We found before 9:30 AM and after 4:30 PM avoids all the cruise traffic. Not ideal snorkel lighting but it is still very nice.

I think I took this picture at about 9:00 a.m. on a Monday. Just go in the morning before 9:00 (won't have to pay to get in) or after 4:30. It is usually empty then.

http://www.pbase.com/rcplanefan/image/40159919

WHY would you ever want Trunk Bay empty. I can not see what the problem is with happy people. We were there.

This is Trunk at 10:00 on a Friday 3 weeks ago.

Sure Trunk has people but who cares.

During a rainstorm it might empty out, but, other than that, you will always find people there. It IS one of the top ten on the planet, according to National Geographic, so loads of people like to visit it everyday.

rcplanefan YOUR PIX ARE GORGEOUS...wow....
i love the pix of maho also

we will go to trunk in the morning for sure then drive around to visit the quieter places as it gets crowded...maybe lunch at caneel

thanks soooo much

You know, there really are a whole lot of other beaches on STJ that are absolutely beautiful and almost all of them will be less crowded than Trunk.

Hey folks...

This thread tells us that "this" paradise is now lost (or almost lost). If you are a beach person that loves quiet beaches it is sad to say that even the beaches of St John have been "over..run". Of course they are not like the beaches of Florida,Jersey, the Carolina's or even California but they ain't what they use to be...

So sad...,We use to go St John beaches and be almost the only people there. That is no longer the case.

You can't blame others for seeking great places to go, but it is too bad they finally found where we were going.

Where do we go next?

There are still uninhabited beaches to be found on STJ. You'll just need to get a boat to find them, cuz I'm not saying! Haha!

paradise is now lost ??? You have what is reported to be in the top 10 most beautiful beachs in the world according to The LEarning Channel and the Trave Channel and you think it's going to be empty.

You don't go to trunk to seclusion. IF you have EVER been there, crowds do not matter at all. Sure - you can find beachs with less people, poorer sand, less clear water, small beach but, Trunk is amazing even WITH people.

In fact it's the people that help make trunk the way it is. When I go there you NEVER see unhappy people. IT's like a beach with 200 of your best friends.

Trip Report
http://webpages.charter.net/grinder2/StJohn.htm

I agree with Gringer. People watching is half the fun. I don't want to be ---holes to elbows with masses of people, but if you watch the Criuse ship schedule you can find a good time to go. There are plenty of beaches to go to on SJ if you want to avoid big crowds, but I for one don't need to be alone to enjoy a beach.
The villas are quite romantic, if you get my drift.

It is also fun to meet new people and share info like restaurants, best places to stay, who they saw where. etc. etc.

agree - talking to people on Trunk was interesting. From all over the world and all smiling because Trunk is so unique to all other beachs on St. John.

You would see 80 year olds holding hads and grinning ear to ear, you would se entire famlies acting like families should - no yelling - everybody just having fun.

For sun tanning and beach froliking - Trunk is #1. Snorkling it's not!

I for one thing Trunk is the must underrated Beach on St. John. It's not for snorklers, but for fun, sand, bikinies, and plahyign in the amazing water which is ALSO unique to Trunk.

thank you i LOVE your different perspectives on trunk!
you are making me realize that no matter how many people are there it will be an awesome experience
i will see it with new eyes this time and enjoy the people...
and at least we will have facilities that the other beaches don't have...

Hi ginger what do you have available in STT? Are these long term rentals? Need something sasp

What an awesome shot of Trunk Bay.........absolutely gorgeous...really envious!!!!! Way to go!!!!

Also an absolutely fabulous shot...even with people?? Behind you in the shot? Underwater? Never mind, as you said, happy happy people and why not. It is truly a magnificent spot.

So are Cinnamon, Hawksnest and others on St John, sligtly less "well-known".............awesome sand.....and the color and clarity of the water ...........to die for!!! Still, and always.

island paul....YOUR OWN pix are incredible too....needless to say! that is what dragged me back to st thomas in the first place last summer

My family and I visit Trunk for approximately 3 hours every year. We usually stay for about 14 days on STJ but understand your concerns. Although we enjoy the beauty of Trunk, we don't want to be around when the tours come by with the cruise ships, etc. We have found that by getting there early and leaving around 11:30 or 12 works for us. It is also convienent because the kids are ready for lunch when we are leaving which in turn means nap time is around the corner. ahhh!

The snorkeling is good but you can get your fix at other beaches which are much less crowded, and in fact we think better snorkeling such as Hawksnest, Jumbie.

and you have to pay after 9am, but if you get there between 8 & 9- no crowds at all! It was amazing! So beautiful! So picturesque! then about 10-10:30 it all of the sudden got crowded. And then we left. We were really dissapointed by the underwater trail. 3 plaques? Take an offshore excursion, you didn't miss much on the snorkling here.

Also there is a $25 deposit if you rent mask and fins. (Per set!)

Siotha--there are about a dozen plaques on the bottom b/w the 3 buoys (red, white and blue). since you missed some, you now have a good excuse to go back!
and you are right: about mid-morn the "plagues" begin to show up!