cruz Bay.
• beach time at Trunk Bay with the option to rent snorkel gear.

Options for this experience

11 options

Meeting in St. John (Cruz Bay)Guide in English or Spanish · 09:20Meeting point: Cruz Bay Ferry Dock, 86J3+GRC St. John, Prince St, Cruz Bay, St John 00830, USVI

Hotels near St. John DockGuide in English or Spanish · 09:20Hotels near St. John Dock: this option is for guests staying at St. John hotels close to the Cruz Bay dock. Pickup is included.

Pickup from The Westin St. JohnGuide in English or Spanish · 09:20Pickup at The Westin St. John: this option is for guests staying at the Westin St. John Villas. Pickup is included.

See 8 more options

Hotels in St. Thomas or meeting pointGuide in English or Spanish · 09:00For guests staying on St. Thomas: this option is for guests staying on the island. We pick up at all selected hotels in the dropdown. Pickup is included.

Pickup from The Westin FrenchmanGuide in English or Spanish · 09:00Pickup at The Westin Frenchman: this pricing option is for those who want to be picked up at The Westin Beach Resort & Spa at Frenchman's Reef, St Thomas. Pickup is included.

Pickup from Frenchman's CoveGuide in English or Spanish · 09:00Pickup at Frenchman's Cove: this pricing option is for those who want to be picked up at Marriott's Frenchman's Cove, St Thomas USVI. Pickup is included.

Pickup from Bolongo Bay ResortGuide in English or Spanish · 09:00This pricing option is for those who want to be picked up at Bolongo Bay Beach Resort, St Thomas USVI. Pickup is included.

Pickup from Elysian Beach ResortGuide in English or Spanish · 09:00This pricing option is for those who want to be picked up at Club Wyndham Elysian Beach Resort, St Thomas USVI. Pickup is included.

Pickup from Limetree ResortGuide in English or Spanish · 09:00This pricing option is for those who want to be picked up at Limetree Beach Resort by Club Wyndham, St Thomas USVI. Pickup is included.

Departing from West Indian Dock, Gate 4Guide in English or Spanish · 09:00For WICO cruise ship guests: this is exclusive to guests from cruise ships docking at West Indian Dock. The 1:00 PM schedule is for late ships only. Pickup is included.

Windmill, at Crown Bay DockGuide in English or Spanish · 09:00Crown Bay cruise ship passengers only: this option is for guests on cruise ships docking at Crown Bay Dock. * 9:00 AM – regular tour * 1:30 PM – late ships only. Pickup is included.

You pick the guide language when booking.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesMonday to SaturdayDepartures at 09:00 and 09:20

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3): free

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 33 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 16.30

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Great Exploration Tours

Is this one for you?Choose the cruise ship dock option if you're arriving by ship and want pickup timed to your disembarkation and re-boarding. Pick the hotel option if you're staying on St. Thomas and prefer to start from your accommodation. The small group size keeps the tour manageable, though you'll need to purchase ferry tickets separately at the dock on the day.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

Can I get picked up at my cruise ship dock in St. Thomas?

Yes. At the time of booking, provide your ship name, docking time, disembarkation time and re-boarding time, and the operator will confirm your dock and arrange pickup. If you're staying at a hotel, pickup is available at select properties depending on which option you choose.

What is the Annaberg Sugar Plantation?

The Annaberg Sugar Plantation is a partially restored sugarcane factory on St. John that the guide will show you during the island tour. It's one of the stops where you'll learn about the island's history.

Do I need to bring snorkel gear to Trunk Bay?

No. Snorkel gear is available to rent at Trunk Bay Beach if you want to explore the coral reef and see the tropical fish. You can also spend your beach time swimming, sunbathing or walking the sand without renting anything.

What's included in the tour price?

The tour includes the local guide, National Park fees, all taxes and handling charges, and pickup at your hotel or cruise dock depending on your option. Ferry tickets to and from St. John are not included and cost $16.30 per person, purchased at the dock.

How much free time do I have in Cruz Bay?

The itinerary includes free time in Cruz Bay after the guided island tour, before heading to Trunk Bay Beach. The exact length depends on the day's schedule and ferry times, but it's enough to grab lunch, browse shops or visit a gallery.

Is this tour suitable if I'm not very fit?

The operator recommends at least a moderate level of physical fitness for this tour. The day involves walking during the island tour, time at the beach and ferry travel, but there's no strenuous hiking or climbing required.