Fun things to do in St. John

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A small beach that is idyllic on calm days. Good snorkeling around Perkins Cay just offshore. Snorkeling around old dock piers for fish and remanants of large boat anchor. Land behind treeline is private land. Do not tresspass.

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Reef bay is a two mile stretch of sand that is visited by few. I access Reef Bay from the Parrot Beach trail from Reef Bay road. Parrot trail is a short trail down the hillside from the road to Parrot Beach. Mark the beach end of Parrot Beach trail with a stick or something to help you find it on your return. Bring a flashlight as the trail takes you through underbrush that gets dark quickly before sunset. Access to the water is limited by the reef and sea urchins. If you take the hike from Parrot Beach to the Reef Bay rum mill, you can access the bottom of Reef Bay trail. From there it is a 1/4 mi. hike up a reasonable grade to the Petroglyphs and the waterfall (during wet weather) Check the tide tables before you attempt this hike. During high tide you cannot negotiate the rock outcroppings which will be underwater. Bring drinking water & insect repellent as you will find mosquitos and no-seeums at the petroglyph pool and near fresh water. As a reward you will have a seemingly endless stretch of sand to yourself. I have met the occasional surfer and hiker on the beach but that is it. No facilities at this beach unless you consider the pit toilet at the rum mill ruins installed at the insistance of Lady Bird Johnson

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My St. John Things to Do Tips are all about Beaches. I have arranged them in order of their distance from Cruz Bay. First are the North Shore Beaches. These beaches are for the most part in the National Park. The North Shore Beaches are Saloman, Honeymoon, Hawksnest, Gibney, Denis, Jumbie, Trunk, Cinnamon, Maho and Leinster. Saloman and Honeymoon beaches can be accessed by trail from the NPS facility in Cruz Bay. All of these beaches can be accessed via a rented dingy available in Cruz Bay by either of two dinghy rental opertors. Noah's Dingies You could also rent a kayak at Cinnamon Bay Watersports Rentals Cinnamon Campground and explore the beaches adjacent to Cinnamon in a kayak. With the kayak or dinghy rental you have the possibility of visiting some of the remote beaches and adjacent cays within or close to these North shore bays.

Take the bus to the Cinnamon Trail and hike down to Cinnamon Bay. It is about an hour hike through kumkuats, switchbacks and rain forest. Wear comfortable shoes and get a lift back because the hike back up could take a while. A very cool thing to do!

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Jumbie is a small north shore beach. Only 4 or 5 parking spots along road. Few visitors. These pictures were taken when there was a 8-10 mph wind from the north. The surf is much calmer with southern wind. This beach is directly across the bay from Trunk beach.

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Few visitors to this beach. Has a reputation of a clothing optional beach. Fines for nudity are minimum $100 and issued by the park service. If your wondering what your chances are of being caught and fined, the house on the point between Saloman and Honeymoon Beaches is occupied by the Park Director. (or so I am told)

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Hiking snorkeling and ruins at these bays. Rocky beach. Great snorkeling and sealife. At Little Lameshur snorkel along left side of bay and rocky outcroppings in middle of bay near mooring. Porta-potti are the only facilites.

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Trunk is the gem of St. John, or at least if you measure by visitors and photographs. The only beach on StJ with a lifeguard. Also has underwater trail, parking, showers, snack bar & restrooms. $4/person admission charge to visit. If you arrive before the snack bar and lifeguard stand are open (before 8am or after 4pm) admission is free and beach is less crowded. Trunk is a popular cruise ship excursion stop. My advice is to visit early and enjoy one of the caribbeans most beautiful beaches while it is quiet. The rum punches from the snack bar are nice also.