Is Trunk Bay worth the expense?

[SRQbeachgirl]

On ‎7‎/‎9‎/‎2019 at 9:32 PM, ronu said:

Thinking about going to Trunk bay during my stop in St. Thomas (will be in port 7am to 7pm). Trunk Bay looks beautiful, trying to justify the cost to essentially go to a beach. Enjoy beaches in general but only for a few hours at most. Is it worth it? Are taxis waiting at trunk bay to go back to ferry dock?

 

It's been 25 years since we visited Trunk Bay and it is still one of the favorite places we have ever visited. We even have a large painting of the bay hanging in our bedroom. So yes, IMO, it's most definitely worth the expense.

[shaneandpamela]

Don't lock yourself into Trunk Bay if you have 12 hours and are going over to STJ.  Our personal favorite along the north shore is Hawksnest, which is actually closer to Cruz Bay than Trunk.  If you are a swimmer, swim east (left) around the point and you will be on Oppenheimer/Gibney beach - one of the most beautiful and secluded beaches on the island.  Photo is Hawksnest.

[blue_water]

17 hours ago, shaneandpamela said:

Don't lock yourself into Trunk Bay if you have 12 hours and are going over to STJ.  Our personal favorite along the north shore is Hawksnest, which is actually closer to Cruz Bay than Trunk.  If you are a swimmer, swim east (left) around the point and you will be on Oppenheimer/Gibney beach - one of the most beautiful and secluded beaches on the island.  Photo is Hawksnest.

Great advice! Trunk is the most touted STJ beach with amenities and so the most visited. Trunk is a very nice beach, and we take day trips to STJ to experience the beauty of the North Shore. But there are several beautiful beaches, and we avoid Trunk because it is the most visited and developed. But a day on STJ with a tour of the north shore, a few hours on one of the less crowded beaches like Hawksnest or even Honeymoon, and lunch in Cruz is a very nice day...

 

Question to frequent visitors or residents -

Pre-Irma there was an outfit (or perhaps it was the Caneel Bay Resort?) that rented beach chairs and I think picnics for folks who went to Honeymoon Beach. Anyone know if that is still an option? Another nice beach for a few hours...

 

Having 12 hours in port is a real luxury and opens up so many more opportunities that a typical day visitor won’t have...

[ronu]

2 hours ago, blue_water said:

Great advice! Trunk is the most touted STJ beach with amenities and so the most visited. Trunk is a very nice beach, and we take day trips to STJ to experience the beauty of the North Shore. But there are several beautiful beaches, and we avoid Trunk because it is the most visited and developed. But a day on STJ with a tour of the north shore, a few hours on one of the less crowded beaches like Hawksnest or even Honeymoon, and lunch in Cruz is a very nice day...

 

Question to frequent visitors or residents -

Pre-Irma there was an outfit (or perhaps it was the Caneel Bay Resort?) that rented beach chairs and I think picnics for folks who went to Honeymoon Beach. Anyone know if that is still an option? Another nice beach for a few hours...

 

Having 12 hours in port is a real luxury and opens up so many more opportunities that a typical day visitor won’t have...

Thanks for the suggestion. Yes, having 12 hours in port is wonderful to have, would gladly take q few hours less to have more time in St maarten (have 6 hours, actually less by the time get off the ship)

[shaneandpamela]

2 hours ago, blue_water said:

Great advice! Trunk is the most touted STJ beach with amenities and so the most visited. Trunk is a very nice beach, and we take day trips to STJ to experience the beauty of the North Shore. But there are several beautiful beaches, and we avoid Trunk because it is the most visited and developed. But a day on STJ with a tour of the north shore, a few hours on one of the less crowded beaches like Hawksnest or even Honeymoon, and lunch in Cruz is a very nice day...

 

Question to frequent visitors or residents -

Pre-Irma there was an outfit (or perhaps it was the Caneel Bay Resort?) that rented beach chairs and I think picnics for folks who went to Honeymoon Beach. Anyone know if that is still an option? Another nice beach for a few hours...

 

Having 12 hours in port is a real luxury and opens up so many more opportunities that a typical day visitor won’t have...

I believe there is a small shack at Honeymoon that has some rentals and snacks.  Not sure what the current situation is to get to Honeymoon from Caneel.  We always hike from the National Parks building in Cruz Bay to Salomon Beach and then swim around the point if we want to go to Honeymoon.  Salomon is/was our favorite spot on the island.  Always took my hammock to hang between the palms.  Sadly, Irma/Maria took them, along with most of the sand.  I think the beach has recovered, but the palms...  We haven't been back since 2016, but are planning on spending at least a month on island in 2021.

[blue_water]

1 hour ago, ronu said:

Thanks for the suggestion. Yes, having 12 hours in port is wonderful to have, would gladly take q few hours less to have more time in St maarten (have 6 hours, actually less by the time get off the ship)

Yes I understand. We enjoyed some beaches that were not frequented as much by day visitors but would want a little more time. 

Have you considered a daysail? We’ve really enjoyed the Golden Eagle sail twice, once on a cruise to SXM (booker through the ship) and later their full day sail while staying on the island. They depart from the same pier your ship is at so may work for you...

[Holly2]

We will be in port  just 8-5.  Definitely want to go to StJ.  Been to trunk Bay a few times both via RedHook and Celebrity St.J on own.

wanted to do St J on own for convenience and to use OBC but would only have 2 hours there after travel. The excursion is 9-1. No idea why they shortened it.

  Ideally wanted to do some touring then beach.

How long is the open air bus tour ?  Could we just ride to Maho and then be dropped at Cinnamon?  Can you see anything from open air bus? Know there is great view of trunk bay but never been further down.

if DIY would aim for  9 ferry from red hook. What ferry should we take back? 2 or3? 

Any advice appreciated.  Really want to go even for short time. Thanks.

[Zach1213]

16 hours ago, Holly2 said:

if DIY would aim for  9 ferry from red hook. What ferry should we take back? 2 or3? 

Any advice appreciated.  Really want to go even for short time. Thanks.

 

Take the 2pm to be safe. That way you will have one more to fall back on that will get you back in time. If you take a taxi to Red Hook, ask the driver if he's willing to come back and pick you up off the 2pm ferry (so, 2:15-2:20), that way you already have one ready on the way back. 

[Holly2]

Thanks. That’s a good suggestion.