Annaly Bay Tide Pools: The Ultimate Hiking Guide
My husband and I love uncovering hidden gems when we travel, and the Annaly Bay Tide Pools are exactly that. One of those special spots that feels like a reward for a little extra effort.
This rugged, untouched corner of St. Croix is absolutely worth visiting and easily ranks as one of my top things to do on the island. Getting there does require some planning and a bit of a hike, which helps keep the crowds away. A huge plus in my book.
Once you arrive, you’ll be greeted by pristine tide pools, dramatic rock formations, and the kind of natural beauty that makes you pause and take it all in.
To help you find this incredible spot without any stress, I’ve put together a detailed guide to make your hike smooth and hassle-free.
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How to Access the Annaly Bay Trailhead
Option 1
Park right outside the entrance of the Carambola Beach Resort St Croix on the northern end of the island.
The guard will guide you to a parking lot on the left side of the entrance. From there, it’s a short walk to the trailhead.
Parking lot for Annaly Bay Tide Pools in St. Croix
After parking, follow the paved road to the left of the lot.
Shortly after, you’ll see another paved road branching off to the left. Ignore it and stay to the right.
Stay right on the paved road to access the trailhead
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Keep following the main paved road.
Keep following the main paved road until you see the dirt trailhead on the right.
After a brief walk along the paved road, you’ll spot a dirt trailhead on the right side.
It’s easy to miss, marked only by a short wooden post, so keep an eye out!
Marker for the trailhead
Option 2
While we didn’t take this route, you can also start the hike from inside the Carambola Beach Resort by cutting through the water treatment area to access the trail.
It’s a time-saver, but since we enjoy hiking, we opted for the longer route instead.
Option 3
Alternatively, you could drive all the way down to the beach, but be warned. The road is in terrible condition and nearly impassable.
If you’re thinking about it, you’ll need a high-clearance SUV and a solid understanding of your rental agreement. Just in case things go sideways.
Personally, we weren’t willing to take that risk, so we skipped it.
Step-By-Step Hiking Experience
Follow the 2.7-mile Trumbull Trail through the lush rainforest. It’s a sweaty trek, but thankfully, most of the path is shaded.
Trumbull Trail to Annaly Bay Tide Pools in St. Croix
We saw some cool trees with spikes called Monkey No Climb and some hermit crabs along the way.
Monkey No Climb Tree
Hermit crab
Annaly Bay Tide Pools Hiking Trail
As you hike towards the top of the hill, you will pass by a beautiful viewpoint of the Carambola Beach Resort below.
View of the Carambola Beach Resort from the Annaly Bay Tide Pools hike
The trail will eventually lead to a dirt rocky road.
Turn right.
At least when we went, there was an arrow someone formed out of pebbles to designate which direction to go.
Turn right on the dirt rocky road as indicated by the arrow formed out of pebbles.
Follow this road, which will lead you to a pebbly beach with crashing waves.
As you are facing the water, walk to the left along the beach.
Pebbly beach next to Annaly Bay Tide Pools
Scramble over the final rocky section, and you’ll be rewarded with stunning blue-green tide pools carved naturally into the landscape.
The rock scramble can be tricky and dangerous, so only attempt it at low tide. It’s safer, and the conditions are more manageable.
Some people tried climbing higher on the rocks to stay dry, but honestly, that seemed more dangerous. I’d recommend sticking to the lower, more stable rocks. Safer footing is worth getting a little wet.
Speaking of getting wet … you will. I found myself timing my steps with the waves, moving quickly when the water receded to avoid an unexpected splash.
Rock scramble
Swimming in Annaly Bay Tide Pools
Then hop into the clear refreshing water after your sweaty hike and enjoy!
You can see a few little fish swimming around and some hermit crabs hanging out in the rock crevices. There are sea urchins, so be careful.
This wouldn’t be the place that’s worth bringing snorkel gear. If you are looking for fantastic snorkeling, then check out my guides on Frederiksted Pier (schools of fish!), Cane Bay (turtles!), and Dorsch Beach (starfish)!
There is also a second tide pool if you continue to round the corner past the first tide pool.
Cascading waterfall created from the ocean waves crashing over at Annaly Bay Tide Pools
Check out the super clear water!
Second Annaly Bay Tide Pool
How Much Time to Allow for the Hike
It took us just over an hour to reach the Annaly Bay Tide Pools.
In total, we spent about 3 hours on this excursion: 2 hours hiking roundtrip and 1 hour enjoying the tide pools.
This hike does require a moderate level of fitness. Some sections are tricky with uneven terrain, exposed roots, and slippery spots.
The final stretch involves a short rock scramble where you’ll need to carefully plan your steps as waves crash in. A bit challenging, but absolutely worth it.
