There are more beaches than days...some favorites are Hawksnest, Trunk, Cinnamon, Salt Pond Bay with varying levels of access and quality of snorkeling. Beaches to hike to include Honeymoon (easier hike) and Lameshur (off the Reef Bay Trail which has beautifully preserved petroglyphs, ancient sugar mill ruins for the rum and LOTS of hermit crabs). It is a 75-90 min hike going down - so be prepared for the way back up: bring your backpack w/everything needed for a swim, snorkel and nothing more but enough fresh water to drink. And then - there is of course OPPENHEIMER where we are staying. Bring snorkeling gear with you to the island if you can. Amazon is always having sales and its worth having your own - cheaper as well. Beach info is below and just scrapes the sandy surface. This link will show where people are for the day that I will fill in (provided that info is shared): https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/138GWYY1BjbgjS3zUCQnocRgdSFOVV7oOSwDcsPUOzc0/edit?gid=1144212186#gid=1144212186

Restaurants are mostly either in Cruz Bay or Coral Bay (other side of the island). Cruz Bay Beach Bar; Longboard and Woody's are the icons and Skinny's in Coral Bay is the GOAT and been around the longest. That said, they really are pretty similar (Woody's is the classic island dive bar in Cruz and Skinny's in Coral). We will be going to the Windmill as a group (possibly on January 1) and eating at La Tapa after the ceremony. Windmill has the best view on the island (see here: https://explorestj.com/webcams/) and is worth going a few times. Arrive by 3:30p for a best seat for sunset. RESTAURANT GUIDE and more WEBCAMS LINK: https://explorestj.com/restaurantmap/

HOLD ON TO YOUR EYEBALLS: St. John is a very tiny island that gets its food from another (albeit larger) island that gets its food from the mainland. Food is VERY expensive. It is never guaranteed that you will find your favorite of anything and if you do, you may be paying 5x more for it. Liquor and beer is expensive as well, except RUM - RUM is cheap! But you can find some deals if you're willing to vary what you eat or drink. It is not unheard of to visit a number of the shops to gather what you need. You CAN bring most food items into the USVI (can't take produce/plants out). We have always flown in with a variety of needed items and we've always brought too much! Check out this link for all the shops (they show STT as well, so ignore) and read the reviews: https://www.yelp.com/search?cflt=grocery&find_loc=Saint+John%2C+Virgin+Islands+00830 . This is more of a heads up than anything. Islanders are very very sensitive to hearing anyone complain about prices (and rightly so). It's tough eeking out a living on the island and we are just visitors.

Lime Out is the Caribbeans only floating taco restaurant. Accessible only by boat, which can be from a rented dinghy to their service. Lime Out is located on the quiet side of the island (opposite side from Cruz Bay) in Coral Bay.

Nestled on a private island resort, Lovango Restaurant just across the bay from Cruz Bay, St. John offers an exceptional dining experience that stands out in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Whether you’re arriving from St. John or St. Thomas, our short 10-minute boat ride transports you to a culinary experience where delectable flavors meet stunning waterfront views.

From leisurely lunches to casual dinners by the firepit or intimate dinners on the waterfront, every moment at Lovango Restaurant is infused with elegance and charm.