Honeymoon Beach

I’ve been to beaches on 4 continents. Photographed the coastlines of 30+ national parks. And I can tell you that Honeymoon Beach in Virgin Islands National Park on St. John is one of those rare spots that actually lives up to the name.

This isn’t some overcrowded resort beach with jetskis and timeshare salespeople. Honeymoon Beach sits within 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 crystal blue water, white sand, a handful of the last remaining leaning palms on the island (most were destroyed by Hurricane Maria in 2017), and a seasonal snack shack that serves cold beer. That last part is not a small detail.

I first visited Honeymoon Beach while filming our Virgin Islands National Park documentary, and I’ve been back twice since. Each time, it delivers. Here’s everything I know about visiting this beach, based on multiple trips and plenty of trial and error.

Where Exactly Is Honeymoon Beach?

Honeymoon Beach is located on the northwest shore of St. John, inside the boundaries of Virgin Islands National Park. It sits adjacent to the currently-shuttered Caneel Bay Resort, which was devastated by the 2017 hurricanes and has been the subject of an ongoing legal battle between the resort’s operators and the National Park Service ever since.

The beach is located right next to Salomon Beach, which you’ll pass on the Lind Point Trail on your way in. Both beaches are beautiful, but Honeymoon is the one with the snack shack and the larger stretch of sand.

The trailhead is a 2-minute drive from Cruz Bay, where the main island ferry lands. You can also walk from town if you don’t feel like dealing with parking, which is limited.

How to Get to Honeymoon Beach (Lind Point Trail)

There are two ways to reach Honeymoon Beach. The first and most popular is hiking the Lind Point Trail. The second is 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 1 mile to Honeymoon Beach. It takes roughly 25-30 minutes at a casual pace.

The trail is well-marked but not smooth. Expect rocky footing, exposed roots, and a few sections where you’ll want to watch your step. I’ve seen folks attempt this in flip-flops. It doesn’t end well. Hiking sandals with a good sole or trail shoes are the move here.

About halfway along the trail, you’ll pass Salomon Beach on your left. It’s worth a quick stop (the snorkeling there is actually quite good), but the main destination is Honeymoon Beach, which is another 10 minutes further.

Trail Length – 1 mile each way

Time Needed – 25-30 minutes one way

Difficulty – Easy to moderate (rocky terrain)

By Boat

Several boat charter companies on St. John and St. Thomas offer trips that stop at Honeymoon Beach. This is the easier option if you don’t want to hike, though you’ll miss the views from the Lind Point Trail.

Best Time to Visit Honeymoon Beach

Get there early. I cannot stress this enough.

Honeymoon Beach is one of the most popular beaches on St. John, and by mid-morning the good shady spots under the palms are taken. I usually 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 picks up.

As for time of year, December through April is the sweet spot. The humidity is lower, hurricane season is over, and the water temperature is still in the low 80s. I’ve visited in both February and July. February wins by a wide margin in terms of comfort.

That said, the summer months are far less crowded if you can handle the heat. Just be prepared for the occasional afternoon rain shower, which typically blows through in 15-20 minutes.

Snorkeling at Honeymoon Beach

Honeymoon Beach offers solid snorkeling, though it’s not the best on the island. The ocean floor here is mostly sandy with scattered patches of sea grass, which means you’re more likely to see sea turtles and rays than dense coral formations.

I spotted 3 green sea turtles on my last visit, one of which surfaced about 6 feet from me. It was the kind of moment that makes you forget about the 1-mile hike in the heat.

If you’re after world-class coral snorkeling, head to Trunk Bay instead, which has an actual underwater snorkel trail marked with plaques on the ocean floor. Or paddle out to Waterlemon Cay, where the reef system is exceptional.

The seasonal snack shack at Honeymoon Beach rents snorkel gear if you don’t bring your own. But if you’re visiting multiple beaches during your trip (and you should), it’s cheaper to buy a set and bring it along.

One important note. Green sea turtles are protected under the Endangered Species Act. It is a federal felony to touch one. I know the temptation is real when they swim close, but keep your distance. Admire from a few feet away and let them do their thing.

What to Bring to Honeymoon Beach

I’ve made enough mistakes on Caribbean beaches to compile a pretty solid packing list. Here’s what I’d recommend.

Reef-safe sunscreen. Many sunscreens with oxybenzone and octinoxate have been banned in the Virgin Islands because they damage coral reefs. Bring reef-safe sunscreen and apply it liberally. The Caribbean sun is no joke, and I say this as someone who has been burned badly enough to miss a full day of filming.

Hiking sandals or trail shoes. The Lind Point Trail is rocky and root-covered. Flip-flops are a recipe for a stubbed toe or worse.

Snorkel gear. You can rent it at the beach, but having your own is more convenient and more sanitary.

A rash guard. This is especially helpful for extra UV protection if you burn easily. I do, and I’ve learned the hard way that sunscreen alone isn’t always enough when you’re snorkeling face-down for an hour.

Water and snacks. The snack shack is seasonal and doesn’t always have everything you might want. Bring at least a liter of water per person for the hike and your time on the beach.

Cash. The snack shack sometimes only accepts cash, so bring some along just in case.

