ENJOY a week luxuriating at some of the most beautiful beaches of the world! Who doesn’t like that idea? Here is a guide to what I think are the BEST SAINT JOHN USVI BEACHES! The bluest, cleanest, salt water ocean glistening with the sparkle of the sunshine can be found here. If you are so lucky to visit this island paradise, GO! This island will not disappoint! The stunning views from the elevation down to the shorelines provide a different perspective around each turn as you drive on the left through these rustic, narrowly paved, carved into the mountain roads.
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our Disclosure Policy for details.Inspirational Travel Adventures is a participant in the Amazon Services, LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
My husband and I have been very fortunate to explore many interesting Caribbean/West Indie locations. We are drawn by the beauty of these paradise themed islands. A gentle breeze to keep the overwhelming heat at bay is necessary, of course, when we determine our visit locations. Nature’s beauty draws us every time though… The beauty of each area in the Caribbean is vastly different, but one constant always present while exploring are the gorgeous beaches. Saint John’s is top of our list for one of the most beautiful places to soak up the rays! My pick of the BEST SAINT JOHN USVI BEACHES are listed below!
“We need the tonic of wildness…At the same time that we are earnest to explore and learn all things, we require that all things be mysterious and unexplorable, that land and sea be indefinitely wild, unsurveyed, and unfathomed by us because unfathomable. We can never have enough of nature.”
– Henry David Thoreau
BEST SAINT JOHN USVI BEACHES
#1 CINNAMON BAY BEACH
Is there any better way to spend your lazy vacation days than at a gorgeous beach?
All along St John’s famous North shore lies the most amazing beaches!
Cinnamon Bay is the longest white sand beach on St. John. It is beautiful! The calm tranquil crystal blue water will call your name to go explore with a swim or an offshore snorkel. Walk the beach here to enjoy a taste of the beauty of St. John Island immaculately handcrafted by God’s hand.
Snorkel options at Cinnamon beach include the Cay just off the beach to see several native fish species. Snorkeling off to the East end of the beach provides a table reef in 5′ – 15′ of water. The western edge the corals and reef are thin.
Cinnamon Bay is one of the few places on St. John where guests can “glamp” in eco-tents or “cottage” accommodations. Bathrooms, Cafe’, watersport rentals and souvenir shop round out what this location has to offer.
“To escape and sit quietly on the beach – that’s my idea of paradise.”
– Emilia Wickstead
BEST SAINT JOHN USVI BEACHES
#2 HANSEN BAY BEACH
We were welcomed graciously at Hansen Bay Beach by the people that own this land. The use of this beautiful beach is by donation. Restrooms are provided and shade structure and chairs can be reserved and rented. The beach is wonderful! I highly recommend a full day here just relaxing in the sun!
This beach is very nice and the sandy beach is crystal clear and nicely kept!
The rock out-cropping in the distance in this photo is called Pelican Rock due to the droppings from Pelicans turning this rock white. This natural marker can be seen from a great distance. Snorkeling out around here can be glorious! It is a distance though, so be prepared for a solid swim to enjoy this view.
Do you snorkel? What age did you learn? Do you remain a snorkeling enthusiast sharing the underwater world with your family and friends? Where is your favorite place to snorkel?
Cressi Adult Powerful Efficient Open Heel Scuba Diving Fins | Frog Plus: made in Italy
“The beach to me is a sacred zone between the earth and the sea, one of those in-between between places where transitions can be experienced – where endings can be mourned and beginnings birthed. A walk along the beach offers the gift of the unexpected.”
– Joan Anderson
BEST SAINT JOHN USVI BEACHES
#3 HAWKSNEST BEACH
Ample parking can be found here! Close to Cruise Bay this was our final destination beach to say goodbye to the island as we headed back to the airport! Depending on the tide, Hawksnest can be a very narrow beach – so grab your sun early and enjoy the shade later in the day if you plan to visit here for an all day at the beach.
