trunk bay excursion

Half-Day Excursion to Trunk Bay Beach

• An Option for Pick-up at both cruise ports in St. Thomas
• An option for hotel pickup and drop-off
• Driver/Guide
• Entry/Admission - Trunk Bay Beach
• Snorkel gear rental
• Table, umbrellas and chairs.
• Gratuities - recommended
• Round trip ferry tickets to St. John from Redhook Dock. Roundtrip tickets costs $16.30 per person.
• Option 1 Cruz Bay Ferry Dock, 86J3+GRC St. John, Prince St, Cruz Bay, St John 00830, USVI
• Option 2 Emancipation Garden, 83R9+FV7, ST THOMAS, St Thomas 00803, USVI
• * Selected Hotels/Resorts - Pick-up will be at the front lobby. Please indicate your hotel if it's not on the list for us to confirm 24 to 48 hours from your tour date if we can pick you up from there or provide a meet-up location. * Crown Bay dock - Pick up will be at the Windmill. * West Indian Co. dock - Pick up will be at "Gate no. 4". * Meet up in St. John - will meet the guide at Cruz Bay port and nearby Cruz Bay hotels.
• 8168 Crown Bay Marina Suite 528, Charlotte Amalie West, St Thomas 00802, USVI
• West Indian Company Dock, 83MH+CRJ, W Indies Dock Rd, Estate Thomas, St Thomas 00802, USVI
• Not wheelchair accessible
• Confirmation will be received at time of booking
• Ferry tickets to and from St. John are not included in this tour's cost and are available for purchase at the dock. Roundtrip tickets costs $16.30 per person.
• Pick-up and tour start times must be coordinated with the local supplier and are subject to change due to traffic conditions and the number of groups joining the tour.
• At time of booking, Cruise ship passengers must provide the following information at time of booking: ship name, docking time, disembarkation time and re-boarding time.
• A minimum of 2 people per booking is required. This tour operates with a minimum of 4 guests. Cancellation notice will be given 24 hours in advance
• No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
• Most travelers can participate
• Before getting in the vehicle after your beach time, make sure you're clean of sand and wearing dry clothes.
• *** Cruise Ship Passengers you must confirm by email local tour provider within 72 hours of tour to confirm disembark time. Not doing so may delay your tour
• This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
• This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
• This tour/activity will have a maximum of 99 travelers
• For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

Similar experiences

• You’ll have 2 starting options Or, you can also get picked up See departure details
• 1 Trunk Bay Beach Stop: 3 hours - Admission included Enjoy 3 hours free time at the beach where you can dine, swim and snorkel. Read more
• You'll return to the starting point

