St. John or St. Thomas? How I Help Clients Choose the Right Virgin Island

One of the most common questions I get when clients start planning a trip to the U.S. Virgin Islands is simple on the surface—but important:

Should I stay on St. John or St. Thomas?

I’ve been to this area six times, and I’ve stayed on both islands. I genuinely love them both. But they offer very different experiences, and choosing the right one has far less to do with price—and much more to do with how you want to spend your days.

Let me explain how I think about it when I’m planning trips for myself and for my clients.

First, Let’s Clear This Up: Cost Is Rarely the Deciding Factor

People often assume one island must be cheaper than the other. In reality?
You’re splitting hairs.

Lodging, food, rental cars, and activities tend to even out between St. Thomas and St. John. If cost is your deal breaker, neither island is going to clearly “win.”

So instead of asking Which island costs less?
I ask my clients a much better question:

Do you want more beach time—or more things to do beyond the beach?

That answer almost always tells me where you should stay.

When St. Thomas Is the Better Fit

If you want variety, St. Thomas usually makes more sense.

This is the island I recommend when clients want to mix beach days with:

• Restaurants and nightlife

• Shopping

• Excursions and activities

• A little more structure and energy

St. Thomas is the largest island, which naturally means more people. Yes—you’ll feel crowds at times, especially on cruise port days. But that’s very manageable, and with a little planning (I’ll cover that in another post), it’s easy to avoid peak congestion.

If you like:

• Options

• Convenience

• Having things to do after the beach
  👉 St. Thomas is likely your island.

When St. John Is the Better Fit

St. John is where I send clients who want to slow way down.

If your ideal day looks like:

• Beach hopping for multiple days

• Reading a book by the pool

• Snorkeling right from shore

• Lush vegetation and fewer buildings
  then St. John usually wins.

Over 70% of the island is protected national park land, and you feel that immediately. It’s quieter. It’s greener. It’s less developed—and that’s exactly the point.

Personally?
When I’m traveling specifically for snorkeling and diving, I stay on St. John every time.

This is Cinnamon Bay Beach on St. John at 8:30am.

Food & Groceries: Not the Deal Breaker People Think

Yes—St. Thomas has:

• More restaurants

• More grocery stores

• More variety overall

But here’s the thing: this has never been a deal breaker for me.

I’ve never felt limited by food options on St. John. The restaurant scene is smaller, but solid. And grocery access is easier than people expect—especially if you plan ahead.

One of my favorite insider tips?
👉 Use a grocery logistics service that stocks your fridge and pantry before you arrive.

Walking into your villa with groceries already waiting?
Absolute heaven. I highly recommend it.

🛍️Shopping: Clear Winner Here

If shopping is important to you, this one’s easy.

St. Thomas is the shopping island.
St. John is not.

There’s very little (not saying there is NONE because there are absolutely places to shop for souvenirs and such!) in the way of shopping on St. John, and honestly—that’s part of its charm. But if browsing shops is part of your vacation joy, you’ll want to stay on St. Thomas.

Crowds, Ferries & a Helpful Rule of Thumb

Most travelers stay on St. Thomas and take the ferry over to St. John for a day trip—and for many people, that’s perfect. It scratches the itch.

But here’s the rule of thumb I share with clients:

👉 If you think you’ll ferry over to St. John more than twice… you should strongly consider staying there instead.

Ferry days add time, planning, and energy. If St. John is where you keep wanting to be, it often makes more sense to wake up there.

My Honest Travel-Agent Take

There’s no wrong choice—but there is a better choice for you.

• Want more energy, options, and variety? → St. Thomas

• Want quieter days, beach hopping, and nature? → St. John

This is exactly why I don’t plan Virgin Islands trips without a conversation first. Once I understand how you like to travel, the island choice usually becomes very clear.

And if you’re still torn?
That’s what I’m here for.

Click that button if you are ready for me to help you plan your next vacay to the beautiful Virgin Islands!