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St. John USVI beaches are without a doubt some of the best in the world. If you are traveling to St. John soon, you are going to be in awe of the many shades of clear turquoise waters, kept pristine within the protection of Virgin Islands National Park.
In a lot of ways, St. John beaches are similar to those of other islands in the Caribbean. I mean, they have the fluffy white sand just like the others do. However, St. John’s best beaches go above and beyond the spectrum of gorgeousness.
It’s something about those rocky hills covered in lush greenery surrounding the beaches. Then you’ve got the many islands dotting the horizon as you look into the distance, with boats coming in and out of view. Being at a St. John beach truly is a dream.
Since any St. John beach will take you to paradise, choosing the best ones to visit can be a bit difficult. That’s why I’m here to guide you on which are the best for various types of beach days. Soon you’ll see why St. John is my favorite place ever.
The Best St John USVI Beaches That You Need to Visit
North Shore Road is where to go to find the best beaches in St. John that you absolutely MUST visit. The below rundown lists each beach in order from west to east, or as you’d see them driving from Cruz Bay.
If you want to head straight to the most photographed and objectively the best beach on St. John, skip ahead here.
Salomon Bay: Best Beach for Hiking Enthusiasts
Salomon Bay is technically the first North Shore beach from Cruz Bay, although you cannot get there by car. In fact, the only way to reach this small, rocky beach is by boat or hiking the fairly easy Lind Point Trail.
These circumstances are perfect for those who hate crowds, as many people are not willing to make the trek to Salomon Bay. By hiking about a mile, you get beautiful views, gentle waters, and a lesser visited beach.
One time, my husband, Aaron, and I even managed to have the place to ourselves! When does that ever happen at a North Shore beach?
Honeymoon Beach: Best for Luxury Mixed With Laid Back Vibes
This is a long-ish section due to big changes this year. Honeymoon is one of the best beaches on St. John for day trippers from St. Thomas. Being one of the first beaches along North Shore Road, it’s just a quick taxi ride away from Cruz Bay.
Honeymoon Beach drastically changed after Virgin Islands Ecotours and Bikinis on the Beach suddenly closed earlier in 2022. This meant the former full service beach no longer had amenities for day trippers.
This will once again be changing in November 2022 with the arrival of Caneel Bay Beach Club at Honeymoon. Chairs and cabanas will be available by reservation and the beach club will provide shuttles from the Caneel parking lot to the beach.
A few more big changes include:
- An upscale breakfast and lunch menu
- No more watersport rentals
- No speakers permitted
The goal is for guests to enjoy the peace and quiet of the natural surroundings of Virgin Islands National Park. Although bringing outside food will not be permitted at Honeymoon, they will not be able to prevent hikers and boaters from doing so. The biggest thing is to leave no trash behind.
Of course, Honeymoon Beach is still public and reachable by boat or the Lind Point Trail. Walking down to the beach from the Caneel Bay parking lot continues to be forbidden.
Hawksnest: Easiest to Access of the St. John USVI Beaches
Hawksnest has become one of our go-to beaches. While it’s not the biggest, it’s beautiful and long enough for pleasant beach walks. Hawksnest also lacks the crowds of popular spots like Maho and Trunk.
One of my favorite perks of Hawksnest is that you can see the parking lot right off the road, and easily tell if it’s full and whether you should keep driving. Additionally, the parking lot is just steps away from the beach, so it’s very convenient to pop by or run to your car if it rains for a spell.
The only downside I can think of is that part of the beach gets a bit rocky. It’s nothing to be concerned about though, as it’s just a short walk back to fluffy white sand.
Oppenheimer/Gibney Beach: Best Beach for Peaceful Solitude
Don’t be confused by these two names – their beaches are essentially one and the same. In the 1950’s, the Gibney family purchased 40 acres of land behind this beach.
Later, Robert Oppenheimer, aka the “father of the atomic bomb”, purchased a small parcel of the Gibneys’ land and built a little beach house on it. Oppenheimer’s family later donated their land to the people of St. John, and a community center now sits where the family’s beach house used to stand.
