Trunk Bay Beach
Trunk Bay Beach
4.5
About
The good news: this world-class stretch of white sand and turquoise water is St. John's most photographed beach, which features a marked underwater trail for beginning snorkelers. The bad news: because of its popularity, it can get very crowded with cruise ship passengers and members of sightseeing tours.
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61 within 3 miles
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56 within 6 miles
See what travelers are saying
- lisaroseWashington DC, District of Columbia550 contributionsPlan ahead if you're parkingWe were here for what I imagine is one of the busiest weeks of the year, Christmas to New Year. We attempted to go to Trunk Bay at 10 AM but the lot was full. So we went the next day at 7:50 - taking no chances! We were practically the only ones there until about 9 or 9:15, and then the lot was once again filled up. I think if you come in the late afternoon you can probably find parking. The views and water are extremely pretty, but in terms of snorkeling we enjoyed other spots more.Visited December 2023Traveled with familyWritten December 27, 2023
- Glitchy32 contributionsBeautiful views!For some reason I don't remember this beach as vividly. I think because by the time we took a taxi to this beach, we had already taken a ferry ride, walked a mile to solomon beach, hiked back, ate lunch and then hitched the taxi to trunk bay, so I think I was a bit tuckered out by the time we made it to the beach. It was beautiful. Probably one of the better beaches we visited, but we didn't spend a lot of time there.Visited December 2023Traveled with friendsWritten January 2, 2024
- bobby joe smithChicago, Illinois47 contributionsMUST VISITAMAZING BEACH!! Totally worth the $5 per adult to come here. Such clear blue water, soft sand, and Long Beach with places to sit. Highly recommend, must come here if visit St. JohnVisited January 2024Traveled with familyWritten January 11, 2024
- 1952jaMassachusetts128 contributionsDefinitely worth the trip.Beautiful soft sand beach. It has everything you need for a day of sunshine, snorkeling and relaxing. Can get crowded but get there early and you're all set. There's beach chair rentals, snack bars, showers, bathrooms, etc. I found it to be very similar to Magens Bay on St. Thomas. The water is just superb and the snorkeling is some of the best we've experienced. We'll go back for sure. It's a lovely way to spend the day.Visited January 2024Traveled with familyWritten January 23, 2024
- Joelle S13 contributionsFavorite beach in St. JohnThe best beach we came across during our whole trip. We went later in the day so can’t say anything about the food or drinks there. But the beach itself is breathtakingly beautiful and a perfect spot to watch the sunset!Visited January 2024Traveled with friendsWritten January 28, 2024
- esappenfield2016Southaven, Mississippi21 contributionsBeautifulBreathtaking views. Nice beach. Ritz gave us chairs to take and that was plus. Bar and food available. Closes @ 4 as to bathrooms and water and I mean he was kicking everyone out. Taxi drivers in St. john and St Thomas are a pain but car rental outrageous.Visited February 2024Traveled with familyWritten February 23, 2024
- dkep2002Atlanta, Georgia27 contributionsMost gorgeous beach everThis was the most beautiful beach I have ever been to in my life (including the south of France)! Literally “stupid” gorgeous like straight out of a magazine. A bit of a haul to get there, but sooooo worth it! I wish we found it sooner in our trip. Cleanest beach and clearest water. Best beach of any USVI that we went to hands down. Plenty of space (lack of shade though). Everything closes at 4pm so something to keep in mind if you are renting chairs or needing a taxi.Visited February 2024Traveled with familyWritten February 25, 2024
- Grfy86Little Canada, Minnesota61 contributionsRough seas, lots of shade.Gorgeous beach with decent facilities. Restaurant, bar, gift shop, bathrooms, showers to rinse off. They have a snorkeling trail with buoys to mark spots to swim to. The surf here can get quite rough but there are plenty of spots to find shade when you’re not in the water. There is charge to enter the national park, $5 per adult. My only complaint would the lack of adequate parking. Arrive early if you want a parking spot or don’t have a 4x4. When the lot runs out you need to climb over a steep curb into a ravine on the side of the road for parking.Visited March 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten February 29, 2024
- ShelleyVIRockSt. Thomas43 contributionsThe Best Beach in the Caribbean located on the Idyllic St. John IslandThe best beach in the Caribbean. The views of the water are magnificent. It's located in the national park. We love St. John it's the idyllic Caribbean island. We took the Red Hook ferry over from St. Thomas. It leaves on the hour from each island. We had a great time, everyone was so friendly.Visited March 2024Traveled with friendsWritten March 11, 2024
- Rebecca FCleveland, Ohio75 contributionsOverrated and Overrun with touristsBeautiful but overrated - and overrun with tourists. Taxi loads of people being dropped off from the Westin made for a lot of crowding in the parking lot. Be sure to visit AFTER 3:30 or you have to pay to be here. It was windy when we visited so no snorkeling was possible the kids just liked jumping in the huge waves.Visited April 2024Traveled with familyWritten April 5, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
3,170 reviews
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174
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12
Bonaire5
Connecticut131 contributions
Jan 2021 • Family
I have been to the island since 2000. I only come to this beach every few visits because the amount of people is crazy . I decided to get here by 8:30 am and we had the beach with just about 20 people until 10:30 so get there early . I was able to appreciate the beauty it is while it was quiet and peaceful .
