Hawksnest Bay

Access

Road access with accessible paths and beach ramps.

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Facilities

Changing rooms, restrooms, picnic tables, and grills.

Snorkeling

Three small reefs of Elkhorn coral hold lots of small fish, but it is not advisable to snorkel directly over the shallow reef, which can be dangerous when sea conditions are less than ideal.

Water quality & sargassum

Live DPNR bulletins and sample history for St. John beaches are on the beach directory page, each with its own freshness.

Wind, swell & UV

Wind direction and swell decide whether this shore is calm today; UV decides how long midday sand is comfortable.

Park alerts

Trail, road, and beach closures are published by the park itself — check the official NPS conditions page before you head out.

Trunk Bay

A long white-sand beach with a marked underwater snorkel trail and the island’s fullest set of facilities.

Cinnamon Bay

The longest beach on St. John, gently sloping, with a café, beach shop, and watersports center beside the campground.

Maho Bay

A calm, roadside beach known for large seagrass beds where green sea turtles feed.

Francis Bay

A quarter-mile beach with calm water, good for beginners and turtle-watching, plus a pond trail for birds.

Salomon & Honeymoon Bay

Two quieter bays reached by a short hike from the park sign, with a fringing reef to the west.

Leinster Bay & Waterlemon Cay

One of St. John’s best snorkeling spots, around a small cay reached on foot from the Annaberg area.