What to Bring
Sunscreen + Hat + Sun Shirt
Although it is mostly shaded on the hike, you are in full sun once you arrive at the beach and head to the tide pools. My favorite sunscreen is Elta MD UV Clear sunscreen! Coolibar shirts work great for protecting your skin during these outdoor activities.
Small Waterproof/Water-Resistant Daypack
I would advise a waterproof or water-resistant bag to transport your items. You will get wet. I used my Zomake daypack which worked out pretty well. My Zomake bag is not waterproof but is water-resistant. It was never submerged in water, but the bag did help protect my gear from the few waves that happened to crash around me.
Hiking Shoes (that can get wet) or Water Shoes
This is essential! You will need sturdy closed-toe shoes to complete the 2-hour hike roundtrip and the rock scramble at the end. You can either wear hiking shoes that can get wet or a sturdy pair of water shoes that can also handle hiking.
Water Bottle
Bring plenty of water. This excursion requires effort, and you will get hot and sweaty. Be prepared and bring a water bottle.
Bathing Suit
Wear your bathing suit underneath your hiking clothes. Then you are ready to go once you are ready for a dip at the tide pools.
Skip the Snorkeling Gear
Some people recommend it. You could bring it, but I don’t think it’s worth carrying it for several hours to see a few fish. If you love snorkeling, check out my article on all the Top Snorkeling Sites in St Croix and the snorkel gear I bring on all of my island trips.
Final Thoughts
This is a must-do if you enjoy the outdoors and a bit of adventure.
Since the Annaly Bay Tide Pools require some effort to reach, they aren’t typically overrun with crowds. When we visited, we only saw a few other couples, though that could always change over time.
Plan ahead, pack the essentials, and visit during low tide for the best experience. It’s easily one of St. Croix’s most unique attractions.
If you’re a hiking fan, don’t miss the stunning coastal trail to Isaac and Jack Bay as well!
Still figuring out how to fit the tide pools into your trip?
Check out my ultimate 8-day St. Croix itinerary!
I’m Nichole, the author of all the blog posts on Enriching Pursuits. Think of me as your geeky discerning travel friend who dives deep (Google Page 20, forums, travel groups deep!) to uncover the best ways to enjoy exceptional outdoor adventures and foodie experiences.
My husband and I are experienced snorkelers, day hikers, and casual cyclists who also love delicious street food, an incredible glass of wine, and the occasional Michelin-starred meal.
Balancing full-time careers, we cherish every second of our vacation days and love sharing tips to help you do the same. If this sounds like your kind of travel, subscribe below or drop me a note with any questions. I’d love to hear from you!
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Questions about our experience at Annaly Bay Tide Pools?
Let me know in the comments below!
We are headed to St. Croix in a couple weeks. My husband really wants to do this hike, but I’m nervous about the rock scramble at the end. Is it really short? Do you have any pictures of that area? Thank you for all of your great advice!
Thanks for reaching out! The rock scramble is short. It is a little nerve-wracking, but I’m a big baby when it comes to that stuff.
I would only go during LOW tide and wear sturdy shoes that you don’t mind getting wet. There are maybe two sections where I had to time my foot placement to step on/off a rock really quick as a wave receded.
I had to use both my hands during the scramble, so I don’t have any photos right in the middle of the scramble. However, I do have GoPro footage of Annaly Bay Tide Pools that also shows part of the rock scramble right before we headed back. After we headed back and got back on the beach, I did turn around and got a short video of people starting the rock scramble.
If interested, DM me through Instagram, and I’m happy to share those short clips.
Hi Nichole,
What is your Instagram? I’m also a big baby with this stuff and will be going there on my honeymoon next week and my husband and I love to hike and be outdoors, but the sound of this made me a little nervous! So I think if I see your short videos it might put me more at ease, if you don’t mind sharing them. I’d be happy to DM you!
So sorry for the delayed response. We just got back from Aruba with my family.
Click on the instagram icon at the top of my website (if you are on desktop) or at the bottom (if you are on your cell phone) and that will take you to my account.
The videos are very short clips. There’s no way I could have held a GoPro or phone and navigated the rocks to take videos while doing it. I would have had to wear a chest strap to get footage. You’ll need both hands.
Another suggestion is to type in Annaly Bay Tide Pools in YouTube. There are some videos that show brief parts of those sections.
Hope you have a wonderful time, and congrats on your honeymoon! 😊
Everyone says go at low tide. How TF are you supposed to know when that is and when it will be?
Great question. There are several websites that share tide tables predicting when low and high tides will occur based on the day and time of year. Here’s one example: NOAA Tides.
REI also has a great article on how to read a tide table: REI How to Read a Tide Table.
Thanks you’ll for the great details on heading to Annaly Bay. I’m going June 23 to 26, ohhhh yeahhh!!!
So glad it helped! It’s a fun hike with a beautiful swim at the end. Enjoy your trip! 🙂