Maho Bay, St. John
St. John USVI Beach Guide
Maho Bay on St. Johns Island is the easiest beach to get to and has plenty to offer for families with small children, or others that love to swim in calm and shallow waters.
The best way to reach Maho Beach is to drive past Cinnamon Bay just a little over a mile or past Mongoose Junction just over 5 miles. Just park under one of the beautiful Maho trees and enjoy the beach. There are no landmarks or parking lots, just plain beach. The road is lined with magnificent coconut palms to set your afternoon mood of fun in the tropics.
This beach received it's name from the Maho trees that you can find all over all islands of the Virgin Islands. This tree is very unique with it's heart shape leaves that turn from green to purple and produces a fruit that is not edible. The genip tree on the other hand, sometimes referred to as honeyberry or Spanish lime, is also found along this beach. And during the summer months it can be a very nice refreshing sweet treat.
To use any of the facilities on Maho Beach such as the pavilion and the restrooms you will need a permit. These are normally locked and are not open to the general public. To purchase a permit or find out the rules and regulations for obtaining a permit you can call the National Park at 776-6201.
Maho Bay at one time was the widest beach on St. Johns Island. It is now the narrowest. This came from the removal of the sand to build Cruz Bay roads and the Julius Sprauve School.
Maho Beach at one time was a great place for fisherman searching for conch. Conches are very popular for creating wonderful ornaments and jewelry such as cameos. But, because of sand removal, damage from yachts that anchor, and over fishing, the conches have pretty much disappeared. Sea turtles can still be seen as the law is now protecting them.
Many photographers have used Maho Bay and you will find that several beach pictures are of this wonderful beach. The beauty is unlike any other you will find on this island paradise.
Snorkeling between Maho Beach and Little Maho is wonderful as you can enjoy all the colorful exotic fish and reef coral. If you enjoying hiking you will also want to venture off on the Goat Trail that leads to the Maho Bay Campground. Many visitors spend their entire time at St. Johns staying at this unique campground.
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See you on the Island,
John "Big Hat" Walsh
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