St John Beaches: Trunk Bay, ranked one of the "Ten Best Beaches in The World"

St John Beaches: Trunk Bay, ranked one of the "Ten Best Beaches in The World"

St John has some of the most pristine, and beautiful beaches in the world. They are part of the U.S. Virgin Islands National Park, and are protected from development. This island is a tropical paradise, and among the beaches of St John, Trunk Bay has been ranked among the "Ten Best Beaches in The World" by Conde' Nast Traveler, National Geographic, and many other publications.

The best beach, hands down, and the biggest attraction on St John. To miss its picture-perfect shoreline of white sand would be like touring Paris and skipping the Eiffel Tower. One of the loveliest beaches in the Caribbean, it offers ideal conditions for diving, snorkeling, swimming, and sailing. There are even lifeguards on duty.

Beginning snorkelers in particular are attracted to the underwater trail near the shore; you can rent snorkeling gear here. Admission is $4 per person for those age 17 and over. If you're coming from St Thomas, both taxis and safari buses to Trunk Bay meet the ferries from St Thomas when they dock at Cruz Bay.

Snorkeling is fantastic, with an abundance of colorful fish, coral, and sea life. St John is a very eco-friendly island, three fourths of the island is a national park, ensuring that it will be preserved for future generations to enjoy in it's natural beauty.

Nearly 50 years after Laurence S. Rockefeller donated Trunk Bay to the National Park Service, making it part of Virgin Islands National Park, the beach and offshore coral reefs remain among the Caribbean's most breathtaking and well-preserved attractions.

Those looking for more active pursuits than sunbathing and snorkeling can opt to explore the park, which consists of hiking trails, and the ruins of historic sugar plantations, remnants of St John's Danish colonial past.

After a long day of lounging or touring, island visitors can absorb the island's relaxed atmosphere over a sunset dinner at one of St John's romantic restaurants, or they can dance the tropical night away at a local club while sipping frozen, fruity cocktails.

See the ruins of an old sugar plantation, on the Cinnamon Bay Nature Trail. The Bourdeaux Mountain Trail, leads to the highest point on the island, with a view best described as "what you must see from heaven."

On the northwest shore, nestled within The Virgin Islands National Park is Caneel Bay Resort. A world class resort, Located on the same land that was once the personal estate of Laurence Rockefeller.

Cruz Bay, on the western coast of the island is the principal port, and the largest town on St John. It offers car rentals, boat charters, hotels, local artists, music, dinning, and great bars with a Caribbean flavor.

Shopping is great in Cruz Bay, including the popular Mongoose Junction, Wharfside Village, and The Marketplace.

Car ferrys run to and from St Thomas (4 miles away) daily. Ferrys run throughout the day, and evening, leaving from Cruz Bay, arriving in Charlotte Amalie (the capitol of St Thomas), and Red Hook, St Thomas.

Ferrys depart from Cruz Bay daily, for Tortola, an island 4 miles to the southwest, in the British Virgin Islands. Regular ferrys also visit the nearby islands of Jost Van Dyke, Virgin Gorda, and Anegada.

Trunk Bay
Trunk Bay is the most famous beach on St. John and possibly the most famous beach in all the Caribbean.

Annaberg Plantation
Annaberg Plantation, an 18th-century plantation that can be essential to understanding the important role that sugar and plantation life played in the history of this island.

Beaches Overview
Beaches Overview

Beginner Snorkeler Suggestions
Beginner Snorkeler Suggestions

Brown Bay
Brown Bay is a perfect place to cool off, relax, take a swim and explore the ruins.

Caneel Bay History
Caneel Bay History

Caneel Bay
Caneel Bay

Cruz Bay, St John U.S.V.I.
Cruz Bay, the principal port of St John

Great Cruz Bay
Great Cruz Bay: The depth increases gradually, and there are no sea urchins or reef to worry about.

Cruz Bay: Estate Lindholm
Cruz Bay: Estate Lindholm is an intimate bed and breakfast inn set amongst Danish ruins.

Caneel Bay Honeymoons
Caneel Bay Honeymoons: A visit to Honeymoon Beach is a must for all lovebirds.

Caneel Bay Honeymoons
Caneel Bay Honeymoons “Amazing Wedding at Caneel Bay”

Honeymoon Beach
Honeymoon Beach, is one of the St John beaches popular with the hiking crowd and home to Honeymoon Beach.

Wedding Planning
Wedding Planning

Cinnamon Bay Beach, has the amenities, and a beautiful beach.
Cinnamon Bay Beach, located in the unspoiled island refuge of Virgin Island antional Park, this beach offers

Coral Bay
Coral Bay is on the southeastern side of St. John. It is a popular hangout for American mainland ex-pats, sailors, artist types and more who live on sailboats or up in the hills.

Coral Reefs
Coral Reefs

Concordia ecotents
Concordia ecotents: Located on the dramatic southeastern side of St. John, these high-tech structures provide our guests with comforts for the body and soul.

Dennis Bay
Dennis Bay

Ditleff Beach
Ditleff Beach: Hurricane Marilyn brought back the sand that Hurricane Hugo took away, and a new layer of sand extends past the vegetation line.

