St. John is known for having some of the best beaches in the Caribbean and this guide shows you the best beaches in St. John!
If youʻre booking your trip to St. John last minute, I have you covered. Below are some of the top tours, hotels, and more!
🇻🇮 Best activities and tours in St. John:
- St. John Lime Out snorkel sail w/ lunch (bestseller – my top pick)
- Night kayak tour in St. John (in clear kayaks – really cool experience!)
- All-inclusive snorkeling experience (leaves from St. Thomas)
🛌 Best places to stay in St. John:
- Gallows Point Resort (4-star luxury with views of Cruz Bay Harbor)
- Coconut Coast Villas (outdoor pool and close to Honeymoon Bay Beach)
- St. John Inn (mid-range option in Contant)
🚗 Looking for the best way to get around St. John? Click here to check rental car rates for USVI!
From Trunk Bay to the world-famous Honeymoon Beach, these St. John beaches make it hard to pass up a trip to the island! Below, you will find the prettiest beaches across the island, as well as some that are rocky or only seen via a hike.
I also give some tips for visiting and detail what there is to do there and how to reach some of the lesser-known ones.
Please note that I didn’t include too many on the eastern part of St. John as several of them are private or harder to reach.
Did I miss any of your favorite beaches on St. John? Let me know in the comments!
In this post...
Best Beaches in St. John
1. Salomon Beach
The US Virgin Islands are famous for their beaches, and Salomon Beach is considered one of the gems on St. John’s island.
If you are looking for a secluded place where you can lay on the sugary sand to tan, dip into the turquoise waters of the Caribbean, or just enjoy some reading, then Salomon Bay Beach is the place to be.
The beach is usually not crowded as it is not accessible by car (but is still one of the best things to do in St. John!).
You can reach it either on a ferry or by hiking. Take the Lind Point Trail, which starts from the National Park Visitor’s Center in Great Cruz Bay. Throughout the one-mile hike, you will enjoy the refreshing ocean breeze and some spectacular views of the Caribbean.
As coral reefs and their colorful creatures surround the beach, you can also have a pleasant snorkeling experience in the shallow waters surrounding the beach. Just be sure to respect these animals and coral and keep your distance (and don’t touch).
2. Maho Bay Beach
Even though the island has so many stunning beaches, Maho Bay Beach remains one of the best in St. John!
Though the beach shading and vegetation were impacted due to Hurricane Irma, you can still enjoy the crystal-clear waters, powder-soft beach with tall coconut trees, and forested slopes in the background. There are also several species of tropical plants and birds that live in the area (over 50 types of birds).
Due to its shallow waters, Maho Beach is perfect for kids and excellent for snorkeling, as you can also spot rays, fish, and green sea turtles (these are endangered so do not touch them – it is a felony).
On the beach, you will also see a pop-up village called Maho Crossroad, which offers visitors exciting drinks at its Paddle-In tiki bar and delicious food from its food truck.
After enjoying the activities offered around the bay, you can purchase merchandise from the Love Maho boutique on the beach.
3. Francis Bay Beach
Francis Bay Beach is considered to be one of the best family beaches in St. John. Regardless of the tides, the beach always remains wide, offering plenty of space for its visitors.
If you enjoy snorkeling, then consider the east side of Francis Bay Beach, as it is rich with marine life including parrot fish and squid. Visitors also rent kayaks on Maho Beach and paddle out towards Francis Bay in search of sea turtles (again, do not touch them or get too close).
If you are visiting by car, then be sure to get to the beach a little earlier to find parking close to it! There are not too many hotels around Francis Bay, but Sunnyledge Villa is an option that is within a short walk of the area.
4. Trunk Bay
Trunk Bay is the most popular beach on St. John and, arguably, the most photographed. It is a must for any St. John itinerary!
This beach, which is a quarter-mile long, is more often than not used as the ‘icon’ of the island (and it is definitely what I think of when my mind floats to St. John!).
One of the coolest things about Trunk Bay is its Underwater Snorkeling Trail, a self-guided snorkel experience where you can dive underwater and see and learn about different marine life (there are even signs explaining things).
Though the beach does not have hotels or resorts for your stay, you can still get here by car or taxi. Trunk Bay has a snack bar/grill, restrooms and showers, a souvenir shop, and lifeguards. You can also easily rent gear at shops along the beach.
Trunk Beach also has an entrance fee of $5 and this fee still applies even on free park days.
5. Hawksnest Bay Beach
Hawksnest Bay Beach is located on the northern shore of St John’s. The beach is fairly narrow but it’s pretty long and is one of the best places for long strolls if you get restless sunbathing, like me!
Hawksnest Bay Beach has fine white sand and is surrounded by sea grapes that make for great shade if the sun is hitting your skin a little too hard.
You can reach the bay from Cruz Bay and find parking spots next to the beach. Note that part of the beach is a little rocky, but you will reach the fluffier sand very quickly.
As Hawksnest Bay is not as protected as the other bays on St. John due to its location, be ready for a bit of surf and choppiness. It is not a snorkel-friendly beach.
6. Honeymoon Beach
Honeymoon Beach, located in the north of St. John Island, is one of the top spots based on amenities and things to do. It was one of seven beaches that were once part of the Caneel Bay Resort.
The beach is open to everyone and you only need to take your sunscreen and towel as you can rent a chair (and sports equipment) on the spot once there.
