Caneel is very exclusive! 7 beaches in the middle of 500 acre national park. The property is 170 acres itself. I am not saying you couldn't get on the beach however, secruity is sometimes tight. Years ago I was fortunate enough to go to the beach there for a few hours and it is beautiful. As for the restaurants....Beach terrace is casual, Turtle Bay is reservations required, as is Sugar Mill. Turtle Bay is jacket required for men and is more formal however, all are open to the public.

Nice beach, try Maho bay or maybe Frances.... they are at the end and not everybody gets down there and maybe doesn't want to go that far...I thought it was worth it!!!!!!!!! Only 3 couples on the whole beach and the snorkeling at the end of Maho around the reefs is better then Trunk I was told.

I've been to Caneel several times, and enjoyed the beach with no problems. Once, we ate lunch there; another time, just had drinks. Found staff to be non-intrusive. Brought/bought own beach towels, and stayed off the equipment as requested, and noone bothered us. Very pretty beach. Caveat emptor- crazy spendy prices on food and drinks (as would be expected).

Hello,

Caneel Bay Resort encompasses several beaches. The Caneel Bay Beach right in front of the lobby area is easily accessed so non-guest can come and enjoy it. Non-guest of course can't use the amentities set up for guest - towels, chairs, beach toys... but can use the beach. All beaches in the USVI are public however the property around it can be privately owned. Honeymoon Beach can be accessed by trail and is lovely. The restaurants - yes if you are appropriately dressed as mentioned some of their restaurants have dress codes... you can have lunch there or buy drinks while on the beach or shop in their store.

--Islander

We've stayed at Caneel once. Will be renting a villa in a few weeks. Plan to use Caneel beaches a couple of times. Can we park there at Caneel for day use? Security guard at entrance gate is OK if we say we just want to use the beaches?

thanks!

I don't think you are allowed to park at Caneel. We stayed there and the one parking lot there is a security guard stationed at. Only guests who rent cars are allowed to park there and taxis are allowed in. You may just want to taxi over to Caneel. There are plenty of taxis available there.

I think you are wrong. We parked in what seemed to be the only lot there. Told the guard we were going to the beach and that's where he told us to park. Now that was a 18 months ago, so maybe things have changed.

Anyone been there lately?

I think it has always been the case that you can park in the lot. There was a time when they asked you to sign in and tell them where you were going. I have never had a problem although in high season there is limited parking. You are supposed to use just the beach in front.

Was just there and parked my rental jeep with no porblem , used the beach and walked around no problem,even talked to the manager , who told me that scotts beach was off limits. all very friendly . brunch was25 , that was two weeks ago . It was a very good looking spread. Iam told that it is very good. Plan to try iy next time .Yolanda

Hi
The last time I was at Caneel (12/03) the buffet lunch was $20, which is not out of line.
You walk in and have lunch as at any other restaurant. It is very casual. Just bring your own towels for beach use and change in the restroom.
deb

Just curious, how does the Caneel Bay staff tell the guests from the non-guests? Is the place that small that they can remember the faces of all their guests? I have walked around Caneel a bit and it seems like it would be easy enough to wander over to some of the other beaches.

I parked in the guest parking just outside of the gates 3 days ago. They didn't question us at all. We walked every beach they had. No problems at all. Good luck!

I was spotted by a worker , who informed me that my towel gave me away.