Driving Tours
Driving Tours

Europa Bay
Europa Bay: The beach is cooled by onshore easterly trades and is usually quite deserted, and thus, makes for a great picnic spot, as well as a place to enjoy seclusion and natural beauty.

Francis Bay
Francis Bay is a St. John beach that really invites you to settle down and stay a while.

Frank Bay
Frank Bay is the closest swimming beach to Cruz Bay and is within easy walking distance from town.

Gallows Point Resort
Gallows Point Resort

Gibney Beach
Gibney Beach: It used to be a private beach with no public land access, and although this has recently changed, the beach still retains much of that “private” feeling.

Grootpan Bay
Grootpan Bay, like its neighbor Kiddel Bay, is a cobble beach that offers seclusion and calm water on winter days.

Hansen Bay
Hansen Bay is located 3.7 miles east of the Moravian Church on Route 10.

Harmony Studios
Harmony Studios: Harmony Studios are a long way from

Harmony Studios Reviews
Harmony Studios: “Harmony was the right choice”

Hart Bay
Hart Bay a great picnic beach. It is not crowded and it is usually cool and breezy.

Haulover Bay
Haulover Bay is a narrow, flat strip of land separating Coral Bay on the south from Sir Francis Drake Channel on the north.

Hawksnest Beach
Hawksnest Beach is the one of the easiest beaches to get to from Cruz Bay, this is one reason it is so popular with the local residents and visitors that have small children.

Leinster Bay
Leinster Bay includes two inner bays, Mary Creek on the west and Waterlemon Bay on the east .

Lameshur Bay
Lameshur Bay is a large cobblestone beach guaranteed to have less visitors than its sandy neighbor to the west, Little Lameshur Bay.

Jumbie Bay
Jumbie Bay: If you're looking for a small, private, intimate beach without having to walk a long trail to get there, then Jumbie is an excellent choice.

Kiddel Bay
Kiddel Bay: Looking for a real “Off the Beaten Track Beach"

Klein Bay
Klein Bay is a cobblestone beach, where one can delight in the colorful polished stones and beautiful pieces of bleached white coral that make up the beach.

Maho Bay
Maho Bay on St John Island is the easiest beach to get to from Cruz Bay, and has plenty to offer for families with small children.

Little Maho Bay
Little Maho Bay is a miniature version of Cinnamon Bay, having most of the same facilities and things to do.

Mongoose junction bars, grills
Mongoose junction bars, grills

Mongoose Junction Jewelry
Mongoose Junction has the finest and best selection of jewelry on St John.

Jewelry
Jewelry

Gold and Diamond Jewelry
Gold and Diamond Jewelry

Peace Hill
Peace Hill is aptly named. From the hilltop at the end of the headland separating Hawksnest and Denis Bays, you can enjoy an absolutely spectacular view of the north coast of St. John and beyond.

History
History

St John
St John lies less than 3mi/5km east of St Thomas and is the smallest of the U.S. Virgin Islands with a total land area of 28sq.mi/74sq.km.

St John Restaurants
St John Restaurants

St John Beaches Island Store Swimsuits
St John Beaches Island Store Swimsuits

St John Activities
St John Activities

St John: Planning a Trip
St John: Planning a Trip

St Croix Rum
St Croix, making Rum since 1650

The US Virgin Islands are a pristine group of islands in the Caribbean sea with
The US Virgin Islands are a pristine group of islands in the Caribbean sea with many adventures awaiting you.

Virgin Islands National Park
Virgin Islands National Park

Virgin Islands Weddings
Virgin Islands Weddings, for memories of a lifetime

US Virgin Islands: practicle info.
US Virgin Islands: practicle info.

Virgin Islands Carnival
Virgin Islands Carnival

US Virgin Islands: museums
US Virgin Islands

US Virgin Islands: when to go
US Virgin Islands: when to go

US Virgin Islands: general info.
US Virgin Islands

US Virgin Islands: getting around
US Virgin Islands: getting around

Virgin Islands Quarters
Virgin Islands Quarters: Two Quarters for the U.S. Virgin Islands

Reef Bay
Reef Bay

Reef Bay Trail
Reef Bay Trail: The National Park Service offers a guided hike with lots of interesting facts and history.

Water Sports
Water Sports

Salomon Bay
Salomon Bay has a reputation from the past as a nude beach....

Salt Pond Bay
Salt Pond Bay, getting to this somewhat secluded beach requires a half-mile walk, but it is well worth the effort.

Salt River Bay
Salt River Bay is a living museum on St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands.

Westin Resort
The Westin Resort

Waterlemon Cay
Waterlemon Cay: “Starfish galore”

Whistling Cay
Whistling Cay “Best Snorkeling On St. John”

Introduction to SBI
Introduction to SBI

St John Beaches Island Store/ Kindle Beach Books
St John Beaches Island Store/ Kindle Beach Books

St John Beaches Island Store Swimsuits
St John Beaches Island Store Swimsuits

St John Beaches Island Store/ Virgin Islands Books
St John Beaches Island Store/ Virgin Islands Books

St John Beaches Island Store Swimsuits
St John Beaches Island Store Swimsuits