• Resort549985 0 contributions 2.0 of 5 bubbles Just a job tour driver Driver was located in cab Tourists in back with no communication with no commentary. A taxi would have given more. Felt rushed through. Read more Written April 1, 2024
• TXMama4 0 contributions 4.0 of 5 bubbles Fun, active beach with lots to do! Awesome, active beach with tons to do. Play Volleyball, rent umbrellas & chairs, rent jet-skis, or eat at the restaurant. The beach had soft sand but the drop-off in the ocean is fairly steep and close to shore, so I wouldn't recommend it for young kids. Also the underwater area has lots of rocks so it can be hard to walk. But if you want to be around people and watch people having fun, this is a great beach to do it! Read more Written March 28, 2024
• LindaMJS 0 contributions 1.0 of 5 bubbles Not happy We were super excited for this particular tour off of our cruise ship. We were at the designated pick up time and location, but our driver was not there. We were left high and dry, and missed our tour altogether. Be mindful, who you book with and do your research. I contacted the company on my return home, but they refused to refund. Read more Written March 20, 2024
• kellyeZ2440CJ 0 contributions 3.0 of 5 bubbles Disappointed It wasn’t a bad tour. It was very informative but he took too much time sharing about “other thing”. We spent what seem like 10 minutes in an abandoned parking lot of the shut down hospital listening to stories. We spent 10 minutes, looking at Epstein’s island and hearing stories. We spent what seemed like 10 minutes, looking at a police station hearing more stories. We thought we were going to see a number of beaches and actually step on the beach and we never got close to sand. Read more Written March 19, 2024
• NorthStar38342386983 0 contributions 4.0 of 5 bubbles Tour around St. John. Kenneth was great, very knowledgeable, and shared with us a lot of information as he took us around the island. We enjoyed the stop at the Sugar Plantation. Make sure you stop at Bake Shop, free samples are provided. The views of the beaches were great. However, it would have been nice to actually stop at one, though not included in the tour. We did not stop for the hour at the national park, indicated as part of the tour was very disappointing. Read more Written March 13, 2024
• denisejF9511BM 0 contributions 3.0 of 5 bubbles Informative but… The views of the island were wonderful and Kenneth provided a wealth of information. He clearly cares about his home. Unfortunately he was also very rude to me and other random people. I would not choose a trip with him as the driver again. Read more Written February 16, 2024
• 725nancywill 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Informative and historical tour guide. The driver, Kenneth had an interesting background and told stories that made the tour exciting. He shared facts about the inhabitants and history. We enjoyed our tour very much! Read more Written January 24, 2024
• Danielle T 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Wonderful and informative time was had! We had a lovely tour of the Island with Kenneth, our tour guide. He shared a lot of interesting information and facts about the Island, surrounding Islands and its history. I would highly recommend this tour. You’ll get a lot of GREAT pictures and information. Read more Written January 7, 2024
• MichaelM19444 0 contributions 4.0 of 5 bubbles Good tour but expensive We wanted to take the tour on our 1st full day on the island and Owen was great on taking us to all the spots we wanted to see and more. I would strongly suggest ignoring the itinerary portion of the tour and working with your guide on the best tour for you as this is an expensive tour. For two people after the initial expense of the tour, feeding the pig ( we didn’t do it) which we wanted no part of but felt obligated by the rudeness of the restaurant to order something (pancakes) beyond the fruit punch we were going to order, the vodka distillery (really worth doing) the botanical garden (great) and the tip that Owen absolutely deserved, the day was approaching $400 for us. Loved the tour but that is a very big number for a tour of the island for 2 people. Read more Written December 24, 2023
• ashleydamico 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Great way to see St. John We loved our tour with Kenneth last week. He shared a ton of great information about St. John and the surrounding islands and made several stops where we could get out and take pictures. It was an awesome way to see a lot in a short amount of time (about 1.5 - 2 hours). Highly recommend! Read more Written December 20, 2023
• charlesgW5864BB 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Defiantly a Winner St Croix was amazing, Highly recommend the Divi Carina Bay Resort All Inclusive....Staff was amazing, Resort was 4 Star & Food was excellent, We even won some money at the Casino next too the resort. You will not go wrong staying there & enjoying the Pool, Beach, Food & All Inclusive alcohol & activities they have available.... Read more Written October 6, 2023
• R4228GHjulies 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Great for the price Great experience for the price! Kenneth was great, really personalized our trip. He gave us plenty of time to explore the ruins, took pics of is at all the stops, and shared stories and history of the islands. Read more Written September 16, 2023
• Louisa C 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles PRIVATE HOTEL TRANSFER From the beginning, our communication and actual transfer service from the St. Thomas airport to our lovely beach resort was e tremely cordial, efficient and helpful. Arriving to a completely new destination can seem a bit daunting but the proprietors of the Tour and Transfer Company made our worries dissappear and we got to our destination in under 30 minutes. We were so grateful! Read more Written June 22, 2023
• GaryH353 0 contributions 2.0 of 5 bubbles Disappointing, tour was for 1/2 day and lasted about 1/4 day. Fairly disappointing overall. This was supposed to be a 1/2 day tour that lasted about 2 hours. Left on Red Hook ferry @ 9AM got to Cruz Bay about 9:20 AM and started the tour. Kenneth the driver was very friendly and knowledgeable, but this tour included my wife and I, neither of use whom swim or snorkel and a group of 6 that planned on doing that. Kenneth told us he would be dropping that group off at Trunk Bay so they could have time there and then take us back to the Ferry terminal where we could shop and eat. Should have known this to start but arrival on St. John was the first we knew of that. In addition to the tour group, Kenneth let another woman ride with us and took us to the Health Center to drop her off to see her husband. Don’t believe that was planned on the tour. Stopped at Annaberg Sugar Plantation for about 15 minutes and briefly at the entrance to the Virgin Island National Park. Once we stopped on side of road briefly to see British Virgin Islands. Drove by several pretty beaches, finally stopping at about 11;15AM at Trunk Bay where the other 6 members of our tour got out. We were then taken back to the Ferry location about 11:30 and told we should plan on meeting the others for the 3PM Ferry back to St. Thomas. In no way does this equate to a 1/2 day. While some of the information was interesting and scenery was beautiful this was disappointing. In addition to these issues this tour is only available with a minimum of 3 participants per reservation. THe tour was priced reasonably I felt so went ahead and made reservation for 3 even though only 2 would be attending. Sort of bad to have to pay for 3 when only 2 were going and there were already 6 other people on the tour. Read more Written June 21, 2023
• Journey18495616973 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles It was a beautiful tour. The guide took time to explain the different sites What a special island It was an outstanding time. We all enjoyed the experience of visiting St John. Well worth the time and money. Read more Written June 8, 2023

More to explore in St. John

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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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Half-Day Excursion to Trunk Bay Beach provided by Great Exploration Tours

Home » Central America & Caribbean » US Virgin Islands » Getting to Trunk Bay, St. John

Getting to Trunk Bay, St. John

By Author Lance Longwell

Posted on Last updated: June 11, 2022

St. John, Virgin Islands is absolutely gorgeous! It is an amazingly beautiful island – white sand, deep blue water, and lush green hills. This is quite possibly the most perfect Caribbean Island we’ve ever seen. And there’s no better way to enjoy the island than a visit to Trunk Bay Beach.

