St. John Beach Guide - Experience the Award-Winning Beaches that All the Travel Magazines Rave About!
Indulge in the Most Beautiful Beaches and Seascapes of the Caribbean when you Visit the Bays and Cays of St. John
Laurence Rockefeller, philanthropist, conservationist and founder of the Virgin Islands National Park, considers St. John to be "the most beautiful island in the Caribbean". National Geographic, Life and Caribbean Travel Magazines have recognized St. John's beaches as the best in the world! So, what's all the hubbub? I strongly recommend that you see for yourself, but here's an overview to whet your appetite for the island bliss that awaits.
Of course, it's the silly traveler who thinks they can choose favorites when it comes to beaches of St. John. The savvy sand-dwelling, surf-skimming, sun-worshipping island visitor will take in as many of St. John's beaches as they possibly can during their stay. Afterwards, you can debate over tropical cocktails which one, or two, or three locations that top your favorites list!
The climate and territory of St. John provides the perfect beach day just about every day of the year. The air is tropical and warm with constant trade winds that caress your body and keep you comfortable beneath the tropical sun. The warm, crystal clear, turquoise water is perfect for swimming, snorkeling and water sports. St. John is surrounded by a giant coral reef that invites a plethora of wildlife both above and beneath the sea. The reef is responsible for creating the super soft sand on the beaches and on the floor of the sea and it is home to a lively, colorful, tropical ecosystem that can easily be enjoyed through swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving. Because St. John's beaches are formed in small bays, the beaches are surrounded by lush greenery, shady sea grape trees and coconut palms with small islands just off the coastline, all providing a unique and breathtaking view from each and every location.
Most of St. John is protected by the Virgin Island National Park, so the beaches and surrounding terrain will never become overdeveloped. This is one of the reasons that St. John has such naturally gorgeous coastlines in contrast with the straight, hotel-laden, highly commercialized beaches of many other beachside vacation destinations. These are just some of the reasons that St. John is aptly recognized for having some of the most gorgeous beaches in the world! Now let's review the highlights of some of the amazing beaches of St. John!
Although it is difficult to pick 'favorites' at St. John, Hawksnest Beach does have a reputation of being the preferred beach of the locals, especially families with children. In fact, this beach is known as a favorite spot for residents to come and take a refreshing dip after a long day of work. Since Hawksnest Beach faces east, it's the perfect place for an eye-opening swim in the early morning light and offers plenty of shade from the high-noon sun. Why so popular with the natives? Surrounded by rolling green hills and lush vegetation, this beach offers fantastic views, it's close to the north shore and you can drive directly to it from Cruz Bay. The parking lot is close to the beach so there's no long hike involved. There are outhouses but no running water so no flush toilets and no showers. There's also a shady, wooded area near the beach with picnic tables and grill pits plus two larger, covered pavilions that are often used for birthday parties or group get-togethers. (You must obtain permission from the National Park to use the covered pavilions.) Because this is a favorite destination, the parking lot and the beach can become a bit crowded on weekends, so vacationers are wise to visit this lovely, easily accessible beach on a weekday. If you want to escape the crowd, take a quick jaunt over the rocks to Little Hawksnest to the west.
Owned and operated by a campground, this is the place for swimming, sunning, picnics, water sports and snorkeling. There's also a small convenience store, a restaurant and snack bar, locker rooms, restrooms, showers, picnic tables, telephone service and grilling pits. There's also an activities coordinator and Cinnamon Bay Watersports through which you can book snorkel, scuba or windsurfing lessons, book a cocktail cruise or rent kayaks and sailboats. Enjoy a day hike along the Cinnamon Bay Loop or Cinnamon Bay Trail. Step into a little more seclusion by walking over to Little Cinnamon Bay. Beginner snorkelers can observe plenty of sea creatures and vegetation by walking into the water and swimming along the rocks. For more advanced snorkelers, go a little further out and take a look around Cinnamon Cay - a little island just off the shore. The shore of this bay is one of the few destinations at St. John that has northern swells for surfers to enjoy. You can easily drive to Cinnamon Bay Beach or take the taxi bus to the beach parking lot and the beach is just a quarter mile walk from there.
