Trunk Bay

Locals are quick to call this place a «tourist trap». I dunno. It’s still pretty damn perfect. It’s one of the only tropical beaches I’ve been to, but I fear I might be ruined for others I visit in the future!
The day of our visit, we were warned by the park service that a strong current made the water virtually unswimmable, and our $ 5 entrance fee was unrefundable even if we chose to leave immediately. We went for it anyway, and I’m glad we did. The beach was quieter than I think it might be most days, and we went thigh-​deep in the water to cool off. The snorkel trail was closed.
Word to the wise: check out weather conditions online, or call, before beach-​going (North Shore beaches like Trunk and Magen’s on STT seem to be particularly affected). Taxi drivers can and will take advantage of unsuspecting tourists by dropping you off at a beach that is not swimmable that day.

Trunk Bay is one of the most amazing beaches I’ve ever been to in the Caribbean! Don’t forget to bring your snorkeling equipment.
The waters are pristine aqua and teal! The white sand is like stepping into brown sugar. There are no shells or rocks on the beach. The waves are pretty calm due to Trunk Cay (that huge rock/​island in the middle of the bay).
Trunk Bay has an amazing snorkeling trail called «Coral Reef Underwater Park Trail» you can see lots of aquatic life. Remember DO NOT STEP ON THE CORAL WITH YOUR FINS! You will kill them! Lifeguards will remind you to keep swimming, and if you need help to wave to them.
You are only allowed to snorkel to the left of Trunk Cay, as the waters are rough on the other side. There are lifeguards overlooking the area.
I would recommend you visit this beach at least once, if you are on St. John!

It’s a fine beach. It will be the busiest one since it’s closest to the Cruz Bay dock and setup for larger tourist groups. Wasn’t as busy as Hanauma Bay in Oahu, but similar kind of mass tourist feeling. Will cost you $ 4 admission + taxi fare. Coin lockers are available.
If you want a bit more seclusion, I’d skip this one and head further out to another beach (Cinammon was just as great without the crowds)
The snorkel trail is okay. There’s a bit of marine life info on the underwater plaques. The trail get busy so mind your fellow tourists in the water — lest you crash into each other on the swim.
It was cool to see a deer come crashing out of the bushes and dash off. They are an imported species. And in 2014 the Feds culled a few dozen due to worries of overpopulation.

This isn’t rated one of the worlds top beaches for no reason. The scenery was absolutely beautiful! We got there early on a Sunday at around 10am and there was little to no one there, felt like a private beach. There is a $ 4 entry fee per adult, but parking is free. Snorkeling was fun, only $ 10 to rent gear for 2 adults but a $ 50 deposit. There is a snorkeling trail, ample beach space, but it gets a little crowded in the afternoon. Facilities are clean (showers, bathrooms, snack shack, full bar, etc). This beach is paradise! A must if you are visiting St. John’s! Shopping is prior to the beach about a mile or two before.

The views are completely beautiful, the sand is super smooth and free of rocks and shells, and the water is crystal clear. The facilities include showers and restrooms. Chairs, snorkel gear and typical beach gear is available for rent. And, food is available for sale. This beach is a must see!

Beautiful beach.
It’s a little crowded, all the time, but if you find a quiet corner, it’s well worth spending a few hours here.
The underwater trail is a bit of a novelty, but is really cool!

I went sailing with Marauder and we anchored to enjoy the crystal clear waters in Trunk Bay, simply amazing

My wife, two sons (9 yrs., 7 yrs), and I arrived at 9:00am and the parking lot was blissfully uncrowded. After paying the $ 4 per adult admission fee (which helps to maintain the park and pay for the lifeguards), we ventured to the beach. It is truly a beautiful setting and well worth an early morning picture or stroll. Only a few other people were there in the early morning and the atmosphere was peaceful.
The snorkeling trail was OK, but the marine life was disappointing compared to other beaches on St. John. Despite the neat underwater trail, the highlight of visiting Trunk Bay is the beauty of the beach itself. The snack bar, gift shop, foot washing station, and flush toilets were all pluses. However, two things were blemishes on our visit.
First, I had an unpleasant experience with renting a child life vest. At the rental shop, the lady working at the rental counter seemed to be in a bitter mood. It may be frustrating to serve hordes of people, but hey, it’s your job. When my wife pointed out that one of the child life vests was defective (it started to deflate in the middle of snorkeling), the lady shrugged and said «OK». I had a sinking feeling that she was going to reuse the defective child vest despite the safety violation. In any case, the cost of the child life vest rental was $ 5.00 (be sure to check for defects).
Second, day-​trippers from the 4 cruise ships docked in St. Thomas began to converge on Trunk Bay at 10:00am. The atmosphere had transformed from «peaceful solitude» to «New Jersey Shore» within 30 minutes. If you’re staying on St. John’s and want to experience the splendor of Trunk Bay in peace, I recommend you arrive by 8:45am, take your photos, snorkel quickly, and get the heck out of there by 10:15am. I was glad we departed by 10:30am as the parking lot was starting to burst with hordes of visitors in a traffic jam of buses and taxis.
I have no qualms with cruise day-​trippers, whose $ 4 admission fees help to subsidize the operating costs of the NPS on St. Johns. If you’re on a cruise and thinking of one excursion on St. John’s — this is probably the one for you. That said, if you’re looking for a great snorkeling experience or peaceful beach after 10:30am, keep on driving and look elsewhere on the north shore!

