Island Roots Boat Charters

View Original

Renting a Jeep on St. John & Planning Your Own Island Excursions

Jill Siska

Renting a jeep on St. John is a fantastic idea for exploring the island's beauty and planning your own beach excursions. It provides the freedom and convenience to explore some of St. John’s top destinations while being more cost effective than taxis if traveling with friends and family. Pro-tip: Plan on booking your St. John Powerboat excursion at the same time as your car rental too!

One “must-visit” spot is Trunk Bay. Famous for its stunning beach and an underwater snorkeling trail. Driving along Northshore road will give you access to the USVI National Park system and all the best St. John beaches, restaurants and numerous lookout points where you can soak in the views. Having a rental car also allows you to explore the more remote areas of the islands such as Coral Bay, East End and Salt Pond where taxi service can be hard to come by.

While the island isn't huge, the winding roads and lush scenery make for a memorable drive. Just keep in mind, the roads can be a bit steep and narrow, so take it easy and enjoy the St. John driving adventure!

Renting a car at the airport in St. Thomas is an option, but using a St. John based company is always preferable. Read on for a list of several jeep rental companies in Cruz Bay, St. John. Don’t wait to reserve your rental car, they book up fast! Just like other St. John activities and charter boat excursions!

Why Should You Rent a Car on St. John?

  • Freedom to Explore: With a rental jeep you can spontaneously decide to explore off-the-beaten-path locations, leisurely visit the National Park system and Northshore beaches or drive out to the more remote Eastern side of the island without waiting for a taxi or adhering to a set schedule.

  • Cost-Effective for Groups: If you're traveling with a group of friends or family, renting a car can be more cost-effective than repeatedly shelling out for multiple taxi rides. Plus, it adds an extra layer of convenience.

  • Part of the Adventure: St. John's roads, while sometimes winding, offer some of the most picturesque drives. Having a rental car lets you take your time, stop at viewpoints, and truly soak in the island vibes. It's not just a mode of transportation; but part of the adventure itself.

Top 5 Places on St. John to Explore with a Rental Jeep

Having the freedom to explore St. John by car is a fantastic experience! Here are some must-visit places that become even more accessible with your own rental jeep.

  • Trunk Bay: Known for its breathtaking beauty, Trunk Bay is a must-visit destination. It can also be VERY crowded. With your rental car, you can get there early and enjoy the tranquility before the crowds.

  • Cinnamon Bay: This is the largest of the island's beaches and offers a variety of water sports, snorkeling, hiking trails, ruins, store, restaurant and evening seminars hosted by the National Park. With your rental car, you can easily spend the whole day at Cinnamon Bay rather then being stuck to a group taxi schedule.

  • Coral Bay: Take a drive to the eastern side of the island to discover the laid-back charm of Coral Bay. With your rental car, you can stop at various viewpoints along the way, have lunch at Skinny Leg’s and visit some of the local art studios and shops.

  • Annaberg Plantation: Learn about the island's history by driving to Annaberg Plantation to explore the ruins of this former sugar plantation. With your rental car, you can easily combine this historical visit with a trip to nearby Leinster Bay for some excellent snorkeling.

  • Salt Pond & Ram Head Trail: Having your car allows you to explore this southern part of the island at your own pace. You can snorkel at Salt Pond Beach, take in the panoramic views at the end of the Ram Head trail, or check out the waves and rocky shoreline at Drunk Bay or in drier months, harvest salt at the Salt Pond.

What Kind of Vehicle Should I Rent for St. John?

Although St. John’s four main roads (routes 10, 20, 104, and 107) are paved, potholes are abundant and many smaller side roads are gravel and dirt. To be able to explore safely and access all areas of the island we would recommend renting a Jeep or small to midsize SUV. A Jeep or SUV provides the necessary clearance and stability for navigating the island's hills and unpaved roads. Plus, you'll have the option to explore more secluded beaches and viewpoints that might be challenging to reach with a standard car.

While not always a necessity, having a 4WD vehicle can provide extra peace of mind, especially during the occasional rain showers. It can come in handy on some of the steeper and less maintained roads.

List of St. John Jeep Rentals

In high season, rental car companies tend to book up. Making a reservation for a vehicle as soon as your accommodations are in place will assure you won’t be left hitchhiking with all your beach gear on vacation! Same goes for other island activities and excursions. So be sure to book your St. John boat charters, sailing excursions and snorkel trips as early as possible too! These St. John activities will allow you to visit parts of the island you won’t be able to reach with you rental jeep and are inaccessible by land.

There are several car rental companies available on St. John and St. Thomas. We recommend going through a St. John company, as the car barge can be unpredictable and add time to your travel days. Here’s a list of St. John car rental companies to help start your search. 

If you decide to rent through a St. Thomas company, that works too. Just keep in mind that some St. Thomas car rental companies will not rent to you if you’re staying on St. John so make sure you are clear with them before reserving a vehicle. It’s also important to consider the car barge schedule which is sometimes unreliable or very busy during the peak times of year.