Easily accessible from Ballydowane strand, this island lies a couple of hundred metres to the left as you stand on the beach - just off the easterly arm of Ballydowane cove. There is a small carpark area at the edge of the cove. Launch your craft and paddle the short distance to St John's.
A remarkable feature of the island is a sea-arch set right in the middle of it. The arch is so central it appears to have been set there with mathematical precision and looks magical when approached seaward from the west. You can glide through this arched heart of St John's when the tide is reasonably full, emerging safely on the other side.
The high point looks impressive but I didn't notice a safe landing area - not that I was looking to climb it, the aim for the day being to kayak eastward as far as Bunmahon. But I'm going to claim the high point anyway, not for being on top of it but for going directly underneath it. How's that for a conundrum? Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/2398/comment/20010/