Get the Flash Player to see this player.
St. John Island History

Native Indian tribes inhabited St. John Island long before the clash of Europeans entered the clear Caribbean waters of the Virgin Islands. After Columbus’ initial interaction with St. John Island, Denmark was truly the first world power to take an interest in what is now the US Virgin Islands. The British, on nearby Tortola, were quick to protest the influence the Danish were trying to exert from St. John Island. An African slave trade established St. John Island as a plantation colony for the Danish following their official declaration over the territory in the mid-eighteenth century.

Sir Francis Drake, an English navigator and infamous plunderer of Spanish galleons, sailed through the sea passageway separating the British and American Virgin Islands and which is today known as the Sir Francis Drake Channel.

In the 1660’s, various European powers (Holland, France, England, Spain, Denmark & the Knights of Malta) all wanted to possess the Virgin Islands but in 1671 it was Denmark that clearly ruled St. Thomas. Denmark established the first permanent settlement there and by 1718 they expanded to St. John Island. A fort was constructed in Coral Bay on St. John Island, one of the safest harbors in the Caribbean. In 1733, Denmark purchased St. Croix from France and united the three Virgin Islands of today.

Though St. John Island came under US policy following World War I as the United States bought the islands in 1917 as part of a military defense strategy for $25 million. It was not until 1927 that St. John Island residents were granted U.S. citizenship and it was not until 1956 (when Laurence Rockefeller purchased the island) that the territory took a drastic turn. Currently, over half of St. John Island’s 21 square miles lies under national park protective care. The creation of a large national park changed St. John Island forever, making tourism an economic staple. The turnaround to St. John Island’s telecommunications and modern infrastructure was dramatic as throngs of guests came to this beautiful Caribbean paradise to be part of the unspoiled beaches and forest.

St. John Villa Rentals

Stunning white sand beaches and turquoise seas…Very relaxed and laid back…US Virgin Islands National Park…The quaint shops of Cruz Bay…Sailing, watersports and hiking…Eco-tourism… Villas Caribe offers only the finest private St. John villas available on St. John. St. John villa rentals are ideally set on the hillsides near the pristine US Virgin Islands National Park. Villas in St. John generally do not include full staffs but daily maid and chef services may be arranged. St. John villas fulfill many people's vision of an ideal tropical destination…Visitors to the island arrive by ferry in the town of Cruz Bay. The town of Cruz Bay is charming and offers a decidedly slow and relaxed pace. Visitors enjoy wandering the streets of Cruz Bay and discovering dozens of boutiques, artisan shops, bars and restaurants.

St. John villas reveal an island that is truly unique. St. John villa rentals afford easy access to Cruz Bay, and to the famous strip of beaches including: Trunk Bay, Hawknest Bay, Cinammon Bay, and Caneel Bay. St. John rental villas allow guests to take advantage of great duty free shopping in Cruz Bay, including authentic jewelry and island art galleries. Most St. John villas are not located on the beach, rather they are found perched on St. John's hillside. However, the following villas are located within the protected national park: Coco De Mer, Hakuna Matata, Sea Cove, and Peter Bay 2B. St. John and St. John villas are easily reached from St. Thomas. Cruz Bay has come into its own, boasting a wide variety of restaurants and nightlife that are great for those staying at St. John villas or St. John villa rentals.