13 Most Beautiful Beaches in St John USVI You Can’t Miss

In the USVI, St John has developed a reputation for having some of the best beaches in the Caribbean. Just along its famous North Shore lie spectacular golden sands and effervescent blue waters.

I live in the Virgin Islands, so I’ve been lucky enough to not just see, but to explore and appreciate the beauty of each of the beaches.  

Much of St John lies under the banner of the Virgin Islands National Park. The protected beauty provides the beaches with a natural aura, far removed from commercial developments. 

The effects are clear. Each patch of sand provides you with picturesque views. Curved bays create calm seas and underwater marine life and coral thrive.

It’s easy to see why you can’t miss out on the beaches if you’re visiting St Thomas or St John. To help with your planning, I’ve created a list of all the beaches in St John that you simply must see to believe! Let’s dive in.

Discover the Beaches in St John USVI

1. Maho Bay

The iridescent waters of Maho Bay always hit the spot for me. Such is the radiant beauty of this spot, it’s always worth braving the crowds that follow.

Maho Bay is number one for a reason. Along St. John’s North Shore, the bay cuts deeply into the island. The enormous U-shape creates serene swimming conditions that never disappoint.

While I find it to be the perfect spot for swimming, so do many others! Because of that, it happens to be a more popular spot on the island than some other St John beaches. 

From your spot on the beach, you’ll spend time figuring out which yacht is your favorite (most recently, the likes of Bezos and the Packert family’s yacht). 

But soon the grassy seabeds call your name and the chance to spot turtles and rays.

With an appetite earned, you’ll find food trucks and cocktails are just a step away.

2. Trunk Bay

Alongside Maho Bay, Trunk Bay is arguably the most famous beach on St. John. Your trip starts with a viewpoint that looks down on the bay’s golden beach and off-shore cay. It’s an insta-worthy view!

Trunk Bay has a parking lot just a short walk from the beach. After paying your national park entry fee, you’ll quickly find your spot and bask in the postcard-worthy scenery. 

The beach curves around the coast in an S-shape, creating different sections as it goes. Alongside the turquoise shores, there is some excellent snorkeling here, including an underwater trail.

While the underwater trail is a neat little adventure, it’s a little underwhelming. I wouldn’t go out of your way to hit the trail, but if you’re at Trunk Bay and have gear, it’s worth a swim out! 

3. Hawksnest Beach

Enveloped in tropical flora, Hawksnest Beach remains a go-to spot for residents of both St. John and St. Thomas. The picnic tables and BBQ grills make it a great spot to get together and enjoy time on the sand.

But like any St. John beach, you can expect that same Caribbean blue to welcome you on arrival. The parking lot is two steps from the sand and after jumping through some bushes and flora, you’ll find a wide, open space to relax.

While not as protected as Maho Bay, Hawksnest Beach stays shallow for a decent way into the water which is great for families.

4. Leinster Bay, Watermelon Cay

Where some beaches on St. John, US Virgin Islands feature cloud-like white sands, Leinster Bay takes a different approach. It traded in sand for pebbles and arguably the best snorkel spot on the island.

From the parking lot to the beach, travelers will embark on a flat 0.5-mile walk. Once you spot the aqua-blue waters, you’ll know you’ve arrived! 

Because of the walk and its remote location, Leinster Bay is a quiet alcove. But within the bay lies Waterlemon Cay, where beds of seagrass and vibrant coral attract a variety of sealife including rays, conch, starfish, sea fans, and yes, sea turtles!! 

5. Lameshur Bay

Beauty and history collide at Lameshur Bay. On St. John’s South Shore, the bay features the Lameshur Bay Trail that snakes by historic sugar mill ruins, petroglyphs, and the remains of the Par Force Great House. 

But I digress. The beaches within the bay are just as much a reason to visit. However, not that many do because getting here requires some off-road fun and I recommend having a 4X4.

Those who complete the journey will be rewarded with quiet, golden sands that lead to fantastic swimming and exploring. After snorkeling above the seabeds, make the most of the beach’s BBQs and table setups.

