Best Secluded Beaches on St. John, USVI
If you know our family, you know that St. John is one of our favorite places on earth. This tiny island is 60% covered by a national park. So, it is not as overbuilt as many other Caribbean islands. The only way to get there is by ferry (we cover traveling to St. John in a separate post). As a result, it has managed to maintain a very low key vibe and it is extremely safe for tourists. It also makes it the ideal island to find secluded beaches.
Anyone who has ever been to St. John, USVI will tell you that picking a ‘best beach’ is not that easy. Every one of them is wonderful in its own unique way. It really depends on what you are looking for in a beach. In order to help you identify which beach you want to hit while on this beautiful island, we have categorized them. Today’s post will be about some of the best secluded beaches on this gem of an island.
Little Lameshur Bay
If you are in search of one of those beautiful secluded beaches with nice sand and pretty good snorkeling, then Little Lameshur Bay is a great choice. We have seen everything from squid to barracuda to stingrays to various small tropical fish in this bay. Because it is down a dirt road, we would not recommend going in anything other than a Jeep or truck. The road can have some pretty big potholes after rainy season! Don’t let the dirt road deter you though. The paradise you will find is worth it!
To get there, take Route 107 out of Coral Bay (see map below) and follow it along the coast. Eventually, the road will turn to dirt and has a few winding climbing parts before leveling back out again. You will pass the Virgin Islands Environmental Resource Station (which is worth a visit if you have any interest in environmental conservation and history) and continue until you see the beautiful bay on your left. You can park within steps of the beach just off the road.
There are outhouse type facilities there but nothing else. Come prepared with lots to drink and preferably a picnic lunch, if you want to enjoy a nice quiet day at the beach. There are some rocks right at the water’s edge, but overall it is a good sandy beach and typically the crystal clear water that makes St. John paradise. We have one word of caution in regards to the south beaches. The beaches on the south side of the island tend to be more affected by windy conditions than the ones on the north side.
Salt Pond Beach
Between Coral Bay and Little Lameshur Bay, you will pass another one of those beautiful secluded beaches, Salt Pond Beach (see map below). There is a very small parking area to access the beach. As a result, there are usually no more than a couple of other people there. The beach is a good size with some good snorkeling along both sides of the bay. Like Lameshur, the beach is a little rocky as you enter the water. However, there is great sand on the beach itself. There are no facilities at this beach, but there is a great hiking trail out to the point with a nice view from Ram Head Peak.
If you are planning a trip to St. John, you should also check out our posts on the best snorkeling beaches and the most beautiful beaches. Regardless, we hope you find the joy of ‘island time’!
