Hawksnest Beach.
The closest beach to Cruz Bay.
Three small connected coves with reef snorkeling off the rocky points. Less crowded than Trunk because there's no concession or fee — just bring everything you need.
What makes Hawksnest special
Hawksnest is the closest beach. If you're staying in Cruz Bay and want a quick beach day without the long ride to Maho or Francis, Hawksnest is your spot. The shuttle drops you in 10 minutes.
The beach is actually three small connected coves separated by rocky points. The central cove is the most populated; the two outer coves are quieter, with the rocky points providing the best snorkeling. Coral heads and reef fish line both sides of the bay.
Because Hawksnest has no concession or facilities, it's never as crowded as Trunk or even Cinnamon Bay. Cruise ship crowds tend to go to the more famous beaches. Locals who want a Cruz Bay-adjacent swim often pick Hawksnest for exactly this reason.
Hawksnest is inside Virgin Islands National Park and has been protected since the park's establishment in 1956. No National Park entry fee here.
What to bring to Hawksnest
🎒 Pack everything from your villa
Hawksnest has no on-site facilities — no concession, no rentals, no restrooms. Plan to bring everything you need for the day.
Activities at Hawksnest
Reef snorkeling off the points. The rocky points on either end of the bay have the best snorkeling — coral, reef fish, occasional rays. The eastern point (closest to Cruz Bay) is the easier entry; the western point requires a longer swim but rewards with bigger fish.
Swimming. The central cove has calm protected water — good for swimmers. The bottom is sandy with patches of seagrass closer to shore. Less family-friendly than Maho or Trunk because of the rockier sides, but the central beach is fine.
Quick beach hours. Hawksnest's proximity to Cruz Bay makes it perfect for a 2-3 hour beach trip. Morning snorkel, return for lunch in town. Bring your own gear.
Park fees and parking
Park rules: No amplified music is allowed on any Virgin Islands National Park beach. Reef-safe sunscreen is required (chemical SPF banned in USVI). Federally protected wildlife (sea turtles, rays, nurse sharks) cannot be touched, fed, or chased — stay at least 10 feet away.
No National Park entry fee at Hawksnest. Free public access.
Parking is in a small lot at the beach entrance. Fills up but less aggressively than Trunk Bay because Hawksnest doesn't draw cruise ship crowds the same way.
Shuttle advantage: Skip the parking question entirely. We drop you at the beach entrance and pick you up at a scheduled time.
Skip the parking lot
Book a shuttle seat to Hawksnest — from select Cruz Bay hotels or the ferry dock (villa pickups via private taxi). $8 per person from Cruz Bay.
FAQ — Hawksnest
Yes — the rocky points on either end of the bay have reef snorkeling with coral heads, reef fish, and occasional rays. The eastern point is the easier entry. Hawksnest is not as famous as Waterlemon Cay for snorkeling but is good and far less crowded.
No — Hawksnest has no concession, no rentals, no restrooms. Pack everything from your villa: water, snacks, chairs, snorkel gear, reef-safe sunscreen. The lack of facilities also means the beach is far less crowded than amenity-rich beaches like Trunk and Maho.
About a 10-minute shuttle ride from Cruz Bay — the closest National Park beach to town. This makes it perfect for a quick morning beach trip with return to Cruz Bay for lunch.
No — Hawksnest is inside Virgin Islands National Park but has no entry fee. Free public access.
Confirm your return pickup time with the driver in person, before they drop you off. Cell service at most St. John beaches is unreliable — you cannot count on calling or texting from the sand. Your pickup time is saved on the ticket you received when you booked; take a screenshot of it before you leave Cruz Bay. At drop-off, verbally confirm the pickup time and exact pickup location with the driver, and your driver will return at that time.