Beaches and Hikes

Fun. Sun. And underwater sea life.

BEACHES AND HIKES ST JOHN

Whether an easy stroll along the sandy beach or challenging hike, each item within this 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 some photos and 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.

TRUNK BAY

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 beach offers a bar, a food shack, and a retail store. Bathrooms and showers also available. The best deal for snorkel rental* is here. (Amenities typically close around 4-4:30; beach does not close)

North Shore Road. About 15 minutes from villa (driving distance). 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

Beach, Bar, Lounge, Live Music (some days), Snorkel, Paddle board, Retail. This is a new hot spot for a beach stop, entertainment and turtles. Typically a lot of boats to gaze at too. (Amenities typically close around 4-4:30; beach does not close)

North Shore Road. About 10 minutes from the villa (driving distance). Easy walk from the parking area. Bring flip flops, snorkel, cooler, beach chair and pool noodle.

RAM HEAD TRAIL & SALT POND BEACH (pictured)

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.

Route 107, passed Coral Bay, passed Miss Lucy’s restaurant. Within 15 minutes from the villa (driving distance to the parking area)

AMERICA HILL HIKE & CINNAMON BAY BEACH

A hike with a bird-eye, panoramic view and a beach when you’ve finished. Just a short walk across the street from the parking lot of Cinnamon Bay to the trail. Walk through Bay Rum trees and Tyer Palms and up to the Estate dating back to the 1850s. See ruins of the Main House, the Cookhouse, Cistern, Servant’s Quarters of a St. John plantation.

Cinnamon Bay beach is open, but there is currently construction of some type as the effort is underway to rebuild campgrounds and amenities damaged in the hurricanes of 2017. Currently no food, bar, bathrooms, etc.

For the hike: Moderate hike with sneakers or sneaker sandals needed; Backpack; 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 also. This is not a great spot for snorkeling.

North Shore Road. About 12 minutes from villa (driving distance).

ANNABERG SUGAR PLANTATION RUINS

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. https://www.vinow.com/stj/stj-a/national-park/annaberg-plantation/

Flip flops or sneaker sandals.

Off of North Shore Road. About 15 minutes from the villa (driving distance). From here you can go to any beach on the 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 $10/pp)

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 ($10 golf cart ride round trip per person; wear flip flops). Amenities include bar, food, retail, bathrooms (Amenities typically close around 4-4:30; beach does not close).

North Shore Road. About 20+ minutes from the villa (driving distance to the Lind Point parking area; 15 minutes to the Caneel Bay parking area).

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.

We recommend sneaker sandals or something similar.

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.

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. Details here. Tickets can be booked here.

Mid-Island. Accessible from Route 10 /Centerline Road (about midway between our villa and Cruz Bay). As you are heading on Rt. 10 toward Cruz Bay, the trail head begins on your left side at the bottom of a hill – there will be a sign for it. Park off the side of the road. Within 15 minutes from the villa (driving distance to the parking area).

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. Within 10 minutes of the villa (driving distance to the parking area).

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. Within 17 minutes from the villa (driving distance to the parking area).

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. Within 17 minutes from the villa (driving distance to the parking area).

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. Within 17 minutes from the villa (driving distance to the parking area).

HIKING & 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.

PHOTO GALLERY

MAPS & OTHER GREAT RESOURCES:

FOR CLARIFICATION

Most beaches and hikes are within the protected lands of the national park. And, since you won’t find beaches lined with hotels in St. John, the vast majority of villas in St. John (including ours) are not within easy or quick walking distance to beaches or hikes of those protected lands. Therefore, within this Guidebook we describe distances from our villa to be interpreted as driving distance.

Whenever “walk” or “hike” is used, it is to be interpreted as the type of walk or hike to expect (from easy to challenging) from your vehicle once you arrive at the at the destination starting point or parking area.