Maho Bay.
Sea turtles in shallow water.
The calmest, most family-friendly beach on St. John's North Shore — with sea turtles grazing in the seagrass just offshore.
What makes Maho Bay special
Maho Bay is where you go to see sea turtles. Green sea turtles graze the seagrass beds in the shallow water just offshore, often within 20 feet of the beach. Most mornings, snorkelers spot at least one. Stingrays and the occasional spotted eagle ray also cruise through.
What makes Maho different from other St. John beaches is how easy it is. The shuttle stops directly on the road — no parking lot walk, no stairs, no trail. The water is shallow for a long way out, calm, and warm. The beach is wide and flat. Natural shade from trees lines the back of the beach. It's the easiest beach day on St. John for families with kids, older guests, and anyone who values a low-effort outing.
The name "Maho" reflects the area's Danish colonial history — Maho was a sugar plantation in the 18th and 19th centuries before the land became part of Virgin Islands National Park. The plantation ruins are not visible from the beach but you can see the bay's geology — the calm protected basin is what made it valuable plantation harbor too.
What to bring to Maho Bay
✓ Available on-site
🎒 Worth bringing from your villa
Activities at Maho Bay
Sea turtle snorkeling. The main attraction. Walk into the shallow water and look for turtles grazing the seagrass — they're usually 10-30 feet offshore in 3-6 feet of water. Federal law requires you to stay at least 10 feet away and never touch, feed, or chase them. Best viewing is morning, calm water days.
Swimming. The shallow extends almost 50 yards from shore in some sections — exceptional for young kids. The bottom is sandy with patches of seagrass. No significant current.
Beach hangouts. The wide flat beach has natural tree shade along the back. Easy to set up for a long, lazy day. Less crowded than Trunk Bay even in high season.
Photography. Maho is most photographed at golden hour, when the water turns gold and turtles surface to breathe. Drone shots from above show the seagrass patterns clearly.
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 Maho Bay — the beach is part of Virgin Islands National Park but doesn't charge an entry fee (unlike Trunk Bay). You can come and go freely.
Parking is along the North Shore Road shoulder — limited spots that fill quickly on busy days. The road parking gets congested by 10:30 AM in high season. The shuttle's biggest advantage at Maho is skipping this parking puzzle entirely.
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 Maho Bay — from select Cruz Bay hotels or the ferry dock (villa pickups via private taxi). $12 per person from Cruz Bay.
FAQ — Maho Bay
Most mornings yes — green sea turtles graze the seagrass beds offshore and are seen on a majority of visits. They are most active in the morning and on calm-water days. Federal law requires you to stay at least 10 feet away and never touch, feed, or chase them.
Yes — Maho is widely considered the best family beach on St. John. The water stays shallow for a long way out, the bottom is sandy, the beach is wide and flat, there is natural tree shade, and a concession is on-site for snacks and gear. The shuttle drops directly at the beach so no long walk with kids.
Yes — a small concession offers food, drinks, snorkel rentals, and beach chair rentals. Restrooms are available. It is less full-service than Trunk Bay but more equipped than the bare-beach options like Hawksnest or Jumbie.
Maho is shallower, calmer, more family-friendly, and has reliable turtle sightings. Trunk Bay is more famous, has the underwater snorkel trail, charges a $5 entry fee, and has more amenities. If you have time for two beaches, do both — they offer different experiences.
No — Maho Bay is inside Virgin Islands National Park but does not charge an entry fee. Trunk Bay is the only St. John beach that charges a per-person park fee.
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.