Hansen Bay (Vies Beach)

Located right next to the former Vie’s Snack Shack, Hansen Beach is a wonderful spot to get away from it all.  Check out this photo by St John beach guide to really appreciate how wonderful a spot this is. For a small fee of $3, they offers parking and a beach chair.  Hansen Bay has the soft white silky sand that St John is known for. It also has a very easy and shallow entrance so it is a good option for the little ones or those who are not great swimmers. Most days it also offers lots of protection from big waves but, make sure you bring lots of sunscreen as there is one large area with shade up near the picnic tables.

Often moored off the beach is the new floating taco bar Lime Out. Due to safety concerns they do not let you swim out, but there are plenty of kayaks and SUPS for rent on the beach.

Because this is a private beach, there are some other fun things: pickup barbecues on some Sundays and dogs are allowed (always on their leash).

Great Lameshur Bay

This cobblestone beach is more out of the way and less traveled than its’ neighbor to the west — the sandy Little Lameshur beach.  Locals and very experienced snorkelers are the most often visitors to this out of the way beach

Cruz Bay

The beach located in front of Cruz Bay’s Wharfside Village commercial area is home to many moored charter boats, deck chairs, The Terrace, Banana Deck, The Beach Bar dinner seating, Dr!nk & Rum Hut bar seating, High Tide, not to mention a whole lot of nighttime hanging around. As of Jul 11, 2019, Beach Bar & Rum Hut are still not completed.

Not really meant for swimming and sunning, but you’re in the islands – do what you have to do!  It is the happenin’ place to be if you want to enjoy sunsets with other like minded limin’ people many of whom will be roaming the beach and visiting some of the many shops or restaurants which line the harbor.

Cruz Bay harbor is the main people ferry dock that can take you to St. Thomas and the BVIs.  The northern section of Cruz Bay harbor is home to the Virgin Islands National Park offices and is where the water taxis load and unload their passengers.

Cruz Bay is also home to The Battery which is where you will find many of the USVI government offices and the US Customs office (where you will arrive when coming from the British Virgin Islands), which is currently under renovations.

Cinnamon Bay

Cinnamon Bay is another National Park beach with multiple services (like Trunk Bay) including fixed tent and adobe camping and a full-service restaurant. There is plenty of parking and a complete water sport rental shop on the beach for everything from snorkel gear to paddle boards.

Cinnamon Bay beach is wide providing lots of opportunity for building sand castles and playing frisbee. There are also plenty of places to find a shady spot, if that is your preference. Good snorkeling can be found at both ends of the beach as well as out around the island off the beach.  As with virtually all the National Park beaches, Cinnamon is a wonderful spot for the little ones who are just learning to swim. The shallow entrance, silky sand, and clear, clear water allow for people to see fish while still in very shallow waters.

The Cinnamon Bay self-guided trail offers boardwalk access which meanders through the historic ruins. You can find the trail entrance located across from the exit gate of the Cinnamon Bay Campground.  There is great wildlife to be found as well as ruins left by the Danish settlers which can be seen along the trails, including the ruins of the original Cinnamon Bay sugar mill.

Taxis are readily available to transport people to and from Cruz Bay.

NOTE: Since the hurricanes of 2017, the services at Cinnamon Bay are limited. There is no fixed building camping and limited tent space camping.

Denis Beach

Locals sometimes referred to Denis as Secret Beach as it is primarily accessed through an small parking lot marked “Peace Hill Trail” off of the North Shore Road and requires a hike down a 300+’ trail (and a hike up when returning to your vehicle). Denis Beach lies in front of a couple of private residences and, while it is a great spot to just relax and be alone, make sure you respect the neighbors.

Easy access and silky white sand are wonderful attributes of Denis Beach, however, because of our prevailing winds you might find some high surf and waves.  The snorkeling is reputed to be good especially on both ends of the beach as well as the rocky coral outcroppings/

Because of the limited parking you might well have the beach to yourself to enjoy.

Europa Bay

Europa Bay, located on the southeastern side of St John, is best accessed via the Lameshur Trail.  You will arrive at Europa Bay beach after trekking about 20 minutes from the Trail (at the westernmost end of Little Lameshur Bay Beach).  Once there, you will be glad you made the effort for the views are spectacular.  Be aware that while the beach is fairly sandy you will also find sea urchins.

Gibney Beach (Oppenheimer)

Home to the famous Oppenheimer house and many weddings/private parties, Gibney Beach (Oppenheimer) is a small beach with very limited parking (room for 3-4 parallel jeeps) on one side of the driveway in front of the wrought iron gate. Famous for not only its previous scientist owner, but also the small concrete building that is now owned by the government and can be rented for wedding reception or other functions. The beach is fairly small but can be a nice break from some of the busier areas and not a very long drive from Cruz Bay.

Technically, the western beach is the original Gibney family beach and the eastern portion in front of the pavilion Oppenheimer (sold to him by the Gibneys decades ago).

During the summer months it is harder to find a shady spot.

We had our wedding & reception as well as 10th anniversary dinner here in 2002 and 2012.

Francis Bay

Francis Bay is a beautiful west-facing beach that is perfect for a day of sunning & swimming, reading, picnic or just plain relaxing. The beach area is quite long and has plenty of room for large groups.

Access to the beach his off the North Shore Road and then down the Francis Bay Trail to a small parking area.

Little Maho Bay

Just around Maho Point, this beach used to be accessible through the Maho Eco-tent camping area but now can really only be gotten to by boat or by swimming/snorkeling around the point from Maho Bay or down the shore from Francis Bay.

If you want to enjoy a nice snorkel alone or with your partner, then sit quietly in the sand on a beach with no other humans, this is the place to do it. Park at Maho Bay, find a spot for your chairs and cooler, then snorkel around to Maho Point to the north or ‘right’ when standing on the beach.

Leinster Bay

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.

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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