St. John’s Trunk Bay: Everything You Need to Know

view of st john's trunk bay from left side of the beach towards trunk cay on calm clear day

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If you are in need of a perfect beach, then it’s time to book a trip to St John’s Trunk Bay. Protected in the lush environment of Virgin Islands National Park, Trunk Bay offers stunning scenery, great snorkeling, and a sizeable beach that you won’t want to leave.

Trunk Bay’s beauty truly is unrivaled. With glittering shades of turquoise sea popping against bright white sand, it’s easy to get lost in your surroundings. Trunk Bay is also longer than many other St. John beaches, making it perfect for walks past Trunk Cay – a popular snorkel spot that sits just off shore.

Trunk Bay’s beauty is certainly no secret – it was recently voted #1 best beach after all! Don’t worry though – this beach is large enough to accommodate all of its admirers who wish to escape here for the day. Below I am laying out everything you need to know for the perfect day at St John’s Trunk Bay, whether you seek relaxation, beautiful photographs, or awesome snorkeling.


What to Know About St John’s Trunk Bay Beach

Couple sitting on low stone wall at the Trunk Bay overlook on sunny day with turquoise water below
Views from the Trunk Bay overlook
  • Reachable in a twelve-minute drive from the Cruz Bay Ferry Dock via North Shore Road. There is a parking lot next to the beach, as well as roadside parking.
  • It is not necessary to rent a car to visit Trunk Bay from Cruz Bay as this is a regular taxi stop.
  • Trunk Bay is the one beach within Virgin Islands National Park that charges a fee, which is $5 for visitors over 15 years of age (see note below). During my last visit, only credit card was being accepted.
  • Trunk Bay is rich with amenities, including snorkel equipment and beach chair rentals, a snack and drink shack, and real bathrooms that include showers.
  • Be sure to bring reef safe sunscreen. All other varieties have been outlawed to prevent further damage to the coral reefs in Virgin Islands National Park. You can purchase this on-island at many shops, including grocery stores (although options may be limited).
  • Birds at Trunk Bay basically scout the beach looking for human food and will pounce if you leave anything out for even a second. You’ve been warned.

Note: Fees may be increasing at Trunk Bay in 2025 from $5 for individuals over 15 to $10 for individuals 10 years of age and older. There is also talk of a new yearly pass to Trunk Bay being available for $60 a person. However, these are currently only proposed changes, so watch this space!

The Scenery

Foaming wave washing onto white sandy shore looking west on St. John's Trunk Bay
Big foamy wave in Caribbean washing onto bright white sand on sunny day with blue skies and some fluffy clouds
Some would call this a dream… but it could be your reality!

Looking out towards the water, you’ll see some of the cays of Pillsbury Sound, the first being Lovango Cay, stretching west towards St. Thomas. Turn your head slightly east, and you’ll see White Bay on Jost Van Dyke in the distance.  

Of course, cutting in front of your line of vision will be an array of sailboats, catamarans, and luxury yachts zipping by in the distance. There’s also the occasional dingy bringing beachgoers to shore.

In case you don’t believe me about how beautiful Trunk Bay is, you can preview it with no commitment. Simply pull off North Shore Road at the Trunk Bay overlook.

The overlook is uphill from Trunk Bay heading west. You’ll be able to see this heart shaped beach in all its glory from above. Be sure to snap a photo at this famous spot before inevitably beelining straight to the beach.


Parking at Trunk Bay

Shades of blue sea from St. John's Trunk Bay overlook

There is a paved parking lot at Trunk Bay, just a short walk from the beach. However, it’s not big enough to accommodate everyone wishing to visit and fills up fast.

There are also some roadside parking spots heading up North Shore Road towards the Trunk Bay Overlook. Just be careful when walking to the beach along the road, as there are blind curves and hardly any shoulder to walk on.

To ensure you find a parking spot, I recommend arriving at Trunk Bay by 10:00am (9:30 am. during the high season spanning from December to April). There’s also the option to take a scenic open-air taxi from Cruz Bay, in which case parking would not be a concern.

If you’re not an early bird, try visiting around noon or later when people are starting to leave for lunch. Chances are you’ll see a few spots opening up.