6. Caneel Bay

The jewel-toned elegance of Caneel Bay immediately captures your attention. Personally, this is my favorite beach in St. John. Whether you arrive on foot or in the water, the bay is enveloped by soft, white sand and flowing palms.

The nature on the edge of the beach is just overgrown enough to feel rustic and not overbearing. But once you put down a beach towel, you’ll spend most of your time watching the sun rhythmically dance across the emerald waters interrupted only by the shadows of turtles.

Calm and protected, Caneel Bay is easy to swim around. You’ll also find reefs towards her outer edges for some adventurous exploration.

7. Hansen Bay Beach

On St. John’s East End, Hansen Bay Beach is kind to those who go against the grain. Many of the island’s most popular St John beaches lie on the north coast, but to escape the crowds, you can come right here.

After about 35 minutes, you’ll arrive at the bay. It features several choices, but Vie’s Beach is my favorite. 

Vie, who ran the beach’s former SnackShack may have retired, but the soft white sands and the vivid hue of the water still make for the perfect beach day.

The vegetation flows onto the sands, creating a remote vibe – if you can’t tell, I love a shoreline filled with vegetation – there’s something uniquely captivating about it. 

The serene waters are great to float on and the underwater world offers some fun snorkeling.

8. Honeymoon Beach

Despite its growing fame, Honeymoon Beach is still awash with secluded vibes and natural charm. You can arrive via car and shuttle (for a fee) or walk around 25 minutes along the Lind Point Trail – one of St John’s popular hiking trails. 

On arrival, the reflective radiance of the water makes for the perfect welcome. 

The extra steps needed for access take away some of the crowds and those who do make it tend to embrace the beach’s tranquil purpose.

Visitors will have access to the beach kiosks for snacks and drinks. You can also rent lounge chairs and umbrellas. 

9. Cinnamon Bay

With over a half-mile of uninterrupted golden sands, Cinnamon Bay is home to St. John’s longest beach. It’s easy to find your slice of paradise here with so much space to spread out!

There’s something for everyone at Cinnamon Bay. I mentioned the space, perfect for beach readers and those who want to watch the day float by. 

The brilliance of the turquoise waters isn’t just good to look at either. The shallow waters are great to relax in. Further offshore there is a small cay with some excellent snorkeling.

10. Oppenheimer Beach + Gibney Beach

The 40-acre Gibney estate grew a little smaller with Oppenheimer (yes, that Oppenheimer!) built a small family home on the coast. When that parcel was returned to the island, it created what we now know as either Oppenheimer or Gibney Beach.

With limited parking and an off-the-beaten-path location, this stretch of sand is often devoid of fellow travelers. It’s a place to simply relax and enjoy the scenery. 

Palm trees hang over the soft white sand, creating ample shade for beachgoers. This beach offers some nice near-shore snorkeling, unlike other beaches that require a bit of a swim offshore to reach the corals.

11. Salomon Bay

With sugar-white sand, electric blue water, and a remote location, Saloman Bay is one of the more unheralded beaches here on St. John. A 1-mile trek along the Lind Point Trail is required to arrive at the beach’s sandy shore. 

From Caneel Bay, there is also a shuttle for a fee.

As it’s attached at the hip to Honeymoon Bay, Salomon shares many of the same qualities. There’s ample shade and shallow waters for relaxing swimming. 

The coral reef that connects both bays has great snorkeling and is home to blue runners, French grunts, and colorful coral.

12. Cruz Bay

Most travelers going from St Thomas to St. John will take the ferry into Cruz Bay. From there, they’ll fan out to many of the aforementioned beaches. 

However, Cruz Bay itself does have something to offer.

Its main sandy stretch is backed by restaurants and bars, each serving a different purpose – from upscale dining to simple pub food. There are also plenty of different hotels to stay at nearby.

While you can sit on the sand and take a dip, there is a lot of boat traffic here, so it’s not a popular spot for swimming.

With that said, after a day at the beach, you can dip your toes in here, grab a drink at the Beach Bar and take in the sunset. The Beach Bar often has live music as well.

