I think the Peace Hill trail is really nice...and wander down the side trail toward Dennis. There's a little parking lot there, and a sign, too, so you'll have no trouble finding it...it's on the way toward Jumbie & Trunk.

I love Oppenheimer Beach, on the far righthand side of Gibney Beach if you're looking toward the water. It's super-tiny and really pretty....especially toward the end of the day. You'll need to park in front of the Oppenheimer Gate, just around the bend as you drive past Hawksnest (if you're coming FROM town).

The drive out to Salt Pond Bay is really nice and you should see a lot during a snorkel out there. My husband always finds sea turtles out in the middle of that bay.

Lameshur is a great beach/snorkel, too. All the maps I see seem to vary on which Lameshur bay is Little and which is Big...but if memory serves, it's the 2nd one you come to which is nicest. There is white sand and a bunch of rocks as you enter the water. The snorkel is really nice there. We saw a lot of squid there one year and some weird crab/lobster thing we haven't been able to identify. The underwater rock formations are really cool.

Everyone raves about Waterlemon, though I haven't personally snorkeled there.

Skinny Legs is great for burgers...Island Blues was fun on weeknights when it was mostly full of locals...

If you can, grab a pate from Hercules or Jewel...love them both. Last year Jewel said she was retiring, so I don't know if she's really there much anymore...but I love her cookin' and she's super-nice. My favorite thing after a snorkel is a pate...mmmmmm!

I have to agree with Crystal. I just got back from St. John and we thought Hawksnest was our favorite beach until we saw the Gibney/Oppenheimer Beach. We snorkeled over to it and it was breathtaking! If you like to hike try Brown Bay. There are Conch everywhere and the end of the path leading to the water, it is lined with conch shells. It is a site to see! They are very interesting creatures. The hike is fairly short and you see all kinds of crabs along the way. Just curious, if you're facing the water at Hawksnest and you look to the left, which beach is that? Thanks!

If I was to give one suggestion only, the first thing that came to mind this morning was Sunday Live Jazz at the Beach Bar from about 4-7pm.

Laura Lea

Every time a question like this comes up I offer the same suggestion...make sure you experience true island time. Sit down under a tree and be limin'. Sure, see what you want but make certain you spend time to hear the wind, water and sounds around you. Smell flowers, watch the birds and people around you. Meet others and spend time with those that mean the most to you, especially yourself.
The views take your breathe away but the island 'feeling' is what brings us back.

Darlene, I think that's Caneel's Hawksnest to the left. We were there and were trying to figure out the three beaches to the right! LOL.

I agree with Chris...just take some time to do nothing! Sit on the beach, smell the air, watch the water, and drink a cold one. Enjoy just being right there at that moment. That's the best! 🙂