Around St. John
TRUNK BAY: A short drive from the resort, Trunk Bay is one of the Caribbean’s most photographed beaches and features a self-guided, underwater snorkeling tour.
ANNABERG SUGAR MILL: The ruins of this 1870 sugar mill, consisting of Danish stone, coral and brick, have been restored by the National Park. The mill is one of the island's best-preserved examples of its cultural past during the colonial and post-emancipation era. A self-guided tour explains the sugar and rum distilling process.
MORAVIAN CHURCHES: Ruins of the first Moravian church, built in 1749 by the first Protestants to minister to West Indians, can be explored at Estate Bethany.
SHOPPING: On St. John, there are numerous quaint shopping areas around Cruz Bay to explore on foot. Mongoose Junction, Wharfside Village and Lemon Tree Mall offer an array of Caribbean specialty shops. A ferry ride to the island of St. Thomas opens the door to almost unlimited shopping options from designer houses to bargain vendors.
Caneel's Beaches
Caneel Bay is home to seven magnificent beaches — one to explore for each day of the week.
SCOTT: Picturesque and postcard perfect, Scott Beach is great for strolling and watching turtles as they graze on sea grass along the white sandy ocean floor. The waters at Scott are calm and perfect for floating lazily about on a raft.
PARADISE: Tiny and tucked away at the end of Cottage Point just before Scott beach, Paradise is an ideal escape for quiet moments.
TURTLE BAY: The stunning white crescent of beach below Turtle Bay Estate House is a vantage point for watching boats journey between St. Thomas and Tortola and a fine spot for snorkeling.
CANEEL BAY: This is our most active beach, from which Sunfish sailboats, sea kayaks and sail boards are available for use.
HAWKSNEST: The large bay at Hawksnest harbors a number of alluring beaches along its shore. Facing eastward into the trade winds, Hawksnest is the first beach to catch the early morning sun, and a shady place to take refuge in the afternoon. Snorkeling is excellent along the rocks at both ends of the beach.
HONEYMOON: There are no guest rooms on Honeymoon Beach, located on the westernmost end of the resort, only pristine sand perfect for strolling along the shore. Snorkeling is excellent along the reefs at each end of the beach.
LITTLE CANEEL: Just west of the dock is a peaceful retreat for relaxing and studying the boats in the harbor.
The National Park
In the 1950s, over half of the beautiful, unspoiled island of St. John was brought under the U.S. National Park system. Jackson Hole Preserve, Inc., a non-profit, conservation-oriented organization founded and supported by the Rockefeller family, purchased and then donated over 5,000 acres of the island to the U.S. federal government for the creation of a national park in 1956. Ever since, the park has remained a sanctuary in which wildlife, natural beauty and historic sites are preserved for the enjoyment of all who come to St. John. Caneel Bay resort lies within the boundaries of the park. St. John boasts over 20 hiking trails. They vary from carefully maintained, well-traveled and marked paths to rugged, secluded treks. The Reef Bay Trail is St. John’s most famous. The National Park Service leads tours down the shady 2.5-mile trail. Highlights along the way include ruins of four sugar estates, an array of interesting flora and fauna, and the Arawak Indian petroglyphs.