Beaches and Hikes St John Virgin Islands

Whether an easy stroll along the sandy beach or challenging hike, each item within this short list of site-seeing locations gets you out and about for beaches and hikes on St John for the day that is sure to lead to a beautiful view. Sometimes you may find that when you get to your destination you get enjoy it all by yourselves for a bit. Many suggestions of gear to bring/shoes to wear are described here along with a trail map at the bottom of the page. Be sure to take water and snacks for any hikes. And, just in case – take bug spray when in the woods, or when heading out in late afternoon or evening. Don’t count on any ATMs at the beaches or Umbrella rental either.

Trunk Bay

Amenities at Trunk Bay Beach: Food, Bar, Souvenirs, Bathrooms and Showers, Chair Rental, Snorkel and Fin Rental

(Amenities typically close around 4pm; beach does not close)

This beach offers an easy walk across powdery sand at a popular spot for snorkeling on a beach named one of the best in the world.

The best deal for snorkel rental* is here.

North Shore Road. Easy walk from the parking lot. Bring flip flops, snorkel, cooler, beach chair and pool noodle. $5 National Park entry fee per person (free after 4pm). This is the only beach where the National Park Service charges an entry fee. Rental gear available = beach chairs, snorkel, mask, fins, and/or flotation vest for swimming or snorkeling.  *They do not sell or rent pool floats or umbrellas.

Maho Bay

Amenities at Maho Bay Beach: Food, Bar, Souvenirs, Bathrooms, Snorkel, Fin Rental; Paddle board or Kayak Rental, Live Music (some days)

(Amenities typically close around 4-4:30; beach does not close)

This is a newer hot spot for a beach stop, entertainment and turtles. Typically a lot of boats to gaze at too.

North Shore Road. Easy walk from the parking area. Bring flip flops, snorkel, cooler, beach chair and pool noodle.

Ram Head Trail and Salt Pond Beach

This is a nice day trip to hike to the end of Ram Head trail for a high elevation view out in to the Caribbean Sea and catch a glimpse of a sail boat or two. Feel the breeze at the top.

Moderate-to-Challenging hike with sneakers or sneaker sandals needed; Backpack; Water.

Snorkel at Salt Pond after your hike, so bring the beach essentials as well.
This is a nice beach for snorkeling and is the entry point to the trail head to Ram Head.

We recommend water shoes or something similar to enter the water for swimming/snorkeling. Entry into the water can be a bit rocky compared to powdery sand found at North Shore Beaches.

America Hill Hike and Cinnamon Bay Beach (pictured)

A hike with a breathtaking birds-eye, panoramic view and a beach to relax at when you’ve finished. Walk through Bay Rum trees and Tyer Palms and up to the Estate dating back to the 1850s. The trail head is just a short walk across the street from the parking lot of Cinnamon Bay Beach.

Cinnamon Bay Hike (easy-moderate); America Hill (challenging)

Wear sneakers or sneaker sandal; For the America Hill portion of the hike, bring a Backpack and Water. The beach is an easy walk to get to (from the parking area), so if you plan on going to Cinnamon Bay, bring the beach essentials like flip flops and towels. This beach is not a great spot for snorkeling.

Amenities at Cinnamon Bay Beach: Food, Bar, Bathrooms and Showers, SMALL Convenience Store, Various water sports rental etc.

Amenities typically Close at 4pm. Since camping sites are overnight stays, some amenities may be open later or all day (for example: bathrooms).

Cinnamon Bay Snorkeling

Take note that Cinnamon Bay may have the most exposure to rough seas when the surf is up. However, on calmer days, it is said that on the east end of the beach, around or beyond the rocky area) there is a table reef in 5-15 feet There is also supposedly a plan motor, prop and wing in 8 feet of water.

How To Get There

North Shore Road. Moderate walk from the parking area.

Annaberg Sugar Plantation Ruins

This is a must see on one of your days, perhaps on the way to a North Shore Beach. See ruins of the Main House, the Cookhouse, Cistern, Servant’s Quarters of a St John plantation.

Once an active sugar, rum and molasses plantation, this historic site goes back to the 18th-century. It is an interesting walk through the history of St John and chance to perhaps talk to one of the dedicated volunteers who can give you extensive background of the production and workings of this landmark as you walk the grounds of the remnants of this once fully operational plantation and take in the beautiful blue ocean views. The Virgin Islands National Park has guides on site about once a week to answer any questions.

