Last updated: April 16th, 2024
Honeymoon and Salomon Beaches exist within the same bay in the Virgin Islands National Park and are separated only by a small rocky point of land. They both contain the magnificent qualities common to all the beaches of St. John’s north shore.
However, they differ from the other beaches primarily in how you get there. You can go by boat, but almost everyone arrives by trail. Walking along these forest paths gives you the chance to experience the beauty and tranquility of the unspoiled interior of St. John.
Although the hike is relatively easy, there is enough of a physical challenge to make your arrival at the beach, followed by a cooling dip in the crystal-clear Caribbean, a sensuous and welcome reward.
How To Get To Honeymoon Beach
Like Salomon, there is no road to Honeymoon. You need to walk a trail through the Virgin Islands National Park or go by boat. Both beaches can be reached three ways: from the National Park Visitor Center, from the Caneel Hill Spur Trail, and from the Caneel Bay Resort.
Most visitors to Honeymoon Beach choose the relatively east Caneel Bay Resort option.
From the National Park Visitor Center in Cruz Bay
From the National Park Visitor Center in Cruz Bay: a two-block walk from the ferry terminal and find the head of the Lind Point Trail across the street from the public restrooms.
It’s an easy, one-mile walk along the Lind Point Trail to Honeymoon Beach. Salomon Beach is the first two trails on the left, and Honeymoon Beach is the third trail to the left.
From the Caneel Hill Spur Trail
From the Caneel Hill Spur Trail at the top of Route 20 (The North Shore Road) just above the Cruz Bay Overlook, park in one of the four parking lots. Take this trail north and downhill to reach Honeymoon Bay for an 11-minute fairly steep walk.
From the Caneel Bay Resort
Take a taxi or park in their parking area.
Please note that there is a $20 parking fee at the Caneel Bay Resort, which can be used towards purchases at the resorts’ restaurants and gift shops.
Bring your parking voucher to get validated if you book a kayak tour or purchase food, beverages, or something from Caneel Bay’s Gift Shop.
It’s an easy 8 minutes along a paved path through the main area of the resort and then a gravel road along the coast to Honeymoon Beach.
Honeymoon Beach Facilities
Honeymoon Beach has flush restrooms, foot showers, hammocks, shaded areas, and a water sports center called The Hut at Honeymoon Beach. The Hut rents watersports equipment individually or as an all-inclusive Day Pass for $49 per person: Lounge Chair, Snorkel Gear, Kayak, Stand Up Paddleboard, Float, and Locker with Lock.
Honeymoon Beach is a favorite destination of day charter boats in St John, which often arrive in the late morning and depart by mid-afternoon.
Honeymoon Beach offers the possibility of shade beneath the large Maho tree near the center of the beach or under one of the low-lying seagrapes.
From both Salomon Bay and Honeymoon Beach in St John, you can see most of the islands that define Pillsbury Sound. Looking from the west to the east, you can see other U.S. Virgin Islands like St. Thomas, and Lovango, Henley Cays, and Jost Van Dyke, one of the British Virgin Islands.
Snorkeling At Honeymoon Beach
The best snorkeling on Honeymoon Beach is found over the coral reef described in the Salomon Bay section, which lies off the rocky point on the west side of Honeymoon Beach.
The reef on the point on the eastern end of the beach between Caneel Bay and Honeymoon Beach is smaller than the western reef but also offers excellent snorkeling with the advantage of being easier to access. It’s not the best beach for snorkeling in the U.S. Virgin Islands but it’s far from the worst.
You can find plenty of marine life in terms of tropical fish and coral. There are some rays and sea turtles that tend to swim here sometimes, but you might have better luck on other St. John beaches like Maho Bay or Trunk Bay for that.