This beautiful stretch of beach, named after the tropical maho tree with distinctive heart-shaped leaves and yellow flowers, showcases these gorgeous native trees in all their glory. And, this is the only beach on the northern shoreline that you can drive directly up to. Located just a mile and a quarter beyond Cinnamon Bay, it's an easy ride with convenient beachside parking. With Views of green hills and small islands amongst the vibrant turquoise waters, white sands, groves of coconut palms and, of course, maho trees, it is one of the most photographed beaches of St. John. The bay is calm and shallow, with soft sand and some grassy patches along the water's floor that create the perfect habitat for sea life, making this a great place for beginner snorkelers and families with children. Large, gentle sea turtles, now protected by law, are often seen gliding along the grassy sea floor. And, as a sheltered bay, this is also a popular resting spot for boats and yachts visiting the Virgin Islands. The western portion of the beach features a National Park Pavilion with restrooms and picnic areas that can be accessed only with a permit from the National Park.
Little Maho
Little Maho is a small, half-crescent section of beach with beauty and indulgence of grandiose proportions. It is a mini version of Cinnamon Bay offering most of the same types of campground facilities and water sport activities, including scuba lessons and certification programs, though Little Maho is smaller, more private and intimate. Located just off Maho Bay Campground Road, it is a short walk down a wooden stairway from the General Store at Maho Bay Camps. On Sunday afternoons, you can join a beach volleyball game. If you're looking for romance or seclusion, there's a smaller, more private section of beach just a short swim or rock climb away toward the north.
This is an ideal destination for those who don't mind walking close to a mile to enjoy an out-of-the way, semi-private tropical paradise. The soft sand, turquoise water and snorkeling sights at Salomon Bay are simply amazing. The beach is on the northern point of the Virgin Island National Park and the relatively short jaunt is what keeps it from becoming overcrowded. If you arrive by ferry from one of the other islands, you won't need to rent a car to get there. If you're coming from town, there's a trail called Lind Point Trail from the National Park Visitor's Center in Cruz Bay that will take you there. The trail forks, each path will get you there, but the lower trail is a little smoother to walk whereby the upper trail offers more scenic views along the way. If you prefer to drive part of the way, you can take Rte 20, North Shore Road and park at the Virgin Islands National Park sign on the right. You'll see a sign that says Caneel Hill Spur Trail which leads to the Lind Point Trail to Salomon Beach. This beach has a reputation as being "clothing optional" despite anti-nudity laws, so you may find completely nude sunbathers there - unless the authorities have found them first.
Honeymoon Beach
This beach rests to the east of Salomon and shares the same bay, though the two are separated by a small rocky point. Both Salomon and Honeymoon Beach offer similarly beautiful views and off-the-beaten-path privacy. Honeymoon Beach also offers a more traditional beach experience, complete with swimsuits. You may arrive at Honeymoon Beach via the same trails that lead to Salomon, or you may arrive by boat. Also, Caneel Bay Resort has a dirt road directly from their parking lot that is well maintained and provides many, beautifully landscaped views on your way to the beach. Honeymoon Beach is populated with shady sea grape and maho trees. Bring your snorkel, flippers and mask because the coral reef just off the rocky point on the west side of this beach should not be missed. The western section of the beach is also protected by swim buoys that keep the boats from pulling up to shore in this area.
