Coral Bay, St. John in the US Virgin Islands

Welcome to Coral Bay! We're the "other" town on the island of St. John Virgin Islands in the U.S.Caribbean, the quirky, quiet opposite of bustling Cruz Bay. Many of our residents are sailors who live on their boats in Coral Bay Harbor. Others are landlubbers, living high up on the hills overlooking the Caribbean Sea and the British Virgin Islands. In between, there are quite a few donkeys, goats, roosters and some mongoose, who like to hang out in the middle of our (one) road.

We’ve got one gas station, a couple grocery stores, some great bars and restaurants and funky shops, all of which cater to tourists and locals alike. When you drive over from Cruz Bay, you’ll know you’re in Coral Bay when you get to the spot we call The Triangle. Look left and you’ll see the historic Moravian Church with its distinctive orange roof. Look right and you’ll see the bus stop, surrounded by signs tempting you to many places in either direction.

Turn right and you’ll be heading through the driest part of the island, towards Salt Pond (a great place to snorkel) and Ram’s Head (famous for magical, full-moon night hikes). On the way you can sing karaoke at Island Blues, shop at the new Cocoloba complex, rent snorkel gear or a dinghy at Crabby’s and sample local dishes at Sweet Plantains, Shipwreck Landing or Miss Lucy’s.

Stay straight at the Triangle and you’ll take a roller coaster drive through St. John’s East End, enjoying spectacular vistas of the surrounding islands and Hurricane Hole, one of the best-protected harbors in the Caribbean. You can shop for souvenirs at Jolly Dog or Mumbo Jumbo and check out the work of local artists at Sloop Jones and the Syzygy gallery. The Donkey Diner serves up the best breakfast on the island, Miss Vie’s Snack Shack is famous for her fried chicken and Johnnycakes. And don’t forget to stop at Skinny Legs, Coral Bay’s unofficial Town Hall, where Same Day Service for your burger and beer is guaranteed and the local gossip is free. Boaters can find all of their needs at Coral Bay Marine. Serving boaters since 1984. Cocolobo has a grocery store, a mail center and many shops including Tu Tu Tango where you can find local art.

Coral Bay was the center of St. John’s plantation life in the early 18th century. Today it is a growing (we’re so famous now, we were even featured in The New York Times) but still close-knit and laid-back community, with the best the islands have to offer.

The best thing about Coral Bay is how we take care of each other. This day was for Teddi

Check out Andrew Burnett's underwater photographs and videos of beaches in Coral Bay

New vacation home rentals on Coral Bay St John

Sail out of Coral Bay

Looking to buy a home in Coral Bay? Click Here