St. John is full of beautiful white sand beaches. But not all are created equal. Here’s a ranked guide to St. John’s beaches and everything that goes with them.
Trunk Bay
Our most popular and most photographed beach is by far Trunk Bay. It’s arguably the most beautiful beach on St John; if not all of the Caribbean! It’s a Must-See on many visitors’ STJ Bucket List. It’s so beautiful that cruise ship visitors to St Thomas will make the trek by taxi and ferry and taxi to spend a few hours enjoying everything that makes Trunk Bay famous! And we agree! Trunk Bay has it all. Guests can enjoy white sand, towering palms, crystal clear water, the underwater snorkeling trail, food and drink vendors, and snorkel gear & chair rentals.
Hawksnest Bay
If you’re ever out on St. John, visit Hawksnest Bay Beach. With picnic tables and shaded pavilions, clear waters, sugar-white sand, and sea turtles – it’s hard to beat the sunrise views with a cup of coffee. But mornings aside, Hawksnest is a great beach to spend a few hours in the afternoon. The water is incredibly calm and crystal blue with plenty of snorkeling opportunities above the seagrass shoals and along the rocky outcroppings near the corners of the bay. Look out for sea turtles, southern stingrays, and plenty of colorful fish
Cinnamon Bay
Cinnamon Bay is one of the longest white sand beaches on St John’s. You’ll find a beach cay just off the shore for great snorkeling and picture-perfect views, plus shallow water for kids to splash around in. It’s also where you can camp on St John—stay in upgraded eco-tents or “cottage” accommodations, and wake up to the beauty of Cinnamon Bay each day!
Salomon Bay
If you’re taking the ferry from St. Thomas for the day and want to save on a taxi ride, consider visiting Salomon Beach. It’s one of the few St. John beaches accessible by foot directly from the ferry dock, and it’s a stunning stretch of sand. Lower Lind Point Trail is an easy hike along the shore to get there; just pack your sunscreen and get ready to relax!
Honeymoon Bay
Honeymoon Beach is best suited for families, couples, and adults with children. Located on the North Shore across from Caneel Bay Resort, Honeymoon Beach offers beautiful soft white sand, shallow water entry, and aqua-blue water. Snorkeling and watersports are popular activities while visiting this beach. Visitors can either hike the Lind Point Trail from Cruz Bay; park at Caneel Bay Resort and walk the approx. .5 mi EW, or take a taxi to Caneel and ride the Honeymoon Beach Hut’s golf cart to Honeymoon Beach.
Caneel Bay
Caneel Bay Beach is a white sand beach lined with lovely tropical foliage. The water is usually very calm, and crystal clear. It is accessible through the entrance of the Caneel Bay resort and it’s highly recommended to check in with the front desk and collect a day-visitors guide. The beach also rents water crafts for visitors to use if they choose to get out on the water.
Denis Bay
If you’re looking for a quiet, secluded beach, look no further than Oppenheimer. This secret beach at Denis Bay is one of the only northside beaches only accessible after a short hike. It’d be tough to haul your cooler here, but if you’re carrying nothing more than a beach blanket and some snorkel gear, you’re bound to have a great time and quite possibly have the entire beach to yourself.
Jumbie Bay
Looking for a tranquil, secluded beach to relax with your significant other? Then you should head to Jumbie Bay. This small and intimate beach is just a stone’s throw away from Trunk Bay, Maho Bay, and Cinnamon Bay but offers a much different experience.
Leinster Bay
Leinster Bay is bordered by the Leinster Bay Trail. The area before the parking lot is great for walking and exploring. Mangrove trees line the left side of the bay. The water is very shallow for a distance and then it quickly drops off and becomes the open ocean. The shoreline is fairly pebbly, however, there are a few sandy areas that can be used to enter the water for a swim. A 10-15 minute walk from the parking area down the trail will bring you to a narrow stretch of sand. Another 10 minutes down the trail is Waterlemon Bay, a lovely, often quiet beach. Waterlemon Cay, located a longish swim from shore, offers excellent snorkeling
Francis Bay
This beach is small and secluded and feels far away from everything despite being just 9 miles down the road from Cruz Bay (a 20-minute drive). The Francis Bay Trail runs between the beach and a mangrove pond before ascending to sugar mill ruins on a small hilltop. A short car ride away is Annaberg Plantation Ruins, one of the best things to do in the US Virgin Islands.
Maho Bay
Maho Bay is conveniently located along North Shore Road, in the middle of St. John restaurants and shops. Parking is plentiful by St John’s standards – with marked parking areas by the pavilion and a larger lot at the eastern end of the beach. Families will love the convenience of unloading coolers, chairs, snorkel gear, and kids’ floaties! There are bathrooms and grills on site, as well as a covered pavilion with picnic tables on the western end of the beach.
Salt Pond Bay
With the rolling hills and crystal blue water of St. John, it’s no wonder that Salt Pond Bay Beach is one of the island’s most sought-after locations. There are no facilities here so be sure to pack your bag with essentials before beginning your hike. Set aside an entire day to explore the surroundings of this secluded beach just south of Coral Bay. Spend your morning trekking Ram Head Trail, one of the best hikes on St. John, before taking a plunge into the glimmering blue waters of Salt Pond Bay. Take a glimpse at the mangrove pond, the namesake of the beach and bay, that was once used to mine for salt during dry summers.
Lameshur Bay
The wide, white beach at Lameshur Bay is perfect for hanging out and relaxing with a good book, watching the sunset, and catching a few rays after an invigorating hike. A handful of trails in the area are well-known for their beauty and excellent views.
Great Cruz Bay
Experience a slice of paradise like no other in St. John, USVI. Tucked away on the outskirts of Cruz Bay is the largest resort on the island – The Westin St. John Resort & Villas. Nestled on a corner of Great Cruz Bay, the property offers its sandy shore along with its beach bar and mooring field. You don’t need to be staying in The Westin Resort to kick off your shoes, enjoy the sand, and have a rum punch before boarding one of the many boat tours departing the bay.
