Frequently Asked Questions

We are located in Coral Bay, St. John, in the U.S. Virgin Islands—on the quieter side of the island.

If you are coming from St. Thomas with a rental car, you can travel to St. John on the car barge. Love City Car Ferries operates the white barges with a center pilot house. They generally leave at the top and bottom of odd-numbered hours, with a later return around 6:15 p.m. Big Red operates red-and-gray barges, with its last listed return from St. John around 5:30 p.m. Ferry schedules can change, so please confirm current times before traveling.

Several taxi drivers are willing to travel to Coral Bay. Calling ahead is strongly recommended:

• Island Vybes: 340-244-0712
• Kenny: 340-513-2438
• Fergie: 340-227-0472
• Tony: 340-228-2338 or 340-201-0202

If driving, take Centerline Road across the island into Coral Bay. The drive takes about 30 minutes. We are exactly half a mile past the intersection of Routes 10 and 107, on the right after the fire station, Skinny Legs, and the pond. Continue a short distance down the dirt road. It is easiest to back down the driveway.

Our friendly animal family includes donkeys, horses, sheep, goats, cats, chickens, and Cooper—a sweet dog who loves having his belly rubbed.

We are open Monday through Friday for all activities and Saturdays for trail rides. We are closed on Sundays, but you can call us throughout the week at 340-693-5778 or email info@horsestjohn.com.

We currently have one horse that can carry a rider weighing up to 240 pounds, two horses that can carry riders up to 225 pounds, and two lighter, fun horses from Puerto Rico. A new horse is expected to begin in September. Please contact us before booking so we can make sure the right mount is available for every rider.

Trail rides and Help With the Morning Feed are available for guests ages 8 and older. Corral tours welcome toddlers and older children. The Daily Donkey is available for children ages 6 and older, although that time of day can become warm. Younger children may be more comfortable during the earlier corral tour, where they will still get to see the donkeys.

Surf Cantina on Route 107 serves tacos, burgers, and Mexican food. The Bay House on Centerline Road, just before the fire station, offers coffee, ice cream, and sandwiches. Other local favorites include Skinny Legs, Johnny Lime, and Coral Bay Café. Some businesses close seasonally from mid-August until October or November, so check current hours before visiting.

For outdoor adventures, hike the Johnny Horn Trail or continue farther down the road to the easier out-and-back Brown Bay Trail. At Brown Bay, explore the ruins on the far side of the beach and the cemetery directly across from the beach trail.

Coral Bay also has a mail center for internet access and mailing postcards. In winter, flamingos often gather at Grootpan Bay. Travel past Salt Pond to the sign for Lameshur Cottages, turn left after the sign, and stay on the main road until it reaches a T. Turn right; Grootpan is at the end of the road, with the pond on the right.

Most of our animals were either born here or came to us as rescues. Because only the horses work, support for the other animals is especially appreciated. You can use the Donate Now button on this site, purchase a gift certificate for someone special, send Venmo to @Donkeydana using 9622 for verification, send PayPal to info@horsestjohn.com, or mail a check to: Carolina Corral, 16133 St. John, VI 00830.

Closed-toe shoes and long pants are recommended. Long shorts are acceptable, but please do not wear bikini tops or short shorts, as they are not suitable riding attire. Pants are available to borrow, and helmets are provided upon request.

We take photos of your group along the way, so only one person in your party needs to carry a phone. You may bring water to drink before the ride, but we recommend leaving it behind during the ride. The trail includes shade and usually has a pleasant breeze. Saddle bags are available for essential medical items.

It seldom rains all day in the islands, and we can usually ride between showers. Conditions are often difficult to judge until about an hour beforehand. If weather prevents your ride, we can reschedule or provide a refund. Ride times may also be adjusted, so please call 340-693-5778 for the latest update.