All I can say is HEAVEN on earth!!! Beautiful beautiful! It’s pointless to try to describe this place, you gotta just see it yourself!

Gorgeous beach! Clear blue waters, shallow to deep, great snorkeling with man-​made underwater trail. You have to pay to get in but it goes to park maintenance. Clean shower and bathroom facilities. My favorite beach in the world!

This definitely was a paradise to be envied by any beach seeker. I enjoyed the snorkeling all of the beautiful creatures between the sea turtles even some cave exploring that of friends took part in and all the while enjoying the beautiful sun and the white powdery beaches. There are the shady spots between the palms and of course you can rent chairs and umbrellas.

Place was ok… didn’t like the fact that we had return the rented chairs at 3:30pm… way to early! Also the place closes quickly after.
The snorkeling was good, saw a lot of fish, however, the trail was no big deal. I saw nicer fish and reef at coki beach.
Best of all u need to pay to go to the park /​beach
. waste of money.
These Virgin islands are gorgeous, including this spot; it gave it 3 stars because there are better places to choose. 3:30pm basically a deal breaker.

Simply put: Paradise. My sister got married here this month, but even so, it is the most beautiful beach I’ve ever seen. Powdered sugar sand and waters so clear and blue you almost think they’re photoshopped.
Go here first… then visit Cinnamon Bay. Heaven on earth…

Trunk Bay was by far the most beautiful beach that I’ve ever been to. It is sincerely picturesque. The water is the prettiest shade of blue and it’s very calm which makes it great for swimming. I never went to Cinnamon so I don’t know how they compare but I’d recommend going to Trunk Bay if you venture to St. John!

Please do the underwater trail. Its one of a kind. I loved it and you will too.

Wow what a spectacular bay to visit on St John in the Virgin Islands. I recently went here on a snorkelling tour which was organised through our cruise ship Royal Princess. We arrived into St Thomas and was then transferred via the ‘Island Girl’ boat to St John for the day.
You know when you see picture perfect post cards of the Caribbean well this spot would be one of the pictures! Pure white squeaky sand in a bay of clear Aqua blue waters & surrounded by lush greenery!
For me, the snorkelling wasn’t that great, but I think that’s because I’ve been spoilt previously from the Great Barrier Reef & the South Pacific islands. Yes There was coral & fish to see for sure. Loved the underwater information plaques & guides to help you along. Another comforting fact is that there is lifeguards on duty at the beach.
I would recommend a visit here for sure & would definitely go back if I’m in the Caribbean again.

Perfect, Perfect, Perfect. One of the best beaches in the World. The water is so clear. The sand is soft. its Amazing, and hard to put into words. If you come to St Thomas, take the day trip, Its worth it. The underwater trail is so nice. If you do anything, make sure its this. Otherwise you missed the Virgin Islands.

Amazing BeAch felt like I was in movie. It’s like the beach from the Leo dicaprio movie no joke. Go on a day when there are no cruise ships. Do the snorkel trail. Fee because it is a us national pArk. Do not miss this if on USvi. Thank me later. Can fares are
all posted. You won’t get jipped

Spring time in USVI– snorkel heaven!
Ahhhhhh~ I’ve been to Fiji, Bali, Indonesia, Australia, Borneo, Hawaii all for the sake of seeing pretty reefs and fish but the best was right in the back yard. Sort of.
This is by the most beautiful beach I’ve been on. Maybe a close second to Fiji but it beat out all the other places I’ve been to. Imagine that? It even beats out the water huts in eastern Borneo.
White sand– beautiful powdery white sand! Stunning water: not cold, not hot. Just perfect. And that long stretch of beach without all them tourists or hustle and bustle. Such a bliss.
There is one place near by that open for a quick lunch but that’s about it. Taxi cabs (open trucks) will bring you here for $ 10 per person from town, Cruz bay or ferry dock. Make sure you buy your food, water and all that etc. There’s nothing around here.
Driving was out of the question for me on this island. All those hills, wrong side of the road etc etc. Taxis will wait for your return too. But make sure you don’t leave too late. I’d say leave around 5 pm if you are not driving. Else you’d be stranded here on the this beautiful beach with birds, fish and damn Iguanas!!!
But with all the blues around, being stranded here wouldn’t be half as bad. Floating-​sleeping– snorkeling or simply gazing at this beauty. Ahhhh– will makes you love earth again.

Gorgeous sea and sand. Blue Blue Blue. The snorkel trail is kind of fun. There are stone tablets under the water you can look/​dive down and read. Some are about fish you might be seeing. Others describe the coral. For divers and experienced snorkelers, the area to explore is rather small and inevitably crowded. This is THE beach touted in all of St. John’s tourist guides.
Entrance fee is $ 4 per person for the park. There is a small shop, shower facilities and a snack bar with expensive snacks.