St. John: Introduction

Nature lovers, set your sights for tiny St. John. This is the eco-tourism capital of the Caribbean, an island where the two of you, from the luxury of a beautiful resort or a posh villa or the inexpensive accommodations of a tent or cabin, can hike, snorkel, and tour an island where two-thirds of the land is preserved as a national park.

The stewardship of the island's natural beauty began with Laurance Rockefeller. Developer of Caneel Bay Resort, the multi-millionaire donated much of the island to the National Park Service in the 1950s. Today, preservation of this island's resources lies in the hands of the park service and a developer named Stanley Selengut, a leader in the world of eco-tourism who operates several eco-friendly properties on the island. St. John leads the world in sustainable tourism resorts where guests make a minimal impact on nature.

Most travelers arrive in St. John by ferry from St. Thomas. The ferry docks in the town of Cruz Bay, a funky community filled with artisans, boaters, and campers looking for provisions. Like the rest of the island, Cruz Bay has a laid-back casual atmosphere where shorts and T-shirts are the uniform of both day and night. This is the most relaxed of the US Virgin Islands and a far cry from the bustling atmosphere of St. Thomas.