For many, their favorite beach on St. John is Hawksnest. It is not too long of a drive from Cruz Bay (about 2 miles from St John Escape), parking is close to the beach and the watercolor is just amazing.
Post Irma the beach is still in great shape. In fact it seems a little wider. It is also much easier to get to the section of the beach that some called “little Hawksnest”, the area to the left
Go for a snorkel over the reef (watch water level and make sure it is calm enough). It is amazing, the water is very clear, there is still orange elkhorn coral and an abundance of fish.