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

Alright, so to get to St. John, you’ll first fly into Cyril E. King Airport on St. Thomas (USVI), and then hop on either a passenger ferry or a car ferry to make your way over to the island.

We went with a Jeep rental from Amalie Car Rental on St. Thomas, 10/10 recommend them! They literally met us at the curb with the Jeep, and the whole process was smooth as butter.

From there, we took the car ferry, which is about a 30-minute ride. Once we got to St. John, it was just a quick 10-minute drive straight to Trunk Bay.

Super easy!

Trunk Bay has a reputation for being the most beautiful beach in the U.S. Virgin Islands, and with hype like that, you can bet it gets busy.

If you’re driving, I’d definitely suggest getting there early.

Parking is super limited, and by the time we rolled in around 9:30 a.m., there were literally only three spots left. So yeah… not a place you want to “wing it.”

If you don’t feel like stressing over parking, grabbing a taxi is an easy alternative.

Just keep in mind there’s a small entrance fee of $5 per person to get onto the beach. Totally worth it for the views, though.

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

After paying the $5 entrance fee, you’ll follow a winding sidewalk down toward the beach.

On the way, you’ll pass a stand on the left renting snorkel gear and beach chairs.

If you’re into snorkeling, I’d skip the rentals and bring your own gear.

My husband and I are obsessed with snorkeling and have snorkeled everywhere from the best house reefs in the Maldives to Moorea. We invested in quality gear a while back.

Here’s our personal snorkeling gear we swear by.

Once you hit the sand, you’ll see the lifeguard chair, which is kind of the “main hub” of the beach.

From there, it’s all about claiming a spot and jumping into that insane turquoise water.

Shade is pretty limited, though, so load up on reef-safe sunscreen or throw on a rash guard to save your skin.

When we arrived it wasn’t too busy, but by the time we left it was definitely filling up.

Go early. I can’t stress that enough.

Also, don’t stick right by the lifeguard chair where everyone clusters. Walk a little to the left (facing the water) and it’s way less crowded.

Trunk Bay itself is gorgeous. The water is that unreal turquoise, and the beach has a gently sloping sandy bottom, which makes it the perfect spot to just float around.

During our week in St. John, my husband and I managed to snorkel at 11 different spots.

Some of our favorites were Waterlemon Cay, Haulover Bay North, and Francis Bay Beach (so many turtles there, highly recommend!).

I was pumped to check out the snorkeling at Trunk Bay since it’s so hyped up.

But honestly? It didn’t really live up to the expectations.

The main snorkeling area is along the Cay, just a short swim out from the beach. We spotted some tropical fish like sergeant majors and a few coral outcroppings, but compared to other spots on the island, it wasn’t anything mind-blowing.

To be fair, the water was a little windy and choppy when we went, which definitely hurt visibility.

I have heard the far left side of the beach (when you’re facing the water) has better snorkeling, but we didn’t get to check it out this trip. Maybe next time!

Another thing: the underwater snorkeling trail gets busy. Like, “dodging fins in your face” busy. If you want any chance at peace, go early.

That said, Trunk Bay is still a stunning beach and worth hanging out at.

One nice perk of Trunk Bay is that you don’t have to pack everything. There’s food and drinks available right by the beach.

We skipped the food but couldn’t resist grabbing a couple of drinks: a super refreshing rum punch and a Lime-N-Da-Coconut (highly recommend to make you feel like you’re on vacation!).

Drinks run about $8–$12, and you can level up to a bigger size for an extra $4 if you’re feeling it.

Bonus points: the beach has showers and restrooms, which makes rinsing off and freshening up super convenient.

We stayed in Coral Bay at the cutest little villa and absolutely loved it.

Coral Bay has a relaxed, hippie vibe with unique restaurants, friendly locals, and some fantastic snorkeling spots.

Our villa had incredible panoramic views of the bay along with a private pool, so it felt like our own slice of paradise. The drive to Trunk Bay was about 25 minutes, which was totally worth it for the quieter atmosphere on that side of the island.

If you want to know more about this villa or explore other boutique properties near Trunk Bay, I put together a curated list of some of the best places to stay on the island.

If you want the same postcard-worthy scenery without the wall-to-wall crowds, check out Cinnamon Bay Beach.

It has that same soft white sand and turquoise water, but it’s usually much more relaxed and the snorkeling here can be better too.

Cinnamon doesn’t come with all the extras that Trunk Bay offers, like a snack shack, but it makes up for it with space to spread out and a more laid-back vibe.

It’s also a great backup plan if Trunk Bay’s parking lot is full or you just don’t feel like fighting for a spot.

Bonus: Cinnamon Bay is a lot bigger than Trunk Bay, so even when there are more people, it never feels quite as packed in. It’s a solid alternative that still gives you the best of St. John’s beaches without the crowds.

Trunk Bay Beach really is stunning and definitely worth a stop for a swim in that crystal-clear turquoise water.

Just be prepared for crowds, because everyone else has the same idea. The trick is to get there early, enjoy a swim, and grab a cocktail.

If you’re looking for more trip inspiration, check out my 9-day St. John itinerary. It’s packed with tips, the best snorkel spots, and a flow that actually makes sense for exploring the island.

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Questions about our Trunk Bay St. John experience?

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