St. John Sunsets Are The Greatest Shows On Earth
Witnessing the sun set over the clear, blue waters of the Caribbean is an unforgettable experience of being fully in the moment. If anyone were to ask, What are you thinking right now?—there would be no thoughts to speak, only colors: brilliant blends of red, gold, purple, orange, and pink, reflected in the minds of observers, whose lips part in awe. A masterpiece as grand as a sunset is part magician; only minutes into the show everyone wishes would last forever, she vanishes—without adieu.
Sunset in St. John USVI - Image credit: Island Roots Charters
St. John Compared To Other Top Spots In the World To View The Sunset
St. John, USVI, is one of the best places in the USA —and the world—to watch the sun set. The table below shows how this Caribbean sunset paradise compares to other top destinations for witnessing our home star dip below the horizon.
| Location | Country | What Makes It Unique |
|---|---|---|
| St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands | USA (Caribbean) | Unobstructed views from sea or hilltops, with the sun setting over calm, turquoise waters. A mix of vibrant Caribbean colors and peaceful seclusion make it a soulful, immersive experience. |
| Oia, Santorini | Greece | Famous for its cliffside whitewashed houses and deep blue domes glowing under fiery Aegean sunsets. Crowds gather nightly to applaud nature’s performance. |
| Grand Canyon | USA | The sun paints dramatic shadows across layered red rock formations. The scale and silence amplify the moment, making it feel almost spiritual. |
| Uluru (Ayers Rock) | Australia | The monolith glows in shifting reds and purples as the sun dips below the desert horizon. Deeply sacred and visually mesmerizing. |
| Maui (Haleakalā Summit) | USA (Hawaii) | At 10,000 feet above sea level, the sunset appears above the clouds. It's like watching the sun disappear into a dreamscape of mist and color. |
There are many spots on St. John where locals go to see the sun set, from Peace Hill to Caneel Hill Overlook, but from a captain’s perspective, the best place to observe “Sol", our 4.5 billion year old dwarf star begin its swan dive over to other side of the globe is by sea.
That’s why there are so many sunset sailing charters in St. John. But, most of these are just quick out and backs. For those who want a sunset cruise that feels more like a private charter, and includes stops like snorkeling and dinner.
Island Roots Charters offers its signature “Golden Hours afternoon sunset charter” which is "more than just a sunset cruise." This sunset sail stops at Pizza Pi, the floating pizza boat as well as offers hours of sightseeing and cruising around the Pillsbury sound, all private and customized to what guests want to do.
St. John USVI sunset charter video by Island Roots Charters
A recent Google Review on Island Roots Charters by Nicole Trent, offers more details:
We had an amazing sunset cruise with Island Roots Charter! Captain Ivan was the best! He was incredibly knowledgeable about island life and sea life along with superb navigational skills. We appreciate his help with our beginner snorkelers. Pizza pi for dinner! Yum! It was better pizza than anywhere at home (crazy I know). We packed a ton of fun and memories into our sunset voyage but I highly recommend a full day with Ivan.
What Time Is Sunset In St. John USVI Today?
The sun sets at different times each evening in St. John USVI, as it does everywhere on Earth due to the planet’s tilt. Use the sunset time checker tool to know exactly when the sun will set today on St. John.