20 Best Places to Shop in St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands

Come here to take in local art that ranges from oil paintings and water colors to works in wood, ceramic, or metal. A full bar in the back serves espresso, craft cocktails, and St. John's best selection of aged rums—which you can sample in curated tasting flights.

In the park Virgin Islands National Park Visitor Center, find books, maps, and beachwear—like tees printed with turtle and petroglyph designs—at this store run by the nonprofit group that raises money for the park. It's also a great spot to buy educational materials for kids.

This store's worth the trip (call ahead for hours, though) all the way out to the island's eastern end to shop for made-on-the-premises clothing and pillows, in fabrics splashed with tropical colors. The clothes are made from cotton, gauze, and modal, and are supremely comfortable. Sloop also holds painting workshops and makes banners and signs.

This multicultural boutique carries unusual housewares, rugs, bedspreads, accessories, and men's and women's clothes and shoes that owner Jo Sterling has found on her world travels.

You knew when you arrived that someplace on St. John would cater to the those who hike up and down the island's trails. This store sells colorful and durable cotton clothing and accessories by Billabong, Quicksilver, and Volcom.

If you're renting a villa on the island's southeast end or headed to Salt Pond or Lameshur Bay for the day, provision at this small supermarket. The selection is quite good, including fresh steaks, seafood, and produce, and villa renters will find enough choices for simple meals and snacking.

Caravan sells affordable jewelry, unique gifts, and artifacts that its owner, Radha Speer, has traveled the world to find. The more you look, the more you see—Caribbean larimar jewelry, unusual sterling pieces, and tribal art cover the walls and tables, making this a great place to browse.

This waterside shop, a five-minute walk from the center of Cruz Bay, showcases the work of Elaine Estern. She specializes in undersea scenes.

This small store in Cruz Bay is a good source for fresh produce, deli items, and all the basics. Two smaller branches are in Chocolate Hole, near Great Cruz Bay, and in Coral Bay.

You'll find distinctive clay pieces, unusual handblown glass, wind chimes, kaleidoscopes, fanciful fountains, and pottery bowls here. Your purchases can be shipped worldwide.

The gift shop at Gallows Point Resort has a bit of this and a bit of that. Shop for Caribbean books, picture frames decorated with shells, and T-shirts with tropical motifs. Residents and visitors also drop by for a cup of coffee or espresso.

Head here for the stuff you forgot to pack. Sarongs in cotton and rayon, beach towels with tropical motifs, and hats and T-shirts sporting the "Jolly Dog" logo fill the shelves.

Like all the branches of this Caribbean chain, this store carries diamonds and other jewels in attractive yellow- and white-gold settings, as well as strings of creamy pearls, watches, and other designer jewelry.

With what may be the best prices in St. John, this cozy little shop carries tropical clothing, stuffed sea creatures, local hot sauces, and other gift items.

The bookshop at Virgin Islands National Park Visitor Center sells several good histories of St. John.

Head to this shop and art gallery for the work of longtime Virgin Islands resident Lisa Etre and other local artists. There's also a huge collection of one-of-a-kind gifts, including bright tableware, trays, and tropical jewelry.

The island's largest grocery store usually has the best selection of meat, fish, and produce.

Handcrafted hook bracelets, carried here in sterling silver and 14k gold, are must-have statement pieces: wear the open side of the hook facing out and it means you're single; wear the hook facing your heart and it says you're taken. There are rings, earrings, and pendants too, including petroglyph designs that are a signature of St. John and its Amerindian past. There is another location in Mongoose Junction.

The necklaces, bracelets, and rings sold at Zemi (the native Taíno term for spirit symbol) feature petroglyph designs as well as more contemporary hook bracelets, wreck coins, and gemstones. Its sister store, Jolly Dog, is next door.

This store has good prices (for St. John) and a nice selection of fruits, veggies, and the basics, plus items you don't find at other stores—like soy flour.