When it comes to stunning Caribbean seas, pristine beaches and loads of fun activities, the US Virgin Islands await! Whether you want to find some solitude or go to a party on the beach, these are 9 of the best beaches in the Caribbean.
Caribbean Beaches Overview
There are many noteworthy Caribbean beaches, but the US Virgin Islands (USVI) invites you to check out America’s Caribbean Paradise. Here, you can easily go beach hopping among the islands, and you won’t even lose your cellphone reception! What follows is a list of the best of the best, including St. Thomas beaches, St. John beaches, and St. Croix beaches.
9 of the best beaches in the Caribbean
When you first arrive in the USVI, you’ll fly into Cyril E. King Airport on St. Thomas, so let’s begin our beach-hopping vacation there. (If you start your vacation in St. Croix, you would take a flight from the mainland to Henry E. Rohlsen Airport).
1. Honeymoon Beach – St. John
The USVI is known for romance, so is it any wonder that one of the very best beaches in St. John is named Honeymoon Beach? Of course, anyone is welcome to go to this beach, but you’ll need to pack a bit of patience. One of the best ways to reach this beach is by taking a 1-mile hike on the Lind Point Trail. Be sure to begin your trek at the VINP Visitor Center.
Once you reach the beach, you’ll find a glorious spot to go snorkeling! Because so much of the reef lies in shallow waters, you’ll have the ability to see turtles, fish, rays, and corals from an up close and personal perspective. When it’s time to soak in some rays, you might even have the beach mostly to yourself. That’s because Honeymoon Beach is a hidden gem that doesn’t typically attract a lot of visitors.
2. Trunk Bay Beach – St. John
St. John’s famous Trunk Bay Beach is the USVI’s most photographed beach. This means two things: number one, it’s absolutely breathtaking. Number two, it’s going to be packed! You might not care, though, once you get a look at the turquoise water and white sand beach.
If you don’t have much—if any—experience with snorkeling, Trunk Bay Beach has got you covered. In fact, there is a marked underwater trail that’s ideal for beginners! One piece of advice—if at all possible, check the list of cruise ships that are coming into the area, and plan your trip to Trunk Bay Beach accordingly. If you want to see a smaller crowd, don’t go here at the same time as a bunch of cruise passengers.
Please be aware that Trunk Bay Beach charges $5 per person for those 16 and older.
3. Rainbow Beach – St. Croix
Have you ever wanted to watch the sunset go down over a Caribbean paradise? Rainbow Beach is the ideal spot because it faces west! Before sunset arrives, enjoy the calm, clear water and nice sandy beach. Need a bite to eat? This beach has a bar and restaurant within mere feet of you named Rhythms at Rainbow Beach.
If you’ll be coming to St. Croix on a cruise ship, then Rainbow Beach provides your closest beach-going experience. It is located approximately 1 mile from where cruise ships dock. And, because of Rhythms, you don’t need to go anywhere else on the island if you so choose. Instead, you can relax on the beach, enjoy a tropical drink, take in live music on Rhythms’ stage, and top it all off with a delicious dinner—including vegan and vegetarian options!
4. Secret Harbour – St. Thomas
This small beach may be part of a resort, but everyone is welcome! Of course, you may find it a bit difficult to park unless you’re a guest, so you might want to take a taxi instead. Once you’ve arrived, you’ll find a beach that’s somewhat hidden from the wind, which makes Secret Harbour a dream come true on windy days.
It’s important to note that if you’re not a guest of the resort, you will not have the ability to use or rent umbrellas and chairs. Therefore, be sure to bring whatever you might need. It’ll be worth it to stick your toes into the softest sand in St. Thomas! Even better, if you go here near sunset, you’ll love the romantic ambiance.
5. Maho Bay Beach – St. John
Are you a fan of sea turtles? If you said yes, you’re going to adore Maho Bay Beach! Even if you don’t, though, the relaxing calm of sitting on Maho Bay Beach can’t be beaten. Other creatures you can see by snorkeling include sting rays, colored fish, barracuda, and maybe even an octopus.
