Best Quiet Beaches on St. John

[SraRaton]

We have decided to bypass St. Thomas this time and go to St. John. We have heard that the beaches are beautiful and look forward to exploring. We do not like crowded beaches and do not have to have lots of "facilities and amenities". We would like an uncrowded beach, white sand and fairly calm waters to swim in and make sand castles.

Trunk Bay is supposed to be pretty but overcrowded and this is a real turn off for me and my family. Has anyone tried Honeymoon Beach, Watermelon Cay, Salt Pond Bay, Francis Bay or Lameshur Bay???

We were very disappointed at Sapphire Beach and it was the only thing not perfect for our last cruise, so I want to "fix" it this time around

Thanks!!!

 

[Dave_from_Marietta]

I don't have first-hand experience, but I can point you to this page...

www.travelfacts.com/tfacts/htm/stj/stjbeach.htm

 

[Talky_Tina]

Thanks for the St. John link

SraRaton, can you tell us why you were disappointed with Sapphire Beach? We are still excursion shopping and any info would be appreciated.

Thank you!

TT

 

[AnnMorin]

Was unbelieveable,, we did the 5 star and they must have moored in a secluded spot because the ONLY people there was our excursion (maybe 30-35 people tops) It was so beautiful and reminded me of gilligans island, there was absolutely nothing commercial there, not a lounge chair or vender in sight, just beautiful unspoiled beach and reefs!

 

[SraRaton]

When we went to Sapphire Beach it was in 2001. I have heard they have made some improvements . . .

1. The beach was small and it was very crowded.
2. You could see nothing but Hotels and Condos - it looked like Panama City or Destin to me.
3. The beach was filthy with Cigarette Butts and Condom wrappers and other strange things that the kids kept digging up. We did not let them dig there.

We were horrified!!!

Linda

Check out this virtual tour, but add tons of people and lots of dirt . . .
http://www.sapphirebeachresort.com/virtual/vr_beach.htm

Here is where we visited in St. Maarten/St. Martin and it was lovely

Friar's Bay
http://www.mrstm.com/tour/12.html
Cupecoy
http://www.mrstm.com/tour/4.html

 

[Gillian]

NONE of the beaches on St John will be like that! First of all, there are only 2 big hotels. And a condo place, but it's in town. Neither of the hotels is on Trunk Bay (nothing is really, it's park land).

How old are your kids? To get to some of the beaches you mentioned you have to walk or hike. Cinnamon is a short walk, but it's paved, and through a campground. nice beach, feels safer because there are facilities & people around. Some of the really deserted beaches in the Virgin Islands feel creepy to me.

Here's another link - http://www.gotostjohn.com/beaches/index.htm

 

[Talky_Tina]

Thank you all for the information and links to the beaches!

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TT

 

[nedleycan]

Trunk Bay is beautiful, but much more crowded and dirtier (although not dirty). All other beaches on the stretch around Trunk Bay and Cinnamon Bay are beautiful. We have been there a few times, and didn't find a beach we didn't like!