Leinster Bay Trail

Leinster Bay Trail is a 1.6-mile out-and-back on St. John’s north shore, following the old Danish road from the Annaberg picnic area to Waterlemon Bay’s main beach. The mapped route is 0.8 mile each way; the National Park Service’s trail guide gives about 30 minutes for that one-way walk, so allow roughly an hour on foot for the return trip. Add time if you want to explore the beach, take the short path to the nearby plantation ruins, or swim. It is a good choice for coastal scenery without a long climb: the path stays close to the water and opens frequent views across Leinster Bay toward the British Virgin Islands.

The path starts near the Annaberg parking and picnic area, then follows the bay east. Underfoot, expect uneven rock and rough patches rather than a smooth beach promenade. The early shoreline has low, marsh-like ground with holes made by land crabs and a thicket of Maho trees on the inland side. Farther along, the trail crosses short rocky rises and low cliffs before flattening near the beach. Much of it is exposed to sun; brief wooded sections do not provide continuous shade. The shore and the small islands across the channel stay in view for much of the walk, so there is no need to hurry through the rocky sections.

At about 0.8 mile, the main trail reaches Waterlemon Bay’s beach, the natural end of this version of the hike. The Cay is the small island offshore, not a place the trail reaches on foot. A path continues roughly another 0.2 mile along shore to a closer water-entry point; taking it makes a longer outing of about 2 miles round trip. Snorkeling around the Cay is an optional swim from shore, not part of the mapped hiking route. Near the beach, a separate inland path leads to lower plantation ruins. Treat that as a short side visit and retrace to the beach before returning to Annaberg.

This shoreline segment is part of the Old Danish Road, once used to connect estates and plantations along the north side of St. John. Low stone walls beside the route are remnants of old land boundaries and livestock enclosures. Annaberg’s sugar mill ruins sit uphill near the parking area, on a different short walk; they are easy to pair with this trail, but are not on the shoreline route. From the beach or a clear opening along the shore, frame Waterlemon Cay against the blue channel and the British Virgin Islands beyond; including a little of the rocky coast gives the view a sense of place.

This is an easy walk by grade, but the rough rock can catch a loose step, especially when wet. Plan for sun on most of the exposed shoreline and allow more time if you will stop at the beach. Swimming has its own hazards: the entry can be rocky, long-spined sea urchins are present, and currents are strong on the north side of the Cay; there are no lifeguards. Leashed pets are allowed on park trails but are not allowed on beaches, including the beach at the turn-around. Keep the hike and the swim as separate choices, and do not count the Cay as a walking destination.