Hawksnest Bay
Hawksnest Bay St. John · Hawsnest NPS
18°20.88'N 64°47.40'W
Depth
3–8m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
65m
Holding
Good
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
65m
65m for good holding on sand in 3–8m. NPS mooring balls preferred where available ($26/night). Northern exposure — northerly swell from Atlantic can enter; check forecasts. NPS rules — anchor only in sand. Quieter and less crowded than Trunk Bay.
About This Anchorage
Hawksnest Bay sits between Cruz Bay and Trunk Bay on St. John's north coast — a beautiful Virgin Islands National Park bay that sees fewer visitors than the famous Trunk Bay while offering comparable scenery and snorkelling. The bay has good sand holding and NPS mooring balls are available. The reef off the western headland is one of the better-preserved on St. John, with excellent snorkelling and occasional sea turtle sightings. The beach is backed by the national park forest. Hawksnest is often an excellent alternative when Trunk Bay and Cinnamon Bay are crowded — the same quality of experience with a fraction of the boat traffic. A pavilion on the beach is available for day use.
Protected From
S · SE · E · SW
Exposed To
N · NW · NE
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- NPS mooring balls $26/night; anchoring in sand free
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: NPS rules — anchor only in sand, no coral or seagrass anchoring; no collecting marine organisms; day-use beach area — follow NPS guidelines.
Hazards
- !Northern exposure — Atlantic swell enters the bay; check north swell forecasts before overnight commitment
- !Reef on approaches — enter cautiously and use chart; visual lookout for coral heads
- !NPS rules strictly enforced — anchor only in sand; no coral anchoring under any circumstances
- !Snorkellers in water throughout the day — maintain very slow speed throughout the bay
Skipper's Tips
- →Hawksnest Bay is the best 'secret' alternative to overcrowded Trunk Bay — comparable scenery, comparable reef, fraction of the boat traffic
- →The western headland reef has some of the healthiest coral on St. John — excellent snorkelling with good fish diversity
- →NPS picnic pavilion on the beach is a lovely place for a lunch break ashore — dinghy in and have a picnic in the national park
- →Hawksnest to Cruz Bay by dinghy is 15 minutes — easy access to town services while staying in a peaceful national park bay
- →Sea turtles are frequently seen here — encounter them while snorkelling by moving slowly and not approaching too close
Facilities
No facilities at Hawksnest Bay. NPS picnic pavilion on the beach. Nearest full services at Cruz Bay (1.5nm W).
Nearest provisions: Cruz Bay (1.5nm W) (1.5nm)
Best Months & Season
Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr
December–April. An underrated alternative to the famous north St. John bays. Less crowded than Trunk Bay while offering comparable national park experience.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 65m
In the Virgin Islands National Park, anchor drag toward coral reef carries environmental and legal consequences. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously so you can enjoy St. John's stunning beaches with confidence.
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