St. John Beaches

With a plethora of the world's most gorgeous beaches, the St. John vacationer is sure to experience the ultimate day of sunbathing, swimming, or just limin' on the warm sand with a good book. Below are just a few of these beaches raved about by both locals and far away visitors. Highly recommend reading is a book called St. John Beaches, the best resource we've come across if you truly desire to learn the hidden locations and histories of the 35 + beaches on the island. Most astonishing is that many of these beaches are in the National Park and so are maintained and protected indefinitely. Several of them have concession stands and water sport rentals, even an underwater snorkeling trail is followed by many at Trunk Bay.

Only minutes from Cruz Bay is the perfect place to begin experiencing each of these beaches for yourself.

According to proximity from town heading down North Shore Road, here's a few of our favorites:

Solomon's Beach - Known for nude sunbathing, illegal as it may be, Solomon's is a small and enchanting spot under the palms at the base of the trail leading from Cruz Bay town, up to a beautiful panoramic vista, and back down again to Solomon's Bay. (No parking lot for vehicles, and a long walk if you can find it)

Honeymoon Beach - Only several feet and a large boulder away from Solomon's, Honeymoon is more inviting for the clothed visitors lodging at Caneel Bay. These beaches both face St. Thomas and Pillsbury Sound. Rather small but hey, who needs Ocean City anyway. (No parking lot for vehicles, and a long walk if you can find it) Best access is from the Caneel Bay property, make sure you have permission to park your car on their lot, otherwise have a cab drop you off at their cab stand. About a ten minute walk.

Caneel Bay - Internationally known as one the finest resorts in the Caribbean, it boasts several of its own terrific beaches that are available to the public. Check to make sure you're not trespassing on their property, or that you have their permission to traverse their property prior to reaching the public beach. This is a great place to unwind at the end of the day with a drink on their upper veranda. Great sunset watching!

Hawknest Bay - One of our favorites, this beach has several sandy beaches offering seclusion and good snorkeling thanks to a two coral banks starting only several feet from the sand. Bathroom and changing facilities are available though in need of renovation. Park your car or jump out of a cab and walk no more than twenty yards through palm trees to your perfect blanket laying spot. Probably the best beach to access for anyone with physical conditions.

Trunk Bay - Ah yes....the most renown beach on the islands, and probably in the Caribbean. Certainly the most photographed and printed beach in the island magazines. This is probably due to its picture perfect view from North Shore Road. A combination of the underwater snorkeling trail, water sports kiosk, concession stand, excellent changing and bathroom facilities, and lifeguards on duty, make this a beach not to be missed. The only bummer is the National Park Service now charges a fee for entry, five dollars or so.

Peter Bay - not really accessible as you need permission to enter the Peter Bay community to reach the beach, but nonetheless a small sandy jewel in the midst of spectacular private homes. The adventurous might sailboard or kayak there from Cinnamon Bay and quite frankly it's worth the journey.

Cinnamon Bay - Camping, water sports, enless white sand, a gazebo restaurant, concessions, and small general store compliment one of the nicest beaches on the island. Clean and well maintained facilities are available for public use. Concrete bungalows and tents can be rented in the woods or near the beach. Kind of a long walk from the parking lot, so it's not recommended for the physically challenged.

Maho Bay - Camping, etc......secluded and quiet. Restaurant and ecologically conscious grounds and accomdations. Neat place!

Leinster Bay - No maintained beaches, but Waterlemon Cay is a tiny island / spit with great snorkeling about 200 yards off St. John. Go to end of leinster beach to make the swim to Waterlemon Cay.

Salt Pond Bay - Secluded and beautiful. Great snorkeling, but a rather long down hill walk to reach beach. Bathroom facility, no showers. If you make it this far, then you're a true adventurous sort and shouldn't give up until you make the 2.2 mile hike out to the immense and stoic Ram's Head Point. Watch for wild goats.... generally will run from you and I haven't heard of any goat attacks before. This is a physically demanding trek, so take water, sunscreen and your meditation books. Definitely a place to ask the univeral questions about life and existence.

Lameshur Bays - Two pretty bays side by side, but rental vehicles aren't supposed to be taken over the dirt roads and hills to reach these beauties. Too far to walk (for most folks) from this side of hill. No facilities.

Great Cruz Bay - A very pretty bay at the base of the fancy Westin Hotel. The hotel supplies cabana chairs and chaise lounges to hotel guests. If you're not a guest and get caught using one, then it's off to Gallows Point for a hanging. Gorgeous hotel facilities if your a client of the hotel, restaurant, or beach bar.
(This bay is actually the opposite way from Cruz Bay than the others mentioned here. Five minutes by taxi from town.)

Great Harbor / Foxy's Bar and Restaurant and White Bay / The Soggy Dollar Bar - Althought not on St. John, you'll definitely enjoy these great places to unwind, eat and drink while enjoying their tranquil beaches. Take a ferry from Cruz Bay to Jost Van Dyke (Brittish Virgin Island so you'll need your passport), about a 20 minute pretty ride and you'll land on one of the Caribbean's last hidden paradises.
(These two places are a couple of my favorites if one must leave St. John for the day.)

More beaches and other info coming soon!!