Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
various styles, and you can usually order fresh fish and other dishes, including burg-
ers, blackened shark, drunken shellfish, and mussels and clams steamed in beer.
Cruz Bay (150 ft. from the ferry dock).
&
340/779-4625.
www.woodysseafood.com. Main courses
$7-$18. AE, DISC, MC, V. Sun-Thurs 11am-1am; Fri-Sat 11am-2am.
BEACHES
The best beach, hands down, is
Trunk Bay
, the biggest attraction on St.
John. To miss its picture-perfect shoreline of white sand would be like touring Paris
and skipping the Eiffel Tower. One of the loveliest beaches in the Caribbean, it offers
ideal conditions for diving, snorkeling, swimming, and sailing. There are even life-
guards on duty. The only drawback is the crowds (watch for pickpockets). Beginning
snorkelers in particular are attracted to the underwater trail near the shore (see
“Watersports,” under “Fun in the Surf & Sun,” below); you can rent snorkeling gear
here. Admission is $4 for adults 17 and over. If you're coming from St. Thomas, both
taxis and safari buses to Trunk Bay meet the ferries from St. Thomas when they dock
at Cruz Bay.
Caneel Bay,
the stomping ground of the rich and famous, has seven beautiful
beaches on its 170 acres, and all are open to the public.
Caneel Bay Beach
is easy
to reach from the main entrance of the Caneel Bay resort. A staff member at the
gatehouse will provide directions.
Hawksnest Beach
is one of the most beautiful
beaches near Caneel Bay, but because it's near Cruz Bay, where the ferry docks, it is
the most crowded, especially when cruise-ship passengers come over from St.
Thomas. Safari buses and taxis from Cruz Bay will take you along Northshore Road.
The campgrounds of
Cinnamon Bay
have their own beach, where forest rangers
sometimes have to remind visitors to put their swim trunks back on. This is our par-
ticular favorite, a beautiful strip of white sand with hiking trails, great windsurfing,
ruins, and wild donkeys (don't feed or pet them!). Changing rooms and showers are
available, and you can rent watersports equipment. Snorkeling is especially popular;
you'll often see big schools of purple triggerfish. This beach is best in the morning
and at midday, as afternoons are likely to be windy. A marked
nature trail,
with signs
identifying the flora, loops through a tropical forest on even turf before leading up to
Centerline Road.
Maho Bay Beach
is immediately to the east of Cinnamon Bay, and it also borders
campgrounds. As you lie on the sand, you can see a whole hillside of pitched tents.
This is also a popular beach, often with the campers themselves.
Francis Bay Beach
and
Watermelon Cay Beach
are just a few more of the
beaches you'll encounter when traveling eastward along St. John's gently curving
coastline. The beach at
Leinster Bay
is another haven for those seeking the solace
of a private sunny retreat. You can swim in the bay's shallow water or snorkel over the
spectacular and colorful coral reef, perhaps in the company of an occasional turtle or
stingray.
The remote
Salt Pond Bay
is known to locals but often missed by visitors. It's on
the beautiful coast in the southeast, adjacent to
Coral Bay.
The bay is tranquil, but
the beach is somewhat rocky. It's a short walk down the hill from a parking lot.
(
Beware:
A few cars have recently been broken into.) The snorkeling is good, and the
bay has some fascinating tidal pools. The Ram Head Trail begins here and, winding
for a mile, leads to a belvedere overlooking the bay. Facilities are meager but include
an outhouse and a few tattered picnic tables.
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