Maho Bay Beach was voted the “Visitors’ Favorite Beach,” which means you’ll absolutely love it. On the downside, though, this beach is extremely popular, so don’t plan to visit during peak hours. One huge upside to Maho Bay Beach is that it has public restrooms. Additionally, if you’re visiting with your entire family, you’ll find that the sandy shoreline is the perfect place to make sandcastles.
6. Cane Bay Beach – St. Croix
Cane Bay Beach is one of the best sand-covered spots to visit if you want to bring your dog. It also happens to have every single thing you’ll need to spend a day in St. Croix—including food and bars—right on the beach! Be aware that visitors and locals like to hang out on Cane Bay Beach, and there is a lot of live entertainment. In other words, this isn’t the beach to go to if you’re looking for solitude.
If you’re interested in snorkeling or even diving, Cane Bay is the place to go. When you go for a dive, you’ll likely encounter turtles, fish, moray eels, shrimp, garden eels, squid, crabs, lobster, reef sharks, seahorses, and perhaps even a humpback whale or dolphin! Or, if you prefer to stay on land, participate in a rousing match of volleyball.
7. Lindqvist Beach – St. Thomas
Lindqvist Beach is part of the 21-acre, protected Smith Bay Park. There are zero restaurants or bars located here, which makes it ideal for those who want to get away from everything. Snorkeling is a major activity here, as it is on most USVI beaches. Other things you’ll love include the crystal clear, deep blue and turquoise water, soft white-sand beach, and the fantastic views of St. John and the British Virgin Islands.
Looking for a shaded place to rest? On either side of the beach, you’ll find sea grape trees and a coconut grove. Come here during the week to avoid the crowds. Be aware that Lindqvist Beach has a $5 per person charge for people 13 and older. There are also rental sheds located here for $50.
8. Cinnamon Bay – St. John
Would you like to find a St. John beach with more privacy than Trunk Bay? Cinnamon Bay has you covered! It also happens to be the longest beach in St. John, plus it’s one of the only places in all of St. John where you can go camping. If you’re looking for something with a bit more civility, you can rent one of the beach’s cottages instead.
Cinnamon Bay is the ideal location for watersports! Enjoy kayaking, windsurfing, sailing, and snorkeling here. If you decide to camp at Cinnamon Bay, be cognizant of the fact that the WiFi is only guaranteed at the café. This means you’ll truly get to unwind from your phone, and you might even choose not to look at it at all. One last special touch is that Cinnamon Bay rents beach wheelchairs!
9. Protestant Cay Beach – St. Croix
Finally, our trip to the best beaches in the USVI ends at St. Croix’s Protestant Cay Beach. You can access Protestant Cay by taking a $5 ferry ride found near Fort Christianvaern. Go here if you’ve got smaller children with you, as the water is typically quite calm.
If you decide to go snorkeling, you’re likely to see conch, schools of juvenile fish, starfish, and more. Or, if you’d rather hang out on the beach, you can rent a lounge chair and find some shade beneath a palm tree. Be aware that only resort guests are allowed to explore the entire island. Fortunately, you can find food and drinks on the beach.
As you can plainly see, the USVI is packed with beaches! The nine listed above barely scratch the surface, so you’ll definitely be able to find whatever it is you’re looking for in a beach destination.
Plan Your Beach Vacation to the USVI!
Plan your trip now with Vacation VI! Explore the entire US Virgin Islands for luxurious rentals. Discover options on St. Thomas and St. John with us, as we offer an extensive selection of luxury vacation rentals. Our services include full concierge support like provisioning, private chefs, sailing, water sports, entertainment booking, VIP transport, and more. We’re dedicated to providing a top-notch experience from the first conversation until you return home. Your every need will be expertly catered to.
Kirsten Morgan is a passionate travel blogger based in the stunning St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands. With a deep love for island life and a knack for storytelling, Kirsten brings the vibrant culture, breathtaking landscapes, and hidden gems of the Caribbean to life through her captivating blogs.
