15 Beaches You Have to Visit in the US Virgin Islands — From St. John’s Trunk Bay to Buck Island

By: - May 27th, 2026
us virgin islands beaches
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The US Virgin Islands has one of the strongest beach lineups in the entire Caribbean — three islands, three distinct personalities and a collection of bays, coves and reef-fronted strands that together make the USVI one of the most rewarding beach destinations in the region.

What follows is not a comprehensive list. The US Virgin Islands have far more than 15 beaches worth a visit, and any roundup like this is necessarily a snapshot rather than a definitive ranking. But it’s a pretty good place to start — a mix of the famous, the underrated and the local-favorite beaches across St. John, St. Thomas and St. Croix that together capture what makes the USVI beach experience so distinctive.

A few notes on the geography before diving in. St. John is the smallest and most protected of the three main islands, with roughly two-thirds of its land set aside as Virgin Islands National Park — which is why so many of its beaches feel wild and undeveloped despite being inside a US territory. St. Thomas is the most-visited of the three, the cruise port and commercial hub, with a deeper mix of resort beaches, local beaches and quieter pockets on the north side. St. Croix is the largest and quietest of the three, with a more rural, more agricultural character and a coastline that runs from the famous North Shore dive walls to the protected reefs of Buck Island Reef National Monument offshore.

maho bay
Maho Bay in St John, USVI.

Maho Bay, St. John

Maho Bay is one of the most beloved beaches in the US Virgin Islands, and consistently one of the top spots for travelers visiting St. John. The shallow, calm water and powdery sand make it ideal for families, but the real draw is the sea turtles — Maho is one of the most reliable places in the USVI to swim alongside green and hawksbill turtles, often within a few feet of shore. The beach is part of Virgin Islands National Park, with little development and a quiet, low-key atmosphere that has helped keep it a favorite of repeat visitors.

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About the author

Karen Udler is the Deputy Travel Editor of Caribbean Journal. A graduate of Duke University, has been traveling across the Americas for three decades. First an expert on Latin American travel, Karen has been traveling with CJ for more than a decade. She likes to focus on wellness, luxury travel and food.
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