There is a shallow reef located just off the center of the beach! You’ll see waves breaking over the shallowest portion. Snorkel to the left and right of the waves to view glorious coral. God has painted an amazing underwater view with His creative talents. It is like a whole new world swaying underwater awaiting your view!
This is a beautiful location to spend a day or to bring picnic fixing and enjoy a grill out!
“The three great elemental sounds of nature are the sound of rain, the sound of wind in a wood, and the sound of the ocean outside on a beach.”
– Henry Beston
BEST SAINT JOHN USVI BEACHES
#4 MAHO BAY BEACH
The North Shore Road is the place to explore several beaches! One of our favorite was Maho! You can park right next to the perfect spot to place your beach chair, easily. Bring along the cooler, the floaties, the paddle boards, the snorkel gear or whatever you want to indulge yourself with for the day here! It is a snap! Maho is know for the turtles that congregate here! Snorkeling just off shore provides turtle heaven! Everywhere you look, many, many turtles can be enjoyed in this underwater haven!
Out from the center of the beach, past the wonderful sandy beach bottom, large beds of sea grass shelter the sea turtles.
St. Johns is very ocean friendly with their sunscreen rules. The rules here are to protect you, coral, and marine life. Chemical sunscreens are prohibited. Mineral sunscreens are sold on the island. This ban prohibits the use of any sunscreen with the “toxic 3 Os,” including octinoxate, oxybenzone, and octocrylene. Just something to be mindful of when packing!
Plan an adventure!
To get you started with planning your sunny day adventure, please make a list of all the beaches that you’d like to explore. Work out an itinerary on the the most important exploration sites that interest you. Travel, explore, go!
Cressi Neoprene Adult Anti-Slip Sole Boots – for Water Sports: Scuba Diving: Snorkeling, Diving, Rafting, Windsurfing – Minorca Long: designed in Italy
“I read and walked for miles at night along the beach, writing bad blank verse and searching endlessly for someone wonderful who would step out of the darkness and change my life. It never crossed my mind that that person could be me.”
– Anna Quindlen
BEST SAINT JOHN USVI BEACHES
#5 LAMESHUR BEACH
We drove the long drive out to the south shore of Saint John to Lameshur Beach for an enjoyable afternoon of lazing in the intense rays of the island. The road is very rugged, rutted, and narrow. A JEEP is a must to traverse these roads! The beach is well worth the effort though! It is a must see and a must to enjoy! The snorkeling here was very good.
This hidden gem lies at the end of the Bordeaux Mountain Trail over 2.0-mile out-and-back trail near Reef Bay, Saint John. I am told the views are unimaginably over the top wonderful! While we did not attempt this rigorous hike our hosts have completed the trek and highly recommended it along with the Ram Head Peak hike from Concordia past the salt pond beach and Blue Cobblestone Beach all the way to the point and back.
“Happiness is a day at the beach with sand between my toes and sunburn on my nose”
– Unknown
BEST SAINT JOHN USVI BEACHES
#6 TRUNK BEACH
One of the most popular beaches on the island is located here on the North shore! The white sand and swaying palms soothe any frayed nerves that you may have carried here with you from the 9-5 grind. Amazing snorkeling through an underwater trail, crystal clear turquoise waters, with restrooms and food trucks available, the oasis of pleasure and lux will leave you satisfied! This amazing beach is calling your name to come soak up the rays and relax in the abundant Caribbean sunshine!
Dry Snorkel Set, Pano 3 Window Snorkel Mask, Anti-Fog Scuba Diving Goggles and Snorkel, Professional Adult Snorkeling Swim Mask Gear
“At the beach, life is different. Time doesn’t move hour to hour but mood to moment. We live by the currents, plan by the tides, and follow the sun.”
– Unknown
BEST SAINT JOHN USVI BEACHES
#7 SOUTH HAULOVER BEACH – East End
We hiked the trail to North Haulover Beach to snorkel before crossing over to South Haulover Beach to relax, eat lunch, and soak up some rays. It is a very easy beach to enjoy! It is located on the drive to the East end. This area is well worth an explore! Everything here on Saint John is magnificent and truly a representation of God’s handiwork! What a blessing to have explored this island!
