This small beach near Waterlemon Cay has some of the best snorkeling on the north shore. You can park in a small lot near the head of Leinster Bay Trail, then walk along (and near) the shoreline about ⅓ of a mile to the beach. The remoteness almost guarantees a quiet and peaceful experience daily.
Waterlemon Cay
Not really any beach to speak of, and quite a hike to access it, but the off-the-beaten path make this a special place worth visiting (maybe more than once). Typically calm waters and a good snorkeling adventure awaits you off the shore all the way around this tiny island.
Salt Pond Bay
A beach with some great hiking to boot. There a a dozen or more parking spots (plus some more roadside room) and usually a small snack stand just off the ‘highway’ 107. Park and unload your towels, chairs, cooler and snorkel gear and it’s a casual walk down a the Salt Pond Bay Trail. The Vitran bus will also stop at Salt Pond Bay trail-head so for $1 you can get to Salt Pond from Cruz Bay!
Salt Pond is also a great spot for hikers. From Salt Bay trail-head you can either take the trails to Ram Head Point or Drunk Bay. Both are hikes with great vistas.
Little Lameshur Bay
Even further out of the way than Grootpan or Great Lameshur, Little Lameshur is the farthest beach from Cruz Bay and the literal end of the end of the road. The entire beach is a nice sand and there is a few feet of small stones as you enter the water.
This is one of Steve’s favorite beaches on the island. There are parking spots, a new style outhouse bathroom, awesome snorkeling along both east and west rock shores, as well as some nice pinnacles out in the middle right of the bay.
Pack a picnic and cooler and stay for the day, with maybe a stop at Skinny Legs or Wok on the Beach on the way back to the villa.
Also, consider bringing water bottles and comfortable shoes/boots and hike up and over to the petroglyphs and sugar house on the lower part of the Reef Bay Trail.
Kiddel Bay
Just west of Salt Pond Bay, this rocky (cobblestone) beach is secluded and private. In early 2016, private landowners blocked access to the beach which was actually found through their land.
There is wonderful snorkeling off the point where you will see a number of rocks jutting above the waterline. The best spots are about 10′ – 15′ deep so good snorkeling (or diving) skills required. If you are less inclined to dive deep there is still plenty to see along the rocks on either side of the bay.
This is also a great spot to picnic. We have done so and in the middle of our last picnic we heard the sound of ‘thumps’ on the water and looked out to watch whales breaching! They entertained us for several minutes before moving on. What a thrill is was!
Hawksnest Beach
Beautiful foliage, great snorkeling and easy to access with plenty of parking, Hawksnest Beach is convenient and fun – but it can get busy when there is significant cruise ship traffic on St. Thomas. Hawksnest also has picnic tables for having a beach side snack or romantic evening picnic.
Hawksnest beach is one of the most popular and romantic on St John.
Carrie and I particularly like the west end which has some old smooth coral rocks directly in front in the water, but is much quieter (usually no one) and can be accessed from a path at the very west edge of the parking lot.
Grootpan Bay
The nearly sand-free beach is actually covered in small, smooth pebbles and stones and sits just south of a large salt pond. It is easy to get to by parking in the small area at the east end. Armed with a beach chair, towel, cooler and some snorkel gear, Grootpan is one of the most private beaches on the island. The snorkeling near the beach and along both sides of the bay is excellent and should be experienced.
Chocolate Hole
This sand and stone beach is only 5 minute walk or a short drive (you can park right next to the beach) from Great Expectations and offers some of the best snorkeling on St John. Hidden in the sea grasses you will often find turtles. Several guests of our St John villa, Great Expectations, have declared that the fish and turtles found in and around Chocolate Hole harbor provide for first class snorkeling.
Chocolate Hole harbor, because of its orientation, is usually very calm and therefore a great place to paddle board. Parents of young children will also find this a great spot to teach kids to enjoy the calm and clear waters of St John since there are very rarely waves at the water’s edge.
Hart Bay
Located just a short 5 minute hike downhill from Great Expectations, Hart Bay is one of the southern shores little secret beaches. Not only is it one heck of a place to be for a sunrise, but it has multiple great snorkeling locations out toward the point and around the rock formations in the bay. One has to be careful entering the water, though, since there is a significant amount of coral (and sea urchins) close to the water’s edge so the best time to snorkel Hart Bay is when the prevailing winds are low. Often you will see St. John Dive boats out around the rock formation with groups of people diving. We particularly like to roam the beach looking for shells and coral. It is one of the best shell collecting areas on St. John!
If you are a hiker there is a great ‘hiking loop’ from Great Expectations along Bovacap Road to Iguana Road’s end where you will find a ‘Hart Bay Trail’ sign which will take you along a 10 minute walk past a salt pond. The trail ends at the north side of Hart Bay beach. Walk 3/4 way along the beach to the path on the southern end of the beach (it is sometimes hard to find so look carefully for the path) which will lead you up to Bovacap Road. Turn right on Bovacap Road and follow it until you get to Croton Road which will lead you back to Great Expectations where you should immediately jump into the pool to relax!
Honeymoon Beach
Another beach close to town and that used to be accessible through the Caneel Bay parking area. Until the Caneel rebuild is under way, VI Eco Tours has stepped up their game and built a small beach bar called Bikinis on the Beach. They have a large setup of rental gear (beach chairs, floats, kayaks, paddle boards, etc) as well as water, drinks, and snacks!
This beach looks north and west and offers views of Grass Cay, Mingo Cay and even the BVI’s Jost van Dyke.
Maho Bay
While it is a little further out and a little close to the North Shore Road than most beaches, Maho Bay beach has some very special features that make it a favorite of many of our guests.
On the southwest end of the beach are a covered picnic area, concrete ‘restrooms’ and grills with a few parking spots. On the other end of the beach are a few road spots and a corner parking area that, when full, keeps the beach to a comfortable count of people. The water is typical much calmer than the rest of the north shore beaches and the sandy bottom has various spots of bottom grass 20-50 feet off the beach which makes the water a favorite of turtles and other sea creatures. The calmer water and wildlife make this a very popular spot to snorkel with the turtles or stand waste-deep and toss a frisbee around while sipping on a cold drink.
Recent post-hurricane additions include a new privately-owned rental equipment and guide service and the Maho Crossroads tiki bar and food van.
Maho Bay opens up to the north west keep it protected from the wind and waves on most days - which makes it perfect for just sitting neck deep in the water or enjoying a game of Coo Dey Tot™ with a friend.
Try to dethrone the dictator in CooDeyTot at Maho Beach
Trunk Bay
Turquoise water protected from boat traffic by buoys, Trunk Bay is actively managed by the National Parks Service and includes shower & bathroom facilities, food & drink (blended drinks and beer too!), as well as rental equipment. The bay is home to Trunk Cay (small island) that marks the Coral Reef Underwater Park Trail.
Trunk Bay with its Underwater Trail is a great place especially for beginners and anyone who wants to learn about St John's marine life. The Underwater Trail has clearly labeled plaques along the trail which label the different types of coral as well as the multitude of fish that live in our waters. The trail is located on the left side of the cay (as you face the water from the beach) and extends about 300' along the cay.
Many guests love this beach for both the facilities and the different options including sunbathing, body surfing, swimming, and vast snorkeling.
Reminder: This is a paid access beach. National Park Rates for Trunk Baystart at $5/person per day.
Jumbie Bay
A small sliver of sand with shady trees and 6 parking spots, Jumbie Bay beach is one of our favorites for early morning beach days. Get there before 8:30 am and you are assured a great spot in the sand, with plenty of palms for shade when the sun gets hot.