USVI-On-Line

Never been to solomon or Honeymoon. How does the trail there compare to going to say Salt pond or waterlemon. Where is the closest trail head to get there.

You can get there via the Lind Point Trail or a trail from the Caneel Bay resort.

The Caneel trail is very easy.

You can get to Honeymoon and Solomon a few different ways.
Easiest to Homeymoon - Park at Caneel ($10 fee good for drinks at the hotel) Walk 10 - 15 minutes on flat gravel road to Honeymoon. From there you can take the trail over and around the point to Solomon. You can also swim or snorkelaround the point to Solomon. I have not hiked from Honeymoon to Solomon but have hiked the trail that will be the descent to Solomon from the Lower Lind Point Trail.

2nd easiest walk Park in Cruz Bay - Across from Mongoose Jnction behind the NPS visitor center is the trailhead that will lead to the boat ramp or Lind Point Overlook or Solomon Bay. Take the Lower Lind Point trail until you see a sign for Solomon Bay and take the trail down to the beach. Lind Point Trail is wide and grade is an easy walk. The ascent tback up is not too difficult when dry.

Easiest (free)Parking - The NPS parking lot at the top of the hill above Asolare, trailhead is at front of visitor parking lot near entrance. 1/4 to 1/2 mile hike down to Solomon. You will intersect with Lind Point Trail and follow the signs to Solomon and/or Honeymoon. Not a bad trail. Grade is steeper than parking in Cruz Bay. Reasonable difficulty when dry.

Have a map with you like trailbandits and be cautious on the Lind Point trails. We missed our turn at the Upper trail and ended up at Cruz Bay instead of the Upper NPS lot.

toes in the sand wrote:
Easiest (free)Parking - The NPS parking lot at the top of the hill above Asolare, trailhead is at front of visitor parking lot near entrance. 1/4 to 1/2 mile hike down to Solomon. You will intersect with Lind Point Trail and follow the signs to Solomon and/or Honeymoon. Not a bad trail. Grade is steeper than parking in Cruz Bay. Reasonable difficulty when dry.

Easy access to this trail if you happen to be staying at Estate Lindholm.

It's a very easy trail when it is wet; just slide down on your butt like I did

I've hiked into Solomon every way that you can do it. I recommend walking in from Caneel or better yet rent a dinghy.

Honeymoon is a nice beach but there is NO WAY it's worth $10 to park. Honestly there are plenty of other equally as nice beaches on island that you don't have to pay to get to.

The other issue I had with Honeymoon (a bunch of forumites ended up congregating there last summer) was the cattlemarans.

These STT day sail operations have decided that Honeymoon is the "Ideal" destination for their patrons and you will quickly find yourself surrounded by 40+ novice snokelers. Just not worth it IMHO unless you wanted to see Caneel anyway or plan on spending some $$$ there or having lunch in which case it seems reasonable. But if it's just beach time you're after with an easy trail, try Jumbie or Gibney instead.

Gromit wrote:Honeymoon is a nice beach ...there are plenty of other equally as nice beaches on island that you don't have to pay to get to.

The other issue I had.... was the cattlemarans.

...you will quickly find yourself surrounded by 40+ novice snokelers. Just not worth it IMHO unless you wanted to see Caneel anyway or plan on spending some $$$ there or having lunch in which case it seems reasonable. But if it's just beach time you're after with an easy trail, try Jumbie or Gibney instead.

Well said Gromit! I thought Honeymoon was beautiful, however, didn't love it because of the cattlemarans you mentioned!

Salomon is one of the prettiest beaches on St. John to me. We've always hiked from up top (above Asolare). It can be a little tricky, and the trip back up may leave you winded, but it's worth it. I agree with other posts that Honeymoon is far too popular with the day tripper snorkelers. Salomon is more private. In fact, last month, my husband and I arrived early one morning to find a couple of nude snorkelers as the only other inhabitants!

Saloman for years was considered an "unofficial" nude beach. However DNPR has been cracking down and giving tix in recent years so go commando at your own risk!

We love Salomon Beach, but anyone who is contemplating going there to become 'one with nature' so-to-speak. please remember that to others you probably look better with your swimsuit on. Sure, when you're in the water it's no big deal, but others will see you when you jiggle back to your towel. If you could hear the comments coming from those that see you - "eewwww", or "look out, incoming", or "do they really think they look that good?" It's a riot!

TropicAtHeart wrote:We love Salomon Beach, but anyone who is contemplating going there to become 'one with nature' so-to-speak. please remember that to others you probably look better with your swimsuit on. Sure, when you're in the water it's no big deal, but others will see you when you jiggle back to your towel. If you could hear the comments coming from those that see you - "eewwww", or "look out, incoming", or "do they really think they look that good?" It's a riot!

Don't I know it, Tropic....if I walked out of the water like that, you'd see a lot of texting and twittering..... "OMG....WTF.......WYLATBDMF!!!!!!"



-Bert

We've hiked to Salomon from the parking area by the NPS lot and it was pretty easy-and I am NO hiker whatsoever. I've done it from the trail at the top of the hill and thought that was harder. Also we were just at Honeymoon this past week via Caneel and they didn't charge us anything. Have they charged others? The woman in the booth told us just to park in the 2nd parking lot after going through the gates and then we walked in from there. We told them at the gates what we were going to do and she didn't mention anything about money. I don't think I would have paid to go.... but it was a gorgeous afternoon, too rough for snorkeling, but beautiful water and beach!

Thanks for all the info. Is their good snorkling there, or just beautiful beach.

Snorkeling is really nice around the reef that separates Salomon and Honeymoon. Also, we didn't pay to park at Caneel in November either. Just told them at the gate where we were headed, and they directed us to the parking lot. Both beaches are really pretty, and the snorkeling is virtually the same. My vote goes to Salomon for those graceful low palm trees and a little more peace and quiet. And TropicAtHeart, you are quite right... the nude sunbathers were not a pretty sight!

The reef between Soloman and Honeymoon is one of our favorite snorkels....feels like you're in a tropical aquarium!