The Ultimate Guide to the #1 Beach in the World: Trunk Bay, St. John, USVI
If you are planning a trip to the US Virgin Islands and plan on visiting St. John, Trunk Bay needs to be at the top of you list for beaches to visit during your trip!
The island of St. John is primarily made up of the Virgin Islands National Park which makes for some incredible beaches on the island where you can really connect with nature.
Trunk Bay is one of those beaches and not only is it the best beach to visit on St. John, but it was rated the number one beach in the world for 2024!
If you want to visit Trunk Bay on your next trip to St. John, keep reading for everything you need to know before you go!
Things to know before visiting St. John
Before planning the perfect day at Trunk Bay, here are a few important things to know before planning a trip to St. John!
When is the best time to visit St. John?
The best time to visit the island of St. John is during the high season or shoulder season. The high season runs from December to March and will have perfect weather for activities but higher prices and more crowds.
The shoulder season in St. John is April and May, right after the high season and before the start of the low season. This is the best time to visit for lower prices and less crowds, and you can still expect decent weather!
Where to stay on St. John?
Because St. John is mostly made up of National Park land, there are not a ton of options for hotels on the island. The best hotel to stay at on your trip to St. John is The Westin St. John.
If you are looking for a more affordable and less luxurious stay, check out the Cinnamon Bay Campground! The campground has cabins available for rent, along with glamping tents, offering a more affordable option on the island!
Do I need to rent a car on St. John?
You do not have to rent a car on St. John, but I highly recommend it if you want to explore the whole island. Taxis are available, but do not go around the whole island and can add up in costs. In order to get to Trunk Bay, you are able to take a taxi but I personally prefer to have my own car!
If you do rent a car, you will want to rent it at the airport in St. Thomas to pick up when you land, then take the car ferry over from Red Hook in St. Thomas to Cruz Bay on St. John.
Why Trunk Bay?
So, why should you visit Trunk Bay? There are many beaches on St. John that are worth visiting, so what makes Trunk Bay so special?
Not only does Trunk Bay Beach have soft white sand and crystal clear turquoise water, it also has unique amenities such as the underwater snorkel trail and has incredible views of other islands in the distance!
When is the best time to visit Trunk Bay?
If you are planning to visit Trunk Bay during the high season, it is best to go early in the morning to avoid the crowds. I arrived at Trunk Bay around 7 am and was lucky enough to have the beach almost to myself! By around 8 AM, the parking lot was almost completely full and the beach was starting to get crowded.
If you do have a rental car and plan on driving yourself, it is best to come early before the parking lot starts to fill up!
How to get to Trunk Bay
The best way to get to Trunk Bay is by rental car, but you can also take a taxi from Cruz Bay or another beach near Trunk Bay.
From Cruz Bay, Trunk Bay is around a 10-15 minute drive to the west of the island. If you are taking a taxi from Cruz Bay, you can expect it to cost around $12 per person each way.
If you have a rental car and are driving, be sure to pull over at the lookout point at the top of the road on the way down to the beach (pictured above)! This is by far the best view of Trunk Bay and is even better in the afternoon when the sun is directly hitting the water turning it the most vibrant shade of blue!
Underwater Snorkeling Trail
One of the most unique things about Trunk Bay is that there is an underwater snorkel trail! Trunk Bay is part of the Virgin Islands National Park and the National Park Service maintains the trail.
The trail is around 400 ft long and follows underwater signs that teach snorkelers all about the coral and marine life that lives within the reef!
Snorkel gear is available to rent at the vendor stands at Trunk Bay, or you can bring your snorkel gear and snorkel for free!
What to pack for Trunk Bay
Bug Spray – One downside to visiting Trunk Bay is that there are a lot of mosquitoes and sand fleas. My biggest mistake when visiting Trunk Bay was not bringing any insect repellent and ended up with TONS of itchy bug bites after only being here for a couple of hours. Insect Repellent Bands are also a good alternative option since the spray can wash off while swimming.
Snorkel Gear – Snorkeling at Trunk Bay is a must, especially if you plan on doing the snorkel trail! While there are snorkel rentals available at Trunk Bay, I always prefer to bring my own while traveling.
Reef-Safe Sunscreen – In order to protect the coral and marine life at Trunk Bay, make sure to only wear reef-safe sunscreen while swimming! Sunscreens that contain oxybenzone, octinoxate, and octocrylene are not allowed on St. John.
Beach Towel – Turkish towels are my favorite towels to bring to the beach because they help keep sand out of your bags and rental car! These towels are easy to shake off and sand does not cling to these towels the way it does to regular beach towels. They can also be tied up up and worn as a swimsuit cover-up!
Cooler with snack and drinks – While there are food and drink vendors available at Trunk Bay, I recommend packing a cooler with your own food and drinks if you plan on staying a while! This is a popular beach so the lines at the stands can be long, especially during the busy season!
Electrolytes – Trunk Bay can get very hot and sunny, and it’s important to stay hydrated! I always have a few packs of electrolytes in my beach bag to throw in my waters to stay hydrated on long days in the sun!
Trunk Bay Tours
Budget Trunk Bay with Scenic Stops
Cost: $50 per person
This tour offers both hotel pick up and pick up from the ferry port in Cruz Bay. It does NOT include ferry tickets from St. Thomas. The tour includes a stop at Trunk Bay and the National Park Visitors Center.
Half-Day Excursion to Trunk Bay Beach
Cost: $46 per person
Includes hotel pickup and pick up from the cruise port in St. Thomas. This is a half-day tour that allows for 3 hours to enjoy Trunk Bay.
St John Island and Trunk Bay Beach Tour
Cost: $78 per person
This is a small group tour that includes a scenic ferry ride, a local guide, beach time, and a tour of the island. This tour will give you time to spend at Trunk Bay, stops at scenic overlooks in Virgin Islands National Park, and admission to Annaberg Sugar Plantation.
Looking for more information on the US Virgin Islands? Check out these guides:
