Frank Bay Beach, St. John USVI
When you catch your ferry ride from the airport to Cruz Bay, what’s the first thing you want to do? Perhaps you’d like to get in a bit of shopping; maybe you’d prefer to just set up camp at your hotel and relax. But, after you’ve finished resting your bones from your trip, most people would agree that quick dip in some warm Caribbean water will do the trick to get you in the mood for the unforgettable adventures that lay ahead for you in St. John. For that, one must go to Frank Bay.
Frank Bay is the closest beach to the Cruz Bay. It’s the closest place where one can get a good swim --being within walking distance of Cruz Bay. What’s more intriguing about Frank Bay is that it’s vastly unpopulated. On any given day you’d be hard pressed to see more than one or two people on the beach. The beach is rather peaceful and has a nice breeze for those who want to lap in the luxury of the Caribbean atmosphere. Be advised, however. There are quite a few sea urchins that call the shore of Frank Bay their home. The waters can also get a little choppy from time to time --perhaps when a ferry makes its way to through the bay or a larger vessel makes its way to shore. For the most part, however, the waters are relatively calm and provide a great opportunity for you to do a bit of snorkelling. If you’re lucky, you’ll even catch sight of an octopus that lives in a hole in the reef.
Frank Bay offers more than just a nice swim, before you get in some shopping at the neighboring Cruz Bay. In fact, there is a bit of an artistic history attached to the beach. On the north side, you’ll find an art gallery --Coconut Coast Studios. Elaine Estern is one of the local artists who contribute their work to the studio --breathtaking landscapes of the sea and the beach. After a quick walk around the beach, even a little swim, you should make your way to the south end of the beach. There you’ll be able to sample the delicate cuisine of the West Indies. Patrick Moorhead’s open air restaurant offers visitors traditional West Indian fare, sure to get any guests taste buds watering.
There are benches set up in the perfect viewing spot to take in the calm Frank Bay salt pond. You’ll also get the opportunity to see some pin tail ducks, herons, and a cavalcade of other bird life common in the Frank Bay area. The bay also offers a chanced for you to relax and collect yourself before heading to the more commercial parts of St. John. It’s the perfect spot to catch a few zeds under a palm tree. You can see the islands of Little and Great St. James, St. Thomas, Steven’s Cay, Thatch Cay, Hans Lolick, Grass Cay, and Mingo Cay.