Today, Oppenheimer/Gibney beach is such a treat to visit, due to its very limited parking. There is a driveway right off North Shore Road with a large gate at the head of it, and right in front of this gate are three parking spots. There is no room on the road for street parking, so whoever gets those three spots essentially has the run of the beach.
This is a very unique circumstance on St. John, as it is rare to find a beautiful beach that will always be this empty. That being said, you have to get up early in order to nab one of those precious parking spots. Alternatively, if you set out closer to the afternoon, you could find some of the early risers leaving for the day, but just know you may have some competition!
Denis Bay: Best Beach for Avoiders of the “Beaten Path”
Denis Bay is one of my favorite beaches because of its seclusion and the small adventure required to reach it. We stumbled upon Denis after a failed attempt at visiting Oppenheimer, and finding that its three parking spots were already full. We decided to try something new, and backtracked to near-empty Peace Hill, as my mother-in-law thought there may be a beach there.
After initially climbing the wrong path up to the Peace Hill Windmill, we found the correct path heading back down to our left. This one was narrower and a bit rougher than the previous one we tried, and we second guessed ourselves a couple times on whether we were going the right way. There were hermit crabs everywhere.
Eventually, we could hear the sound of gentle waves, and the trail opened up into a gorgeous beach with very few people on it. There was space and shade for all, and looking out you could see the bays of Jost Van Dyke in the distance. Since this perfect beach day, Denis Bay has become part of our regular rotation.
Jumbie Bay: St. John’s Best Beach for Relaxation
Jumbie Bay is actually right next to Trunk Bay, and you can see them from each other. If you feel confident, you can even swim between the two. First, you’ll need to do a short 100 meter hike to Jumbie from its entrance on North Shore Road, across the street from the parking lot.
Jumbie is small, but there is no need to have reservations about it. I can assure you there are plenty of shady spots and enough room to stretch out. This is not a highly trafficked beach at all, so it’s perfect for those who seek a calm and peaceful day. It’s the type of beach where you could spend hours relaxing with a good book and a painkiller in hand.
Because of Jumbie’s size, your beach walks will be short, but certainly no less pleasant. Since Jumbie has a tiny little parking lot and cannot be immediately seen from the main road, it’s unlikely this beach will ever be very busy.
Do note that Jumbie accumulates some sargassum seaweed at times – especially in the summer months.
Trunk Bay: Overall Best Beach in St. John
Trunk Bay is arguably the most gorgeous beach on St. John. This beach has just about everything you could want on a vacation. It’s quite long, so offers a good opportunity for leisurely walks past Trunk Cay. It also has beautifully calm waters for SUP or kayaking, however you’d have to transport them yourself.
In addition, there are opportunities for snorkeling on its mapped out “snorkel trail”. You can stop by the little stand on the way into the beach to rent some snorkel gear.
Obviously, Trunk has the fluffy white sand and gorgeous turquoise water as well, making this pretty much the stereotypical perfect beach. However, let’s not forget one of its biggest perks – actual bathrooms and running water!
Yes, this does cause more people to flock to Trunk Bay. However, the beach is nice and wide, making it easy for people to spread out from each other. The only thing we struggled with here was finding a lasting shady spot, as we had to keep moving with the sun all day.
Please Note
Trunk Bay charges an entrance fee of $5 a person, which can be paid in cash or credit card.
Additionally, try to spread out! Many people set up camp very close to the beach entrance. I see this all the time at Trunk Bay. If you are willing to walk just a bit further down the beach, you’ll find lots of breathing room for your party.
Cinnamon Bay: Best Beach for Walks With Mansion Views
Cinnamon has always been among my favorite St. John beaches. It’s bigger than Maho and Jumbie, and similar to the length of Trunk Bay. Like the others, it has beautiful views of the sea with shadows of islands in the distance. One side of Cinnamon Bay is also lined by the luxurious mansions of Peter Bay, where Kenny Chesney once had a vacation home (he’s since moved locations).
