Brown Bay Trail on St. John: Why this Hike is Worth Your Time

This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you buy or book through one of these links, I may earn a small commission .

Is the Brown Bay Trail next on your Virgin Islands National Park hiking bucket list? Located on St. John USVI’s eastern Coral Bay side, this under-the-radar hike offers beautiful scenery and an underrated beach with a vibrant snorkel scene.

My husband Aaron and I love the Brown Bay Trail for its seclusion and gorgeous views of Hurricane Hole and the British Virgin Islands, which we normally have to ourselves. We also love the trail’s close proximity to one of our favorite restaurants, Skinny Legs, making it especially tempting to grab a blue cheese and bacon burger afterwards. Although Brown Bay Beach does get hit with sargassum during certain times of the year, if you catch it on a good day you’ll be in awe of the crystal-clear calm waters.

Does taking a lesser-traveled path to a pristine beach sound good to you? Then let’s dive into everything you need to know before hiking the Brown Bay Trail on St. John.

Hiking the Brown Bay Trail on St John USVI

The Brown Bay trail is a bit of a choose your own adventure situation, with the connected Johnny Horn Trail offering some additional routes. However, this post will only cover the Brown Bay Trail portion that leads to the beach and back.

Brown Bay Trail – Quick Facts

Brunette girl in turquoise shirt standing near view of Tortola on Brown Bay Trail on St. John USVI

Length: 1.6 miles out and back
Difficulty: Moderate. The trail goes over a small hill, so there are gradual inclines both coming and going.
Time: 60-90 minutes
Terrain: Soil has loose rocks that can be slippery on steeper sections of the trail. Additionally, there is not much shade for most of this hike.
Scenery: Heading up the hill on the way out are views of Hurricane Hole. On the other side of the hill you’ll see the British Virgin Islands. Some cactuses will line the path along the way.

What to Bring

Bright blue Caribbean waters of Coral Bay and Hurricane Hole

Here are some items you’ll want to pack when hiking the Brown Bay Trail in Virgin Islands National Park for a comfortable and safe experience:

Athletic apparel. I recommend breathable shorts and a moisture wicking top for the hot humid weather, especially if you are hiking at midday.
Bug Spray. St. John mosquitos are sneaky, but they’ll getcha.
Hiking shoes. The trail has sloping sections with loose rock, which makes it a bit slippery. Wear sturdy shoes with good traction. I personally adore my Keens, although I don’t always manage to fit them in my suitcase.
Hat to shade your face from the sun.
Sunscreen. Australian Gold is my favorite brand of reef-safe sunscreen, which is a requirement in the US Virgin Islands.
Water bottle. We always bring these vacuum seal water bottles (which come in super fun colors!) so our water stays ice cold.
Camera to capture the stunning scenery. I’ve been using the Sony A6000 for years, and I still love it.
Cell phone
Swimsuit and towel if you want to take a dip at Brown Bay Beach. Also consider bringing water shoes if you have them, since the sand can be rocky.
Snorkel Gear

Travel Savvy Tip

Planning to pack a swimsuit and snorkel gear for Brown Bay Beach? Read this first!

During certain times of the year, Brown Bay Beach gets hit pretty hard with sargassum seaweed. The arrival of this orange-colored seaweed is a natural annual occurrence, but causes an unpleasant odor when it begins to decompose.

Typically, it shows up in late spring and summer when the water warms up. However, the trends have become more irregular, with larger sargassum amounts than normal showing up much earlier and later than in past years. There could also be hardly any sargassum at all, which was the case during my recent late-May visit.

So how can you know the sargassum status at Brown Bay Beach before hitting the trail? Start by stopping into Cruz Bay Visitor Center and asking an NPS employee or calling (340) 776-6201.

Another good option is to ask locals, which I normally do by stopping at a bar like Skinny Legs during the mid-afternoon lull (2-4pm). There will likely be someone sitting at the counter that can answer or help direct your question.

How to Hike to Brown Bay Beach via the Brown Bay Trail

A goat standing off the the side of a dirt trail in the distance — You might see a goat on the trail – give them their space!

To find the trailhead for Brown Bay, you will need to take Centerline Road (turns into East End Road) to just before East End. After passing Skinny Legs on your right, continue driving for four more minutes (about one mile), passing the first couple bays of Hurricane Hole.