The facility’s so close by 3:00 and most people did social distance and wear masks until in the beach . Parking is terrible unless you are there by 9:00 . Enjoy the peace and beauty .pack a cooler and stay the day . Sunset goes behind a mountain so you won’t be able to see it .
The facility’s so close by 3:00 and most people did social distance and wear masks until in the beach . Parking is terrible unless you are there by 9:00 . Enjoy the peace and beauty .pack a cooler and stay the day . Sunset goes behind a mountain so you won’t be able to see it .
Written January 12, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FarFlungStarling
Qualicum Beach, Canada968 contributions
Feb 2020
Powdery white sand, turquoise waters, brilliant sunshine, children's laughter...does it get better than this for a day at the beach? Actually yes! Some background amenities that add to the experience: Washrooms and showers, picnic tables, food and drink vendors and snorkel and chair rentals. This is a national park so there is a $5 US entry fee and parking seemed to be an issue as the day wore on but really this is the makings of a pretty perfect day. Time it carefully for when there are few (or no) cruise boats and you can add "less crowded" to the above list of pluses.
Written March 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sean Kerr
Kailua-Kona, HI4 contributions
Mar 2021 • Family
Family of 4 visited during week of 3/5. Took car barge from STT at 7am, completed reef bay trail and then headed over to the Trunk Bay beach.
Drive from reef bay trail to trunk bay connects through a road that is best covered with a Jeep or 4x4.
Reached Trunk Bay beach around 1130am. There’s very limited parking and we couldn’t find a spot. Went round and around and still couldn’t find a spot. Dropped off my family and headed up to Hawknest Beach - parked there and took a taxi back. So a bit of a hassle but really nothing in the big picture.
Beach itself is awesome. Kids (teens) loved it. Sand is magical and soft. Water was beautiful and calm. Tide started to kick in later in the afternoon but the waves were quite pleasant. Not too crowded as well.
Not much in the way of lunch / food, but you can get by. Drinks were good - try the Bushwacker! Good facilities to wash up / clean up.
Took a cab back to Hawknest around 330, and brought the car to load up and we were on our way.
Great afternoon. We visited Magens bay beach (on STT) twice on our trip. Kids felt Trunk Bay beach was better.
Highly recommend!
Drive from reef bay trail to trunk bay connects through a road that is best covered with a Jeep or 4x4.
Reached Trunk Bay beach around 1130am. There’s very limited parking and we couldn’t find a spot. Went round and around and still couldn’t find a spot. Dropped off my family and headed up to Hawknest Beach - parked there and took a taxi back. So a bit of a hassle but really nothing in the big picture.
Beach itself is awesome. Kids (teens) loved it. Sand is magical and soft. Water was beautiful and calm. Tide started to kick in later in the afternoon but the waves were quite pleasant. Not too crowded as well.
Not much in the way of lunch / food, but you can get by. Drinks were good - try the Bushwacker! Good facilities to wash up / clean up.
Took a cab back to Hawknest around 330, and brought the car to load up and we were on our way.
Great afternoon. We visited Magens bay beach (on STT) twice on our trip. Kids felt Trunk Bay beach was better.
Highly recommend!
Written March 13, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Guy J
68 contributions
Oct 2019
There are many beautiful beach areas on St. John, but if you are only here for a short visit I recommend this one being one of them. Nice large, very clean beach area, real bathrooms, real beach chairs, and wonderful water conditions for snorkeling. Can be very crowded if cruise ships are in at St. Thomas.
Written January 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CathyMac
Austin, TX58 contributions
Jul 2021 • Family
Trunk Bay is a gorgeous and clean beach with soft white sand, turquoise water, and ample shade. I can see why it’s famous and makes world’s best beaches lists! Follow the advice we were given and arrive early. We got there around 7:30 am and had our choice of parking and found a shady spot under a large sea grape tree. We enjoyed the beach and water (mostly) to ourselves until around 9:30 am. By the time we left at 12:30 pm, parking was spilling over onto the road and the best areas on the beach were at a premium. We were very glad we came early and were able to enjoy some peace and quiet before the beach livened up. It’s worth getting up at sunrise, in my opinion!
