Always snorkel with a buddy and never exceed your physical ability or experience. With crystal clear water, beautiful white sand, and little islands scattered around, you'll want to explore them all. When youve had your fill of music, stuffed French toast, and spicy Bloody Marys, head to Lameshur Beach. Coki Beach is one of the most popular snorkeling spots in St. Thomas. Go for the beach and not the snorkeling. Located 1.5 miles off the coast of St. Croix, the 880-acre Buck Island Reef National Monument has an impressive coral reef system that draws thousands of snorkelers and divers every year. The water is sandy bottom and shallow making it a great spot for younger kids and parents with floats. Ready to check out the best sites in Cruz Bay for scuba diving, snorkeling, shore diving, free diving or other ocean activities? Your email address will not be published. Not far from Norman Island lies a group of uninhabited rocky islets rising from the sea. We have seen everything from squid to barracuda to stingrays to various small tropical fish in this bay. There are many small reef fish in the area. There are two rooms or chambers with rock walls on three sides. Maho is the best bay on St. John for observing the inhabitants of this important environment, including rays, conch, and starfish, in a calm environment. This healthy reef community supports a diverse and tropical fish population,including grazing blue tang andfast swimming predators such as yellowtailsnapper, blue runners, barracuda, and tarpon. Trunk Bay has it all. On busy days, it's best to take a taxi or bus. Read on to find all the details of each snorkeling spot we visited. (J. Robert Oppenheimer, creator of the atomic bomb, once owned the land.) For some reason, this beautiful beach always rewards me with something exciting. My mask would fog, and I would get a bunch of water in my snorkel. This is the closest entry point to get to Waterlemon Cay, which is the route we chose. Soft white sand stretches in both directions while shallow waters provide newbie snorkelers the chance to get their sea legs. 14.1K subscribers In this video, we go out in search of the best snorkeling in St. John. There's an underwater snorkel trail and you'll see some incredible coral and fish. Maho Bay also offers good reef snorkeling for those looking to explore the sea life on a coral reef. I always wear a snorkel vest in case I get tired. Henley Cay - Staff Pick for Best Snorkeling on St John - requires kayak or charter Haulover (North) - Some of the most dramatic underwater structure and corals on the island. That is a long swim though, and the current can be strong. The first step is to get toGreat Lameshur Bay on St. Johns south coast. If you take a right, you will reach the Annaberg Sugar Mill Ruins and the entrance to the trailhead for Waterlemon Cay. We snorkeled to the left (as you face the water) across the small bay to the larger patch reef. We snorkeled on the right side of the bay as you face the water out towards Marys Point and saw beautiful coral outcroppings, schools of tropical fish, and even a lionfish. The most popular ferries are out of Charlotte Amalie and Red Hook, St Thomas. This beautiful bay was featured in the movie Big Blue. If you try to park there, you will be trespassing across private property to get to the beach. Every now and then, one of these larger fish will enter to feed, moving quickly into the glittery mass. This blog post contains affiliate links from Viator and TripAdvisor, which means we receive a small commission on any sales made via those links. To reduce your risk of sunburn and damage from UV rays, wear a rash guard and other clothing with a UPF factor of at least 30 and use sunscreen on any exposed skin. Original Poster . Overall, I would rate St John USVI as a whole as 4/5 snorkels. Parrotfish and blue tang swim about grazing on algae. There's a $5 entrance fee but this beach has all of the amenities you could need including showers, restrooms, a snack bar, and gear rentals (snorkels and chairs). As you snorkel around the point, or headland, which defines BeehiveBay, you can see a line of large rocks, which seems to attract a good share of marine life. A couple of beach shacks sell drinks and snacks and rent stand up paddleboards, beach chairs, umbrellas, and snorkel gear, but there are no restrooms or other amenities. The best snorkeling in St John, USVI can be discovered at beautiful Trunk Bay, part of the Virgin Islands National Park. The