Most Beautiful Beaches on St. John, USVI

If you are traveling to St. John, you are likely in search of beautiful beaches. Fortunately, it is hard to be disappointed by this beautiful island. However, we think the following beaches are the most beautiful ones on St. John.

Honeymoon Beach

Most people reach Honeymoon Beach by boat rather than by foot. This means that it is an amazingly beautiful beach with no crowds. Since the destruction of Caneel Bay by the 2017 hurricanes, the only way to access Honeymoon from land is via the Lind Point trail (get map here) from the Cruz Bay Visitor Center. If you take the less strenuous Lower Lind Trail route which stays closer to the coastline, it is about a 2-mile hike each way. It is worth the hike!

We recommend heading out early enough in the day to beat the heat on the trail. Also, be sure to bring plenty of water to drink. We promise that you won’t regret the hike once you see this beautiful beach. It is very common to see stingrays here. The water is so crystal clear that you can enjoy watching them without fear of stepping on them.

Trunk Bay

There is a reason why Trunk Bay is THE destination for cruisers going on day excursions in the USVI. The beach is wide by St. John standards with soft sand. There is also a decent reef around the small cay in the bay (see our previous post on snorkeling Trunk Bay). The crescent-shaped bay is quite large. So, you can generally find a good spot to relax, sunbathe, and just take in the beauty.

Unlike most beaches on St. John, Trunk Bay can become quite crowded on cruise dock days. So, check the cruise schedules before planning to spend time at Trunk Bay. You can also arrive early or late to avoid the crowds. It is a must-see while on the island, but it is so much better without the crowds! The other thing to note about Trunk Bay is that it does require a facility use fee. At the moment, this fee is $5 per person. For that cost, you do get the use of nice restroom and shower facilities.

Maho Bay

Maho Bay is a beautiful beach and full of sea life, and the sunsets on this beach are unmatched. The close proximity of parking also makes this the perfect spot to take in a beautiful sunset without getting bit by too many ‘no-see-ums’ before you can get back to your car once the sun goes down. Maho is located on the North Shore Road just before it turns to go inland. See map below.

Hawksnest Beach

Hawksnest is a favorite of the locals due to its proximity to Cruz Bay, picnic facilities, and beautiful beach. Like most beaches around St. John, the water is usually crystal clear. It also has a wider sand beach than most and you can walk a long way out before it gets deep. If you venture around the rocks on the east end of the beach, you will find a beautiful small rocky beach. Hawksnest is very easy to access as it is right on the North Shore Road, and there is ample parking.