Trunk Bay is St. John’s most famous beach. It is one of the most photographed beaches in the world (since it has a strip of sand that juts out of the coast, giving it a heart-shaped edge) and regularly makes it into the top 10 lists or top 25 lists of various media, for example in “TOP 10 Beach on the Planet by Condé Nast Traveler” or ” Best Beaches of the World” by Travel and Leisure Magazine. Trunk bay is actually is even featured on a USPS Stamp from 2008.
It is speculated that the name Trunk Bay may come from the giant leatherback turtle which is also called trunk turtle or coffin back turtle.
It is certainly a breathtakingly beautiful beach: perfect white powdery sand, bordered by coconut trees. The water is turquoise and Crystal clear.
The downside of it’s fame is that it can also be very crowded (with up to 1000 visitors a day) and it is the only beach in the National Park which charges a small entrance fee and parking can be hard to find on busy days. In return there are lifeguards in the bay.
Trunk Bay Facilities:
- Showers, bathrooms and changing areas,
- Telephones
- Picnic tables, barbeque grills, a covered pavilion
- Gift shop where you can also rent snorkeling equipment
- Snack bar
- Kiosk with National Park / Friends of the Park information
- Life guards
- Underwater snorkeling trail
Trunk Bay underwater Snorkeling Trail
Our recommendation is to go there early in the morning, around 8:30 AM or so and do the underwater snorkeling trail. The trail has signs underneath the water and gives snorkeling an educational twist as you will learn about the various schools of fish you see. It is reported that you will see on average 30 different fish in half an hour of snorkeling.
If you don’t want to go snorkeling and just relax you can also head there later in the afternoon, when it is less crowded too.
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