🏝️ From Hikers to Sunbathers: How Honeymoon Beach, St. John Is Perfect For Any Group Vacation
- Captain Sara
- Jun 13
- 5 min read
Let’s be honest – planning a group vacation is basically an extreme sport. You’ve got your beach bums, your party people, and the adrenaline junkies who won’t relax until they’ve hiked something steep before breakfast. So how do you keep everyone happy?
Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. Welcome to a weekly series of handpicked day-trip ideas designed to thrill the thrill-seekers, relax the loungers, and entertain everyone in between. 🎉🏖️💪
And our first stop? Honeymoon Beach, St. John – a total crowd-pleaser where getting there is half the fun.
🌴 First stop: Honeymoon Beach, St. John!
Honeymoon Beach, St. John is a dream destination for mixed adventure groups and a dream for day-trippers. The best part? No car required! There are multiple ways to reach this beautiful stretch of sand depending on your group’s energy level:
🚗 Option 1: The Easy-Breezy Drive + Shuttle
If you’re rolling in with a rental car, head to Caneel Bay and park. No wheels? No problem – just grab a taxi from the ferry dock in Cruz Bay (ferries between St. John and St. Thomas run hourly). Once at Caneel, hop on a shuttle to Honeymoon Beach (the shuttle costs around $12/person round trip) and boom – you’re on island time.
🥾 Option 2: The Scenic Hike In
The Lind Point trail has great signage and a good shade
Feeling active? The Lind Point Trail starts at the National Park Visitor Center in Cruz Bay. Pick up a parking pass if needed, and you’re off!
Choose the Upper Lind Point Trail (red) or Lower Lind Point Trail (green and red) – both lead to Honeymoon Beach, St. John, and form a relaxed 2-mile loop. Along the way, you’ll pass lush greenery, coastal views, and a scenic overlook on the Upper trail that delivers big “wow” for little effort. Hike time is about 30–45 minutes each way. You can do it in sandals, but your toes will thank you for sneakers (tree roots are sneaky).
🧗♀️ Calling All Trail Titans: The Hardcore Hiker’s Add-On!
For the hikers who want to earn their beach time, start your journey on the Caneel Hill Trail – about 50 feet past Mongoose Junction on North Shore Road (purple). This isn’t your average walk in the park; we’re talking a 700+ foot climb in just ¾ of a mile. Yep, it's steep. Yep, it's sweaty. And yep, it’s 100% worth it. At the top, you’ll be rewarded with a panoramic platform that overlooks the sparkling Pillsbury Sound – bring your camera, your breath will already be taken away.
Once you've soaked in those jaw-dropping views (and caught your breath), head back down. When the trail splits, take the right fork (green) to reconnect with the North Shore Road. Cross carefully and hop on the trail that leads down to Honeymoon Beach, St. John where your friends, white sand, turquoise water, and maybe a celebratory cocktail await. 🍹 When you’re ready to wrap up your adventure, hop on the Lind Point Trail and make your way back to the Visitor Center in Cruz Bay.
Pro tip: Have the rest of the group carry your snorkel gear down the easy way. You’ll have earned your cocktail by the time you meet them on the sand.
🚤 Cruise In Like a Legend: Beach Bum’s Boat Drop-Offs 🌊
Want front-row seats to St. John’s best beaches? Let’s cruise there together, the scenic (and splashy) way. If you’re coming from St. Thomas (cruise ship stop or island-hopping for the day) or staying on St. John, book Beach Bum and swim into Honeymoon to soak up the sun!
Want to spice things up? Before stopping at Honeymoon, we can cruise the North Shore, snorkel a bit, and hit up other stunning spots along the way. Whether it’s a quick swim to the beach for a cocktail or a full-blown adventure tour, the boat route is perfect for the "do-it-all-in-one-day" types.
Two Beaches, Double the Vibe
Once you're on land, you've got two flavors of paradise:
Honeymoon Beach: Chill, but with perks. There’s a concession stand renting beach chairs, selling drinks and snacks, and enough action to keep it lively.
Salomon Beach: Just a short hike away, totally undeveloped, and almost always crowd-free. Your own private slice of paradise.
🐠 Snorkel Tips + Plan B Wisdom
Snorkeling is best near the rocky point in front of the house. Sometimes currents roll in, so here’s a quick tip: float for 30 seconds to see if the water's moving. If it feels too strong, don’t go out. However, if you do find yourself in a current, don’t fight it, let the current carry you around to Salomon Beach and walk the trail back to Honeymoon. That’s your built-in Plan B – safety and serenity combined.
📅 Pro Tip: Check the Cruise Schedule
Thinking of spending the day here? Do a quick Google search for the St. Thomas Cruise Ship Schedule. Cruise excursions sometimes drop up to 200 guests on Honeymoon Beach – don’t worry, they usually swim in, sip a drink, snap a pic, and leave in an hour. But if it gets crowded, just slip over to Salomon for some peace and quiet.
✨ The Bottom Line: One Beach, Endless Ways to Get There
The beauty of Honeymoon Beach, St. John is that it works for everyone. Got some beach bums who just want to roll in stress-free? Let them take the shuttle. Got adventurers who need to get their steps in? They can hike in and earn their lounge time. Want to arrive like an island legend? Hop on board with Beach Bum and cruise in by boat.
No matter how your group rolls, everyone ends up in the same place: toes in the sand, drink in hand, and grins all around. It’s the rare beach day where everybody wins.
Stay tuned for next week’s featured spot – and if you want a custom combo tour with Beach Bum, I can mix and match the adventure level to fit your crew. From full-on snorkel safari to lazy beach-hopping with a cooler full of rum punch and zero stress. Let me know your vibe and Beach Bum’s got the rest! 🌴
Map adapted from TrailBandit.org – an awesome (and totally free!) resource for St. John hikers. Definitely check them out before you hit the trail!
📸 All photos courtesy of Sara Richter 📸
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