Flip flops or sneaker sandals.

Off of North Shore Road. If you don’t have time to spend at this location, you can quickly see a ruin of a Sugar Mill at Susannaberg (off Route 10 / Centerline Road) or Peace Hill.

Honeymoon Beach (Hike free, or Park $12/pp)

Amenities at Honeymoon Beach: Food, Bar, Souvenirs, Bathrooms, Chair Rental; Live Music (some days)

One of the closest beaches to Cruz Bay. View of St. Thomas.

You can get there by hiking (free; wear sneaker sandals, bring water for steep the hike back) from the top of Lind Point; OR, by parking at the entrance to Caneel Bay ($12 golf cart ride round trip per person; flip flops are a good choice for the sandy beach). Amenities include bar, food, retail, bathrooms (Amenities typically close around 4-4:30; beach does not close).

North Shore Road to the Caneel Bay parking area where you will pick up a Safari taxi.

Reef Bay Trail

This is probably the most challenging hike on our list due to it being the  longest and steepest. This may be a good hike for a breezy or cloudy day. Your reward for the hike down is the view at the beach at the end of the trail. Be ready for the steep hike back up.

We recommend sneaker sandals or something similar.

If you don’t want to hike back up, there is a guided tour to go down and a dingy ride back to Cruz Bay with Wharfside Watersports. Reef Bay Guided Tour Book Tickets.

Mid-Island. Accessible from Route 10 /Centerline Road (about midway between our Cruz Bay and Coral Bay). As you are heading on Rt. 10 out of Cruz Bay, the trail head begins on your right side at the bottom of a hill – there will be a sign for it. Park off the side of the road. This is not a safari stop. Make sure you have transportation to and from.

Brown Bay Trail

From the starting point of the trail, this is a pleasant and moderate hike of about 15 minutes, depending on your speed, through a wooded area and leads to a beach.
We recommend sneaker sandals  or something similar to enter the water for swimming/snorkeling. Entry into the water can be a bit rocky compared to powdery sand found at North Shore Beaches.

Coral Bay area. To get there, proceed on Rt. 10 / Centerline Road passed Skinny Legs Restaurant. The trail head will be about another 5 minutes drive on the left hand side of the road.

South Haulover Bay Beach

From the beach parking area, nice easy access to a day at the beach. This is a beautiful snorkel spot as well.
Entry into the water can be a bit rocky compared to powdery sand found at North Shore Beaches.

We recommend water shoes, sneaker sandals or something similar to enter the water for swimming/snorkeling. Watch for sea urchins as you wade in.

Coral Bay area. To get there, proceed on Rt. 10 / Centerline Road passed Skinny Legs Restaurant about 10 minutes and it will be right on the road to your right.

Hansen Bay Beach

From the beach parking area, nice easy access to a day at the beach. Private beach that allows public entry with a fee.

PICNIC TABLES & WATER AMENITIES
DAILY 9am-6pm
(407) 622-9452

Entry into the water can be a bit rocky compared to powdery sand found at North Shore Beaches. We recommend water shoes, sneaker sandals or something similar to enter the water for swimming/snorkeling. Watch for sea urchins as you wade in.

Coral Bay area. To get there, proceed on Rt. 10 / Centerline Road passed Skinny Legs Restaurant about 10 minutes and it will be right on the road to your right. AFTER HAULOVER.

Saltwell Bottom Beach

From the beach parking area, nice easy access to a day at the beach. This is a beautiful snorkel spot as well. Private beach that allows public entry with a fee.

UMBRELLAS AND LOUNGE CHAIRS
DAILY 8am-5pm

Entry into the water can be a bit rocky compared to powdery sand found at North Shore Beaches. We recommend water shoes, sneaker sandals or something similar to enter the water for swimming/snorkeling. Caution that there may be sea urchins as you wade in.

Coral Bay area. To get there, proceed on Rt. 10 / Centerline Road passed Skinny Legs Restaurant about 10 minutes and it will be right on the road to your right. AFTER HAULOVER AND HANSEN.

HIKING AND TRAIL SAFETY

The Virgin Islands National Park Service has some good information about hiking and trail safety on their Hiking in Virgin Islands National Park page.

SWIM AND SNORKEL SAFETY

Here are a few tips on our Snorkel and Swim Safety page – know you swimming ability and be mindful if you have any medical conditions – Don’t overdo it and take a rest if needed!