Hello everyone, and happy Tuesday! I’m sure this will not come as a surprise for those of you who love St. John like me, but our beaches have just ranked the top in the world… again! And not by just one publication, but two!
The first honor comes from the 2023 Best Beaches in the World list presented by Banana Boat. Trunk Bay came in at number six, following beaches in Australia, Seychelles, the Philippines, and the Cook Islands. Here’s what they had to say:
Often called the most pristine beach in the Caribbean, there is a reason why this fantastic beach received so many votes for our list again this year. Protected in a lush environment in the Virgin Islands National Park, this beach – unlike many in the Caribbean – doesn’t have a backdrop of cement buildings or busy businesses. It feels pure and natural! It is named after the Leatherback turtle which is endemic to this area and locally known as trunks. With clear water, ivory soft sand and plenty of shade this is definitely a place to chill for an entire day while simply enjoying and exploring one of the very best beaches in the world!
U.S. News & World Report also released its list of the 15 Best Beaches in the World this month, and the US Virgin Islands came in as number 15. I, personally, think we should have ranked higher on the list. 🙂 Here is what they had to say:
The U.S. Virgin Islands are “America’s Caribbean Paradise” – the place to see moko jumbies (stilt walkers) dance at a Carnival parade, hear the lilting patois of a Creole dialect or smell the spices in a saltfish pate (all without losing cell phone reception). You can visit either St. Thomas, St. John or St. Croix, or better yet, spend a little time on all three islands. That way you’ll get plenty of pampering, undisturbed nature and colonial history jammed into one vacation.
Each island offers something different. Called “Rock City” for its hilly, craggy horizon, St. Thomas is known for luxury – from the megayachts moored in the harbor to the high-end storefronts along Main Street. Located a short ferry ride east, St. John appeals to honeymooners and nature lovers, with more than 7,000 acres of dedicated parkland, along with pristine beaches. Way down south in the Caribbean Sea, St. Croix allows visitors to explore the islands’ colonial heritage and the history of slavery at several different forts and plantations. Plus, it’s on this island that you’ll find the Cruzan Rum Distillery.
A visit to the islands now may look a little different than it did several years ago. Hurricanes Maria and Irma devastated the islands, leaving homes and hotels either uninhabitable or severely damaged. However, since 2017 the region has taken great strides in restoring itself and is happily welcoming visitors once again. So, if you’re in need of a beachy vacation, don’t hesitate to book your trip.
Want to see Trunk Bay up close? Check out this video I created last fall:
Curious what’s on the menu at Trunk Bay? Click here to read an article I posted that details all of the food and drink options available at Trunk Bay, including lots of pics.
Want to see some other beaches? Check out www.explorestj.com/beaches.
Absolutely my favorite place in the world
This video captures exactly what I dream of when I reflect on my visit to Truck Bay. I didn’t know it was named for the turtles, that somehow makes it that much better! Thank you for sharing this.