Fish Bay on St. John’s south shore offers lovely ocean views, and is probably the area of the island that’s most comparable to a stateside neighborhood. In Fish Bay, the streets even have names! Nestled around the shoreline of the bay that shares its name, this neighborhood is a mix of longtime island residents and vacation rental villas.

Fish Bay is a known shark nursery. Wade into the shallow waters to see these beautiful creatures up close, or take in the sight from the beach or hillsides above if you’d rather not get up close and personal with sharks. The waters here are typically calm, making for great kayaking or paddle boarding. Beyond the bay, this neighborhood’s views are of St. Croix on a clear day on an otherwise unspoiled horizon.

Located no more than 15 minutes outside Cruz Bay, Fish Bay is close enough to the island’s main town to be convenient, yet far enough away that the atmosphere here is peaceful and secluded. The island’s famed north shore beaches are about a 20-minute drive away.

Keep traveling east through Fish Bay and you’ll arrive at Reef Bay, a large, wide, V-shaped stretch of coastline that is wild, unspoiled, and often deserted—except when there’s a south swell, which attracts a handful of surfers. The majority of Reef Bay is protected by the Virgin Islands National Park, so should you choose to purchase a home here, you’ll enjoy being one of the few who gets to call this remarkable, peaceful area home.