Here's my guess: You'll spend more than 1 day on St. John!!!

You are right - there are many awesome beaches on St. John. For snorkeling and sports - I think Cinnamon is excellent. You can snorkel around the Cay and Cinnamon is the longest beach on the island, so there's plenty of room to work up a football game or throw a Frisbee, etc. The beach is also really varied in texture, so there are places with pretty good waves down to other places where it's pretty calm. That allows everyone to enjoy the water, I think.

Of course, no trip would be complete without a stop at world-famous Trunk Bay. You can snorkel the underwater trail, but it does get crowded, so your sports might be a little more difficult to fit in.

Those would be my two best recommendations, with Cinnamon being #1. If you decide to go back a second day, you could do Hawksnest in the morning/afternoon then move over to Trunk for the later part of the day (once the cruise ship folks leave around 2:30 - 3:00) and you'll have lots of beach to play around on.

Either way - let us know what you do!

Good Luck! Have Fun!

We love Trunk Bay, but all of the ones that VI Lover mentioned are great.

Thanks for the replies! Those were the two on the top of my list. Do either of them have adult beverages and/or food available?

The best beach on St. John is Cinnamon. There is nothing there except the beach. You can go to Trunk to get booze. I would suggest that you consider some secluded beaches on the east end by Corral Bay. Their are some beautiful, but lonely beaches, There. While on STT I would go to Sapphire. Since I live there I'm partial to it. But it is the most beautiful beach you will find.

But no matter what beach you wind up on you will have a good time.

Billd

I concur with BillD about Sapphire and further do sometimes get a bit miffed about STT being dismissed so cursorily by some of the STJ aficionados, many of whom simply pass through town en route to the ferry to STJ and see only the traffic!

Sapphire is gorgeous with great snorkeling too, ditto Secret Harbour. Magens is beautiful, not great snorkeling but great swimming on a mile-long beach only crowded around the concession area (what a hubbub that can be when numerous cruise ships are in town but I go WAY left for my relaxation!) Kayak rentals there, and all amenities including well kept bathrooms and showers, picnic tables, etc. along with loads of room both on the beach and in the adjacent grassy area for sporting activities and camping set-ups (often impromptu soccer games going on there!)

Smith Bay Park (a/k/a Lindqvist Beach) is also lovely. Recently acquired by the VI Government and under the auspices of the Magens Bay Authority it's a lovely spot. No vendors or food/beverage there as yet but probably soon come!

So many options on STT and I've only mentioned the more popular sites. I'm NOT knocking STJ in any way, shape or form because it is and (courtesy of Mr. Rockefeller) will remain pristine for the most part even though the Cruz Bay developments have changed much in that area over the years.

With all due respect, Trunk Bay is over-rated. Once touted as one of the 10 best beaches in the world by National Geographic it's long since lost that standing. The underwater snorkeling trail is a shadow of what it once was. If you're really into seeing the underwater scene, take a day sail with one of the many reputable charter operators who will take you to spots still unspoiled by humans! Cheers!

Cinnamon has restrooms and showers, a restaurant, snack shop that sells beer as well as snacks and a snorkel/watersports booth as well as the beach 🙂

Pia

Cinnamon Bay has a fully operational Campground -- quite a few amenities!! -- way more than Sapphire for sure!! Lindqvist on STT has restrooms - Magens has restaurant,bar,restrooms boutique,picnic tables etc.
Gerald Singers book on STJ would be good reading for any ST John beach goer.

St John Off the Beaten Track by Gerald Singer -- for sale on link above.

Not sure of the age spread...
But Cinnamon Bay is a great choice
If everyone is an adult I would hit Honeymoon or Hawknest

But my bet is that STJ beaches will make up more than one day of your trip

Lindqvist on STT is BEAUTIFUL, but I have not been since 2006 and did not there were restrooms

Did they improve the road back to the beach?

Yes - a new road to Lindqvist is a bit south of the old one -- still dirt, but well graded at least last week.

Wow! Last three trips we skipped STT and went to STJ.
Returning in April so I think we may be doing a day trip to STT.

I loved Lindqvist Beach when my son was living there, but it always seemed a little sketchy and creepy going down that old road. But you would pop out of the bushes and there was one beautiful beach - and all was good!

Thank you everyone for your help! I don't know if you made it a easier or harder. I am leaning towards hitting both Trunk and Cinnamon. We will probably spend more than one day there also. Only 59 days!

billd- We were at Sapphire last year on a cruise and you are right it is very nice. We will probably head that way for an afternoon just to reminisce.

Hi Tom B:
Can you tell me how to get to Linquist Beach on St T. We tried to find it last trip without success. Hopefully there is a sign now, but I would appreciate some good directions. Thanks so much!

i drove it today with you in mind - there is a noticeable sign -- SMITH BAY PARK - it is exactly one half mile from the entrance to Wyndham Sugar Bay heading to Red Hook and exactly one half mile from the entrance to Sapphire Beach at the top of the hill going the other direction.. It is One mile from the RH ferry dock.

Thank you exit zero!

Last time I went it was a hole in a chain link fence
Glad to hear they have a sign

Francis Bay has a nice beach, quite long with very good snorkeling. Honeymoon Beach at the Caneel Resort has good snorkeling but it is a lengthy walk from the parking lot.

Good evening,

You'll love them both. The best in the USVI's

A small walk through the trees at Cinnamin and you'll end up on Little Cinnamin ,and probably be the only ones on the beach.

Geno

Thanks so much for this information.

We just got back from 9 days on St. John and snorkeled at the easy to reach beaches along the north shore. We went to Cinanamon Bay twice and the snorkeling around the right side of the cay is very good; saw a turtle, stingray and lots of fish. The shower there is great for cleaning up before heading back to wherever, and the restaurant is pretty good for lunch. We also snorkeled twice at Francis Bay, and it was excellent; saw turles and stingrays out in the middle grassy area. The shoreline on the right side was good for fish as well. Unfortunately, there is only a pit toilet there, but there are a few picnic tables. The pelicans put on a great show. Hawksnest bay was not as good as the other two.