The Snack Shack at Honeymoon Beach

The seasonal snack shack at Honeymoon Beach is one of those details that elevates this beach from “very good” to “I might never leave.” Operated by a local vendor, the shack typically opens during peak season (roughly November through May) and serves cold drinks, basic snacks, and beer.

I want to be clear about what this is and isn’t. It’s a simple operation with a limited menu, not a beach bar with frozen daiquiris and a DJ. But after hiking a mile in Caribbean heat, a cold beer on a white sand beach surrounded by palm trees feels like the best thing that has ever happened to you.

The shack also rents snorkel gear and beach chairs, which is convenient if you’re trying to pack light for the hike in. Prices are reasonable by island standards, though as with everything on St. John, expect to pay more than you would on the mainland.

During off-peak months or after hurricanes, the shack may be closed. Don’t count on it being open. Bring your own water and snacks regardless.

Honeymoon Beach vs. Other St. John Beaches

St. John has over a dozen beaches worth visiting, and folks always ask me which ones to prioritize. Here’s how Honeymoon Beach stacks up.

Compared to Trunk Bay, Honeymoon is smaller and quieter. Trunk Bay gets the tour bus crowd, while Honeymoon Beach requires a hike that filters out most casual visitors. If you only have one day, Trunk Bay is the bigger spectacle. But if you have two or more days, Honeymoon Beach is where I’d spend my time relaxing.

Compared to Maho Bay, Honeymoon has better sand and better palm trees, but Maho Bay wins for sea turtle encounters. Maho is also easier to access (you can drive right to it), which makes it the better choice for families with young kids.

Compared to Salomon Beach (which you’ll pass on the trail), Honeymoon is larger and has the snack shack. Salomon is more secluded and sees fewer people, which some folks prefer.

Photography Tips for Honeymoon Beach

The best photos at Honeymoon Beach come from incorporating the leaning palm trees in the foreground. These are some of the last remaining palms of this type on St. John after Hurricane Maria stripped the island in 2017, and they give the beach that classic Caribbean postcard look.

I shot most of my photos here on a 24-70mm lens. The wide end captures the full sweep of the beach with the palms, and the 70mm end is useful for isolating details like the turquoise water against the white sand.

Golden hour light here is phenomenal. The beach faces roughly west-northwest, which means late afternoon light hits the palms and water at a beautiful angle. If you’re choosing between morning and evening for photos, go evening.

For underwater photography, I’ve used a waterproof camera housing in the Virgin Islands before. Fair warning though, I also lost a camera to the depths at Maho Bay, so proceed at your own risk with any expensive gear near saltwater.

Honeymoon Beach After Hurricane Maria

Hurricane Maria hit St. John on September 20, 2017, and the damage was staggering. I’d visited the island before the storm, and returning afterward was gut-wrenching. The lush hillsides were stripped bare. Trees that had stood for decades were snapped or uprooted. The neighboring Caneel Bay Resort was destroyed entirely and remains closed to this day.

Honeymoon Beach, remarkably, fared better than most spots on the island. Several of the iconic leaning palms survived, the sand is still white, and the water is still that impossible shade of blue. The surrounding vegetation has grown back significantly since 2017, and first-time visitors today would never guess how much damage the area sustained.

All of our photos of the park show it in its current, post-hurricane condition. What you see in our images is what you’ll find when you visit.

Other Beaches and Sites Worth Visiting Nearby

If you’re making the trip to Honeymoon Beach, you’re well-positioned to explore several other spots in the park. Here’s what I’d add to the itinerary.

Trunk Bay is the most famous beach in the park, and for good reason. The underwater snorkel trail is genuinely one of the coolest things I’ve experienced in any national park. Get there early because it fills up fast.

Maho Bay is the best spot on the island for sea turtle sightings. I’ve counted as many as 7 turtles in a single snorkel session here.

America Hill Ruins are the remains of an old sugar plantation perched on a hillside with panoramic views of the surrounding islands. It’s a short hike and well worth the stop.

Francis Bay is a quieter beach on the north shore with good birding opportunities along the Francis Bay Trail.

Annaberg Ruins are the best-preserved sugar plantation ruins in the park and offer a fascinating look at the island’s colonial history.

Getting to Virgin Islands National Park

There’s no airport on St. John, so getting to the island takes a little planning.

Fly into Cyril E. King Airport (STT) on St. Thomas, which is about 13 miles from Cruz Bay. From there, you’ll need to catch a ferry to St. John. Ferries depart from two locations on St. Thomas.

Red Hook is the closest departure point to St. John. The ferry runs frequently (roughly every hour) and takes about 20 minutes. This is the faster option.

Charlotte Amalie is closer to the airport but the ferry takes longer to reach St. John. The cost is $20 per adult each way from either location.

Once you’re on St. John, I’d strongly recommend renting a vehicle. The park has no shuttle system, and while taxi services exist (mostly open-air safari-style trucks), having your own car gives you the freedom to hit beaches at dawn before the crowds arrive. Rental car companies operate on both St. Thomas and St. John.

One thing to know about driving on St. John. They drive on the left side of the road. In American-made cars with the steering wheel on the left. It’s disorienting for about the first 10 minutes and then you get used to it.

Experience Virgin Islands National Park in 8K

We spent weeks filming in Virgin Islands National Park to produce this 8K film. Swim with sea turtles, explore ancient jungle ruins, and soak in the beauty of one of the most stunning national parks in the system.