Cruz Bay is the one part of St. John where you can leave the car behind. The ferry dock, the shops at Mongoose Junction, most of the island's restaurants, a beach and the national park visitor center all sit within a few minutes of each other, and a trail from town leads to Honeymoon Beach. Trunk Bay, Cinnamon Bay and Maho Bay are a short taxi ride away. This guide covers what to do on foot, which beaches need a ride, what Trunk Bay costs, day plans for different kinds of days and what evenings in town are like.
Key takeaways
- From Dolphin Suites the ferry dock is about a 5-minute walk, the beach about 3 minutes, and restaurants and shops 2 to 5 minutes.
- Honeymoon Beach and Salomon Beach are reachable on foot by the Lind Point Trail, roughly a mile each way from the park visitor center.
- Trunk Bay, Cinnamon Bay and Maho Bay need a taxi or a Jeep. Do not try to walk the north shore road.
- Trunk Bay costs $5 per person for ages 16 and up, paid through the Recreation.gov app. There is no park entrance fee.
- The park visitor center is open Monday to Thursday 8:15 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Friday 8:15 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Can you walk around Cruz Bay?
Yes. Traffic in town moves slowly and the distances are short. A simple loop from Dolphin Suites:
- Groceries downstairs. Dolphin Suites sits above Dolphin Market, so breakfast supplies, water and ice for a cooler are a flight of stairs away.
- The ferry dock, about 5 minutes. Ferries from St. Thomas land here and the taxi stand for the beaches is beside it. Walk it once on arrival day so the route is familiar.
- The beach, about 3 minutes. The easiest swim on the island: before breakfast, or at sunset before dinner.
- Mongoose Junction and the shops. Small shops and galleries in stone courtyards, a few minutes from the dock.
- The national park visitor center. A short walk north of the ferry dock. Rangers can tell you trail and beach conditions, and the Lind Point Trail starts behind the building.
- Dinner, 2 to 5 minutes. Most of the island's restaurants are here, so dinner needs no parking space and no designated driver.
Walk the Lind Point Trail to Honeymoon Beach
This is the walk most visitors do not know about. The trail starts behind the Virgin Islands National Park visitor center and leads to two of the closest north shore beaches.
- It is roughly a mile each way and takes about 25 minutes at a relaxed pace.
- A short spur climbs to the Lind Point overlook, with a bench and a view of the boats crossing to St. Thomas. It is a good sunset spot if you start well before dusk.
- The lower trail reaches Salomon Beach first, then Honeymoon Beach, which has a concession with drinks, snacks, chairs and snorkel gear.
- The path is narrow and rocky in places. Wear real shoes and carry water.
More car-free ideas are in our guide to Cruz Bay without a car.
Which beaches need a taxi or a Jeep?
The famous north shore beaches are too far to walk, and the road to them is narrow, steep and winding with little shoulder, so treat it as a ride, never a walk. Open-air taxis wait near the ferry dock and run to the beaches all day.
- Trunk Bay. The best-known beach on the island. It charges $5 per person for ages 16 and up from sunrise to sunset, and has a 225-yard underwater snorkeling trail, a snack bar, snorkel rentals, restrooms and showers, with facilities open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and no lifeguards on duty (Recreation.gov). Pay by card in the Recreation.gov app, and download it in Cruz Bay first because cell service at the beach is limited. Holders of a federal Senior or Access pass pay in person for a 50 percent discount.
- Maho Bay. Calm, shallow water and the place most visitors see sea turtles. Bring a mask and your own lunch.
- Cinnamon Bay. A long, open beach beside the campground, with room to spread out and easy picnicking.
- The quiet east end and remote coves. These are Jeep days. A rental lets you leave when you want, not when the taxi does.
There is no entrance fee for Virgin Islands National Park itself, and no fee for driving the park roads. Two-thirds of the island is national park, according to the National Park Service.
Easy day plans from Cruz Bay
A half day between ferries
Water and snacks from the market, a swim at the beach in town, lunch, a walk through Mongoose Junction and back to the dock. No taxi and no car.
A full car-free beach day
Breakfast in your kitchen, a taxi to Trunk Bay for a 9 a.m. start, a second stop at Maho Bay, a taxi home and dinner on foot. Two beaches is enough. Mornings have the calmest water and the fewest people.
A rainy day
Visit the park visitor center and ask about the hikes to historic plantation ruins and the Taino petroglyphs, cook lunch, run a load of laundry and walk out to an early dinner.
Sunset and dinner
Walk the Lind Point spur to the overlook before dusk, then walk to a 6:30 or 7:30 p.m. table. In busy months book sunset seating and Friday and Saturday nights ahead.
A day with kids
The beach in town in the morning, back to the suite for lunch and a rest, then Trunk Bay if energy remains. The beach there slopes gently and has showers and a snack bar, but there are no lifeguards, so stay within arm's reach of young swimmers.
What is Cruz Bay like in the evening?
Evenings in Cruz Bay are a walk, not a drive. Dinner, a drink, live music and the stroll home all happen inside town. Restaurants are small, so capacity is limited, and the town is livelier on weekend nights than anywhere else on the island. Shops and kitchens keep their own hours and some close for part of the low season, so call ahead for the places you care about rather than counting on a late walk-in.
Why a base in town makes this work
Stay outside town and every dinner, grocery run and ferry trip needs a drive. Stay in Cruz Bay and the car becomes optional. Dolphin Suites and Raintree Suites are both in the walkable center, with full kitchens so breakfast and beach lunches come from your own fridge. Compare the areas of the island in where to stay in St. John, see all nine suites, or check availability for your dates.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cruz Bay walkable?
Yes. The ferry dock, a beach, restaurants, shops, Mongoose Junction and the national park visitor center are all within a few minutes of each other on foot.
Can you walk to a beach from Cruz Bay?
Yes. There is a beach in town, and the Lind Point Trail from the park visitor center reaches Salomon Beach and Honeymoon Beach in about 25 minutes.
How much does Trunk Bay cost?
$5 per person for ages 16 and up, from sunrise to sunset, paid by card through the Recreation.gov app. The national park itself has no entrance fee.
How do you get from Cruz Bay to Trunk Bay without a car?
Take one of the open-air taxis that wait near the ferry dock. They run to Trunk Bay, Cinnamon Bay and Maho Bay all day. Agree the fare and the return plan with the driver before you board.
When is the national park visitor center open?
Monday to Thursday 8:15 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Friday 8:15 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., according to the National Park Service. It is a short walk north of the Cruz Bay ferry dock.
Sources
Where to stay in Cruz Bay
DGMI Properties manages two places to stay in the heart of Cruz Bay, both about a 5-minute walk from the ferry dock. Dolphin Suites has eight one-bedroom suites with full kitchens that sleep 2 to 4 guests. Raintree Suites is a brand-new one-bedroom apartment for two, steps from the beach. Planning your trip? Our Plan Your Visit guide covers the ferry, groceries and what to pack.
