Explore Chocolate Hole on St. John
Discover Chocolate Hole, a quiet St. John neighborhood that’s home to an idyllic bay and beach. Make a day of it swimming along rocky Chocolate Hole Beach. Or set off paddleboarding, kayaking and snorkeling the calm Chocolate Hole Bay waters, home to shallow reefs teeming with tropical fish, sea turtles and stingrays.
Discover Chocolate Hole
Located just a five-minute drive from downtown Cruz Bay, Chocolate Hole is a hilly residential neighborhood dotted with picturesque vacation villas. Best known to visitors for its calm beach and bay, Chocolate Hole Bay is a beautiful, sheltered cove nestled on the southern shore of St. John. It’s popular for swimming at the rocky Chocolate Hole Beach, as well as paddleboarding, kayaking and snorkeling. You can often spot small tropical fish, stingrays and sea turtles among the shallow reef heads.
Water sports Rentals
Low KeyWatersports Rentals
Rent snorkel gear and paddleboards at Low Key Watersports in Cruz Bay. St. John’s only full-service PADI 5-Star IDC Dive Center has pros on hand to ensure that your mask and fins fit properly (with children’s sizes available). If you’re planning to spend the day at Chocolate Hole Beach, Low Key also rents beach tents, tables and chairs, as well as coolers and waterproof Bluetooth speakers.
St. John Beach Bum
You can’t miss St. John Beach Bum, located in a bright blue building just off the Cruz Bay Ferry Dock. Rent a complete set of snorkel gear, as well as flotation devices that include snorkel vests and life jackets for adults and kids. Beach chairs, shade canopies and toys are also offered for rent. Plus, St. John Beach Bum will deliver and pick up all rental gear from your resort or villa (for a fee).
Virgin Islands Ectours
Located at the Mongoose Junction shopping center in Cruz Bay, Virgin Islands Ecotours offers daily or weekly rental gear. Snorkel gear includes a mask, snorkel, fins, life jacket and backpack, plus a snorkel map and fish ID card to help identify the fascinating marine life you might encounter. Stand-up paddleboard and kayak (available as single or double) rentals include a padded car top carrier, and the staff is happy to offer paddling tips. You can pick up your gear at Virgins Islands Ecotours’ retail shop, or they will deliver to you for a fee.
Chocolate Hole Lodging
The Westin St. John Resort Villas
Nestled along scenic Great Cruz Bay, The Westin St. John Resort Villas is ideally situated if you want to stay close to Chocolate Hole Beach. The resort offers comfy studios, villas and townhouses with patios or balconies, along with a sparkling pool and its own private white-sand beach. Dining here includes the casual poolside Snorkels Bar & Grill and the Caribbean-inspired Lemongrass Restaurant & Bar, open for brunch and dinner.
Island Abodes/Limetree Cottage
Limetree Cottage is a private 2 bed/2 bath vacation villa in the Chocolate Hole neighborhood that’s managed by Island Abodes. The furnished terrace offers spectacular views of Chocolate Hole, Great Cruz and Hart bays. Limetree Cottage features a fully equipped kitchen, a dining area, a TV with streaming services, air conditioning and Wi-Fi. Beach chairs, towels and coolers are also included for an easy day on the shore.
Sweet Dreams Villa
The stunning Sweet Dreams Villa is perched 200 feet above Chocolate Hole Bay. The spacious two-level villa sleeps up to eight guests in its four large bedrooms that are outfitted with king beds, en-suite bathrooms and outdoor decks. You’ll enjoy panoramic views from every room, including the open-concept kitchen, formal dining room and living room, all separated by dramatic stone archways dotted with native shells and coral. Glass patio doors open to an infinity-edge saltwater pool and breathtaking views of the Caribbean Sea.
Cruz Bay Attractions
Mongoose Junction
A popular Cruz Bay shopping stop is Mongoose Junction, a distinctive courtyard-style mall built from stone and Caribbean coral. Its two stories are chock-full of charming boutiques, galleries and restaurants. Check out the unique Bajo el Sol Gallery & Art Bar, where you can browse fine art, attend a poetry reading and sample a flight from the island’s largest selection of aged rums. At St. John Brewers Tap Room, sip a locally brewed beer or craft soda paired with comfort eats like a crab cake sandwich or Buffalo chicken pizza.
Wharfside Village
Just steps from the Cruz Bay Ferry Landing discover the waterfront Wharfside Village, a great place to find fun souvenirs and jewelry in colorful shops, along with restaurants right on the beach. Be sure to pick up an iconic hook bracelet from the women-owned Vibe Jewelry (which also has a location at Mongoose Junction). And stop in for a frozen cocktail at the popular High Tide Bar & Seafood Grill. The eatery is known for its extensive menu that covers breakfast, lunch and dinner, with Caribbean dishes like conch fritters and butter-poached lobster tail.
Sweet Cruz Bay Visitor Center/Virgin Islands National Park
Virgin Islands National Park spans nearly two-thirds of St. John, encompassing everything from mountain hiking trails to world-famous beaches and thriving coral reefs. Before you set off exploring, stop in at the Cruz Bay Visitor Center to learn about Virgin Islands National Park’s history, pick up trail maps and get information on ranger-guided tours.
Night Kayak/GLOW Tour
Dab on some glowing neon paint and board a clear-bottom kayak as part of the guided Night Kayak/GLOW Tour that departs from The Westin St. John Resort Villas. After a quick Kayak 101 lesson, it’s off to paddle a cove that’s home to silvery tarpons and graceful stingrays. All two-seat kayaks are equipped with LED lights that illuminate the waters and marine life swimming below.
See More on St. John
Best St. John snorkeling spots & tours
Watering holes & beach bars on St. John with amazing views
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