St John, in the US Virgin Islands, is globally renowned for its breathtaking coastlines and pristine beaches. When visitors discuss the quintessential St John beach experience, the conversation invariably turns to the island’s stunning North Shore. While debates may arise regarding individual favorites, the consensus is clear: the North Shore beaches consistently rank among the best in St John, and indeed, the entire Caribbean. Names like Trunk Bay Beach, Cinnamon Bay Beach, Maho Bay Beach, Hawksnest Beach, Salomon Beach, Gibney Beach, Caneel Bay, and Honeymoon Beach are synonymous with paradise. These iconic stretches of sand, all nestled along St John’s celebrated North Shore, are the undisputed stars of the island’s beach scene.
What Makes St John’s North Shore Beaches So Special?
These exceptional beaches share a collection of enviable qualities that contribute to their enduring popularity:
- Powdery White Sand: Each beach boasts incredibly soft, white sand perfect for lounging and strolling.
- Crystal-Clear Turquoise Waters: The waters are remarkably clear, showcasing a stunning aqua-blue hue that’s ideal for swimming and snorkeling.
- Towering Coconut Palms: Graceful coconut palm trees fringe the shoreline, providing natural shade and enhancing the tropical ambiance.
- Gentle, Shallow Waters: The calm, shallow waters near the shore make these beaches particularly safe and enjoyable for families and casual swimmers.
- Accessible Snorkeling: Excellent snorkeling opportunities are available directly from the beach, often just a short swim from the shoreline.
- Protected Natural Beauty: These beaches are safeguarded within the Virgin Islands National Park, ensuring their preservation and natural splendor.
- Passport-Free for US Citizens: A significant convenience for American travelers is that no passport is required for US citizens visiting St John and the US Virgin Islands.
Exploring the Best Beaches St John’s North Shore
Let’s delve into some of the most beloved beaches that St John has to offer, each with its unique charm and allure:
Trunk Bay Beach: The Iconic St John Beach
TRUNK BAY BEACH is arguably the most famous and frequently visited beach in St John. Its reputation for unparalleled beauty precedes it, often hailed as one of the most stunning beaches not just in St John, but across the entire Caribbean region. For many visitors, experiencing Trunk Bay is a quintessential part of their St John vacation. Its allure is so strong that even cruise ship passengers docking in St Thomas often undertake the journey by taxi and ferry to spend precious hours soaking in its splendor.
Trunk Bay truly offers a complete beach experience. Visitors are greeted by powdery white sands, swaying palm trees, and incredibly clear waters. One of its unique attractions is the Underwater Snorkeling Trail, providing an easily accessible underwater adventure. Practical amenities further enhance the experience, including food and drink vendors, restrooms, showers, lifeguard services, and rental options for snorkel gear and beach chairs. It’s also worth noting that Trunk Bay is the only beach in St John that charges a small entrance fee, a testament to its protected status and popularity.
Trunk Bay: St John’s Most Popular and Photographed Beach
Snorkeling at Trunk Bay: The prime snorkeling area is situated just off the central part of the beach, around Trunk Cay. Snorkelers can expect to encounter a vibrant underwater world teeming with brain corals, delicate seafans, gorgonian corals, and unique Blue Bell Tunicate corals. A kaleidoscope of tropical fish species adds to the spectacle, with frequent sightings of French Angelfish, Yellowtail Snapper, Puddingwife Wrasse, Blueheaded Wrasse, Jeweled Damsels, Queen Triggerfish, Blue Runners, and Beau Gregory Damsels.
Maho Bay Beach: Sea Turtles and Family Fun
MAHO BAY BEACH consistently earns a spot on “favorite beaches” lists, and for good reason. Its accessibility, located directly off North Shore Road, is a major draw, especially for families. The ease of unloading beach gear – coolers, chairs, snorkeling equipment, and children’s floats – makes it incredibly convenient. The beach also offers practical facilities, including restrooms, barbecue grills, and a covered pavilion equipped with picnic tables at its western end.
Maho Bay beach itself is characterized by its narrow strip of white sand, lined with tall coconut palms and seagrape trees providing ample shade. The water is particularly inviting, featuring a sandy bottom and shallow depth, making it ideal for young children and those who prefer wading or using floats. Parking is relatively abundant compared to other St John beaches, with designated parking areas near the pavilion and a larger parking lot at the eastern end.
