Francis Bay Beach, St. John USVI
As St. John can be a hubbub of activity, it can seem a bit intimidating for those who simply want to take their Caribbean vacation time to enjoy the sea and the beautiful sand. If you’re looking for a nice spot to rest your bones and just drink in the natural, uncorrupted beauty of the US Virgin Islands, then you must take at trip to Francis Bay. It’s a place that, once there, you may never want to leave.
This beach is pretty secluded --there aren’t many people who want to tae a trip to a beach just for the beach’s sake (especially if there aren’t many amenities or shopping opportunities). As a result, you could really get lost in the beauty of the place and find yourself floating on the warm Caribbean breeze. It’s probably the calmer of the north shore beaches, as it faces west away from the trade winds that tend to run through St. John. During the week there aren’t many visitors --if any. And because of the ever expansive nature of the beach, you’ll never be short of places to enjoy yourself in privacy.
It’s easily accessible by vehicle, but you can also take a nice scenic walk from Cruz Bay and drink in as much of St. John on your way to the seclusion of Francis Bay. Though there aren’t many facilities, there are enough to give you the opportunity to enjoy the beach without desiring for very much. There are portable toilets and a parking area if you’ve arrived by car. There are also dumpsters for those who have brought items with them that require disposing. You’ll also be pleased to know that there are picnic tables and barbecue pits at the edge of the beach tucked away between some trees.
If you want to take a break from your relaxation and explore the beach, you’ll be able to walk the Francis Bay Trail and get a thrill from the opportunities to do a little bird watching. The trail runs along a salt pond behind the beach and, in the mornings, you can take your camera and get up close and personal with some of the feathered wildlife of St. John.
To top it all off, Francis Bay is an unbelievable place to do a great deal snorkeling. The waters are calm and the wildlife is extraordinary. In fact, there is an abundance of fish as you travel below to take in some of the underwater marvels. There are virtually millions of fry that swim along the reef. Beyond the exorbitant amount of fry, you’ll have the chance to see some unbelievable wildlife: there are jacks, yellowtail snapper, Spanish mackerel, barracuda, and some fair sized tarpon and pompano. You’ll be able to see some French grunts, eels, Christmas tree worms, sponges, and gorgonians (such as colorful sea fans). There’s incredible plant life under the sea as well.
Francis Bay is unbelievable, especially for a place that very few frequent. If you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of Cruz Bay, then you need to visit Francis Bay to get a Caribbean experience you’ll never forget.