The Best Beaches

The Best Beaches in St. John, USVI: My Five Favorites After 12 Visits

THE ST. JOHN EDIT | M.Fairchild Edit

After 12 trips to St. John, I can honestly say that the beaches are one of the biggest reasons we keep coming back. Powdery white sand, impossibly blue water, beautiful natural shade, and the kind of laid-back atmosphere that makes you forget what day it is.

We've explored so many of the island's beaches over the years, and while they're all beautiful in their own way, we've definitely developed our favorites.

Our beach routine is pretty simple. We get there early! Parking on St. John can be a challenge, especially at the more popular beaches, and securing one of those coveted spots for our Jeep is key.

We pack a cooler with beach snacks — usually cheese, crackers, and a cold can of St. John Brewers beer — and settle in for a few hours of swimming, snorkeling, and relaxing.

By lunchtime, we're usually ready to pack up and head back toward Cruz Bay for lunch at Mongoose Junction.

It's my idea of a perfect St. John day.

Here are my five favorite beaches on the island.

1. Francis Bay — My Absolute Favorite

If I had to choose just one beach on St. John, it would be Francis Bay.

There's something about this beach that I absolutely love. It's peaceful, beautiful, and feels a little more removed from the busier parts of the island.

The beach is spacious, the water is often calm, and the natural surroundings are gorgeous. It's the kind of place where I could happily spend an entire morning doing absolutely nothing.

And one of my favorite parts is actually the drive out there.

Keep your eyes open for the island's wild donkeys! We've loved spotting them along the way, and it's become one of those little St. John traditions I look forward to.

Francis Bay feels like the St. John I fell in love with years ago.

My tip: Arrive early, bring your cooler, and enjoy a slow morning.

2. Trunk Bay — The Iconic St. John Beach

There's a reason Trunk Bay appears on practically every list of the world's most beautiful beaches.

The water is an incredible shade of turquoise, the sand is soft and white, and the views are absolutely breathtaking.

Even after visiting St. John so many times, Trunk Bay never gets old.

It's also famous for its underwater snorkeling trail, where you can swim along marked areas and learn about the marine life below.

Because Trunk Bay is one of the island's most popular beaches, it can get busy, and parking fills up quickly.

My tip: Go early! It's worth experiencing before the crowds arrive.

3. Cinnamon Bay — A Beautiful Stretch of Sand

Cinnamon Bay is another longtime favorite.

It's one of the island's longest beaches, with gorgeous white sand, beautiful water, and plenty of room to spread out.

I love the open, spacious feeling here. It's a wonderful place to spend a morning swimming, walking along the shoreline, or simply relaxing with a good book.

The scenery is spectacular, and there's something about the combination of the green hills and turquoise water that feels quintessentially St. John.

My tip: Cinnamon Bay is a great choice when you want a little more space to settle in for the morning.

4. Maho Bay — Sea Turtles & Island Fun

Maho Bay is one of the best-known beaches on St. John, especially for spotting sea turtles.

The shallow, generally calm water makes it a wonderful place to snorkel, and seeing a sea turtle swimming peacefully below you is an experience you won't forget.

I will say that Maho has become much more touristy over the years. It's definitely busier than it used to be.

But one of the conveniences is that you can grab food and drinks right across the street, which makes it an easy place to spend a few hours without packing quite as much.

It's a fun, lively beach, especially if you're hoping to see turtles.

My tip: Bring your snorkel gear, watch for turtles, and give them plenty of space. Never touch or chase them.

5. Hawksnest Beach — Easy, Beautiful & Relaxed

Hawksnest is another beach we love returning to.

One of my favorite things about St. John's beaches is the natural shade from the trees, and Hawksnest is a beautiful place to enjoy that island atmosphere.

The beach is relatively easy to access from the road, making it a convenient stop for a morning of swimming and relaxing.

The water is gorgeous, the setting is beautiful, and it has that wonderful St. John feeling of being surrounded by nature.

Like the other popular beaches, parking can be limited, so arriving early is always a good idea.

My tip: Look for a shady spot beneath the trees and settle in.

Our Perfect St. John Beach Day

After so many visits, we've developed a routine that works for us.

We get up early, load up the Jeep, and head out before the beaches get too crowded.

Our cooler usually includes cheese, crackers, a few snacks, and a cold can of St. John Brewers beer. Nothing fancy — just the essentials for a relaxed Caribbean morning.

We spend a few hours swimming, snorkeling, enjoying the views, and soaking up that beautiful St. John sunshine.

Then, just as the beaches start getting busier, we're usually ready for lunch.

One of our favorite routines is heading back toward Cruz Bay and stopping at Mongoose Junction, where we can enjoy lunch and browse some of the shops.

Beach in the morning, lunch in Cruz Bay, and back to our villa for an afternoon by the pool.

Honestly, it doesn't get much better than that.

A Few Tips for Visiting St. John's Beaches

Get there early. Parking is limited at many beaches, especially during the busy season.
Rent a Jeep. Having your own vehicle makes exploring the island so much easier.
Bring a cooler. We love packing simple snacks and drinks for the morning. Follow beach rules about glass and alcohol, and always take your trash with you.
Pack snorkel gear. Trunk Bay is known for its underwater snorkeling trail, while Maho Bay is especially popular for sea turtle sightings.
Respect the wildlife. Watch sea turtles and donkeys from a distance, and never feed or touch them.
Don't forget reef-safe sun protection. Choose sunscreen that complies with USVI regulations, and consider a rash guard for extra protection.