A Step-by-Step Guide to St. Thomas: St. John Tour with Annaberg Plantation

One of the most beautiful and memorable excursions when visiting St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands is a sightseeing tour to St. John Island with a stop at Annaberg Plantation. This tour explores the vibrant beauty of both islands, gives unique insight into their history, and provides a rare chance to explore a well-preserved 18th century sugar plantation. Below you will find a comprehensive guide to this amazing experience.

Why Take a St. John Island Tour from St Thomas

St. Thomas is the largest of the US Virgin Islands, home to stunning beaches, gorgeous resorts, and an abundance of great food and entertainment. On the other hand, St. John boasts arguably the most beautiful beaches in the world and some of the best snorkeling spots around. The two islands offer different experiences, and easily complement each other when it comes to enrichment and enhancement of a Caribbean vacation.

Visiting St. John with Annaberg Plantation gives vacationers a chance to explore two of the Caribbean’s gems in one day. By taking one of Ferry Services’ (https://www.ferryservicesvi.com/) ferry trips across the Sir Francis Drake Channel, you can experience different cultures, enjoy unique atmospheric pleasures, take part in fruitful activities, and discover natural beauty unique to both islands. Furthermore, with its gorgeous beaches, hidden coves, and sprawling trails, St. John is an adventurer’s paradise — something that many vacationers can appreciate and take part in without forgoing the luxury perks the islands have to offer.

Details of the Tour from St Thomas

The typical tour from St. Thomas to St. John and Annaberg Plantation lasts about 6 hours, usually departing from Charlotte Amalie harbor in the morning and returning in the afternoon around 5 PM. During this time, you can explore the pristine beaches of St. John’s National Park, experience breathtaking aerial views from one of the island’s peaks, and explore Annaberg Plantation — a beautifully preserved 18th-century sugar plantation with a rich and fascinating history.

But before you’ll be taken on your journey through St John and Annaberg, you will begin with a short briefing on safety and other important guidelines by your licensed tour guide upon boarding the ferry. There is no better way to come across St Thomas and its natural beauty than embarking on a mini-cruise across the Caribbean Sea while sipping cocktails and enjoying traditional local music. Once you arrive to Cruz Bay on St John Island, your guide will provide entertaining commentary while you explore some of Virgin Islands’ historical landmarks on a convenient air-conditioned bus or van, depending on how many guests navigate this journey. You will then make your way to Annaberg Plantation for further exploration and life-time memories.

Things to do at Annaberg Plantation

Upon entering the plantation’s premises, you will immediately be taken aback by the vivid architecture with its 18th century Dutch and French influences that are evident in every aspect of its design. Annaberg was built by Danish settlers in 1718 and served as one of the busiest sugar production centers throughout the 18th century until it was abandoned in the 19th century shortly after slavery was abolished as laborers were no longer available for its production.

Today, however, guests can enjoy exploring the ruins of what was once a bustling Caribbean plantation by visiting a colonial shop built in 1755, admiring preserved walls and stained glass windows from a nearby church, foundry ruins from 1782, windmill foundations from 1782, and a restored boiling-house from 1807.

Annaberg is also home to an abundance of fascinating wildlife — so keep an eye out for Virgin Islands’ native species, like Moorhens and Iguanas as you wander through its 300-acre terrain. There are also plenty of activities to take part in during your visit such as swimming in crystal clear waters or hiking some of trails that will lead you to exclusive beaches or astonishing views overlooking the Sir Francis Drake Channel.

After touring Annaberg Plantation and its ruins, your guide will begin taking you back to St Thomas so you can switch boats and make your way back to Charlotte Amalie harbor in time for dinner or evening plans.

Staying Safe During Your Tour

The islands are home to some of the most gorgeous beaches in the Caribbean — from private islands like Honeymoon Beach or Hawksnest Beach on St John, to more lively spots like Sapphire Beach or Lindquist Beach on St Thomas. Although these beaches offer great swimming opportunities year-round and are generally safe for tourists, it’s always important to take caution when it comes to protecting your personal items as pickpocketing is not unheard of on US Virgin Islands’ shores. In other words, do keep any valuables in a safe spot or leave them back at your hotel whenever possible so you can fully enjoy exploring these magnificent locations without having to worry about theft.

It is also very important to practice standard safety measures while exploring both islands due to high temperatures and humidity levels — this includes being aware of your surroundings especially if in unfamiliar areas, wearing comfortable shoes and clothing that cover most of your body, drinking plenty of water (especially during hikes), carrying sunblock at all times for extra protection from UV rays, applying insect repellent if necessary and avoiding risky areas that are poorly lit or secluded after dark.

Additional Tips & Advice

Prior knowledge about both islands’ customs and culture can also be definitely helpful when touring St Thomas: St John Tour with Annaberg Plantation. For instance, visitors should be aware that Virgin Islands is home to numerous species of poisonous snakes — especially when walking through untamed trails or tall grass — so it’s definitely safer to take part in exploring tours that are provided by experienced locals or licenced guides who are quite familiar with these islands’ habitats and ecosystems.

Conclusion

A day trip through St Thomas: St John Tour with Annaberg Plantation provides a beautiful glimpse of both islands while recounting their rich history during an entertaining sightseeing tour led by knowledgeable tour guides who are friendly and eager to provide all necessary travel information or advice along the way — making it an amazing way to fully experience the Caribbean without forgoing customer services or luxury amenities usually provided on private yacht charters such as onboard chefs or masseuses. Furthermore, this tour offers convenience and flexibility as travelers can enjoy both nature’s beauty as well as its multitude of activities including snorkeling, shopping, sightseeing and much more without having to worry about missing a boat ride back home or looking for hard-to-find spots — all details are perfectly organized for you! Book this amazing tour now with GetYourGuide (https://www.getyourguide.com/activity/-t326283?partner_id=UWJ1LS2) and enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity exploring two beautiful countries while making unforgettable memories along the way!