Hi everyone. Thanks to all of you for sharing your experience and information so regularly.
Question: What are the best 5 beaches for shade? That is a must for me.
I can't take too much sun either, and I found that Maho, Salomon and Trunk have really good shade. I know that's only 3 but I'm sure you'll get lots of other good suggestions!
The right side of Hawksnest is great. Trunk Bay to the left is good too (early). Jumbie is shaded in the afternoon. Little Lameshur has some good spots too.
Last trip one of my travel mates was a skin cancer survivor. We set up on the far right of Hawksnest next to the rocks. You can tuck in under great shade there most of the day. We also had luck on the far left of Cinamon in front of the last of the cottages. That only works if the occupants haven't set up there as well.
Every beach was in the shade last week...You want to look for beaches with palms providing the shade. Bugs make the shade unbearable as you back up under the hibiscus.
amount of shade on n shore beaches is function of sun location/season. closest to winter solstice (12/21) when sun is far south, you'll find all north shore beaches will have some shade. conveserely near 6/12 summer sol. sun is to north of stj and shade is much more limited. while i have never been to stj in june, i would expect lameshure to have considerable shade on beach then since there are a few places close to parking that offered shade even in dec/jan.
If you get to the beach a little late and all the shade is taken, an umbrella comes in very handy. We always pick up a beach umbrella at the hardware store every year, then leave it at the villa as our gift. We always end up using it!
All good suggestions here. Just make sure ya get there early to get the primo spots right on the beach. You will be able to find something in the shade any time just might not be your perfect spot. The seagrapes at Hawknest are our favorite for shade. We make our own little villa for the day.