Caneel Bay.

Caneel Bay offers a unique blend of pristine shoreline and storied Caribbean history. Located within the Virgin Islands National Park, this public beach was once home to the exclusive Caneel Bay Resort, founded by Laurence Rockefeller in 1956. Following the resort's closure after the 2017 hurricanes, the property transitioned to federal management, opening this once-private stretch of coast to all. Visitors walk past the stone ruins of the 18th-century Durloo Sugar Plantation to reach a sheltered bay famed for its powdery white sand and calm, shallow waters. It is an ideal spot for paddleboarding, kayaking, and snorkeling, with frequent sightings of sea turtles, eagle rays, and vibrant coral. The lack of active resort infrastructure gives the bay a quiet, preserved character, making it feel like a destination in peaceful transition.