While you can take a taxi to the beach, you can also hike to Honeymoon Bay by taking the Lind Point Trail there. Keep in mind that if you are planning to rent items at the beach, it will cost less by just purchasing the day pass when there.
7. Denis Bay
Denis Bay is believed to be one of the hidden gems on St. John, nestled on the northwestern part of the island. It is one of the beaches that can be reached either by boat or via a rugged trail. Because it is not as easy to access, you tend to find fewer people hanging around!
To get to Denis Beach, you need to take the Peace Hill Trail in the west. You’ll know you’ve reached the beach once you start hearing the sound of the waves.
Note that there are no beach amenities there, so take the necessary items with you and enjoy your time in the sun on this (somewhat) secluded beach!
8. Cinnamon Bay Beach
Cinnamon Bay Beach is the longest beach in St. John and is located near Maho Bay and Trunk Bay. It is one of the few beaches on the island that offers full-service amenities.
You can find plenty of food options available – be sure to enjoy breakfast, lunch, or dinner at the Rain Tree Cafe!
In addition to eating, you can go hiking, rent a kayak or paddleboard, or go snorkeling (there is gear to rent at Cinnamon Bay).
If you’re looking for a place to stay and want to get close to nature, Cinnamon Bay Beach & Campground offers laid-back cottages and fully furnished tents that will give you an upscale glamping feel! They also have a bar and restaurant on-site.
9. Salt Pond Beach
Salt Pond Beach is located in the southern part of St. John Island. It is known for its clear waters that hug the rocky, crescent-shaped beach at Salt Pond Bay.
Here, you will also find tide pools filled with marine creatures and can experience excellent snorkeling due to a coral reef in the middle of the bay.
You can reach the beach by hiking the Ram Head Trail. It will offer some pretty spectacular views along the way, but be sure to get familiar with the trail’s terrain before you head out!
In the surrounding area, you will find the famous pond that the beach is named after, which was once used to mine for salt during dry summers.
If you want to book your stay near the beach, then consider the nearby Concordia Eco Resort, which has an outdoor swimming pool, terrace, and wifi.
10. Oppenheimer & Gibney Beaches
Don’t get confused with the two names of Oppenheimer and Gibney Beaches. These are just the two names of the same beach located on the north shores of St. John.
In the 1950s, almost 40 acres behind the beach were purchased by the Gibney family, whom the beach was named after.
Later, some part of the land was purchased by Robert Oppenheimer (yes, that one), who built a beach house there. Today the beach house is a community center.
To reach this picturesque location, you will need to head out via the Peace Hill Trail along Denis Bay. Be sure to bring snorkeling gear with you, as there is nowhere to rent once there.
11. Jumbie Bay
Jumbie is located on the north shores of St. John, next to Trunk Bay. It is considered the smallest beach in St. John as it is only 100 yards long, and it is also one of the rougher ones (in terms of surf).
However, the soft white sands of the beach are a great place if you just want to relax and stay away from the crowds (but beware – there is not much beach here).
The beach is lined with sea grapes. You can always find a place to cool off in the shade under them as the beach doesn’t have parking, and few guests seem to visit.
12. Lameshur Beach
Lameshur Beach, located in the southern part of the island, is considered to be one of the most beautiful beaches in St. John! Some parts of the water are teeming with sea grass, and this is where you can see sea turtles – which is one thing that the beach is known for.
Lameshur Bay Beach is great for families as there are several picnic tables and BBQ grills available for use. It is protected from the surf, so it offers a safe snorkeling experience for kids.
When snorkeling along the eastern shores, you can spot rays, parrot fish, banded coral shrimp, and other colorful marine life.
At the western part of the bay, you will have an opportunity to explore the well-preserved and recently renovated sugar mill ruins. This area is where a lot of hiking trails start.
13. Frank Bay
Located next to the busy beaches of Cruz Bay, Frank Bay Beach is often a forgotten one! The water here is calmer, making it an ideal place for swimming and snorkeling both for kids and adults.
However, keep in mind that even though the beach is home to gorgeous water and coconut trees, some parts of the beach are covered with pebbles, so you might need to wear special shoes when walking around.
Picnic tables and bathrooms are available at Frank Bay, but there are no restaurants or bars.
If you’re considering visiting Frank Bay or any other Cruz Bay Beach, it will be best to stay around Gallows Point Resort, which is close to both bays. They offer oceanfront villas, fine dining at their on-site restaurant, and an outdoor swimming pool with a view of the Caribbean.
St. John Beaches (On a Map!)
Are there any gorgeous St. John beaches I missed in this guide? Let me know in the comments. Thanks!
More USVI Travel Guides
- Things to do on St. John
- One week in St. John
- One week in St. Thomas
- Things to do on St. Thomas
- Things to do on St. Croix
- Best beaches on St. Thomas
- Best tours on St. Thomas
- Best beaches on St. Croix
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Megan is a travel blogger and writer with a background in digital marketing. Originally from Richmond, VA, she now lives in Finnish Lapland after previous stints in Norway, Germany, Armenia, and Kazakhstan. She has a passion for winter travel, as well as the Nordic countries, but you can also find her eating her way through Italy, perusing perfume stores in Paris, or taking road trips through the USA. Megan has written for or been featured by National Geographic, Forbes, Lonely Planet, the New York Times, and more. She co-authored Fodor’s Travel ‘Essential Norway’ (2020) and has visited 45 US states and 100+ countries.