The campgrounds at Cinnamon Bay sustained a lot of damage during Hurricane Irma, but have finally reopened as of 2022. This means full service amenities again, including food and beach rentals!
Hikers may want to first trek uphill to the view from the nearby America Hill trail before jumping into the sea to cool off. There is also a tamer path across from the Cinnamon parking lot through colonial sugar plantation ruins.
Travel Savvy Tip
Feeling adventurous? If you are willing to do a small scramble over some rocks, you can visit one of the best hidden St. John USVI beaches: Little Cinnamon Beach.
Facing the water, turn left and walk all the way down Cinnamon Bay to the rocks. They are passable, but it can be a little dicey and hard to do without getting your feet wet. It’s also not the easiest when carrying stuff, so I recommend leaving the beach chairs behind.
What you’ll find is a moderately-sized fluffy white sand beach with even better views of Peter Bay and its adjacent coves. Plus, there usually aren’t too many other people on Little Cinnamon.
Maho Bay: Best Beach for Kayak & SUP Rentals
Maho is an excellent beach that has really rebounded since sustaining heavy damage from Hurricane Irma. In fact, it’s become arguably the busiest beach on St. John, with a constant flow of taxis and pedestrians on the roadway.
With the replanting and regrowth of vegetation, Maho has more shade than the previous few years. However, with its popularity I still recommend arriving by 9:30am to claim your spot.
Maho also boasts some of the calmest water on St. John, making it a dream for stand-up paddle boarding. What’s even better is that after the hurricanes, Reef2Peak opened across the street with kayak, paddle board, snorkel, and chair rentals. I recommend getting on the water to find sea turtles and other marine life (just keep your distance and don’t touch them!).
If you haven’t visited St. John since Irma, don’t come expecting the old Maho. The area has become crowded and commercialized with the addition of the tiki bar and shops of Maho Crossroads. The locals I’ve spoken to have had mixed feelings on the changes.
Controversy aside, I still love Maho and it remains a stunning, must-visit beach.
Francis Bay: Best Beach for Nature Lovers
Francis Bay lies at the far end of St. John’s North Shore, and is very close to Maho. In fact, a lot of people rent kayaks and SUP’s at Maho, and then paddle out towards Francis Bay on the search for sea turtles.
The water at Francis Bay is very similar to Maho, being protected and calm. Some locals we talked to even called Francis Bay “the new Maho”, for being the low key, untouched environment that Maho once was. Many snorkelers find sea turtles, starfish, and other sea creatures in the water.
To park at Francis Bay, you can usually find spots in the dirt lot right by the beach. Otherwise, you can park in a paved area closer to the road and take a short hike past plantation ruins down to the water.
Those who want to spend a little more time in nature may choose to walk the entire loop of the Francis Bay Trail. This shady hike is only about .7 miles, and much of it is on a boardwalk that leads past a salt pond.
Related: The Best Hiking Trails in St John USVI
Reef Safe Sunscreen for St. John USVI Beaches
Most popular sunscreen brands are now outlawed in the U.S. Virgin Islands, including at the beaches on St. John USVI. Unfortunately, they tend to contain harmful chemicals that cause bleaching and overall damage to the surrounding coral reefs.
You can choose to pack reef safe sunscreen (we like this one) or buy it right on St. John. I will admit, these varieties are very thick and a pain to rub in, but totally worth it to protect those beautiful island ecosystems!
Tips for Visiting St. John USVI Beaches
There are a few things you’ll want to know to plan your beach trip without any problems:
- Parking: Parking is limited at every single beach, and there is very little opportunity for street parking. By mid-morning most, if not all, of these spots will be filled. My suggestion would be to get there by 10 am at the latest, or there is no guarantee of finding a spot. The only exception is during the off-season (summer and early fall) when crowds are thinner.
- Restrooms: One thing you’ll have to accept is that St. John beaches do not have the most sophisticated bathroom facilities. Some do have a small bathroom onsite, but they are little more than a porta potty.
