Hansen Bay Beach
A serene, donation-based beach on St. John's east end, famed for abundant wildlife and excellent snorkeling in crystal-clear waters.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, calmer waters
Hansen Bay Beach
Best Time
Fewer crowds, calmer waters
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A serene, donation-based beach on St. John's east end, famed for abundant wildlife and excellent snorkeling in crystal-clear waters.
"This is my new happy place! Sitting under a palm tree looking out at crystal clear blue/aqua water while watching iguanas, chickens, goats, donkeys, birds, geckos, soldier crabs, and anoles."
Bring Cash for Donation
Support this beautiful private beach by donating cash for upkeep. :moneybag:
Pack Food & Drinks
There are no services, so bring everything you need and pack out your trash. :sandwich:
Quick Facts
Hours
Rating
4.6 · 255 reviews
Type
Beach
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Abundant Marine Life
Shallow waters
Snorkel alongside sea turtles, stingrays, and colorful fish in crystal-clear waters.
Critter Spotting on Shore
Beachfront
Watch iguanas, goats, donkeys, and various birds roam freely near the palm trees.
Peaceful Palm-Shaded Relaxation
Beachfront
Unwind under the shade of palm trees with provided chairs, enjoying the tranquil atmosphere.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Donation-Based Entry & Wildlife Wonders
Pack Essentials & Embrace Serenity
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Currently on St. John USVI and need beach help
We have three more opportunities to hit some beaches. Of the list below, what 3 would you choose? (We want to snorkel and lay on the beach, prefer quieter crowd with no rentals or vendors): Dennis Bay Brown Bay Trunk Bay Salt Pond Beach Watermelon Cay Thank you in advance!!…
Bring Cash for Donation
Support this beautiful private beach by donating cash for upkeep. :moneybag:
Pack Food & Drinks
There are no services, so bring everything you need and pack out your trash. :sandwich:
1 empty day in 7 day itinerary for St. John. Any last minute ideas?
Hi all! Thanks for all your previous feedback. We leave in a few days for our trip. We’ve fleshed out our itinerary pretty well, barring 1 empty day. We were considering Reef Bay Trail for this day, but the one-way guided tours provided by national parks service ended in April.…
St John snorkel
Will be visiting for the first time in July. Me, my wife and our 9yo son. What are some of the easier snorkel spots? Where the water is calm but have a decent chance of seeing wildlife? And are any spots only accessible by boat, which spots are those? We will be renting…
Easy Snorkeling Spot
Calm waters make it ideal for beginners and families looking for wildlife. 🎭
Arrive Early for Shade
Chairs are available, but arrive before 9 AM for the best spots under palm trees. :sunwithface:
Tips
from all over the internet
Bring Cash for Donation
Support this beautiful private beach by donating cash for upkeep. :moneybag:
Pack Food & Drinks
There are no services, so bring everything you need and pack out your trash. :sandwich:
Easy Snorkeling Spot
Calm waters make it ideal for beginners and families looking for wildlife. 🎭
Arrive Early for Shade
Chairs are available, but arrive before 9 AM for the best spots under palm trees. :sunwithface:
Friendly Owner & Wildlife
The owner is welcoming, and you'll likely see goats, donkeys, and iguanas. 🐐
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Hansen Bay Beach is a highly recommended, serene local favorite known for its abundant wildlife both on land and in the sea. Visitors praise the crystal-clear waters for snorkeling, the friendly owner, and the peaceful atmosphere. Some find the drive long compared to other beaches, but the unique experience and natural beauty are consistently highlighted as major draws.
"This is my new happy place! Sitting under a palm tree looking out at crystal clear blue/aqua water while watching iguanas, chickens, goats, donkeys, birds, geckos, soldier crabs, and anoles.
The beach is clearly an east end local favorite, and it's easy to see why. They have chairs and cabanas spread out for use.
The beach is donate to enter (no recommended amounts are posted, but it's easy to want to be a little more generous to keep this place amazing). Plenty of on site parking, there are some porta potties to use, and the Love City public WiFi reaches here as well!
The attendant is super friendly and knowledgeable, he told us about Thalia (the landowner) whose family has owned this beach since the 1700's! They'll point out great spots to snorkel and tell you about some of their more frequent visiting wildlife to be on the lookout for as well!
This is a place I will absolutely visit again, and would highly recommend everyone check out!"
Eric Brammer
"My wife had this beach on her list of places to go because of the promise of meeting local pet lovers. She did well when she found this happy place. Love this beach. Love the people. Love the critters. Love the remoteness. I give it over five stars, but only three on the review because I’m a little bit selfish and don’t want the algorithm to attract anyone who doesn’t take the time to read the details. There’s a lot of details to unpack about this part of the island.
Bring your own food and drink. (Pack them out too, no trash service… but if you made it this far you probably already understand that)
There is a porta potty and plenty of beach play for the day supplies on site. Bring a little cash to put in the kitty. They won’t hassle you if you don’t have a lot to spare.
It closes early, but then so does the rest of VI.. Since it also gets dark early you’re likely to be very ready to sleep after a day in this warm salty breeze.
Roads were tiny and steep, but much better condition than some more popular beaches."
Gerald Burnett
"We made the travel here. We were staying at Cruz bay so it’s a 40min drive. Honestly compared to all the other beaches I’d say it’s not worth the effort. Go to salt
Pond bay. 13minutes away. We try to hit two beaches a day and this one was just ok. But hey honestly they all are still great 👍"
Matt
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Hansen Bay Beach is located on the east end of St. John. The drive from Cruz Bay is about 40 minutes, with roads described as steep but in better condition than some other popular beaches.
Yes, there is plenty of on-site parking available at Hansen Bay Beach.
While it's a bit of a drive to the east end, the roads are generally well-maintained, making it relatively straightforward to find.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Hansen Bay Beach is privately owned and operates on a donation basis. While no specific amount is posted, visitors are encouraged to contribute to help with beach upkeep.
The beach tends to close early, similar to other attractions in the US Virgin Islands, often around dusk.
While some reviews mention borrowing kayaks and paddleboards, it's best to bring your own snorkel gear or rent it elsewhere on the island, as rental availability isn't consistently mentioned.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
Hansen Bay Beach is renowned for its abundant wildlife. On land, expect to see iguanas, chickens, goats, donkeys, and various birds. In the water, it's a prime spot for snorkeling with sea turtles and stingrays.
Yes, there are porta-potties available on-site for visitor use.
Absolutely! Hansen Bay Beach is highly recommended for snorkeling due to its calm, clear waters and rich marine life, including sea turtles and stingrays.
The beach offers chairs and cabanas for visitors. The owner may also allow borrowing of kayaks and paddleboards.
Yes, the Love City public WiFi network reaches Hansen Bay Beach.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
No, there are no food or drink services available at Hansen Bay Beach. Visitors are advised to bring their own provisions.
It's recommended to pack a cooler with your preferred beverages and snacks. Remember to pack out everything you bring in.
📸 📸 Photography
One visitor mentioned being allowed to fly their drone, but it's always best to confirm with the owner upon arrival.
Early mornings and late afternoons offer beautiful lighting. The wildlife also provides excellent photo opportunities throughout the day.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit