Snorkeling Beach other than Trunk Bay (on St. John)?

[signora]

Looks like there'll be a ton of pax at Trunk Bay on our day there: any recommendations for a different snorkeling beach (with lounge chairs) and also within a reasonable taxi ride from Cruz Bay? Thanks for your help in advance!

[bjarrett7]

I am watching this thread too! We will be heading to st Johns for the first time and I am also trying to find a less crowded place to snorkel with lounge chairs :-)

[augie]

I believe that Cinnamon is the only other public beach where you can rent lounge chairs. It will be the second busiest beach on the island, after Trunk, but it is a longer beach so it may not feel as crowded.

 

If snorkeling is the key, and lounge chairs aren't a must, then Maho and Francis would be less crowded options, with potentially better snorkeling, although you'd need to bring everything you need with you.

[blue_water]

Augie is correct.

[signora]

Thanks for the info, Augie--also, how far is Cinnamon from Cruz Bay (is it much farther than Trunk?) and approx. how much is a taxi for 2? Thanks in advance!

[augie]

Thanks for the info, Augie--also, how far is Cinnamon from Cruz Bay (is it much farther than Trunk?) and approx. how much is a taxi for 2? Thanks in advance!

 

Cinnamon is basically the next "big" beach past Trunk - another 5-10 minutes on the taxi. I don't recall the rates, but I believe it's $6 pp each way to Trunk and if that's correct it's probably $7 or $8 to Cinnamon.

[bjarrett7]

We were thinking of honeymoon beach? Anyone familiar with that?

[augie]

Honeymoon Beach (the one on St. John, not the one on Water Island) is a beautiful beach. I don't believe that technically, it's a public beach (I think it may be part of the Caneel Resort's holdings) but you can walk in from a relatively short trail from the Caneel parking lot, or via a 20-25 minute hike on the Lind Point Trail from Cruz Bay. If you are driving, Caneel will charge you $20 to park, which you can "work off" by spending that amount on drinks/gifts there. They used to allow folks that arrived via taxis to walk in for free, but I honestly don't know if they still do or not.

 

It used to be one of the "quieter" beaches along the north shore, but it is a popular stop for snorkel tours that originate on St. Thomas and a fairly new watersports stand has increased the head count as well. The upside to that is that it's no longer a "wilderness" (read: bring everything you need) beach, but I don't know if they rent lounge chairs and umbrellas in addition to paddleboards and kayaks.

[bjarrett7]

Thanks! Great info... Do you know how far away Caneel Bay is if it take a cab?

[augie]

Thanks! Great info... Do you know how far away Caneel Bay is if it take a cab?

 

Caneel's beaches are the closest north shore beaches to Cruz Bay/the ferry dock.

[bjarrett7]

Caneel's beaches are the closest north shore beaches to Cruz Bay/the ferry dock.

 

Thanks... Is that closer than trunk bay?

[blue_water]

Thanks... Is that closer than trunk bay?

 

Vinow dot com for STJ island maps

Edited January 17, 2014 by blue_water

[signora]

Thanks for the info Augie and blue water: one more thing, is it cheaper to share a taxi or are the charges pp? Thanks for your help!

[O2B@Cagain]

The taxi rates in the VI are all per person. They will wait to fill up, or at least get a good number of passengers before leaving.

[signora]

Thanks for the info!