Avoiding St John’s Crowds at Trunk Bay

Girl in baseball cap and swimsuit walking out from beach towards the bright turquoise sea

Since Trunk Bay is so popular, it might be tricky to find a good beach spot. This is especially true if you’d like some distance from the other beachgoers.

Being distance-seekers ourselves, my husband and I like to set up camp as far down the beach as we can. The hope is that doing this will prevent the crowds from reaching us until later.  

And guess what? Our plan usually works like a charm. Hardly anyone else makes it down to our end, besides maybe a family or two and some people taking walks. Admittedly, this is because it gets difficult to carry all your stuff that far, but it’s so worth it!

Girl standing in bring aqua clear water on sunny partly cloudy day

To reach our quiet section of the beach, turn left when entering Trunk Bay and walk all the way west towards the rocks.  Another fun perk – the rugged scenery is very picturesque for photos. Plus, if you walk just beyond this initial wall of rocks, there is a tiny hidden beach tucked in a cove on the other side.

Travel Savvy Tip

When entering the beach, most visitors don’t veer very far from the entrance.  I continue to see parties clustered near the wooden steps when I look towards Trunk Cay.

If you simply move further down the beach, away from the entrance, you’ll find a lot more space to set your chairs and towels.


St John’s Underwater Snorkel Trail at Trunk Bay

Trunk Cay is one of St John's most popular snorkel spots

One popular and super fun thing to do at Trunk Bay is snorkeling. Many people come here to do the underwater snorkel trail around Trunk Cay (pictured above). You can see the route mapped out on a sign before entering the beach.

Sticking near the buoys on the western side of the cay, the water is pretty easy to snorkel all around, with no strong currents or huge waves. This is also where we found the most diverse array of corals and sea life around Trunk Cay.

I am always astounded by the vibrant world that exists beneath the surface, and Trunk Bay does have a lovely underwater ecosystem. We could see coral, colorful plants and rocks, and a variety of fish, including a barracuda. That said, the best snorkeling around St. John tends to be at less-disturbed beaches, like pebbly Haulover Bay or around Waterlemon Cay near Leinster Bay.

As a beginner, I found this snorkel trail to be very approachable and rewarding. I did take a pool noodle with me, as I get nervous in water above my head, but this was largely for piece of mind. There were a lot of snorkelers around and still plenty of space to explore without bumping into others.

Travel Savvy Tip

You may notice warnings about jellyfish at Trunk Bay when entering the beach. I personally have never encountered any jellyfish swimming or snorkeling here.

However, I have overheard people around me spotting them in the water. I also spoke to a woman whose son had gotten stung by a jellyfish at Trunk Bay.

This doesn’t stop anyone from snorkeling and swimming freely at this beach, but it’s just something to keep in mind. Sightings are most common in summer (July and August) when the water temperatures rise.


Where to Find Shade vs Sun

girl laying on rock at beach

Per my observations, the western side of the beach is much more shady, while the eastern side delivers full sun. My husband and I like shade (I burn easily), but you should choose your side based on your preference. Sun seekers should just remember to bring reef safe sunscreen (we like this one).

• • •

Now you are all set to have the perfect beach day at St John’s Trunk Bay. Soon you’ll understand the hype and why many find this beach to be so irresistibly beautiful, even after many visits.

Heading to St John in the US Virgin Islands for a dreamy vacation?  If so, a stop at Trunk Bay is a must.  Trunk Bay is one of St John's most visited and photographed beaches.  Here are the best travel tips for avoiding crowds and having the best time possible!
Heading to St John in the US Virgin Islands for a dreamy vacation?  If so, a stop at Trunk Bay is a must.  Trunk Bay is one of St John's most visited and photographed beaches.  Here are the best travel tips for avoiding crowds and having the best time possible!
Heading to St John in the US Virgin Islands for a dreamy vacation?  If so, a stop at Trunk Bay is a must.  Trunk Bay is one of St John's most visited and photographed beaches.  Here are the best travel tips for avoiding crowds and having the best time possible!
Heading to St John in the US Virgin Islands for a dreamy vacation?  If so, a stop at Trunk Bay is a must.  Trunk Bay is one of St John's most visited and photographed beaches.  Here are the best travel tips for avoiding crowds and having the best time possible!

Comments

  1. I love the Virgin Islands, especially Trunk Bay! Truly mesmerized by the water and the underwater trail is so cool but I get scared 🤣🤣

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