The 10 best St. John beaches you can reach by shuttle.
Ranked by what guests actually want — snorkeling, sea turtles, photos, family-friendly, or privacy. Each beach with the fare from Cruz Bay and what makes it worth the trip.
Trunk Bay
The iconic crescent of white sand inside Virgin Islands National Park. Has the only self-guided underwater snorkel trail in the National Park system — markers on the seafloor identify coral and fish species. There's a $5 per-adult National Park entry fee (free under 16). The beach has restrooms, showers, a small concession, and lifeguards in season. Get here before 10 AM to beat the cruise ship crowds.
Maho Bay
Right on the road — the shuttle drops you 20 feet from the sand. Knee-deep water for a long way out, perfect for kids and non-swimmers. Green sea turtles graze the seagrass beds offshore and are seen on most mornings. There's a beach kiosk for drinks, snacks, and snorkel rentals. The wide flat beach has natural shade from trees in the afternoon.
Cinnamon Bay
The longest beach on St. John — over half a mile of sand. Cinnamon Bay Beach has a full watersports concession (kayak, paddleboard, snorkel rentals) and a beach bar restaurant. Snorkeling around Cinnamon Cay (the small offshore island) is excellent. Right behind the beach is the Cinnamon Bay Plantation ruins, a short interpretive walk through Danish colonial history.
Hawksnest Beach
The first National Park beach you hit driving north from Cruz Bay — only 10 minutes by shuttle. Three small connected coves with shallow reef just offshore. Less crowded than Trunk because there's no concession or fee. Bring everything you need: water, sunscreen, snacks. The eastern cove has the best snorkeling along the rocky point.
Caneel Bay
Once the exclusive resort beach of the 60-year-old Caneel Bay Resort, now National Park-managed and freely accessible since the resort closed after Hurricane Irma in 2017. Free parking, ~50-yard walk to the sand. Bare beach (no concession) — but a short 5-minute walk leads to the safari shuttle that runs to Honeymoon Beach where you can get food, drinks, and chair rentals. Quieter than the famous beaches because many visitors don't know it's now open.
Francis Bay
Past Maho, at the end of the North Shore Road. Long, broad beach that stays relatively quiet even in high season. The salt pond behind the beach is a National Park bird-watching site — great for early morning. Reliably good for sunset since it faces the right direction. Bring everything; there are no concessions.
Waterlemon Cay
Not exactly a beach — Waterlemon Cay is a small offshore island reached via a flat 30-minute walk along the Leinster Bay trail. The shuttle drops you at the trailhead. Once at the cay, swim or kayak the short channel to the island. The snorkeling around its perimeter is widely considered the best in the Caribbean — sea turtles, rays, reef fish, and occasional nurse sharks. Bring fins and reef-safe sunscreen.
Honeymoon Beach
Reached via safari shuttle from the Caneel Bay parking area (small per-person fee). Since Caneel Bay Resort closed in 2017, this once-exclusive beach is now public — and surprisingly still under-visited. Beach chair rentals, food concession, and a quiet, calm cove. Combine with Salomon Beach in the same trip — they're a 5-minute walk apart.
Salomon Beach
From the Caneel Bay parking area, a 15-minute walk down a wooded trail brings you to one of the most undeveloped beaches in the National Park. No facilities, no rentals, just a quiet crescent of sand and clear water. Often deserted, especially on weekdays. Bring everything you need including water — there's nothing here.
Oppenheimer Beach
A small, often-overlooked beach near Hawksnest. Named for J. Robert Oppenheimer who lived on St. John in later life. Limited parking, no facilities, but reliably uncrowded. Snorkeling along the rocky sides. Locals favor it for the morning before larger beaches fill up.
Jumbie Beach
A tiny pocket beach tucked between Hawksnest and Trunk Bay. Small parking lot fills early. No facilities, no concessions, no crowds most days. Excellent snorkeling along the rocky points on either end. A favorite of guests who want a "we found a private beach" feeling without leaving the National Park road.
Quick comparison: Cruz Bay shuttle fares to all beaches
| Beach | Solo rider (1 pax) | Group (2+ pax) | Round trip (2+ pax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caneel Bay / Honeymoon / Salomon | $9 | $8 | $16 |
| Hawksnest Beach | $9 | $8 | $16 |
| Oppenheimer Beach | $9 | $8 | $16 |
| Jumbie Beach | $12 | $9 | $18 |
| Trunk Bay | $12 | $9 | $18 |
| Cinnamon Bay | $14 | $11 | $22 |
| Maho Bay | $17 | $12 | $24 |
| Francis Bay | $20 | $14 | $28 |
| Waterlemon Cay (Leinster Bay trailhead) | $20 | $14 | $28 |
Rates are per person, based on the official US Virgin Islands Taxicab Commission tariff. Add 3.5% for credit card processing. Online booking adds a 10% optional gratuity by default (uncheck to opt out).
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