BEST SAINT JOHN USVI BEACHES
THE EAST END
Words cannot express how beautiful the view here in this particular spot truly is to behold! We actually drove out to the point in the distance that you see to try to take it all in even more! This island was carved by an amazing sculptor. His majesty shows in His creation! What a magnificent place this island truly is for all to enjoy!
“The beach is truly home, its broad expanse of sand as welcoming as a mother’s open arms. What’s more, this landscape, which extends as far as the eye can see, always reminds me of possibility.”
– Joan Anderson
Each beach listed above is unique and special in its own way. The mysteries that lie beneath the surface of the water at each beach also are as different and unique as its beach. Watch the snorkel snippet below for a taste of these underwater mysteries being revealed!
Have you leaned back while gazing up at the winter night sky while in the Caribbean and studied the Southern hemisphere constellations? On a night when light is not polluting the inky black night sky try this out! So many stars to gaze at and attempt the names of the constellations!
I look forward to hearing from you! What are your experiences with Caribbean beaches?
On this trip we took several moments to just sit still and soak in the time with family and build memories together. God has blessed us with the ability to be here together in these moments. We have been given the opportunity to take all of this wonder in and tuck in our hearts to examine and recall intermittently. God’s amazing gifts can be found wherever you travel and with whomever you share your time. Please be sure to stop and realize this in your explorations and hold this knowledge close to your hearts too! I hope you enjoyed reading about the Beaches of Saint John, USVI!
Did you notice some affiliate links along the way?? If you plan to buy any of the products we mentioned or search for other purchases, please consider clicking through our link on this page. It won’t cost you a dime, and it will help our website continue running and offering you further inspirational travel adventures!
A 1993 graduate of Michigan State University, Barbara earned a BS in Social Science Pre-Law. She is a Business Manager/HR Director. Her passion is travel, discovering new places, experiences, cuisine, cultures while enjoying temperate climates. Barbara is a newly transitioning empty-nester who became a travel blogger. She’s a great photographer, talented writer, and has a great family to highlight in adventurous sons.
TRAVEL BLOG🛩 * ADVENTURE🛶 * INSPIRATION🌞
Thanks for exploring our travel blog! We hope to assist you in your next adventure through learning from ours! We are transitioning empty-nesters perpetually seeking our next luxury snorkeling adventure! Daily God’s awe inspiring inspiration surrounds us with all of His natural beauty in every direction if we but slow down to observe. Take a moment each day to ENJOY!
Just YES please to all! Wow! I’ve heard of Cinnamon beach and have wanted to go but now… let’s just say my list has grown a lot longer! The Eastend looks amazing! And I haven’t been snorkeling in forever
CLICK ON THIS LINK TO LEARN MORE
5 WAYS TO CELEBRATE VALENTINE’S DA…
BEST SAINT JOHN USVI SNORKEL SPOTS
13 Comments
Jeanine
Thank you again for sharing another place to visit when I am in the Caribbean…these all look amazing
Barbara Robinson
We can’t wait to return! Definitely an amazing experience of beauty!
Areil
Beautiful beaches. Thanks for sharing!
Barbara Robinson
Thanks! What a beautiful island to explore for an adventure!
Anita
Beautiful pictures and love the Pin it for Later option. I pinned several to my Pinterest account! Thanks!
Barbara Robinson
Super glad that you enjoyed!
Gabby olivera
All of these places look beautiful! Thank you for sharing!
Barbara Robinson
GO! EXPLORE! You will not be disappointed!
Lani
This is an amazing place! Glad you had a blast!
Sienna
Just YES please to all! Wow! I’ve heard of Cinnamon beach and have wanted to go but now… let’s just say my list has grown a lot longer! The Eastend looks amazing! And I haven’t been snorkeling in forever
Barbara Robinson
We had such a great time exploring and enjoying this island! I highly recommend going! It is such a unique place!
Gabby olivera
This place is breathtaking! I would love to visit! Thank you for sharing 😊
Barbara Robinson
It is one of our favorites!