- Entry Fees: Most St. John USVI beaches are free to the public, with the exception of Trunk Bay, which charges a $5 fee per person.
- Food & Drink: With the exceptions of Maho and Cinnamon, there generally aren’t restaurants or bars close to the beaches. Therefore, I highly recommend packing yourself some sandwiches, chips, etc. in a cooler to bring with you to the beach. If I were you, I’d also make some painkiller mix for some beachside tropical drinks. They are the best!
- Beach Music: All the above beaches are within Virgin Islands National Park, and it is very much frowned upon to play music in earshot of others. If you must play music, consider using headphones or keep the volume at a level that can’t be heard more than a few paces away. I try to save my beach playlist for driving around the island in our Jeep.
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So…I don’t know about you, but all this beach talk has me ready to book my trip back to the islands. St. John USVI beaches are truly the best place to relax and unplug, especially with painkiller in hand. Obviously, Kenny Chesney agrees, and who can argue with that?
Are you a lucky individual that will be heading to St. John soon? Which beach will you visit first?
We are going to St. John for the first time in April and your tips are really wonderful!
Thanks for your comment and glad I could help! You are going to love St. John so much… all of these beaches are so beautiful!
Is it essential to rent a vehicle?
It is much easier to get around with a vehicle, but it is still possible to get to all the beaches with a taxi. It’s particuliarly easy if you are staying in or near Cruz Bay.
We are on St. John right now. Excellent advice. Your observations match ours 100% on the beaches we have visited thus far. I need to inquire at the Westin (where we are staying) about their taxi service.
Thank you! Hope you’re having a great time!
A couple your comments were distressing— mentioning the drastic removal of Hawksnest trees (many over 100 years old) by Irma as a positive thing— they were “in the way”—is totally inexcusable. And then, rather than suggesting that beach-goers be quiet and considerate of wildlife and other people, you tell them to bring music. Amplified music is actually prohibited on National Park Beaches.
In fact, you don’t even mention the existence of Virgin Islands National Park, or any regulation besides the USVI sunscreen ban.
Hi Adelia, thank you for your comment. You are correct, I did forget to mention the National Park, and I will be sure to clarify that.
I do not love that the island was altered in any way from Irma, but will always choose to look on the bright side. Also, I think it’s totally fine to play music at a reasonable volume on the beach, but in no way advocate for “amplified music”. Bikinis on the Beach at Honeymoon and Maho Crossroads have both had live music on occasion.
We’re here now, and the number of people playing music on the beach is obnoxious. Salt Pond might as well be renamed Douchebag Beach.
If you want a party island with music and boozing on the water, there are more than enough places in the Caribbean for that. This is a national park: It’s meant to preserve the quiet and nature. Take the party elsewhere. I’ll be asking the NPS to take a far more aggressive approach to enforcement so that tourists seeking a party-at-the-beach scene know to travel elsewhere.
I’m sorry to hear that so many people are being inconsiderate. I think there are ways to play music at respectful levels. I know for us, I make sure it can’t be heard more than a few paces away from where we are sitting.
My experience is that Salt Pond has had obnoxious music since 2002. I also agree with you and the previous poster that these beaches are best enjoyed without music. I appreciate the author suggesting to only play it so it can be heard within a few paces. However, that never happens. It would be nice if she would say something along the lines of you should not play music, but if you do make sure it cannot be heard beyond your space. I wish the National Park would ban music as they have drones. For those that must have music, enjoy with your earbuds 🙂
At Trunk Bay, you said there is a $5 entrance fee. Can you pay with a credit card or does it need to be cash?
We have always paid in cash, and I’m not sure if credit card is accepted. That said, it’s always a good idea to have cash with you on the island. You never know when a system/power/etc. could go down in the fragile island infrastructure. Also, some establishments have credit card minimums.
Thank you for ALL of this!! I am going tomorrow and super excited!! This is so informational!! Thank you thank you!!!
Thank you! This comment makes me so happy 🙂
I hope you have a wonderful time!