Visiting Trunk Bay

The trunk bay shore excursion, how to get to st john, getting to the beach, facilities at the beach.

The island of St. John is almost entirely a National Park – beautiful, unspoiled, and quiet. Everyone who visits this island will eventually find their way to here – a crescent of beautiful sand, a small barrier islet just off the beach (called Trunk Cay), and surrounded by the hills of the Virgin Islands.

The crescent-shaped stretch of sand that is the beach at Trunk Bay is the most visited beach on the island. More importantly, it is consistently ranked as one of the top 10 beaches in the world. And we would absolutely agree with that!

But the real reason many people visit is to enjoy the Trunk Bay snorkeling course. Located just off shore, a short underwater snorkel course takes snorkelers around the Trunk Cay islet while giving them the chance to see fish, reefs, and learn a little something about the island. It takes about an hour to go around the island while snorkeling the course, which is maintained by the Virgin Islands National Park Service.

The north end of St. John Island is a stark contrast to the crowds on neighboring St. Thomas (including the popular Magens Bay Beach in St Thomas ). For this reason, visiting St. John is one of our favorite cruise ship shore excursions in St Thomas.

Coming to Trunk Bay in St. John for the day is one of the best things to do in the Virgin Islands.

Here’s everything you need to know about experiencing one of the best beaches in the world:

All of the major cruise lines that stop in Charlotte Amalie or Crown Bay, St. Thomas offer a Visit Trunk Bay excursion or a St John shore excursion, and the latter will likely include a stop here. Prices vary by cruise company but run between $69-$109.

During our Caribbean cruise, we were convinced we could get here on our own, for less money, and have more fun if we went without the group – and we were right.

In the process of researching how to get from St Thomas to St John, we learned that all the cruise shore excursions take the same Red Hook Ferry to St John. There’s real no reason to do the cruise ship shore excursion at all!

Based on our experience, we were able to visit for about a third of the cost, plus we got almost two more hours at the beach than the people on the official shore excursion.

If you want to skip the expensive shore excursion, you can visit on your own! Here’s how to get here from St Thomas.

It was so easy to get there on our own from the Crown Bay cruise ship terminal in St. Thomas. We made sure we were one of first off the ship and hailed a cab to Red Hook ferry terminal early in the morning. The taxi to Red Hook ferry terminal cost us $13 per person.

There are two options for the ferry from St. Thomas to St. John. The most common option leaves from the Red Hook Ferry St Thomas terminal. The ferry costs $6 and takes 20 minutes. The ferry leaves Red Hook at: 6:30am, 7:30am, 8:00am, 9:00am, 10:00am, 11:00am, and 12:00pm. The return ferries from Cruz Bay are are at: 1:00pm, 2:00pm, 3:00pm, 4:00pm, 5:00pm, and 6:00pm.

Of particular interest to cruise ship visitors, there is a single ferry directly from Charlotte Amalie to Cruz Bay. The ferry leaves Charlotte Amalie at 10:00am and the return ferry leaves Cruz Bay at 3:45pm. This ferry takes 45 minutes and costs $12. Given the limited amount of time it gives on St. John, we don’t recommend this option.

Getting to Trunk Bay is also very easy. When you get off the ferry from St Thomas, you’ll be arrive in Cruz Bay. In Cruz Bay, grab a taxi to take you out to the beach, a distance of about 3 miles. Most taxi drivers will stop to let you take pictures from the lookout. Cost of the taxi is $6.

The bay and the beach are located within the Virgin Islands National Park. As such, there is an admission charge of $5.00 per adult to enter. (Note: If you have the America the Beautiful National Park Pass, admission is free.)

There are limited concession facilities at the beach. The Trunk Bay facilities are open from 8:00am-4:00pm daily. This includes a snack bar that serves lunch and snacks, showers, and restrooms. The snack bar is open from 9:00am-4:00pm.

There is a lifeguard on duty close to Trunk Cay, but if you go down the beach to the west, you’ll be relatively alone. Lifeguards are on duty from 9:00am-4:00pm.

You can rent masks, snorkels, and flippers from the Beach Bum Snorkel Rental (a.k.a., snack bar). Cost is $10, plus a $25 cash deposit. Please note that snorkel gear must be returned by 3:00pm (and needs to be rinsed off), which effectively cuts your visit a little short.

One thing to consider. We always bring our own snorkel gear on cruises because it makes every beach day a snorkel day! If you enjoy the water, consider investing your own gear and bring it with you. Please check out our snorkel gear guide .

Have you been to this amazing beach in the U.S. Virgin Islands? Did you think it was as beautiful and relaxing as we did?

