St. John Getaway: A Kid-Free Caribbean Escape We Absolutely Loved
For the first time in years, we took a trip without the kids! And while I know my kids would have adored St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands, this adults-only getaway with my husband and a few friends was exactly what we needed—relaxing, scenic, and filled with great food and adventures.
Getting There & Getting Around
We flew into St. Thomas, then took the ferry over to St. John. From there, we picked up our Jeep from Sunshine’s Jeep Rental. The Jeep definitely wasn’t in showroom condition, but it got the job done! I highly recommend a 4×4—the island is full of steep hills, and especially when it rains, you’ll be thankful for the traction.
Heads up: they drive on the left side of the road, which takes a minute to adjust to, but quickly becomes part of the adventure.
Where We Stayed: Bongo Bongo Villa
We stayed at Bongo Bongo Villa, and it was a fantastic setup for two couples. Like most properties in St. John, the driveway was steep—but the view was 100% worth it.
The villa had:
- A hot tub, washer/dryer, and full kitchen
- A basket with bug spray and laundry detergent
- Beach gear: 4 chairs, 2 umbrellas, 3 coolers, and pool noodles
- Handy extras like handheld steamers and hair dryers in each room
Pro tip: bring your own snorkeling gear, and you’re ready to explore.
Charter Boat Day: A Must-Do!
One of the highlights of our trip was a full-day group charter with Adventure Awaits Charter. Captain Heather and First Mate Brittany were incredible hosts. We stopped at Lovango Cay, and I swear I could’ve stayed there all week—the water, the snorkeling, everything was stunning.
The boat was well-stocked with:
- Snacks, paddleboards, rafts, and pool noodles
- Plenty of shade and space to relax between stops
This was absolutely one of the best days of the trip—I’d book with them again in a heartbeat.
Where We Ate: Our Favorite Spots
We only stayed in and cooked dinner once (frozen pizza on night one—travel exhaustion!), but St. John’s restaurant scene did not disappoint.
⭐ Our Favorites:
- Morgan’s Mango – So good, we went twice! I had their tuna-over-risotto special but swapped in sea bass, and it was easily one of the top 5 meals of my life.
- 18°64° Restaurant – Delicious food and a spicy margarita with a jalapeño ice cube that I’m still dreaming about.
- Cruz Bay Landing – Our go-to breakfast spot with great coffee drinks.
- Scoops – A must-visit for homemade ice cream!
❌ Our Misses:
- Greengos Cantina – We waited 15 minutes with no service and ended up leaving hungry.
- Dave & Jerry’s Steakhouse – Just okay. The truffle mac lacked flavor, and the steaks were forgettable.
Beaches: The Best & the Rest
You can’t go wrong with the beaches in St. John—the water is crystal clear and the views are unreal. Here are the ones we visited:
- Jumbie Beach – Very quiet with minimal parking and a short walk to the sand. This was where we saw the most jellyfish, so I didn’t swim much.
- Maho Bay – Our favorite beach! Easy parking and just steps to the sand. Relaxing, beautiful, and convenient.
- Trunk Bay – Gorgeous and well-equipped with food and drinks available. It got very crowded by afternoon, so go early!
One Final Tip: Airport Timing
We were told to arrive at the airport 3 hours early due to lack of TSA PreCheck. But PreCheck does exist, and since we only had carry-ons, we breezed through customs and security in 30 minutes. This might have been because we traveled in August (off-season), but still—keep that in mind if you hate sitting at the gate for hours like we do.
Final Thoughts
St. John was everything we hoped for and more—laid-back, beautiful, and just the right amount of adventurous. From snorkeling and sailing to sipping spicy margaritas and watching the sunset at The Windmill Bar (don’t go for the drinks, go for the view!), this trip gave us memories we’ll treasure forever.
Would we go back? Absolutely. Next time, maybe with the kids… or maybe not 😉
