Gibney and Oppenheimer Beach

Gibney and Oppenheimer name neighboring stretches on the east end of Hawksnest Bay. Oppenheimer is the public access at the eastern end; the Gibney shore continues west beside private property. This is a good pick for a quieter swim under trees, rather than a wide, open beach day.

From Cruz Bay, follow Route 20 (North Shore Road) east for about two miles, just past Hawksnest Beach. The white fence and iron gate mark Oppenheimer access. A short paved drive leads to the shore; walk west along the water for the Gibney stretch. Parking is limited to a few spaces at the gate, so go early if you need to park close. Stay on the public access and respect the neighboring private property; don't assume the house is open to visitors.

Trees sit close to the sand, making this a welcome place to get out of the sun between swims. Snorkelers head for the rocky eastern edge, where visitors report fish and other marine life. Accounts of the reef's condition vary, so treat this as a chance to look around, not a promise of pristine coral.

Robert and Nancy Gibney bought land along Hawksnest Bay in 1950. Physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer bought a small eastern parcel from them in 1957 and built a cottage there. His daughter Toni later left the property to the people of St. John; it became a community-center site. The shore is the public visit here, not a house tour.

From the sand, look across Hawksnest Bay toward Hawksnest and Caneel. A shoreline-level photo with the pale beach, dark tree line and green hills together shows the cove's shape and setting.