Hawksnest Beach
Hawksnest Beach is one of the easiest beaches on St. John to visit, especially when trying to enjoy the north shore. It’s a lovely beach, too, which makes it a very popular place. In fact, it’s one of the favorite spots for locals to visit since it’s possible to drive almost right up to the beach and park. It’s about as close as a beach can get to having an afternoon rush.
Besides the parking lot (which is somewhat rare for a beach on St. John), there are also covered pavilions that work great for parties or other gatherings. Permission must be secured from the National Park before using them. There are also picnic tables and grills available for public use, and pit toilets. There is no running water though, so don’t expect showers or sinks.
Snorkeling is a bit hit or miss, as the northern shore can get a little rowdy in terms of swells. Besides the hassle of the rough water, the larger waves will kick up sand and make it harder to see. On a good day, be sure to check out the reef near the center of the beach, or the rocks along the right (towards Gibney Beach) for beginners.