1. Park at the Trailhead

You will see a small dirt parking area on your left with room for a handful of cars to park in front of the trailhead. Once parked, continue up this dirt path away from the road as it narrows and leads you to the Brown Bay trail.

2. Make Your Way Uphill

Cactus trees with skinny branches along the Brown Bay Trail

Pristine turquoise waters nestled in the calm bays of Hurricane Hole on St John

You will start the Brown Bay hike by heading uphill. This portion will encompass about half of the hike (.8 each way), so expect to continue uphill for about .4 until you find some relief.

Shade will be minimal, so wear a hat and reef-safe sunscreen to shield your skin from the strong Caribbean rays. If you are visiting in the sweltering heat of summer, I recommend doing this trail in the morning by 9am. Just one hour later the sun will already be beating down on you.

3. Take in Views of Hurricane Hole and the British Virgin Islands

The silver lining of this uphill trek is that it allows for lovely water views over Coral Bay’s Hurricane Hole as you make your way up. Aaron and I personally take lots of breaks while heading uphill to appreciate the colors of all the beautiful little bays.

The scenery will be especially good if park volunteers have recently cut back the growth that sometimes obscures openings along the trail. Lately (as of May 2023), the trails have been in overall great condition!

After you crest the top of the hill, you can look forward to catching glimpses of Tortola and the BVI on your way down.

4. Follow the Trail Down to Brown Bay Beach

Brown Bay Trail signs in Virgin Islands National Park

Turquoise clear waters see from the trail when heading towards Brown Bay Beach

Now it’s time to reward yourself before turning back with a stop to view the pristine waters of Brown Bay Beach. Be sure to watch where you step, as this is a sea turtle nesting area. If you reach a beach loaded with seagrass, do not panic: turn left and keep walking a little ways to get to white sands.

As mentioned, this beach does get periodically hit with sargassum seaweed, particularly in the late spring and summer months. However, when sargassum is light, Brown Bay is a dream and very peaceful compared to other St. John beaches. On a good day, you could have this beautiful white sand beach all to yourself!

5. Swim or Snorkel at the Beach

White sand beach at Brown Bay and very calm waters with a little sargassum — Beach condition during a visit in May 2023

Now that you’ve reached the beach, you have the option to chill for a second before turning back. The water over here is so calm and crystal clear, making it a lovely place to relax or swim around for a while.

If you like to snorkel and conditions are right at Brown Bay, then this is a great place to look for sea creatures. Visitors have found sea turtles, octopus, schools of fish, and even starfish!

6. Head Back the Way You Came

A section with bright green tropical plants near the parking lot of the Brown Bay Trail

Rugged dirt path with low shrubbery on Brown Bay Trail

Villas tucked into the lush green hills of Coral Bay

Once you are done spending time in the water, it is time to head back the way you came. Once again, you will make your way up the hill and then down the gentle slopes towards the parking lot.

If you started this hike in the morning, you will probably find that the way back is a little hotter. Remember to bring plenty of water! My husband and I each bring a 32-ounce vacuum seal water bottle filled with ice cold water.

Have More Time? Where to Go Next

Caribbean blues sparkling at midday seen from a trail with a large island in the distance

If you are in need of a post-hike snack or meal, I have some awesome suggestions:

Finishing the Brown Bay Trail close to lunch time? Head to Skinny Legs for a burger or sandwich. While waiting for your order to come out, take a spin through Mumbo Jumbo next door – this island shop supplies about half my wardrobe!
Need something cold? Stop by Dazey Drive In in Coral Bay for shaved ice made with real fruit juice. Don’t forget to check out the local pottery shop just a couple doors down.
Want a light breakfast? Drive about ten minutes down Centerline Road to Colombo’s Smoothies, which sits atop the road leading down to the beaches. Here, you can choose from a selection of real fruit smoothies and smoothie bowls or order a breakfast sandwich. Craving a beach break? Pull out of the smoothie stand and head straight down North Shore Road towards Maho Bay.

• • •

The Brown Bay Trail can feel hard heading uphill under the beating sun, but the seclusion and Caribbean views make it totally worth it. When Brown Bay Beach gets hit with sargassum, it can be a bummer. However, if you catch Brown Bay on a good day, a snorkel in these calm waters is delightful. It is, after all, where I spotted my first starfish!

Pack your bags

Guide to Hiking the Brown Bay Trail on St John