Travelers who prize seaside views in a secluded setting may want to venture a little off the beaten path to Caneel Bay.

Anyone can visit Caneel Bay's seven beaches, but six of them can only be reached by boat - or by staying at the exclusive Caneel Bay Resort. The seventh beach, a white sand wonder, is beyond the resort's front gate, just ask the guard for directions. The front desk at the hotel will also give you a visitor guide. White shores and crystal blue waters are found on each beach, so expect superb swimming and beautiful views on the shore.

This beach is not just pretty, it is one of the most special stretches of sand in the Virgin Islands. While Caneel Bay could be a little more trouble to reach, it provides some very special relaxation opportunities

With so many beaches to choose from, Caneel Bay is just one option in the Virgin Islands that attracts many kinds of visitors, from social to active beachgoers. The scenery and atmosphere make it the perfect in-between beach style that can please everyone in your party.

Even though Caneel Bay is not particularly secluded, other beaches in the Virgin Islands are a bit more urban than this one. Therefore, though a romantic walk on the beach might not be possible, it's certainly further outside of the main cities than other beaches.

More active or social beach-goers may choose this beach due to its more urban location. In fact, the Virgin Islands' other beaches can hardly rival the community of active travelers around Caneel Bay.

You won't find beaches in the Virgin Islands to be far from the beaten path, but you'll find this beached to be a little quieter than most, making it a good choice for some travelers. Caneel Bay is still near plenty of people.

Travelers in search of beauty and scenery can find them on the beaches of the Virgin Islands, helping them to become a popular destination for vacationers. And, while many travelers visit these beautiful spots, you may find that some have less of a draw than others. The nature of each beach is different, and it's easy for many vacationers to enjoy everything Caneel Bay has to offer.

Location

You'll find this delightful beach on the Virgin Islands' western coast, 0.1 miles from the Caneel Bay. Caneel Bay is close to Cruz Bay, so a trip into town is a convenient option.

Nearby Hotels

The number of other guests enjoying the beach can vary widely -- it depends on when you visit. You can typically expect to share the beach with vacationers who are staying close by. So if you're interested in staying in this vicinity you shouldn't have much difficulty.

The following table provides a list of hotels near this beach.

Amenities and Ambience

The entrance to the main beach at Caneel Bay is through the resort, meaning guests are welcome to most of the public amenities here. Bathrooms, three restaurants, and a gift shop can be accessed at the hotel. If you make it to any of the other six secluded beaches by water at Caneel Bay, there are no facilities for guests.

The crowd at the beach will vary according to the time of year, time of day, and many other factors. Some of the Virgin Islands' beaches are more crowded than others particularly when the season is at its peak. One of the key things one should keep in mind when considering a day at the beach might be, at least for some vacationers, the crowds you'll meet. While some beach goers prefer a crowded beach with lots of activity, others would just like to relax in a quiet spot.

Like many places in the Virgin Islands this beach has its own personality which will be particularly appealing to some visitors. The appealing qualities of this beach are rather different from what you'll discover in other parts of the Virgin Islands. On the resort's shore, guests at Caneel Bay most often rent rooms in this upscale area, meaning most of the beaches' guests are travelers.

Attractions

If you're like many vacationers, you enjoy seeing plenty of wonderful sights during your visit-- and also relax. The beach can be a relaxing experience, but natural attractions, like Peace Hill (located 1 mile to the northeast of Caneel Bay) can be a great part of your vacation.

Historical attractions like Plantation Ruins provide a great complement to the sands of Caneel Bay, giving vacationers the chance to learn more about the Virgin Islands without having to venture too far from the coast.

If you're looking for plenty of activities for your vacation, you'll find the closest ones to the beach in the following table.

Food

It doesn't matter what the meal, an ideal way to start the day off or end a day at the beach is sometimes visiting a local restaurant, where you'll be able to sample local cuisine without going far.

The following table lists food choices near this beach.

There are a lot of dining experiences that visitors can enjoy in the Virgin Islands, but a meal on the beach can be especially fun. Hence, you might want to have your hotel pack a picnic lunch for you, or you can pick up some food en route to the beach.

Other Beaches

You'll find other beaches besides Caneel Bay in the Virgin Islands. Another location you might enjoy is Salt Pond Bay; it is located 6.0 miles to the east. The secluded little beach at Salt Bay offers beachgoers privacy as well as excellent swimming conditions. So on your next trip to St. John, go off the beaten path and sample these sandy shores.

If you're on the lookout for more active and social, you might enjoy people watching at Lindquist Beach. You'll find it 4.2 miles to the southwest.

Another location you may want to try is Hawksnest Bay, which is located 0.5 miles away from Caneel Bay. Hawksnest Bay's beautiful waters and sandy shores make it one of St. John's most immaculate beaches, yet the beach's close location to Cruz Bay makes it a popular spot with the locals, who come out in large numbers for weekend picnics.

Caneel Bay might not make your top beaches list, but the Virgin Islands has plenty of other options for travelers who don't wish to visit this beach.