Explore Trunk Bay Beach: A St. John Gem
Spend the ultimate beach day at spectacular Trunk Bay Beach on St. John, ranked #1 on the 2024 list of The World’s 50 Best Beaches. Known for its soft white sands, crystal-clear turquoise waters and colorful coral reefs teeming with marine life, Trunk Bay Beach is the ideal sun and snorkel lover’s destination. Plus, there’s plenty of fun shopping and dining to explore nearby.
- Trunk Bay Beach
- Trunk Bay Snack Shack
- Trunk Bay Underwater Snorkel Trail
- VI SNUBA Excursions
- Peace Hill
- Mongoose Junction
Trunk Bay Beach
Whether you want to spend the day swimming, snorkeling or just sunning in a beach chair, Trunk Bay Beach is the go-to spot on St. John. It’s the island’s most-photograph beach for a reason, with postcard-perfect views of powdery white sands, impossibly blue waters and the lush Virgin Islands National Park landscape. Stop at the on-site beach shop to rent snorkel gear and beach chairs. You can also pick up Trunk Bay souvenirs here, from T-shirts to tumblers.
Trunk Bay Snack Shack
Grab a bite to eat at the Trunk Bay Snack Shack. This combination bar and grill offers breakfast items like coffee and muffins in the morning and afternoon lunch fare that includes a cheeseburger and pulled pork sandwich. The full bar mixes up favorites like Painkillers and frozen daiquiris.
Trunk Bay Underwater Snorkel Trail
Snorkelers will want to head just offshore to the Trunk Bay Underwater Snorkel Trail. The 400-foot-long trail guides snorkelers along with markers that include interesting facts about the aquatic animals that live among Trunk Bay’s fragile coral reefs. You’ll likely encounter brightly colored parrotfish, tang and possibly a curious sea turtle.
VI SNUBA Excursions
Or take a diving tour of Trunk Bay with VI SNUBA Excursions — no diving certificate required! Utilizing a hose with air pumped in from above the water’s surface, SNUBA allows swimmers to effortlessly breathe underwater. Tours start with shallow water training in depths of up to 20 feet. Then, experienced guides lead divers through Trunk Bay’s tropical reefs, home to a dazzling variety of technicolor marine life.
Peace Hill
To snap Instagram-worthy shots of Trunk Bay, set off for Peace Hill on St. John’s North Shore. A short, easy trail leads to the island’s only remaining sugar mill ruins — a windmill that once powered a Denis Bay plantation. Peace Hill offers sweeping views of picturesque Trunk Bay below. For a unique image, take your photo while peering through a stone archway of the former sugar mill.
Mongoose Junction
Afterwards, head to nearby Cruz Bay for fun shopping and dining at Mongoose Junction. This leafy outdoor mall is home to a collection of locally owned specialty shops, galleries and restaurants. Pick up souvenirs like jewelry studded with Caribbean gemstones or an original artist’s print. Grab a shrimp burrito or tacos folded in house-made tortillas at Greengos Caribbean Cantina. Then, stop in at St. John Brewers’ The Tap Room for a pint of craft beer, brewed right on the island.
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