eastern wall of the second room is encrusted with sponges and cup coral. We would like to snorkel off the beach and not have to go out in a boat. After you park, walk down a dirt uneven path for about 7 minutes until you reach a beautiful crescent-shaped beach with gorgeous clear water. Northwest of St John Island. It's a top spot to go snorkeling in St John from the beach. This is a long-ish section due to big changes this year. There are busy ferry routes that connect St John to St Thomas, St Croix, Tortola and the BVIs. To get there, take a taxi shuttle from Cruz Bay with Virgin Islands Ecotours or hike a gorgeous one-mile section of the Lind Point Trail, which takes around 30 minutes. This is the first and only sandy beach that you pass on the trail before arriving at the beautiful beach across from Waterlemon Cay. Be aware the far side of the Cay can have strong currents. Watermelon Cay occasionally has strong currents, making this option best for more experienced snorkelers and confident swimmers. Its closer to the beach and smaller than the more extensive reef on the other side of the bay. And we agree! Just past these mangroves, you will come to an underwater hillside garden of coral. Getting there is part of the fun. Here, the environment is sand and coral rubble. No need to hire a boat or join a tour! The trailhead to Waterlemon Cay is at the coastline right near the parking lot. All Rights Reserved. On the outskirts of these living clouds, in slightly deeper water, lurk predators, such as jacks, yellowtail snapper, Spanish mackerel, and barracuda as well some respectfully-sized tarpon and pompano. The best snorkeling is on the right side along the rocks as you face the water. Copyright 2023 Islands. On most days, waves break along the shoreline and over the shallow reef, so try to choose a day when the sea is calm, and the water is not churned up. School of blue tang at Grootpan Bay in St John USVI, Gorgeous hard coral at Grootpan Bay in St John USVI. But the fact is that the top of the list is always Trunk Bay Beach, Cinnamon Bay Beach, Maho Bay Beach, Hawksnest Beach, Salomon Beach, Gibney Beach, Caneel Bay or Honeymoon Beach. Many products featured on this site were editorially chosen. As you swim through the series of caves, youll see schools of colorful tropical fish, pelicans, gulls, ferns, orange cup coral, and red sponges. There are some beautiful tropical fish and coral outcroppings; however, I would not consider this a top snorkeling spot. Know your surroundings (currents, wind, where your buddy is, etc.). The walls and ceiling of the cave are covered with beautiful cup corals and sponges. A quarter-mile hike androck scramble along the western shore of Cabritte Horn Pointwill take you to a remote and isolated coral rubble and sandbeach called Donkey Bight. Dont forget your waterproof snorkeling bag to keep your valuables safe. Access is easy with a shallow sandy entry. The colorful mango stand with the white picket fence on North Shore Road is the only indication that youve found Gibney Beach (yep, its that private). Commonly seen tropical fish on the reef are tang, snapper, grunts, parrotfish, and angelfish. One of the top beaches in the Caribbean also has some great snorkeling! Bring diluted baby shampoo to help keep your mask clear. As many visitors can attest, the reputation is well deserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Access is easy due to the sandy bottom and shallow, calm entry. Also, expect much more snorkeling fins in your face because of the increased crowds. I have never seen one puff out but these cute little fish can take in water to make their bodies (and long spines) puff out if they feel threatened. It is located off of East End Road just past Haulover Bay on the right. Waterlemon Cay hike leads you through a short section of forest in the beginning, And then the trail dumps you on the rocky coastline for the remainder of the hike. This easily accessible, shallow-water snorkel can be thoroughly enjoyed by snorkelers of all experience levels. Out from the center of the beach, large beds of sea grass shelter sea turtles who dont mind company are easy to spot. There are also many vendors where you can get food and drinks or rent beach chairs and umbrellas. There are not many spots. Thank you for your support. https://www.nps.gov/buis/learn/nature/naturalfeaturesandecosystems.htm, https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/news/sunscreen-corals.html, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-50963080, Tips