Lance Longwell is a travel writer and photographer who has published Travel Addicts since 2008, making it one of the oldest travel blogs. He is a life-long traveler, having visited all 50 of the United States by the time he graduated high school. Lance has continued his adventures by visiting 70 countries on 5 continents – all in search of the world’s perfect sausage. He’s a passionate foodie and enjoys hot springs and cultural oddities. When he’s not traveling (or writing about travel), you’ll find him photographing his hometown of Philadelphia.

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Thursday 4th of January 2024

Hi! I loved your article. If the ride on the ferry takes 20 minutes, why are you suggesting 2 1/4 hours to get back? Just to be safe? Thank you.

Lance Longwell

Saturday 6th of January 2024

Cruise ships leave port at different times, so you'll need to adjust the schedule based on your exact schedule. If you allow 15-20 minutes from Trunk Bay to Cruz Bay, then the ferry itself is about 20 minutes (but can sometimes take up to 30 based on weather). From Red Hook, you'll need to take a taxi back to Charlotte Amalie. That can take 25-45 minutes. Keep in mind - everyone on a shore excursion is going to be coming back at the same time. The roads are all 2 lane. The traffic jams around Charlotte Amalie are legendary. And then, think about the number of cruise ships are in port. You don't want to cut it too close. The ship won't wait for you.

Natasha Millwr

Wednesday 13th of December 2023

How do you get back from Trunk Bay to Cruz Bay???? Are there available taxis? Don't want to get stuck. No one ever mentions how to get BACK from anywhere.

Friday 15th of December 2023

The easiest way is to make arrangements with the driver who drops you off. This is the standard in the Caribbean. If you don't want to do that for some reason (don't like the person or unable to plan your time), you're in luck. Taxi drivers do come through at fairly regular intervals. And if, by chance, they don't, just have the employee at the gear shop call for a taxi.

Thursday 8th of June 2023

On our cruise in November 2023 the cruise ship will dock 7am to 4pm at Crown Bay. What time should we catch a taxi at Crown Bay to go to Red Hook for the ferry? When going back to St Thomas what time should we get a cab at Trunk Bay to return to Cruz Bay for the ferry? Thanks for a great article and your help!

Monday 19th of June 2023

9 hours is plenty of time to get from St Thomas to Trunk Bay and back. You can check the current ferry times with the link in the article. I'd allow at least 2 1/4 hours from Trunk Bay back, just to be safe.

Friday 31st of March 2023

Great information. We are arriving at the Crown Bay Cruise Port St.Thomas in late April at 7:30 and the ship departs at 2:30. Do we have enough time to head to Trunk Bay. We really want to snorkel. What are your thoughts? Thank you

Laura Longwell

Tuesday 4th of April 2023

If you're happy with seeing sea turtles and starfish (not a reef), I would suggest getting on the first boat to Water Island. You can relax on the beach and snorkel right off shore.

Anne Charlotte

Thursday 2nd of February 2023

Hi! Our cruise ship will be in port at Havensight in Charlotte Amalie from 11:30am - 7:00pm. Do you think that’s enough time to go to St. John to Trunk Bay for a few hours and be back at our ship by 5:30ish?

We REALLY want to go to St John! But the timing and taxis make me a bit nervous.

Your ship will probably be in port before 11:30am. Ships are usually early. Try to get yourself among the first to get off and have a solid plan. The 4:00pm ferry from Cruz Bay to Red Hook would get you back by 5:30ish. If something should happen (cancelled ferry or whatever), there's also a 5:00pm which would be cutting it close, but could be a solid safety option. There's also a 3:45pm ferry from Cruz Bay direct to Charlotte Amelie port that would get you back by about 4:30 (note: often full), but that wouldn't give you a lot of time on St. John.

Trunk Bay is highly worth it. If you ultimately decide it's too much of a risk, there are some very good beaches in St. Thomas too.

St. John Trunk Bay Beach Getaway & Snorkel

At the dock board a ferry for a scenic cruise through Pillsbury Sound to the island of St. John. Upon arrival, you'll board an open-air safari taxi for a relaxing ride to Trunk Bay, considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Along the way, you'll have the opportunity to view and photograph spectacular sights alongside the Caribbean Sea. 

Stops include the Cruz Bay overlook, Caneel Bay and Hawksnest Bay. Enjoy approximately one-and-a-half hours at beautiful Trunk Bay to swim, snorkel, sunbathe, or just relax under swaying palm trees. Afterward, you'll re-board your transport and take a short trip back to Cruz Bay for the scenic return ferry cruise to St. Thomas.

• Trunk Bay is occasionally subject to unexpected sea swells. Should this happen, snorkeling may be cancelled with your safety in mind. 
• Snorkel equipment is provided.

