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| Exploring St. John |
| Island Attractions |
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| VI National Park |
| St. John Beaches & Hiking Trails |
Please use the guide here for an overview only. There are other beaches and trails not listed here. More accurate maps and trail descriptions can be obtained from the VI National park. Read the Park's regulations in the guide, some of the more important ones are:
Beachs, Hiking & Watersports on St. John,
US Virgin Islands
Caneel Bay Resort (North Shore) is the original resort of St. John, established by Rockefeller in the 50's. There are seven wonderful beaches there, some reserved solely for use by the hotel guests. However several are open for all to use including the beautifully landscaped main Caneel beach which is accessed through the resort. Get the guide for day-visitors at their front desk. The secluded beaches at Solomon Bay and Honeymoon Bay (North Shore) are accessed by a short hike that starts behind the National Park Center in Cruz Bay. Side by side, they are not visible to each other. Both offer rocky points for great snorkeling and sandy beaches for swimming and sunning. Solomon beach is clothing optional. Hawksnest Beach (North Shore) is smaller and
quieter than its neighboring Trunk Bay. White sandy beach and plenty
of facilities including a large parking lot, covered picnic pavilions,
grills for barbecuing, picnic tables, toilets and a place to change
clothes. Coral and out croppings of rocks offer exciting underwater
exploration. The pavilions at this beach are often used by locals
for meetings and social events.
Francis Bay, (North Shore) one of the longest of the beaches is a local favorite for gatherings. Facilities include charcoal grills, picnic tables and outhouses but no changing areas. Parking is roadside but can be convenient for those who arrive early. Leinster Bay and Watermelon Cay are accessible by water or by hiking the Leinster Bay Trail. Both good spots for swimming and underwater exploring. If that short hike is not enough continue to follow the trail south, and you will be led to the Emmaus Moravian Church in Coral Bay. Maho Bay (North Shore) is easily accessible from the road however parking is roadside and limited. There are changing facilities as well as a covered pavilion available for group events by obtaining with a special VI National Park permit. Salt Pond Beach is accessed by a five minute walk from the road. This sandy crescent shaped beach is usually quiet although it has become more popular with the locals over the past few years. There you will find rock outcroppings in the bay that are terrific for snorkeling. Facilities include picnic tables, grills for barbecuing and an outhouse. Franks Tings is nearby offering snacks and cold drinks. At the end of the beach you will find the starts for hikes to the salt pond, where the beach got its name, to Drunk Bay and to Ram's Head. Trunk Bay (North Shore) is by far the most popular beach with the visitors for swimming, snorkeling, sun bathing and photographing. There is a shallow 200 yard underwater snorkeling trail clearly marked with plaques identifying corals and fish. Novices will find this a great way to break into the sport of snorkeling. Facilities include washrooms, fresh water showers, changing areas, telephones, a picnic pavilion, snackbar, shop, snorkeling equipment rental and the presence of lifeguards. Trunk Bay is a Use Fee Area. Daily and annual passes are available for sale at the kiosk staffed by the Friends of the Virgin Islands National Park volunteers, and are good for both swimming at the beach and visiting the Annaberg sugar plantation. Children age 16 and under are admitted free; adults, $4; individual annual pass, $10; family annual pass, $15; Golden Age and Golden Access cards are honored. The kiosk, open from 8 am to 4 PM also provides event and general park information.
HIKING ~ Self Guided Annaberg Trail (approx.: 0.5 hours) Hike through the ruins of the old sugar plantation. Cinnamon Bay Loop Trail (approx.: 1 hour) Starts next to the road entering the Cinnamon Bay Campground and takes you by the historic sugar factory and Danish cemetery. Lind Point Trail (approx.: 1 hour) Travels from the National Park Visitor Center in Cruz Bay to Honeymoon Beach, Caneel Bay. Near the halfway point there is a trail leads off to Salomon Beach. Francis Bay Trail (approx.: 0.5 hours) Starts near the Maho Bay Campground, at the west end of the Mary Creek road and takes you past the Francis Bay Estate House and to the beach. Salt Pond Trail (approx.: 0.25 hours) An easy hike downhill to Salt Pond beach.
Reef Bay Trail (approx.: 2 hours) This downhill hike begins half way between Cruz Bay and Coral Bay on Centerline Road. You will pass by a couple of sugar estates and be able to view the Petroglyphs. Hiking guide for the North Shore trails | Hiking guide for the south shore trails A Walk in the Park ~ (340) 643-6397 National Park : Ranger Led Walks
Hike St. John Hike St. John's Intention is to promote the natural and cultural history of St. John and to protect its pristine beauty while having a safe & enjoyable adventure.
Odyssey ~ (340) 776-1080 ~ Begin your sailing odyssey in beautiful Coral Bay on the East End of St. John ... snorkel, swim, visit other islands Nauti Nymph Powerboats ~ (340) 775-5066 ~ Fleet of new 25'-29' Fountains, featuring cuddy cabins and center consoles. Alcyone ~ Sailboat Charter ~ Snorkel, trail a line, or take the tiller... Enjoy the total experience of sailing and snorkeling with Captain Bob and Anna. Gone Ketchin' ~ Sportfishing: Troll for Marlin, Wahoo, Mahi, King Mackerel, Barracuda, Tuna. Paradise Watersports ~ SCUBA Diving, St. John US Virgin Islands(USVI)... Caribbean Parasail ~ (340) 775-9360 ~ They"ll bring the boat to you ... professionally trained under US Coast Guard rules Cruz Bay Watersports ~ (340) 776-6234 ~ Scuba Diving & Snorkeling: half day or full day excursions Low Key Watersports ~ (340) 693-8999 ~ Rent a kayak, dinghy ... go fishing, sailing, parasailing or snorkeling Paradise Watersports ~ (340) 779-4999 ~ Diveboats leave from the Caneel Bay Resort dock. Arawak Expeditions Kayaking ~ (340) 693-8312 Caribbean Watersports ~ (340) 775-9360 St. John Adventures ~ (340) 693-7730 ~ scuba, snuba, Fishing, Parasailing, raft or boat tour with ecologist Noah's Little Arks ~ (340) 693-9030 ~ Wharfside Village Dinghy rentals for a half day, full day, or a week... fully equipped for safety and fun. Adventures in Paradise ~ (340) 779-4527 ~ across from
the Post Office Boat rentals, Catamaran Adventure Tours ~ (340) 771-6950 Guided Snorkeling Tours ~ (340)776-6216
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Cinnamon
Bay Beach and Campground: (North Shore) Cinnamon Bay is the
National Park's longest beach. This mile long, white sandy beach
offers views of other islands and plenty of shade. Facilities include:
an activity desk, snack bar, general store, restrooms, changing
areas. telephones and a watersports center where windsurfers, kayaks
and mountain bikes are available to rent. Between dips in the water
visit the Cinnamon Bay dig close to the beach take the nature walk,
a self guided trail through the ruins of the old Cinnamon Bay sugar
factory. 
Rams
Head Trail (approx.: 2 hours) Starts at the Salt Pond and goes
past Trunk Bay
Suggested items for all hikes: ample drinking water, sturdy walking
and or wading shoes, hat, sun screen, bug repellent, camera, notebook
and pencil. 
Crabby's
Watersports ~ (340) 714 2415, Coral Bay
