Beaches

Caneel Bay is a luxury resort that looks out over the clear blue Caneel Beach. Guests of the resort can enjoy the use of kayaking, snorkeling, paddle boats, beach chairs and windsurfing equipment. Caneel Bay Resort provides public access to the Caneel Bay Beach as well as neighboring Honeymoon Beach. Those not registered at the Resort are free to walk much of the grounds, use public restrooms, restaurants and the gift shop.

Cinnamon Bay is a popular beach run by the National Park Service. The Park Service runs a water sports center where you can rent or arrange everything you need for a day at the beach, including sailing, snorkling, scuba lessons. You can even rent snorkel gear and windsurfers.

Cinnamon Bay is also a campground with facilities for campers and a camp store.

Hawksnest is not only an amazing beach, it is also one of the most easily accessible beaches on St. John. It is a short walk from the parking lot to the beach. The beach is also quite close to Cruz Bay making it easy to land on the ferry and go straight to the beach.

This beach is run by the National Park Service and had changing rooms, restrooms, grills and picnic tables.

Lameshur Bay is located on the south east side of St. John. As a more remote beach, it tends to be less crowded than the North Shore beaches that can be reached by taxis from Cruz Bay. The Lameshur Bay beach is easily accessible by rental car, with ample parking nearby.

On your way out to Lameshur, grab a picnic lunch to enjoy at the picnic tables near the beach. After enjoying a swim or some snorkeling, take a hike and explore the nearby ruins.

The island's crown jewel, Trunk Bay, is the beach typically seen in brochures and on postcards, but it can get overly crowded at times. Unlike the island's other beaches, a small admission fee is charged to visitors of Trunk Bay. The beach is staffed by life guards and also offers showers, picnic tables, a snack bar, and snorkel rentals.

Most uniquely, Trunk Bay has one of the world's few underwater snorkeling trails. Plaques under the sea point out interesting sites along the coral reef. While snorkeling or diving, don't be surprised to find yourself surrounded by schools of hundreds of tiny shimmering silver fish, called fry.