The Ultimate Guide to St John Beaches

Your mobile-friendly St John island guide to St John's beaches, snorkeling, maps and more. Whether you want to enjoy the North Shore's Trunk Bay, Cinnamon Bay, Maho Beach and Caneel Bay beaches or favor the solitude of a beach that's off the beaten path - like a "secret" beach, Lameshur, Haulover Bay and Salt Pond Bay - this guide has it all.

Where is St John island?

St John is the smallest of the 3 US Virgin Islands located in the Caribbean. The island measures just 9 mi X 3 mi ( 28 sq mi ). 2/3 of the island and surrounding reefs are protected by the US Virgin Islands National Park [ VINP ].

Read More >

How do I get to St John island?

99.9% of travelers come to St John by boat ! St John has no airport. There are busy ferry routes that connect St John to St Thomas, St Croix, Tortola and the BVIs. The most popular ferries are out of Charlotte Amalie and Red Hook, St Thomas.

Read More >

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On Site: Trunk Bay Snorkel Gear Rentals, Beach Chair Rentals, and Food and Drink Concession.

HOW TO GET TO TRUNK BAY:

From Cruz Bay – take Rte 20 ( North Shore Road) approx. 2.5 miles. There’s a scenic overlook where the majority of Trunk Bay pictures are taken. Continue on down the hill and you’ll see signs for Trunk Bay beach parking.

360 VR View of Trunk Bay Beach

St John Island’s most visited beach , the most photographed beach and voted one of the top ten beaches in the world by Condé Nast Traveler magazine ! If that isn’t enough for you – it lives up to all the hype! Conveniently located with good parking and taxi service, you’ll find plenty of  beautiful white sand beach with towering coconut palms, aqua blue water and terrific snorkeling.

Because of its popularity , Trunk gets a fair number of visitors. The numbers, not surprisingly, often correspond to the number of cruise ships at port in Charlotte Amalie on St Thomas. Check the cruise ship schedule .

While the beach can get crowded nearest the beach entrances and closest to the snorkeling trail – fewer people venture down the beach to the west ( left as you face the ocean). If you’re looking for a bit more space …make the walk. you’ll also find a little beach at the far end. It doesn’t get as much sun …but it’s about as private as you get on Trunk ; )

Note: Unlike most of St John’s beaches – Trunk does have a lifeguard.

SNORKELING TRUNK BAY

The best snorkeling at Trunk Bay is around the small cay that lies just 30 yards off the beach. The western side ( left as you face the water) enjoys more protection from waves and is home to more corals and fish than the eastern side. Visitors will be treated to a wide variety of fish and corals in the patch reef that encircles the cay. Most are easily seen from the surface – since the water is never more than 8′ to 16′ deep. For more experienced snorkelers – diving down you’ll be able to see smaller marine life and corals. Keep an eye out for Arrow Crabs, Juvenile Spotted Drum and Blue Bell Tunicate corals .

Snorkel around the rocky cay is more adventure than sightseeing. Waves increase and corals decrease as you reach the far side. The eastern side of the cay is relatively barren of corals.

The western-end of Trunk Bay Beach is less crowded. There’s also a secret little pocket beach just beyond the rocks …

WHERE TO STAY

Trunk Bay is located within the Virgin Islands National Park – but there are plenty of places to stay that are just a short 10 minute drive or taxi to this beautiful beach! If you’re interested in staying at an all inclusive resort on St John then you’ll be disappointed. Unlike other Caribbean destinations you won’t find an all inclusive resort on the island! For a resort experience check out Caneel Bay Resort ( CLOSED), The Westin St John , Grande Bay Resort ( Cruz Bay ), Gallows Point Resort ( Cruz Bay ).

For guests looking for the privacy and amenities of an island cottage or villa – the island boasts some 300+ vacation rentals. You’ll find a huge selection and the lowest prices along with seasonal discounts by visiting this St John vacation rental owner web site .

St John Vacation Rentals

How to Visit Trunk Bay from St. Thomas on a Cruise Ship Stop

Updated March 2024 ,   How to Visit Trunk Bay from St. Thomas on a Cruise Ship Stop originally written in February 2016)

Yes, you can!

Even on a far-too-short 10-hour cruise ship stop in St Thomas, it is totally possible to see the infamous Trunk Bay on the island next door, St John.

I didn’t know this was possible, and of course, I didn’t bother to do the research that I said I was going to do prior to the trip. So what did I do? I messaged my friend  Kacy Treks On  who used to live on St Thomas, and asked her what to do while I was in St Thomas.

She wrote me back in no time flat and said to take a cab across St Thomas, catch a ferry to St John and grab another taxi to Trunk Bay Beach. From Kacy, I learned how to visit Trunk Bay from St Thomas on a cruise-ship stop.

I’ve just returned back home from a far too short trip that took me to  Puerto Rico  and its lovely neighbor  Culebra , and onto a  7-day Southern Caribbean cruise  that made stops in St Thomas, Barbados, St Lucia, St Kitts & Nevis, and St Maarten.