13. Francis Bay Beach

On the northern end of Maho Bay is Francis Bay Beach. While most stop to enjoy the spoils of Maho Bay, what lies beyond is a quiet bay that lies in perpetual beauty.

Unaffected by the tides, visitors will find shade to go along with the ivory sands and much of the scenery that attracts folks to Maho Bay. Along the right end of the bay lies a reef with great coral, schools of fish, and manta rays!

FAQ: St John USVI Beaches

Are beaches public in St. John?

Yes – all beaches in St. John are public. The exception is Trunk Bay, which is public, but located within Virgin Islands National Park, where a fee is required for entry. Fees are not required when arriving via boat charter. 

However, you can’t always expect access to be simple. Some beaches, such as Honeymoon Beach and Leinster Bay, don’t have easy parking lots to access the beaches. 

Maho, Trunk, Caneel, and Cinnamon Bay all have buoys with access channels for dinghies to get to shore.

Which is better, Trunk Bay or Honeymoon Beach?

Two of the most celebrated beaches in St. John, Trunk Bay and Honeymoon Beach remain at the front of minds for visitors. 

Trunk Bay is raw, with meandering ivory sands that bend around the coast. Once called Jumby Bay, Honeymoon Beach garnered a reputation on the back of its romantic aura.

While both are easy on the eye, getting to Trunk Bay by land is much easier. Whether it’s by private vehicle or on the “Safari”, the car park is around 50 yards from the beach.

To get to the romantic, amenity-rich Honeymoon Bay, you must walk to the Lind Point Trail. Or better yet, arrive on a day charter.

It’s hard to split either beach in terms of sheer beauty, although they do have two differing personalities.

Can you swim on St. John Island?

Yes, you can swim on St. John. Not only does each location make for some memorable photo-ops, but the calm, clear waters present some great snorkeling or relaxing floats.

Travelers should keep in mind that the Trade Winds that changed the course of human history are still in effect today. These winds affect some beaches more than others, causing greater swell to mix in with some strong currents.

It’s always good to have a couple of backup options such as Maho or Caneel Bay, whose protective banks provide more consistent swim conditions.

How warm is the water in St John?

The water temperature in St John hovers in the low 80s Fahrenheit year-round. This makes for comfortable swimming temps whether you come in June or December. 

With the help of the exterior temperature and searing sun, the warmer water temps still feel refreshing. This is especially true after some time sunbathing and playing in the sand.

Is it safe to walk around St. John?

In short, yes, it is safe to walk around St. John. In places like Cruz Bay, it’s nice to explore on foot, do some window shopping, and see what piques your interest. 

But much like St. John just across the water, St. John is not the kind of place you want to only walk. Once you get beyond Cruz Bay, you’ll need some form of transport to get from A to B.

Not only is the island incredibly hilly, but the lack of footpaths and tons of blind turns make it quite dangerous to walk along the roads. 

What is the prettiest beach on St. John?

As they say, “beauty is in the eye of the beholder”. Choosing St. John’s prettiest beach is like ranking your favorite kids (for me it is, anyway). They all have something different to offer.

Using objective measures and visitation, Maho Bay is the most spectacular beach on St. John. The lengthy, protected shore boasts soft sand with excellent views. When you venture underwater, you’ll find quaint grassy seabeds home to turtles and rays.

However, my own answer is Caneel Bay. This quiet stretch of ivory sand features water that is both electric blue and utterly translucent. Few crowds gather here and it often feels like your own private escape. 

Summary of the Best Beaches in St John US Virgin Islands

Well, there you have it folks, the best beaches in St. John, USVI! With differing personalities, amenities and popularity, there is no losing here. If you don’t have an abundance of time, it helps to choose the beach that suits your way of travel and goals.

For some, transport and access are most important. Therefore, Hawksnest, Maho, or Trunk Bay may lie at the top of the list. For others, getting to more remote alcoves will be time well spent, so Hansen, Gibney, or Leinster Bay may be the best choice.

Wherever you go, the vibrant, emerald-hued waters of the Caribbean Sea will welcome you during your visit to St John.