I have stayed there many times. There are seven very secluded beaches.We spent our honemoon there 20 yrs. ago. Turtle Bay is probably my favorite. (I like watching the boat traffic in Pillsbury Sound) Hawksnest is the breeziest, with great sunrises over Mary Point. Caneel Beach is the busiest. But the snorkleing is best at Hawksnest and Turtle Bay.

if you are visiting caneel for the afternoon how do you get to the beaches i assume you have to park in that parking lot at the front....is it far to those other beaches i think i remember that it was when we stayed there years ago?

If you are not a guest of Caneel some beaches are more public than others. The official word is that Caneel Beach (Get out at the taxi stand and walk a short distance towards the water) when your feet get wet you are at Caneel Beach. They just remind you that the chairs water sports equipment are for their guests. A short hike to the left takes you to a gem of a beach called Honeymoon Beach. If you go to Hawksnest Beach (before or after the cruise ship swimmers, or better yet on a day when no ships are in port) You can swim around a short outcropping of rocks on the left (facing the water) and you are at Caneel's Hawksnest. This is a great place in the late afternoon to see turtles. Obviously if you are a guest at Caneel you have access to all of the beaches.

Ann:

We went to the Caneel Bay Resort for swimming & lunch in January.

You can use a taxi from Cruz Bay (Ferry) or park your car in their parking lot (same as the taxi lot). Walk into the resort and use the trail on the left to get to Honeymoon Beach (our favorite). It's just a short 10 minute walk. Bring your own towels (and beach chairs).

We also went to the Caneel Bay Resort for their buffet lunch. Non-guests can eat there. The lunch was great!

Have a good time.

F.I.