So this is fresh information on how to get to Trunk Bay from St Thomas. And this is much more budget-friendly (still pricey, but hey, it’s cheaper) than the shore excursions for sale by the cruise lines.

Trunk Bay is consistently ranked as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. I can’t find a way to disagree with it. Hell, I could barely tear myself away from this beach to get back on the ship.  Starts googling ‘dental hygienist jobs in St. John’.

Start shopping Caribbean cruises!

Doing it yourself not your thing? Not to worry! Start shopping  Trunk Bay Shore Excursions here  (and for less than what the cruises charge!)

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How To Get To Trunk Bay From St Thomas On A Cruise Ship Stop

Step 1: Taxi From Charlotte Amelie To Red Hook Ferry Terminal: $15 Per Person

Your first step in how to get to Trunk Bay from St Thomas! Your cruise ship will dock at Charlotte Amalie harbor.

After you disembark the ship, head out of the cruise ship terminal and walk past all the shops. Just past the shops, you will find the taxis. Grab one and tell them you’d like to go to Red Hook Ferry Terminal. Expect the drive to take about 20 minutes, give or take.

We had a great driver who even gave us a tour on the way out there.

Step 2: Ferry From Red Hook Bay To Cruz Bay: $16.30 Roundtrip

Yeah, you can buy a one-way ticket for $8.15, but you may as well save yourself having to purchase a ticket a second time to get back and just buy a roundtrip ticket. Ferries leave on the hour and take about 15-20 minutes to cross the channel. Check out the ferry schedule on the  VI Now  website.

Looking for more Caribbean to explore without a passport? Check out  Puerto Rico  and its neighboring island of  Culebra

Step 3: Taxi From Cruz Bay To Trunk Bay: $6

This taxi is sort of like an open safari truck you’d take over in Africa really. Just walk off the ferry dock and likely someone will be asking you if you need a taxi before you make it to the end. They leave when they are full from the ferry terminal.

Our driver even made a short stop at the Trunk Bay Overlook for photos. Expect about 20 minutes to get there.

Insider tip:  Don’t get back on the taxi at the lookout point and tell your driver you’ll walk (ours found us actually walking back up the hill to the lookout after we were dropped off at the entrance, he kindly told us to get back on the taxi and he’d drop us off back the viewpoint). That way you can get photos without the taxi-load of people in them. The beach entrance is a short walk downhill along the road.

About 30 seconds outside the parking lot the driver that drove us to the park saw us and told us to hop in and he’d drop us off up there. He wouldn’t even accept a dime from us. We spent about a half-hour up there taking pictures of Trunk Bay before we made the short walk back down to the beach.

Step 4: You’ve Arrived! Admission to US Virgin Islands National Park: $5 for adults, kids free

Wait in line, pay your $5 and you’re in. You do get a printed receipt as a ticket. You can leave and re-enter the park with it. We bought our admission tickets and left immediately to walk back up to the overlook to get a few more photos.

We spent as much time as we could here, swimming in the crystal clear turquoise waters and digging our toes into that pearly white, soft sand.

Step 5: Taxi Back To Cruz Bay: $6

We did not have to wait for the taxi to fill up to bring us back to Cruz Bay, just hop in one and go.

Want more tropical paradise ideas? Check out  Santo Domingo & Boca Chica  and  Puerto Plata  in the Dominican Republic

Step 6: Ferry Back To Red Hook From Cruz Bay

Sit on the same side of the boat as you did on the way over so that you get a nice view from the other side of the ferry.

Step 7: Taxi Back to Charlotte Amalie Harbor: $15 Per Person

And ta-da! You’re back at the cruise ship, probably with enough time to make a quick lap around the little tourist shops there at the harbor.

For A Grand Total of $51.30 Per Person Visit Trunk Bay On Your St Thomas Cruise Ship Stop!

• $30 for taxis per person
• $16.30 per person for the ferry roundtrip
• $5 for park admission

The cruise ship shore excursions that included Trunk Bay on the itinerary ran between $70 and $100 per person.

Not a do-it-yourselfer? Book your  excursion to Trunk Bay from St Thomas here !

• Give yourself ample time to get back to your ship before it leaves. The latest ferry I’d catch would be the one leaving 3 hours prior to your departure time. My cruise left at 5 pm, so we made sure to be on the ferry leaving by 2 pm. If you aren’t on a shore excursion that is offered by your cruise line and you do not make it back to the boat by your departure time, it will leave without you!
• Look up how many other ships will be in port the day you dock in St Thomas This will give you an idea of what kind of crowds you’ll be facing. The day we docked there were only 2 ships scheduled to arrive There can be up to 7 ships per day in the high season.
• Bring cash, as it’s the easiest. There are ATMs available on land if you need one. I didn’t pay attention to whether or not the ferry or national park took cards, but I do know for a fact they take cash.