Snorkeling at Maho Bay Beach: Snorkeling is a primary attraction at Maho Bay, particularly for those hoping to encounter sea turtles. Just about 30 yards from the shoreline, seagrass beds provide a rich habitat for sea turtles, rays, conch, and tarpon. Maho Bay is often recommended as the top location in St John for guaranteed sea turtle sightings. More experienced snorkelers can explore the eastern and western shorelines, where thin patch reefs host a diverse array of hard and soft corals, and a dazzling assortment of tropical fish.
Cinnamon Bay Beach: Longest Beach and Camping Paradise
CINNAMON BAY BEACH distinguishes itself as the longest stretch of white sand beach in St John. Similar to Trunk Bay, Cinnamon Bay features a cay located just offshore, enhancing its snorkeling appeal. Like other North Shore gems, expect the classic combination of white sand, swaying palm trees, and seagrape trees offering natural shade, along with inviting shallow waters perfect for relaxed snorkeling.
Cinnamon Bay also stands out as one of the few locations offering camping on St John. Guests can choose from recently renovated eco-tents or comfortable “cottage” accommodations, allowing them to wake up to the stunning beauty of Cinnamon Bay each morning. Essential amenities are readily available, including restrooms, the RainTree Café for dining, watersports rentals, and a souvenir shop.
Snorkeling at Cinnamon Bay: Snorkeling enthusiasts have several options at Cinnamon Bay. Exploring around the cay just off the beach reveals a diverse marine life, including larger fish like Permit and Jacks, alongside Queen Angelfish, French Angelfish, Blueheaded Wrasse, Pork Fish, and French Grunts. Coral formations are predominantly hard corals such as maze brain corals, fire coral, mustard coral, staghorn coral, and pillar corals. Snorkeling off the eastern end of the beach leads to a large table reef in 5 to 15 feet of water, a remarkable spot teeming with fish and coral species not commonly found elsewhere around St John. Venturing to the western edge, towards Peter Bay, reveals thinner coral and patch reef formations. A unique point of interest is the partially submerged plane wreckage just off Little Cinnamon Beach. While it’s mostly reduced to a motor, propeller, and wing section of a small plane, it provides an intriguing underwater sight in shallow water (8 feet or less).
Honeymoon Beach: Romance and Family Fun Combined
HONEYMOON BEACH, ST JOHN, despite its romantic name, is a versatile beach equally appealing to couples and families alike. Its soft white sand, gentle shallow water entry, stunning aqua-blue waters, and opportunities for snorkeling and watersports create the ideal St John beach destination. Located within the Caneel Bay Resort, Honeymoon Beach is accessible via a scenic hike along the Lind Point Trail from Cruz Bay, by parking at Caneel Bay Resort and walking approximately half a mile eastward, or by taking a taxi to Caneel and utilizing the Honeymoon Beach Hut’s golf cart shuttle service.
Snorkeling at Honeymoon Beach: The best snorkeling spots are found on the eastern and western ends of Honeymoon Beach. Along the shoreline connecting to Caneel Bay, snorkelers often encounter large schools of Sergeant Major Damsels, wrasse, French Angelfish, and occasionally sea turtles and rays, along with a variety of both hard and soft corals. Just off the central part of the beach is another good area for potentially spotting sea turtles. Towards the western end, approaching Salomon Beach, a patch reef offers more hard and soft corals and colorful reef fish.
While Trunk Bay, Maho Bay, Cinnamon Bay, and Honeymoon Beach are standout examples, St John’s North Shore is also home to other notable beaches like Gibney Beach, Hawksnest Beach, Caneel Bay Beach, Denis Bay Beach, and Salomon Beach, each offering its own slice of Caribbean paradise.
Exploring the beaches of St John is an unforgettable experience. From the world-renowned Trunk Bay to the sea turtle haven of Maho Bay and the camping allure of Cinnamon Bay, St John’s North Shore beaches offer something for every beach lover. Discover your own favorite stretch of sand and immerse yourself in the unparalleled beauty of St John’s beaches.
