I have been to beaches on four continents and photographed the coastlines of more than 30 national parks. Honeymoon Beach in Virgin Islands National Park on St. John is one of the rare spots that actually lives up to its name.
This is not an overcrowded resort beach with jet skis and timeshare salespeople. Honeymoon Beach sits inside one of the least-visited national parks in the system, tucked behind a rocky trail that weeds out the flip-flop crowd. What you get when you arrive is clear blue water, white sand, a handful of leaning palms, and a beach club that sells cold drinks. Each time it delivers.
Where Honeymoon Beach Sits
Honeymoon Beach is on the northwest shore of St. John, inside the park boundary and next to the long-shuttered Caneel Bay Resort. Caneel was wrecked by the 2017 hurricanes and, as of 2026, remains closed with no redevelopment underway. The good news for visitors is that the beach itself is open and the beach club is running.
The beach sits right beside Salomon Beach, which you pass on the Lind Point Trail on your way in. Both are worth a look, but Honeymoon is the one with the beach club and the larger stretch of sand.
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Getting to St. John, Then to the Beach
St. John is reached by ferry from St. Thomas. Fly into Cyril E. King Airport (STT), then take the Red Hook to Cruz Bay passenger ferry, which runs about hourly and costs roughly $13 per adult each way as of 2026. The ride is about 20 minutes. Honeymoon Beach is one of the few park spots you can reach without a car, since the trailhead is right in Cruz Bay.
There are two ways to reach the beach: the Lind Point Trail or by boat.
The Lind Point Trail
The Lind Point Trail starts at the Virgin Islands National Park Visitor Center in Cruz Bay and runs about one mile to Honeymoon Beach. It takes roughly 25 to 30 minutes at a casual pace. The trail is well-marked but not smooth. Expect rocky footing, exposed roots, and a few spots where you will want to watch your step. I have seen folks attempt this in flip-flops and it does not end well. Hiking sandals with a good sole or trail shoes are the move.
About halfway along you pass Salomon Beach on your left. It is worth a quick stop, since the snorkeling there is good, but the main destination is Honeymoon, another 10 minutes farther. If you would rather not hike, taxis run to the beach from the Caneel Bay entrance for a few dollars per person, and several charter companies on St. John and St. Thomas include Honeymoon on their stops.
Snorkeling at Honeymoon Beach
Honeymoon offers solid snorkeling, though it is not the best on the island. The bottom here is mostly sand with scattered patches of seagrass, which means you are more likely to see sea turtles and rays than dense coral. On my last visit I spotted three green sea turtles, one of which surfaced about six feet from me. It was the kind of moment that makes you forget the mile of trail in the heat.
If you are after dense coral, head to Trunk Bay, which has a marked underwater snorkel trail, or swim out to Waterlemon Cay, where the reef is the best on the island.
One important note: green sea turtles are protected under the Endangered Species Act, and touching one is a federal crime. The temptation is real when they swim close. Keep your distance, admire from a few feet away, and let them graze.
Best Time to Visit
Honeymoon is one of the more popular beaches on St. John, and by mid-morning the shady spots under the palms are taken. I try to hit the trailhead by 8:00 AM. That gives you first pick of spots and calmer water for snorkeling before the afternoon chop builds.
What to Bring
- Hiking sandals or trail shoes. The Lind Point Trail is rocky and root-covered.
- Your own snorkel gear. The beach club rents gear, but if you are hitting several beaches it is cheaper and more sanitary to bring your own.
- A rash guard and sun protection. An hour face-down snorkeling will cook your back faster than you think.
- Water and cash. The beach club takes care of food and drink, but bring water for the trail.
Know Before You Go
- Getting there: Ferry from St. Thomas (Red Hook to Cruz Bay, about $13 per adult each way in 2026), then the Lind Point Trail from the visitor center, or a short taxi.
- Trail: About one mile each way, 25 to 30 minutes, rocky and rooted.
- Fees: No general park entrance fee and no amenity fee at Honeymoon.
- Facilities: The Caneel Bay Beach Club at Honeymoon offers food, drinks, chair rentals, restrooms, and showers when in season.
- Wildlife: Green sea turtles in the seagrass. Keep your distance.
- Time needed: A half day is comfortable with the hike, beach, and snorkel.
Plan the Rest of Your St. John Trip
Honeymoon is the easiest park beach to reach from Cruz Bay, which makes it a good first stop. From there, build out your trip with the north shore beaches like Maho Bay and Francis Bay. For the full park, start at our Virgin Islands National Park guide and our list of things to do in the park.