Not On A Cruise? Where To Stay On St John

Cinnamon Bay Resort Camp |  Cinnamon Bay Resort  |

Galleon House Bed & Breakfast Inn |  Booking.com  |  Hotels.com  |

St John Inn |  Hotels.com  |

Estate Lindholm |  Booking.com  |  Hotels.com  |

Day Tripping To St John? Where To Stay On St Thomas

Emerald Beach Resort |  Hotels.com  |  Hotels.com  |

Sapphire Village |  Booking.com  |  Hotels.com  |

Have any questions about visiting Trunk Bay from St Thomas?

Ask in the comments section below!

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17 thoughts on “how to visit trunk bay from st thomas”.

Is the price for taxi per PERSON or per car- we are a family of 4 so the taxi at about $10 (which I’m sure has gone up now) is that per person or for the taxi that can fit up to 4?

Yes, the $10 taxi on St. Thomas was per car that could fit up to 4 passengers.

We are in St Thomas on 8/1/23 and this was not our cab experience. Every cab from the cruise terminal to red hook was $17 per person each way. So instead of $20 for 6 of us we paid $196 for the round trip. The ferry is now $16.30 round trip. Better to just do excursion from ship and not have the stress of making it back to the ship.

Do you know if there are chairs to rent and if so how much?

I believe you could rent beach chairs from the snorkel shop when I went, but I did not enquire about pricing. I did read $6 per chair on an older forum post, but I would expect prices have probably risen because the forum post was from a few years ago. I did read a press release from August this year that said the rental shop is being renovated this year and that it should be fully operating again in November.

Great post, thanks for sharing how to get to Trunk Bay from the ship port in St Thomas and including all the costs!

No problem!

I’m so glad to have stumbled across this article at the last moment! My husband and I are leaving for the cruise in two weeks that includes a stop at St. Thomas and knew we wanted to go to Trunk Bay but without having to go on the tours sold on-ship. Thanks for laying out the directions so clearly, we will definitely be using this.

Glad to hear you guys will be getting some use out of this post. Trunk Bay is just gorgeous and well worth the trip over from St Thomas.

I’m wondering if when you get tobtruno bay, is snorkeling equipment included?

Hey Tiffany, This is a do it yourself guide to getting to Trunk Bay, so you would have to bring or rent your own snorkel equipment. If you book an excursion through the cruise or one online it typically includes snorkeling gear.

I just wanted to say a big thank you for this article. It was a huge help when my family and I recently visited Trunk Bay. Thanks again!

Hi Greg, I’m so happy the article helped you guys out, hope you had a wonderful trip!

This was PERFECT! Almost booked with cruise ship but it only was on trunk bay for an hour and half!! We will definetly do this thanks to your post. I am a little concerned as there will be 10 of us. Wish I could pre arrange shuttle or something. Thanks again!

Hi Chrissy! I hope it all worked out for you 🙂 even wth a group of 10 it’s doable as there’s so many people doing to trip over to Trunk Bay on cruise stops.

Thanks Julia! Hope you have a great time on your cruise that’s just around the corner.

Love this post! I’m taking a cruise in Jan. that is going to St. Thomas, St. Lucia, Antigua, Barbados and St. Kitts and I’ve been researching things to do/sites without having to do the cruise ship excursions every day. Thanks for the tips!

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Visiting Trunk Bay

BEACH: 5.0   |  SNORKELING: 3.25 | CONCESSION : Food, Drink, Snorkel Gear  |  Bathrooms  |  Showers  |  Entrance Fee

TRUNK BAY BEACH

Located along St. John’s famous North Shore sits Trunk Bay. This stunning  white sand beach, surreal crystal clear aqua-blue waters and Underwater Snorkeling Trail make Trunk Bay arguably the crown jewel of the US Virgin Islands National Park. A perennial favorite on most CARIBBEAN TOP BEACHES lists. Photos of Trunk Bay, as seen from the scenic overlook, have graced magazine covers, travel advertising, TV commercials and filled countless megabytes on visitor’s cell phones and cameras!

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St. John Trunk Bay Beach & Snorkel Tour (ST01)

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Journey to a sun-soaked island paradise and lose yourself in this delightful National Park beach and snorkel adventure.

The Most Pristine in the Caribbean

The most beautiful beach on the island and arguably the entire region, Trunk Bay treats visitors to amazing snorkeling.

Know Before You Go

View important additional information to help you prepare for this exciting adventure.

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Shore Excursion Details

St john beach break, st. thomas, us virgin islands.

