The best place for shopping in Cruz Bay is Mongoose Junction, a maze-like outdoor mall located at the extreme northern end of town. Here, amid cobblestone walls and tropical plants, you’ll find a pleasant array of clothes, jewelry, beach gear, art, and souvenirs. Shops at Mongoose Junction are generally open from 9:30 a.m. to at least 8 p.m. Monday–Saturday. On Sundays most shops close by 6 p.m.

Shops of note include The Body Deli (340/776-0454), where you can order custom-made natural soaps and more. Caravan Gallery (340/779-4566) has the most distinctive jewelry on the island. The Fabric Mill (340/776-6194) offers distinctive imported textiles and cloth from South America, and Bamboula (340/693-8699) is a long-standing favorite for its island-style clothing, batik bedspreads, handbags, jewelry, and art.

Absolutely don’t miss the Friends of Virgin Islands National Park Gift Shop (340/779-8700), a new addition to the mall. Here you can buy books, T-shirts, posters, prints, art, and environmentally friendly products. Purchases here support the national park.

The island’s best all-around art gallery is Bajo El Sol (340/693-7070), which sells a wide variety of high-quality paintings, prints, sculptures, and decorative arts by St. John artists.