The Best Snorkeling Beaches and Hiking Trails in St John US Virgin Islands
- Karen Israel
- 13 hours ago
- 5 min read
If you love the idea of exploring vibrant coral reefs and walking through lush tropical forests, St John in the US Virgin Islands offers a perfect blend of both. This island is a treasure for travelers who enjoy outdoor adventures, especially snorkeling and hiking. I recently spent time discovering some of the best spots here, and I’m excited to share tips that will help you make the most of your visit.
Best Beaches for Snorkeling in St John
St John is famous for its crystal-clear waters and rich marine life. The beaches here offer some of the best snorkeling experiences in the Caribbean. Here are my top picks:
Cinnamon Bay
Cinnamon Bay was my top pick from our trip. The bay is shallow and protected, which makes it ideal for beginners and families. You’ll find schools of tropical fish and interesting coral heads close to shore. I had read that it's important to arrive early to avoid the crowds. To me, that meant arriving around 8. Turns out that was plenty early. When we got there, the parking lot had only a couple cars and there was no one on the beach with us. Having the whole beach to ourselves was worth the early wake up call though!
What to know before you go:
The beach has facilities like restrooms and picnic areas, perfect for a full day outing.
Watch out for occasional jellyfish during certain seasons. We saw a couple when we were there in November!
Arrive before 10 to find a spot on the beach. Arrive even earlier if you want to have some calms before the crowds show up.
Trunk Bay
Trunk Bay is often called one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, and its underwater snorkeling trail is a big reason why. The water is calm and clear, making it easy to spot colorful fish, sea turtles, and coral formations. The snorkeling trail has underwater signs that explain the marine life, which adds an educational touch to the adventure. We chose to arrive here around 8 to have the beach to ourselves. Being able to say we were the only people on one of the world's most beautiful beaches was something special. Not to mention we were able to snag one of the few picnic tables on the beach!
What to know before you go:
Arrive early to avoid crowds and secure a good spot. Aim for before 10 but the earlier the better.
Bring your own snorkeling gear if you want to save on rental fees.
Keep on eye out for jellyfish. We saw a few at this beach too.
This beach is the only one with an entry fee.
Hawksnest Bay
Hawksnest Beach is a beautiful spot on St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands. It's known for its soft white sand, turquoise waters, excellent snorkeling near coral reefs, and convenient amenities like parking, restrooms, and picnic areas. I found this to be one of my favorite beaches for snorkeling. There were lots of rocks and coral for spotting fish. It also wasn't as busy as some of the others.
What to know before you go:
Parking is located just steps away from the beach.
Stand only on sand! Be careful not to touch or kick any of the coral.
Use reef-safe sunscreen to protect the coral.
Salt Pond Bay
On the south side of the island, Salt Pond Bay is a great spot for snorkeling. It requires a bit of a hike from the parking lot but that helps keep the crowds away. We first hiked Ram's Head Trail before spending some time snorkeling in the water to cool off.
What to know before you go:
Walk over to Salt Pond to try and spot flamingos. They recently returned to St. John and can often be found here. We were lucky enough to spot 3 of them!
This beach is accessed by a .25 mile trail that is uneven and rocky with moderate slope.
There are no amenities at the beach except a bathroom, trash receptacles, and a couple of picnic tables.
Maho Bay
Maho Bay Beach is famous for calm, shallow waters, white sand, and abundant sea turtles. Aside from the possibility of turtles (we spotted 2!), the snorkeling isn't great here. However, the sandy beaches are great for kids or just hanging out in the water.
What to know before you go:
The beach can be narrow so be careful where you leave your stuff - it might get wet!
There is a decent sized parking lot to the east so keep driving it you don't find a spot right away.
Stop by Maho Crossroads across the street for lunch and drinks.
Top Hiking Trails in St John
Beyond the beaches, St John offers fantastic hiking trails that wind through the Virgin Islands National Park. These trails showcase the island’s natural beauty, from panoramic ocean views to dense tropical forests.
Ram Head Trail
If you want breathtaking views, the Ram Head Trail is the place to go. This 2.6 mile out and back hike leads to a cliff overlooking the ocean with sweeping views of the surrounding islands. The trail is moderately challenging but well worth the effort.
What to expect:
The trail is exposed, so sun protection is essential.
The path includes some steep sections and rocky terrain.
Bring a camera to capture the stunning vistas.
Lind Point Trail
For a shorter and easier hike, the Lind Point Trail offers a peaceful walk with rewarding views. It connects Cruz Bay to Honeymoon Beach and takes about 1.5 miles round trip. Along the way, you’ll pass through shaded forest and open areas with ocean views. We originally planned to parkin Cruz Bay but weren't able to find a spot so we ended up just walking from our hotel to the trailhead. Our original plan was to go for sunset but the bugs were so bad we couldn't wait. We forgot to pack bug spray and ended buying $18 dollar bug spray use the rest of the trip. Learn from my mistake and pack the bug spray!
What to expect:
This trail is family-friendly and suitable for most fitness levels.
You can combine the hike with a relaxing stop at Honeymoon Beach.
The trailhead is easy to find near Cruz Bay.
Bring bug spray!
Final Thoughts on Exploring St John
St John’s combination of excellent snorkeling beaches and scenic hiking trails makes it a top destination for travelers who want to connect with nature. Whether you’re floating above coral reefs or trekking through tropical forests, the island offers unforgettable experiences. When planning your trip, remember to respect the environment by using reef-safe products and staying on marked trails.
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