Insider's Guide to Best St. John Beaches
St. John USVI Beach Guide
She dropped the bottle of suntan lotion on the white, powder-like sand and I picked it up to hand it to her. She stared directly at me from deep brown eyes as she lowered her oversized sun glasses. "Thank you," she said in a sexy southern accent. Some of the oil spurted out onto my hand as she grasped it from me. Could this be real?
It was. And this was the beautiful island of St. John, one of the most wild and unpredictable of all the U.S. - and British - Virgin Islands. The beach was Caneel Bay, among the more popular places to suntan, people watch and socialize with the locals and island visitors alike. But Caneel Bay isn't even my favorite beach here. In fact, it's hard to name a number one pick, but what I really like on St. John are all of the completely secluded spots - perfect for romance - that line the south end of the island.
So when visiting the exceptional beaches of St John, happy island vacationers like you will be glad to know that in terms of the scene, the choice is yours. That's because this national park and tourist destination is essentially split into a north side and a south side. The northern beaches are mostly on park land, and are undeniably attractive. They fill up with happy and social beach dwellers on holidays, weekends and during the peak tourist season at St. John. As a visitor, I would say that it's one of the better places to start out, although if you are in need of the more isolated, romantic, austere - what have you - kind of experience, there are plenty of places to enjoy the St. John coast in utter seclusion.
That's what's so great about this place; there is such a large quantity of empty beaches that provide a totally untamed tropical island feel that it's all most too much to handle for the happy-go-lucky vacationer accustomed to the typical resort destination song and dance. It's no wonder that nude beaches have been all the rage on St. John for so much of its past; the natural park setting, the seclusion and the palpable magic in the air make it one of the most relaxing and enjoyable Caribbean islands to enjoy the sun in.
Yet it's understandable that you might wish to go to the north end of the island where all the people are. Believe me, I know where you're coming from. In fact, I've already lost track of the amount of time I've spent mingling with the bronzing crowds in the idyllic setting of the tropical preserve and the exceptionally natural northern St. John beaches.
Aside from the series of about seven beautiful beaches in Caneel Bay, I'd say that one of the preferable northern beaches to start out with on St. John Island would be Cinnamon Bay. That's because it's one of the most central locations apart from Cruz Bay, yet it's not overcrowded and provides you with plenty of space to lay out on the soft white sand and take in some dazzling rays of sun. It's also a great spot to start out any number of exciting water sports. Indeed, snorkelers head straight to Cinnamon Bay to catch a good glimpse of the chromatically abundant tropical fish. Hikers also start out here to head up the Cinnamon Bay hiking trail, the opening of which is decorated by an elaborate sugar mill ruin.
Maho Bay features a campground for those who like to do the "roughin' it" version of a Caribbean Island getaway. But due to the mild weather and the scenic majesty of this sloped outdoor tent location, there's nothing too difficult about this rugged alternative to the hotel resort complex on the waterfront.
In order to get a sense of how beautiful it can get, check out Trunk Bay. It will make you happy despite the seasonal presence of large crowds. That's a fact.
And now for those who are wishing to step it up a notch, the challenge is on! Well, not as wild and crazy as other things I could imagine, it'll still get the heart rate stimulated for a little while you trek into the rocky Salt Pond Bay on the south side. Also definitely worth visiting here is Lameshur Bay, a mecca of seclusion the directions to which begin with "get off the paved road."
For More Information
 |
See you on the Island,
John "Big Hat" Walsh
|
 |
Where to Stay