The best of both worlds! This is the perfect destination if you'd like to spend the day on the beach and take a lunch break at one of Caneel Bay's seaside restaurants! Snorkeling throughout the rocky shores and amongst grassy center of the bay is phenomenal - and snorkeling Honeymoon Beach's reef is only a short walk away! Once a thriving sugarcane plantation, early settlers at Caneel Bay established a seaside community. Today, beach goers can also enjoy a leisurely stroll through the historic ruins of the estate's old plantations that have been partially restored and beautifully landscaped. Caneel Bay Resort provides public access to Caneel and Honeymoon Beaches, and registered guests of the hotel also have use of beach chairs, paddle boats and kayaks. Day guests may visit the restaurants, gift shop and restrooms.
If you're looking for a beach with the most modern facilities and amenities without sacrificing beautiful scenery and all the indulgences of the island climate, head for Trunk Bay. Here you will find showers, restrooms, changing rooms, picnic tables, telephones, grill pits and a gift shop that offers everything from bathing suits to sunscreen, books and film. You may also rent lockers, beach chairs and snorkeling equipment. Bordered by lush, tropical vegetation, coconut palms, sea grape and maho trees, with silky soft sand that extends right into the water, this is a picturesque destination with breathtaking, panoramic views. And, as if that's not enough to inspire romance and memories in the making, this quarter mile beach has a section of sand that reaches out toward Trunk Cay, giving it a heart-shaped appearance. The water is warm, calm and crystal clear and the Virgin Island National Park maintains an underwater snorkeling trail complete with underwater signs pointing out a plethora of amazing views.
Francis Bay
Head to this inviting north side beach and settle in to enjoy a relaxing beach day. This large stretch of beach is sheltered from the trade winds so it offers a calmer climate and, because of its size, it is rarely crowded - especially during the week. Because it is spacious and calm, it's the ideal destination for picnics, seaside strolls or a leisurely trail walk along Francis Bay Trail that runs along the salt pond behind the beach. You can park near the beach or park just off a walking trail and take a short hike. Portable toilets are located near the main parking lot and there's a picnic area with grill pits. Snorkeling is always an adventure at Francis Bay because the waters are filled with colorful coral and lively fish. Schools of small silvery fish travel close to the shoreline and along the rocky north shore, appearing as a sliver-gray cloud beneath the water's surface. Just beyond the shoreline, you may find mackerel, barracuda, yellowtail snapper, all of which prey upon the smaller silver fish. Ever aware of the predators, the silvery clouds of fish move quickly when they sense danger near and can sometimes be seen springing upward out of the water in glistening splashes. Be sure to bring your snorkel, flippers and mask! The sky and trees here are filled with tropical birds. Birdwatchers delight in the large population of feathered friends along the beach and Francis Bay Trail so be sure to bring your binoculars too!
Getting to this somewhat secluded beach requires a half-mile walk, but it is well worth the effort. The short trek to the beach helps keep the crowds of tourists away, so, depending on the day, you just might find yourself in your own private oasis! The waters are calm, clear and inviting and the silky, white-sand beaches will caress your toes and beckon you into the water. With a gorgeous reef on one side, another reef in the center of the bay and a rocky coastline on the other side, Saltpond Bay is revered as a favorite location for experienced and novice snorkelers alike. Beneath the water's surface, you will see starfish, stingrays, sea turtles and gorgeous reefs. For even more snorkeling adventure and beachside seclusion, hike the short trail from Saltpond Bay parking lot to Ram Head Trail, which will bring you along the west side of Ram Head Peninsula to a smaller section of beach called Blue Cobblestone Bay. This spot is not shown on most St. John maps, but snorkeling enthusiasts will not want to miss it. The beach is rocky but the snorkeling is out of this world. The calm water is filled with stunning coral, deep canyons and a lively population of sea creatures.
As you can see, there are a number of gorgeous seaside destinations to enjoy in St. John and we've only covered some of the most popular ones! The best way to fully experience St. John's culture, climate and bounty of natural wonder is to venture out and explore a new location every day! While visiting the place that is renowned as one of the most beautiful destinations on earth, the only challenge you may find is choosing your favorite locations. But hey, picking favorites is so limiting! Just go out and enjoy them all then go back for more!
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