Beaches on St. John, US Virgin Islands

1. Cinnamon Bay

• Where is Cinnamon Bay located?
  • Located east of Trunk Bay, about a mile from Maho Bay Beach, Cinnamon Bay is a popular spot for snorkeling, with shallow, clear water and an easy distance to Cinnamon Cay, a small, low-elevation, sandy island.
• Is Cinnamon Bay suitable for kids?
  • It is a great beach for the kids—shallow, protected, and safe.
• How long is the beach at Cinnamon Bay?
  • The half-mile long beach is the longest on St. John and is considered one of the most beautiful, with pristine white sand surrounded by stately palm trees.
• Is Cinnamon Bay part of a national park?
  • The bay is part of Virgin Islands National Park and is located near the historic colonial Danish Cinnamon Bay Plantation, today a museum showcasing sugar making in the Danish West Indies.
• Are there camping facilities at Cinnamon Bay?
  • Camping is permitted and there is a range of camping facilities as well as showers, restrooms, and a snack bar.
• What water activities are available at Cinnamon Bay?
  • Cinnamon Bay Water Sports rents snorkeling equipment, sailboards, sea kayaks, and small sailboats.

2. Denis Bay, St. John

• What is Denis Bay Beach like?
  • Denis Bay Beach is quiet and secluded, with beautiful, powdery white sand.
• How can you access Denis Bay Beach?
  • It is accessible only by boat or by a rugged trail, so not many people go there, making it very likely that you will have it all to yourself.
• Where does the trail to Denis Bay Beach start?
  • The trail to the beach begins at the Peace Hill Trail, going down to the western end of the bay.
• Is Denis Bay Beach part of a national park?
  • Denis Bay is located within the national park.
• Are there any amenities at Denis Bay Beach?
  • There are no amenities, but the snorkeling is great.
• Is the property behind the beach public?
  • The property behind the trees that line the beach is private.
• What historical significance does Denis Bay have?
  • Denis Bay was once home to the Deep Sea Fishing Club, and there are still old pilings in the water that used to support a dock.

3. Francis Bay, St. John

• What makes Francis Bay Beach unique?
  • Francis Bay Beach is one of the rare St. John beaches that stays wide regardless of tide. Long and white, with powder-fine sand, it is spacious and has plenty of shade.
• Is Francis Bay Beach good for families?
  • It is a great family beach, with superb swimming and snorkeling, and it is almost never crowded.
• Where is the best snorkeling at Francis Bay?
  • Snorkeling is good on each side of Francis Bay, but the eastern side offers a bit more diversity of marine life, with sea fans, tangs, parrot fish, and reef squid.
• Are there facilities at Francis Bay Beach?
  • There are a few picnic tables, but not much more.
• What is the Francis Bay Trail?
  • The Francis Bay Trail runs along the beach and a salt pond that is home to many birds.

4. Frank Bay Beach, St. John

• Where is Frank Bay Beach located?
  • Frank Bay Beach is located on the other side of the point from Cruz Bay, St. John’s main port. Reaching it is an easy walk along Wharfside Village, past the old cemetery.
• How big is Frank Bay Beach?
  • It is one of the longest beaches on St. John, so you can always find a quiet, private spot.
• What is the water like at Frank Bay Beach?
  • The beach faces west, leeward of the trade winds, so the water is calmer than at other north shore beaches, making it perfect for swimming, especially for kids.
• Is snorkeling good at Frank Bay Beach?
  • Snorkeling is great, and you can see jacks, Spanish mackerel, yellowtail snapper, barracuda, tarpon, parrotfish, blue tang, eels, conch, stingrays, and sea turtles.
• Where is the best spot for beginner snorkelers?
  • The western end of Frank Bay Beach towards Maho is perfect for beginner snorkelers.
• Is Frank Bay Beach good for paddleboarding?
  • Francis Beach is also great for paddleboarding because the water is so calm.
• What facilities are available at Frank Bay Beach?
  • The beach has toilets, trash cans, and picnic tables but no bars or restaurants.

5. Great Cruz Bay

• What is Great Cruz Bay?
  • Great Cruz Bay is the first glimpse of St. John most visitors have – it is the place where the ferry docks. It is also the heart of the island’s cultural and economic life, full of shops, restaurants, and bars.
• What is the beach at Great Cruz Bay like?
  • Great Cruz Bay has a beautiful white sandy beach, which is the location of the Westin Resort.
• What makes Great Cruz Bay scenic?
  • Great Cruz Bay is edged with stately palm trees that provide pleasant shade.
• Are there rental options for beachgoers?
  • Watersports equipment is available for rent, as are beach umbrellas and beach chairs.
• Is there anything fun for kids at Great Cruz Bay?
  • There is a water trampoline in the middle of the bay that children love.
• What is the water like at Great Cruz Bay?
  • The water is normally very calm, making it perfect for swimming, especially for kids. Seagrass in the shallow water is common.

