Ferry across the Sir Francis Drake Channel to St. John, the jewel of the US Virgin Islands, and snorkel the NPS-maintained underwater interpretive trail at Trunk Bay — repeatedly voted one of the world's best beaches. Lush Virgin Islands National Park surrounds every view.
What to expect
After a short, scenic ferry from Red Hook, St. Thomas, you enter Virgin Islands National Park — 7,000 acres of protected forest cascading to turquoise bays. A naturalist guide leads your group along the underwater trail, identifying brain coral, parrotfish, and French angelfish. Surface for a picnic on sugar-white sand framed by sea grape trees, then explore a hidden mangrove lagoon by kayak before the return ferry. The entire experience feels remote and wild despite being so accessible.
Good to know
The Red Hook ferry takes 20 minutes and runs frequently (USD 8 round-trip). Pre-book the ecotour well ahead — St. John tours cap at 8 guests. Trunk Bay is NPS-protected; reef-safe sunscreen only. Budget 5–6 hours total including ferry time, well within most all-aboard windows.