Best St. John Beaches for Waterfront Fun

• Best Beaches
• Gear Rental
  

Best Beaches

Trunk Bay

Sun worshippers and snorkelers flock to Trunk Bay Beach, recognized as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world for its dreamy turquoise waters and swath of white sand. Trunk Bay Beach ranked #4 on the 2025 USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards for Best Caribbean Beach list. Part of the Virgin Islands National Park, the beach is home to the Trunk Bay Underwater Snorkel Trail, where a 400-foot-long trail features markers with interesting facts about the marine life that inhabits the surrounding coral reefs. Colorful residents include parrotfish, tang and pufferfish, with sea turtles and rays often gliding by. In fact, Trunk Bay is named after the leatherback turtle, known as “trunk turtles” due to their large shells that resemble floating steamer trunks. Trunk Bay Beach amenities include restrooms, showers, daytime lifeguards, plus beach chair and snorkel gear rentals. The Trunk Bay Snack Shack serves up grilled fare like cheeseburgers, along with cocktails that include frozen daiquiris. You can also grab a Trunk Bay souvenir T-shirt here.

Cinnamon Bay

With a half-mile of snow-white sand, Cinnamon Bay Beach is one of the longest St. John beaches. Impossibly blue waters beckon both swimmers and water sports enthusiasts. Rent a kayak, paddleboard, snorkel gear or simply a beach chair for sunning from the adjacent Cinnamon Bay Beach & Campground. The crystal-clear waters are home to sea turtles and fish of all stripes. Snorkelers will want to head to the underwater fish holding pen — said to have been constructed by the Taino indigenous peoples or their ancestors — to explore a submerged historic village and a sunken 1940s plane. Refuel with a bite to eat at the campground, which features a cafe and a food truck that mixes up tropical cocktails. Then, snag souvenirs that include locally made goods at the General Store. And if you’d like to stay the night, Cinnamon Bay Beach & Campground rents deluxe eco-tents and comfy cottages.

Maho Bay

Scenic Maho Beach is a picture-perfect spot for snorkeling and paddleboarding, thanks in part to the clear, calm waters of protected Maho Bay. Across the road, Reef2Peak rents snorkel gear, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards. Several large seagrass areas just off the beach are ideal for snorkeling in search of the sea turtles that graze there. Maho Beach’s waters also teem with rays, nurse sharks, starfish and barracuda. Covered pavilions are perfect for groups and families, with restrooms situated at the western end of the beach. On-site food vendors offer a variety of bites and drinks. Be sure to wear mineral sunscreen to protect the turtles and other marine animals.

Honeymoon Beach

Gently swaying coconut palm trees, powdery white sand and shallow blue waters give Honeymoon Beach an undeniably romantic vibe. And it’s only accessible via boat or a short hike on the Lind Point Trail (look for the trailhead near North Shore Road), adding to this beach’s secret rendezvous feel. In fact, Honeymoon Beach ranked #7 on the 2025 USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards for Best Caribbean Beach list. But Honeymoon Beach is also known for great snorkeling along its vibrant patch reef that includes colonies of brain, lettuce leaf and elkhorn corals. Thanks to its crystalline waters, it’s easy to spot the neon fish and other marine life that pass through, whether you’re swimming or snorkeling. Honeymoon Beach features a concession stand offering drinks, snacks and rental chairs.

Caneel Bay

Nearby Caneel Bay Beach can be reached via the same Lind Point Trail path as Honeymoon Beach. They share a trailhead marker, found in the Virgin Islands National Park Visitor Center parking lot, just off North Shore Road. The white-sand Caneel Bay Beach is making a comeback after a series of hurricanes devastated the former Caneel Bay Resort. The same narrow reef found at Honeymoon Beach extends along the shoreline to Caneel Bay. Snorkel or swim the pristine waters where schools of technicolor fish swim by.

Waterlemon Cay

Outdoor adventurers won’t want to miss one of the most secluded St. John beaches — Waterlemon Cay Beach — an ideal basecamp for the spectacular snorkeling at Waterlemon Cay. To get there, you’ll first need to hike the half-mile Leinster Bay Trail, accessible from a trailhead near the historic Annaberg Sugar Plantation parking lot. Once you reach Leinster Point, it’s a 10-minute swim out to Waterlemon Cay. On this tiny island you’ll find the secluded Waterlemon Cay Beach. Surrounding the cay a magical world swirls with blue tangs, sea turtles, nurse sharks, rays and starfish. Strong currents sometimes encircle Waterlemon Cay, so a journey here is only recommended for experienced snorkelers and swimmers.

Gear Rental

Virgin Islands Ecotours

Whether you want to skim the waters of tranquil bays, paddle the St. John shoreline or snorkel among thriving coral reefs, Virgin Islands Ecotours offers ocean kayak, stand-up paddleboard and snorkel gear for daily or weekly rental. Pick up your gear at the Virgin Islands Ecotours retail shop at Mongoose Junction in Cruz Bay. Availability is guaranteed for rentals booked in advance.

St. John Beach Bum

St. John Beach Bum rents everything you need for a fun day in the sun. You’ll find complete snorkel sets (including masks, snorkels and fins in a variety of sizes), flotation devices, beach chairs and tents, plus huge bags of beach toys. St. John Beach Bum is conveniently located just off the People Ferry Dock, on the second floor of the bright blue building most visitors first encounter upon arriving on the island.

Low Key Watersports

Low Key Watersports is St. John’s only full-service, PADI 5-Star IDC Dive Center. Low Key offers scuba and snorkel equipment, as well as paddleboard and beach gear rentals. A range of masks and fins are available in adult and children’s sizes, with professional fittings by the expertly trained staff. Set up your own beach party by renting beach tents, tables, chairs, coolers and waterproof Bluetooth speakers. Low Key Watersports is located in Cruz Bay.

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