Trunk Bay St. John: 8 Things to Know Before You Go

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You will need to fly into Cyril E. King Airport in St. Thomas USVI and then either take the passenger ferry or car ferry.

We rented a Jeep through Amalie Car Rental in St. Thomas (love them!). They met us curbside with our Jeep. The transfer process was smooth and seamless.

Then we took the 30-minute car ferry. Trunk Bay is another 10-minute drive from the dock. 

Since this is considered the most beautiful beach in the U.S. Virgin Islands, everyone wants to come here and it will be busy!

I strongly encourage you to get there early, so you can actually get a parking spot and maybe avoid some of the prime-time crowds.

We arrived around 9:30 am, and there were three spots left.

Alternatively, some suggest taking a taxi to the beach since parking spots fill quickly.

The entrance fee is nominal but just know that you must pay $5 USD to access Trunk Bay.

The park is open year-round. According to the National Park Service,  facilities are open 8 am to 4 pm.

After we paid our entrance fee, we proceeded on the winding sidewalk toward the beach. You will pass a stand on your left offering snorkeling gear rentals and beach chairs.

Since we snorkel frequently when we travel to beach locations, I always bring my own snorkeling gear. A mask or fins that do not fit will ruin your experience.

Once you arrive at Trunk Bay Beach, you will pass by a lifeguard chair. Now, it is time to set up shop and enjoy that pristine tropical turquoise water.

There are a few little pockets of shade but not much. Load up on Elta MD sunscreen or better yet wear a rash guard. I love my Coolibar sun shirts!

When we first got there, it was not too crowded, but by the time we left, it was getting busy quickly. I cannot imagine how packed this beach must be when cruise ships are in port.

GO EARLY! I cannot emphasize this enough.

Also, to avoid some of the crowds, space out! Most people bunch up right beside the lifeguard chair. If you walk a little further to the left (as you face the water), it is not as cramped.

In addition, try to pick a day to visit when cruise ships are not in port.

Trunk Bay Beach has a gently sloping sandy bottom, so it is the perfect beach to just bob up and down and enjoy your gorgeous surroundings.

My husband and I snorkeled 11 different spots during our 1-week vacation in St John.

Waterlemon Cay and Haulover North were some of our favorites.

If you love to snorkel, check out my St John Snorkeling Guide for all the details, which includes my rating system of all the sites.

I was excited to check out the snorkeling at Trunk Bay, but it fell short of expectations. The snorkeling is located along the Cay, which is a short swim from the beach.

We did see some tropical fish such as sergeant majors and coral outcroppings, but I would not call this a top-notch snorkeling location. We also went when there was a little wind, which made the water a bit choppy and affected the visibility.

The other downside was the underwater snorkeling trail was quite busy with other fellow tourists. Expect a lot of snorkeling fins in your face unless you get there early.

Certainly enjoy the beach but keep your expectations low for the snorkeling.  I have heard the snorkeling is pretty good on the far left side of the beach (as you face the water). We did not snorkel there but may check it out next time.

One of the perks of visiting Trunk Bay is it offers some food and drinks that you can enjoy while relaxing on the beach.

We did not order any food but enjoyed a refreshing rum punch and Lime-N-Da-Coconut. Drink prices range from $8-$12 USD. You can also make your drink “bigger” for an extra $4 USD.

Showers and restrooms are available.

We stayed at an adorable villa in Coral Bay, which we absolutely loved! Coral Bay in St John has a relaxed, more hippie-vibe with plenty of unique restaurants and amazing snorkeling spots.

Our villa offered incredible panoramic views overlooking Coral Bay and also had a private pool. 

It is located about 25 minutes from Trunk Bay.

To find out more about this villa and other amazing boutique properties close to Trunk Bay, check out my article below. 

If you want to avoid the crowds, have a better snorkeling experience, and still enjoy a beautiful white sand beach and turquoise water, then head to the neighboring Cinnamon Bay Beach.

It does not have the amenities of Trunk Bay, but it is a solid alternative choice if Trunk Bay is too crowded or you cannot find parking.

Trunk Bay Beach is gorgeous and worth a visit to swim in its crystal-clear turquoise waters!

Just realize though it will be BUSY with all the other tourists who want to do the same thing. Arrive early, have a nice swim, enjoy a refreshing cocktail, and skip the snorkeling.    

Need more ideas for planning your St. John vacation? Don’t miss my 9-day itinerary below. 

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Questions about our Trunk Bay St. John experience?

Let me know in the comments below!