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• 4 hrs Estimate Duration

Relax on the gorgeous beach at Trunk Bay on neighboring St. John, the most naturally preserved of the U.S. Virgin Islands. After taking the ferry across Pillsbury Sound, you will travel in an open-air safari-style vehicle through the Virgin Islands National Park on the way to Trunk Bay, which is part of the park. Its backdrop of coconut palms and flowering maho trees makes for an idyllic setting. It couldn’t be more photogenic as the sand is sparkling white and the water bright turquoise. You will be welcome to do most anything you please. Feel free to stretch out and bask in the sun, stroll along the gently curving coast and ease into the water for a refreshing swim. The sea there is teeming with marine life, including the occasional leatherback turtle. These largest of the sea turtles are nicknamed “trunks” because they are said to look like floating steamer trunks. Trunk Bay is named in their honor.

• Take the ferry to the nearby island of St. John and continue on in a safari-style vehicle. • Drive through the Virgin Islands National Park to Trunk Bay, which is contained within it. • Relax however you please on the sparkling white beach at Trunk Bay. • Enjoy the laid-back ambiance of what may well be the Caribbean’s most photogenic beach.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing. • Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

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St John Trunk Bay Beach Swim & Snorkel

St. Thomas, U.S.V.I.

Activity Level

Excursion Type

Beach,20,All

Wheelchair Accessible

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Approximately 4 Hours

Meals Included

Meals not included

This excursion departs by large, comfortable tour boat. Enjoy sightseeing along the southern coastline of St Thomas as you pass Pillsbury Sound and reach Cruz Bay on St John .

The island of St John is an unspoiled paradise of white-sand beaches and lush tropical scenery. Take in the views of Cruz Bay, Hawksnest Bay and Caneel Bay Plantation.

The highlight of this excursion is undoubtedly world-famous Trunk Bay -- home to a one-of-a-kind underwater trail. Enjoy 90 minutes at Trunk Bay to swim and snorkel the marked underwater trail -- you will see plenty of tropical fish and colorful corals.

There's time to relax in the shade of a palm tree if you prefer.

Snorkel gear and instruction are provided. Wear your swimsuit under your clothing; bring a towel, reef-safe/biodegradable sunscreen, light clothing to act as a full cover-up for further protection from the sun, and a hat. Swim at your own risk. Guests with a heart condition, epilepsy, diabetes or asthma are not allowed to participate. Waiver must be signed and medical conditions disclosed. Minimum age is 6 years; maximum age is 75 years. Maximum weight is 275 lbs.

We will be closed 12/05-12/16. Space is limited, book now!

St. John SNUBA

Take a SNUBA tour at Trunk Bay, St. John, one of the top 10 most beautiful beaches!

Quick Details

Start time: 11:00 a.m.

Duration:  Aprox. 2+ hours

In-water time: 45-60 minutes

Total dive time:  30-40 minutes

Days available: Monday – Saturday

Ages: 8 and up

Occupancy:  6 people per guide

Experience St. John SNUBA Diving

Explore the tropical reefs of Trunk Bay, St. John – one of the top ten most beautiful beaches in the world – and dive among colorful corals, tropical fish, and other sea life in a natural and beautiful setting. Our SNUBA tour offers the perfect opportunity to encounter the marine environment and life first-hand while swimming effortlessly through the water.

Our tours start with shallow water training and only go to depths of 20 feet, ensuring vacationers of all ages and ability levels can feel comfortable and have fun during their St. John SNUBA tours.

During your tour, you have the chance to relax and enjoy yourself while under the supervision of VI SNUBA Excursions’ experienced professionals who have conducted SNUBA tours for over 35 years in the Virgin Islands. We’re the longest operating SNUBA company in the world!

In the event that the waters on the North Shore are unfavorable for SNUBA an alternate location will be designated. Please contact us for more details.

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Trunk Bay Underwater Snorkel Trail

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Last updated: April 9, 2021

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The Tele2 mobile network company became the first to build an infrastructure for 100% stations of the Moscow's metro. The high-quality 4G internet is now available on all 259 stations of the Moscow's metro, Moscow Central Circle (MCC) and monorail.

The operator has secured a 100% 4G indoor-coverage internet an all stations of the metropolitan metro, including the passageways, pavilions, and stairways. The investments into the project have exceeded 800 million rubles.

The Moscow underground is a specific infrastructure object, which has its own particularities. All works on designing, installation, and adjustment of the hardware should have been conducted exceptionally during night hours when the metro is closed for entry. A sufficient number of stations have a status of cultural heritage, thus, the network development has required additional approvement from the Department of Cultural Heritage of Moscow.

The network coverage within the metro system opens new horizons for the analysis of the "big data". Tele2 Network has analyzed the users' activity during the summer months and has indicated the busiest metro lines, which were: Tagansko-Krasnopresnenskaya, Zamoskvoretskaya and Kaluga-Riga lines. During the summer months, on the stations of Tagansko-Krasnopresnenskaya lines the subscribers have downloaded 125 TByte of internet-traffic, have made over 2 million calls with the total duration of 27 thousand hours, which equals to 3 years.

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Elektrostal , Moscow Oblast, Russia