If you’re not familiar with St. John, the first thing you need to know is that the island is anything but flat. Old volcanoes created the incredible terrain we have today. If not for the beautiful mountains we would have some pretty boring views. Like the islands of Hawaii, most of the islands in the Virgin Islands are mountainous and have varied climates. At the highest point of St. John (Bordeaux Mountain) you’ll find a deep green rainforest, which is sometimes literally in the clouds. The lower valleys and dry windward sides are rocky and arid, covered with cacti and other drought-tolerant plants. The famous North Shore beaches on the leeward side of St. John offer the best of both worlds – soft dry sand, with palms and sea grape trees for shade. Land ho!