Trunk Bay, St John Island, US Virgin Islands (Photo: Sorin Colac/Shutterstock) (Photo:Sean Pavone/Shutterstock)

When it comes to Eastern Caribbean cruise ports, heading to a great beach always tops the list of shore excursion picks. Some passengers sign up for pre-booked escapes to tried-and-true locales, such as beach bars specifically designed for daytrippers, while others look for beach resorts fronting the turquoise sea, which sometimes means purchasing a day pass to make it easier all around.

Whether you're looking for popular public beaches filled to the brim with other cruisers or tiny spots of sand, here are four excellent places in the Eastern Caribbean to rest and relax.

If you're looking for a top beach that checks all the boxes, Magens Bay Beach is the place you want to be. Magens Bay Beach, located on the island of St. Thomas, is the best Caribbean beach for families and large groups that need to please different travel styles.

The horseshoe-shaped beach is breathtaking, and on top of its beauty, it has a wide range of water sports and equipment rentals available. Lounge on the beach or take to the hills around the beach to enjoy sweeping vistas of the island itself or its pristine waters.

Due to Magens Bays popularity, the beach can fill up quickly and feel crowded. We recommend heading to the beach early to grab a lounger.

Beachgoers will pay a per-person fee to visit this pristine strip of sand and need to find a mode of transport. From St. Thomas cruise port, you can take a private taxi or shared shuttle bus to the other side of the island. Expect the journey to last around 20 to 24 minutes.

While beautiful Magens Bay is justifiably famous, it's usually offered as the beach excursion for most cruise ships -- thus, it's often extremely crowded. Instead, get a double dose of views at Sapphire Beach, a resort about a 30-minute taxi ride from the port.

Sapphire Beach is located on St. Thomas' east end and has a magnificent view of St. John and Tortola in the British Virgin Islands.

For those looking for calm, crystal-clear waters, this is it. Snorkeling is at its best; just walk right into the surf, and the fish are there to greet you. Windsurfers also have a great time, and all equipment and lounge chairs can be rented for the day.

Slip into a natural wonder that combines rock pools, boulders, caverns and a small strip of beach in Tortola. The main draw for The Baths is the chance to swim, snorkel and adventure around the crystal-clear pools and discover the Cathedral Room, a small natural pool inside a cave.

Getting a chance to explore one of the best beaches in Caribbean waters will require some extra planning. From Tortolas cruise dock, take a ferry to Virgin Gorda. The ferry trip takes 30 minutes each way. We recommend booking each leg of the ferry in advance and arriving early because you dont want to miss your ferry back to the cruise ship.

From the Virgin Gorda ferry docks, take a 10-minute taxi to the baths. Enjoy one of the most unique and best beaches in the Caribbean.

A visit to St. John isnt complete without a stop at the best Caribbean beach. Trunk Bay Beach is a beach lover's paradise with over a quarter mile of warm white sand and salty turquoise water.

Beach facilities include snorkel gear rentals, beach chair rentals, a snack bar and grill, restrooms, showers, public telephones and lifeguards. There is a per-person entrance fee at Trunk Bay Beach.

Besides the tropical sand and water, the key feature at Trunk Bay is the marked underwater trail for snorkelers. Beginner snorkelers can safely follow the path and explore the aquatic sea life.

Cruise ships dont dock at St. John but may anchor and tender to the National Park dock. Most cruise ships will dock at the neighboring island of St. Thomas and cruisers may catch a ferry to St. John. It is a 12-minute taxi ride to Trunk Bay Beach from Cruz Bay ferry dock on St. John.

See the original post here:

11 Best Caribbean Beaches You Should Visit on a Cruise - Cruise Critic