You can rent chairs and snorkeling equipment but not before 9:30 am. They have snack food and drinks (alcoholic and otherwise) but the selection and quality is just ok. Bathrooms and showers were
not all in working order but they were clean.
You can rent chairs and snorkeling equipment but not before 9:30 am. They have snack food and drinks (alcoholic and otherwise) but the selection and quality is just ok. Bathrooms and showers were
not all in working order but they were clean.
Written July 9, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kathy M
Orford, NH156 contributions
Jan 2022
Parking is limited here. Arrive early to get a space.
Entrance fee is $5/person. Recommend that you buy annual family pass for $30
Enjoy the self-guided underwater snorkel trail. facilities include a snack bar, rentals for chairs/snorkel gear, bathrooms and showers. Picnic tables and grill stand available.
Strong winds on North shore can cause turbulent waters in winter.
Shade is available along edge of beach.
Entrance fee is $5/person. Recommend that you buy annual family pass for $30
Enjoy the self-guided underwater snorkel trail. facilities include a snack bar, rentals for chairs/snorkel gear, bathrooms and showers. Picnic tables and grill stand available.
Strong winds on North shore can cause turbulent waters in winter.
Shade is available along edge of beach.
Written February 14, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ChristineGilman
Gainesville, FL24 contributions
May 2021 • Couples
Beautiful beach we checked out late in the day when we arrived in St. John. After 4pm the facilities close, so the beach is much less crowded and you swap the beautiful teal water for a gorgeous sky. Make sure you have transportation back, since taxis are not as frequent. We just made sure we weren't one of the last to leave and it was no problem. We saw a deer as we left. Last photo taken the next day from the road.
Written May 29, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marisa C
Santa Cruz, CA429 contributions
Jan 2021 • Family
An absolute paradise of a beach. Turquoise waters, soft white sand beaches, underwater snorkeling trail park of the National Park, concession stands, and some shade from trees along the shoreline. It doesn’t get better than that! We went over Christmas/New Years week so it was more crowded then usual but still well worth it. Parking is extremely limited!!! Come early or prepare to walk a distance to maybe find parking along the roadside. In December weather is usually windy which affects snorkeling visibility and waves. However for those not from Virgin Islands, visibility was not awful. Markers in the water were 8-12 ft deep and you could still find them but it wasn’t “like glass” like normal when it’s not windy. Well worth the trip!!!
Written December 31, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
annaM5626PG
Washington DC, DC29 contributions
Dec 2019
We went to 9 different beaches on St. John during our time there and Trunk Bay was the nicest in terms of unspoiled sand, crystal clear waters, its length and width and facilities. It can be quite crowded and that can be annoying after being on more out of the way beaches (especially when people are playing ball in the water and taking up a lot of space). It is a real challenge to get parking! We were extremely lucky to get a space two days in a row, but it required getting there early (or late) and being very, very lucky. Well worth a visit or two or three...
Written January 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KakiBW
Ellicott City, MD522 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
We almost did not go here, assuming the place would be over run with cruise ship passengers. We lucked out and we were able to go on a day when no ships were in port. The beach was deserted until about 1:00. Gorgeous white sand and turquoise water. My only complaint was having to pay a (small) entry fee despite having a National Parks pass. (What the heck is the pass for, then? But, I digress.) Calm water, gentle breeze. Beach perfection!
Written February 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi, roughly how far is the walk from the parking area to the beach? I am mobility challenged and just trying to figure out which beach would be easiest to get from parking area to the beach. Thank you!
Written August 10, 2024
Trunk Bay is walkable but it is not a paved walkway!
Written August 17, 2024
Hi what part of the water are the sea turtles in? I am going next month !!
Written January 5, 2022
Is the bar open next week? April 2021?
Written April 10, 2021
Beach is absolutely breathtaking. Don’t go to St. John without seeing the beaches! The water is amazing
Written July 22, 2020
Is there a place to get lunch at Trunk Bay? Drinks?
Written June 26, 2020
There normally is, but the food/drink area was not open when we were there (July 17, 2020).
Written July 20, 2020
Do you know the average cost of for a taxi from ferry to Trunk bay?
Written February 5, 2020
I think the different taxis there may charge a bit differently, but we paid about 6-8 per person from what I recall, one way. Have fun!!! Best beach ever! For real. It is worth the taxi fee.
Written February 7, 2020
Michaela W
Flowery Branch, Georgia
Hey guys so my husband and I are here for our honeymoon until Friday...unfortunately forgot my hero Seven GoPro charging port and I am so upset about it. Does anyone who lives on the island or that is staying have one that I could borrow for the day to charge it up? Really bummed because I wanted to use it in the water during this upcoming week.
Written November 24, 2019
Sorry I don’t have one plus I’m not there right now. Not sure if you are there until this Friday or last? Maybe try the grocery markets or FedEx one in.
Written November 24, 2019
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