Cruz Bay is the main harbor and port of entry for St. John. Limited anchoring space and several moorings are available. The National Park Visitor Center is located in Cruz Bay. Rangers are on duty to provide information about the park, its interpretive programs, and other services. Exhibits and a video program provide further orientation. The use of the park's finger pier limited to 15 minutes. Please observe the no-wake zones adjacent to Cruz Bay docks and anchorages. Cruz Bay services include Customs and Immigration (opposite NPS dock area), groceries, restaurants, and shops. Boater services, including gas and water, are available at the Caneel shipyard adjacent to the National Park bulkhead.
LIND POINT
Mooring buoys are located off the north side of the point near a well developed coral community.
SALOMON BAY
This narrow crescent beach is popular with day sailors. Anchoring is allowed in sand outside of the protected swim area. A trail from the beach leads up the hill past the Virgin Islands Biosphere Reserve Center to Cruz Bay (1.0 miles)
HONEYMOON BAY
Snorkelers enjoy the reef outcrop separating Salomon from Honeymoon beach. Anchoring is permitted outside the protected swim area. Boaters may access the shore by using the marked channel at the southern end of the beach. A trail leads from this area to the Caneel resort in one direction and back to Cruz Bay to the south.
CANEEL BAY
This well protected bay is the site of the Caneel Bay Plantation Resort. The resort's shoreline extends from Honeymoon Beach around Turtle Point and into Hawksnest Bay. Several moorings are maintained by the resort. Anchoring is allowed outside of channels and marked swim areas. Dinghies may tie up to the resort's dock for loading and unloading of passengers only. Day guest registration in the main lobby is required for use of beaches.
DURLOE CAYS
Three small, uninhabited islands make up the Durloe Cays west of Turtle Point. Henley Cay is popular as a day use area. Its surrounding reef provides good snorkeling. Mooring buoys are located off the southeast corner of the island and must be used since no anchoring is allowed around any of the Durloes. Use caution in this area as currents may be strong.
HAWKSNEST BAY BAY
Three beautiful beaches fringe this bay. Anchoring is allowed outside the protected swim areas. Mooring buoys are located along the eastern shoreline. Dinghy channels are available to the beaches.
TRUNK BAY
Trunk Bay is considered to be one of the most beautiful beach areas in the world. An underwater snorkeling trail is located on the western side of Trunk Cay. Anchoring is permitted outside of the marked swim area and a dinghy channel is located at the west end of the beach. Lifeguards are on duty and pay telephones are also available.
CINNAMON BAY
Cinnamon Bay is a shallow, open bay located adjacent to the National Park campground. A park ranger lives on site. The old customs house along the beach is now a museum. Park rangers conduct a variety of activities here, including snorkel trips and evening campfire programs. Snorkeling is popular around Cinnamon Cay and along the fringing reef to the west. Well preserved sugar plantation ruins and a nature trail are located close to the campground. Anchoring is permitted outside the marked swim area. Mooring buoys are located off the west end of the beach. Dinghy access is permitted here as well. Pay attention to the numerous snorkelers and windsurfers who use this area. Lifeguards are on duty. Pay telephones are located near the cafeteria.
MAHO BAY
Because it is protected from northern swells, Maho Bay is a popular day and night anchorage. Anchoring is permitted outside the swim area. Dinghy access is via a channel at the bay's northern end. Sea turtles can occasionally be seen feeding on the seagrass in this bay. Bus service to Cruz Bay is available from the private campground at Maho Bay.
FRANCIS BAY
Francis Bay is popular for its large beach and frequently sighted sea turtles. Mooring buoys are available and anchoring is not permitted within 150 ft. of the mooring area. A dinghy channel is located at the southern end of the beach. A road leads to the popular Annaberg ruins (1.0 miles) from the picnic area behind the beach. Towards the north end of the beach, the Francis Bay trail leads around a salt pond and up a ridge. The area provides excellent bird-watching in the winter.
LEINSTER BAY
This bay is a popular anchorage and snorkeling area. Numerous snorkelers swim the channel from the main island to Waterlemon Cay; boaters may not cut through this area. The Johnny Horn trail access is behind the beach and leads to Brown Bay (1.4 miles) and Coral Bay (1.8 miles). Use the dinghy channel at the western end of Leinster Bay just below the windmill to access the Annaberg ruins. Boaters may deposit trash at the bin located here. Weekly ranger guided seashore walks also start from this location.
REEF BAY
Be cautious of the exposed reef protecting both sides of this bay. A mooring area is located in the inner portion of the bay. Please do not use the reserved "concession mooring" (white with no stripe). Extensive sugar plantation factory ruins are located just behind the beach. The Reef Bay trail leads from the ruins up-valley to petroglyph rock carvings (0.9 miles) and Centerline Road (2.2 miles).
LITTLE LAMESHUR BAY
Lameshure and Reef Bay watersheds and bays are the "core areas" of the Biosphere Reserve. Preservation of marine resources is a high priority here. Long-term research programs on coral reefs, seagrass beds, and fish populations are underway in Little and Greater Lameshure. Mooring buoys are available on the eastern side of the bay. Anchoring is not permitted in this bay. A dinghy channel is available for beach access. The house and radio tower above this bay marks the ranger residence and office. The ranger monitors channel 16 (telephone 776-6107).
GREATER LAMESHURE BAY
Mooring buoys are located along the eastern side of the shore. No anchoring is permitted. A park service dock is located in this bay along with a field station laboratory. Dock usage is restricted to passenger transfers only.
SALTPOND BAY
In the middle of Saltpond Bay is a reef area with deep water on either side of the exposed rocks. This bay provides a good, sheltered overnight anchorage. Moorings are available and anchoring is permitted in sand only; please avoid anchoring in seagrass beds. The Drunk Bay (0.2 miles) and Ram Head (1.0 mile) trails begin at the south end of the beach. Watch your footing near cliff edges on the way to Ram Head.