See it on Wikipedia

6. Hawksnest, St. John

• Where is Hawksnest Bay Beach located?
  • Hawksnest Bay Beach is located in Hawksnest Bay, on St. John’s north shore. It is one of several popular beaches in the bay.
• What is the beach like at Hawksnest Bay?
  • It is fairly narrow, with soft white sand, and is edged with dense sea grapes that provide pleasant shade.
• How does the tide affect Hawksnest Bay Beach?
  • Keep an eye on the tide—when it comes in, the beach becomes a very narrow strip.
• How can you reach Hawksnest Bay Beach?
  • Hawksnest can be reached from Cruz Bay on North Shore Road and has a large parking lot on the left side of the road.
• Is Hawksnest Bay Beach calm or wavy?
  • Hawksnest is not as protected as many other St. John beaches because of its orientation, so be prepared for a bit of surf.

7. Honeymoon Beach, St. John

• What is Honeymoon Beach?
  • Honeymoon Beach is one of seven beaches that are part of Caneel Bay. It is also part of the Virgin Islands National Park.
• Is Honeymoon Beach free to visit?
  • While the beach itself is free for anyone to use, only guests of Caneel Bay can use the beach facilities, such as beach chairs and towels.
• How can you reach Honeymoon Beach?
  • While you can drive to Caneel Bay by going south on North Shore Road, you can also hike to the beach by taking the Lind Point Trail. It is a mile-long, scenic, and beautiful hike.
• What is the sand and water like at Honeymoon Beach?
  • Honeymoon Beach has powder-soft white sand and clear, shallow water and is shaded by a line of beautiful, tall coconut palms.
• What activities are available at Honeymoon Beach?
  • There is a sports “shack” renting out kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, masks and fins, and beach chairs.
• Are food and drinks available at Honeymoon Beach?
  • During the high season, Canella Beach Hut offers snacks and drinks.

8. Jumbie Bay

• How big is Jumbie Bay Beach?
  • Jumbie Bay is one of St. John’s smaller beaches—it is only 100 yards long and is located on St. John’s north shore.
• Is Jumbie Bay Beach crowded?
  • Because of limited parking, it is never too crowded. Most people prefer to go to the very popular nearby Trunk Bay.
• What does Jumbie Bay Beach look like?
  • Jumbie Beach consists of perfectly white sand edged with dense sea grapes.
• How is the wind and surf at Jumbie Bay?
  • The constant wind and pounding surf create quite a dramatic setting. When the north shore beaches are rough, you can count on Jumbie Beach being really rough.
• Is Jumbie Bay Beach good for relaxation?
  • Most of the time, the beach offers a wonderful spot for relaxation under the sun and cooling off in the perfectly clear, aqua-green water.
• Is snorkeling good at Jumbie Bay Beach?
  • Unfortunately, the strong surf means that the snorkeling is not too good.
• Where is Jumbie Bay Beach located?
  • Jumbie Bay Map

9. Lameshur Bay

• Where is Lameshur Bay Beach located?
  • Lameshur Bay Beach is located on the rugged south shore of St. John.
• What makes Lameshur Bay Beach unique?
  • Lameshur Bay Beach is considered one of the most beautiful beaches on St. John. Unlike most protected beaches on the north shore, it is very remote, with a fine sand beach and crystal-clear water.
• Is there shade at Lameshur Bay Beach?
  • Yes, there is plenty of shade along the beach.
• What is the seafloor like at Lameshur Bay?
  • The bottom of the bay is a combination of sand and seagrass, and away from shore, it is all seagrass—a great place to see sea turtles and rays. In fact, it is one of the best spots on St. John to see these magnificent creatures.
• Are there facilities at Lameshur Bay Beach?
  • There are not too many facilities except for several picnic tables and BBQ grills.
• Are there historical sites or hiking trails nearby?
  • Nearby are the ruins of an old sugar mill, and several great hiking trails run along the beach.
• How can you access Lameshur Bay Beach?
  • The access to the beach is via a rough dirt road, suitable only for all-wheel-drive vehicles.

10. Leinster Bay, St. John

• What is special about Leinster Bay?
  • Leinster Bay is considered the best snorkeling spot on St. John.
• What kind of marine environment does Leinster Bay have?
  • A mix of seagrass and coral, sand, and cobblestones provides a great environment for rich marine life.
• What marine life can you see at Leinster Bay?
  • You can expect to see schools of fish, turtles, rays, starfish, conches, and colorful hard and soft corals.
• Why do people visit Leinster Bay?
  • Snorkeling is the main reason people come to Leinster Bay in very large numbers, so expect to see crowds on the beach.
• What is Waterlemon Cay?
  • The beautiful Waterlemon Cay, located in the middle of the bay, is a bonus attraction.
• Can you explore Leinster Bay on a paddleboard?
  • If you are really adventurous, you can visit the bay on a stand-up paddleboard.
• How easy is access to the water?
  • Access to the water from the small sandy or cobblestone beach is fairly easy.
• Are there any swimming hazards at Leinster Bay?
  • Swimmers should be aware of strong currents on the western end of Waterlemon Cay.