for snorkeling in the Virgin Islands. It is located on the eastern end of the island along East End Road right past a sign that states you are leaving the Virgin Islands National Park. When (and if) you tire of lazing in the shade of the palms, snorkel the extensive reef between Salomon and Honeymoon Beach on the bays east end. This party beach is easily accessible by taxi and has a dive center where you can rent snorkeling gear or book a discovery scuba course. I was actually pleasantly surprised by the quality of snorkeling here. Waterlemon Cay Parking is plentiful by St John standards with marked parking areas by the pavillion and a larger lot at the eastern end of the beach. Park on your left at the bottom of the hill. No hike required. Since most people consider December to April the best time to travel to the Caribbean, many snorkelers visit the Virgin Islands during the North American winter. Here's our TOP PICKS for snorkeling on St John. Cinnamon Cay is located about 100 yards off the shore. Snorkeling at Maho Bay Beach is one of the reasons people love this locations. The history of the land is rich and filled with unknown facts. Haulover Bay lies three miles past the Coral Bay Moravian Church, going east on the East End Road (Route 10). #10 - Lovango Cay Virgin Islands . A Bonnier LLC Company. You can see the beach right from the parking lot. Blue Cobblestone Beach offers the opportunity toexplore an underwater environment that usually occurs furtheroffshore and in deeper waters. The water is usually calm. Bring a few gallons of water for the ride, which work great for rinsing all the sand off after you snorkel. The western part of Waterlemon Cay is where we saw the two nurse sharks relaxing at the bottom of the reef. TRUNK BAY BEACH Lenister Bay is the perfect spot: It's usually uncrowded, and its calm waters have colorful fish, sea cucumbers, starfish, and green turtles. I would not attempt this road after a lot of rain. It's about a mile long and perfect for families or those who are not strong swimmers. Considered to have some of the best snorkeling on St. Thomas, Coki Beach is known for its calm waters, white sands, and abundant marine life. The road heads west andgoes up and then down a steep hill. Corals tend to be hard corals like maze brain corals, fire coral, mustard coral, staghorn coral and Pillar corals. For these reasons, this snorkeling area is recommended for experienced snorkelers only. There are more fish and coral on the calmer western side of the Cay (which is the left side as you face the water). If you are looking for a secluded place where you can lay on the sugary sand to tan, dip into the turquoise waters of the Caribbean, or just enjoy some reading, then Salomon Bay is the place to be. I cannot emphasize enough about getting here early to avoid the peak crowds. In addition, if you are up for a short hike to Little Cinnamon Beach, you can snorkel to a small plane wreckage but I heard it is not too impressive. Like many areas in the Virgin Islands, Smugglers Cove is still recovering from hurricanes Maria and Irma. 10 Reasons Why Saba Should Top Your Caribbean Travel List this Year, History is in the Making at the Iconic Grand Wailea Maui, Its the Dawn of a New Day at Aurora Anguilla Golf Resort and Spa. The fry is extremely sensitive to minute changes in water currents and can sense the approach of the hunters. Along the way youll see beautiful hard and soft corals and a large variety of Caribbean tropical fish. 20-30 minutes. Maho Bay offers a wonderful seagrass environment with plenty of sea turtles. The quiet lagoon is known for its calm, turquoise waters and is an excellent destination for snorkelers of all skill levels. Snorkel along the western shore toward the point and around the offshore rocks called the blinders. Thalia, the owner of the land in front of the beach, very kindly upkeeps the beach through donations. While Honeymoon Bay, Caneel Bay, Hawks Nest Bay, Peter Bay, and Cinnamon Bay all make for enjoyable beach visits when trying to figure out which U.S. Virgin Island has the best beaches, we would like to introduce you to our top 3 beaches on St. John: Maho Bay Beach The grass environment attracts rays, green turtles, starfish, and conch. Located just off Caneel Bay Resort youll see an 11 acre cay. This is a considerable distance also, so pace yourself, or to decrease the distance, take the Ram Head Trail to the beach and snorkel towards Salt Pond Bay. Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, many people feel uneasy about sharing snorkeling equipment with others. 5. Because the island is surrounded by fragile coral reef, swimming too closely to it is not advised. You might also see Nurse sharks ( non threatening / shy ) and some gems like black and white geometric tunicates and blue encrusting coral. Snorkeling the Mangroves. If you are coming from Coral Bay on Centerline Road, take a left on Route 107 and follow it down PAST Concordia. The island of St John is best known as home to Virgin Islands National Park, beautiful beaches, long hiking trails, scrumptious food, and historical places.The coast around the island has been designated as Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument, so snorkeling is one of the best activities and you can find great opportunities at any beach.. You can also go kayaking, boating, or explore . Soft starfish, red sea urchins, and bristle worms can be seen under the rocks in shallow areas. The coral reef here is in relatively good condition, and the reef community is colorful and diverse. Youll find directions to each location along with an informative snorkeling report, St John beach map and local tips so you can decide which spots are right for you; and where to stay on St John. Swim out just past where the motorboats are tied up to find rope sponges, vase sponges and eel grass. Beaches By Harlaxton7 Great snorkeling with lobster, tarpon, squid, sea turtles and a beautiful beach, great place at sunset. Snorkeling with the island's wildlife is sure to be the highlight of your vacation! Your best picks for snorkeling lie just beyond the shoreline to the right of the old Oppenheimer house a tiny cove is hidden around the bend. We saw patches of coral and beautiful tropical fish as we snorkeled on the right side of the bay. Virgin Islands Day Sailing: The best sailing/snorkeling trip ever! Thomas certainly has good beaches for it, like Coki Point Beach, but we think the best are in St. John (probably because it's more secluded and less built-up). There are a lot of rocks to navigate over and sea urchins to avoid. St John island is one of the top Caribbean destinations for snorkeling. Honeymoon Beach is home to some of the last remaining leaning palms the island as once famous for prior to Hurricane Maria in 2017 along with crystal blue waters, white sands, along with a snack shack ( The U.S. Virgin Islands has some amazing beaches, and today we are headed into Virgin Islands National. Parking was plentiful, and we had no problem finding a space. Off-the-beaten-path location with a beautiful beach, food and some of the best snorkeling. Salt Pond When it comes to snorkeling in St. John, Salt Pond is #1 on our list. With its secluded location, Brown Bay is considered the hidden gem of St. John. To reach the northwestern section of Haulover Bay, take the trail on the other (north) side of the road. A good plan is to snorkel west (to the left) over the shallow portion of the reef first and then return along the deeper reef edge. In fact, Maho is our #1 recommendation for anybody that wants a chance to swim with a sea turtle on St John. Check out our list of the best islands for snorkeling. Leinster Bay is made up of two smaller bays, Waterlemon Bay on the east and Marys Creek on the west. She also provides chairs, portable bathrooms, kayaks, and paddleboards. Parking is catch-as-catch-can along the left hand side. I would strongly consider wearing dive booties with your snorkeling fins. The US Virgin Islands national park is home to famous beaches like Cinnamon Bay, Trunk Bay, and Maho Bay. Vibrant coral at Francis Bay in St John USVI, Snorkeling with turtles at Francis Bay in St John USVI. Honeymoon is one of the best beaches on St. John for day trippers from St. Thomas. A few gallons of water work great for rinsing off all that sand. Whether youre visiting the US Virgin Islands or the British Virgin Islands, there are plenty of spectacular snorkeling spots to choose from. Cane Bay is a popular snorkeling and scuba diving site on St. Croix's north shore. Smugglers Cove is located on the west end of Tortola, and you can get there by boat, taxi shuttle, or car. I would highly advise a snorkel vest if you are not a strong swimmer like me. And its should be Its convenient sitting right along North Shore Road. The area often gets crowded and is known for being rowdy. The island measures just 9 mi X 3 mi ( 28 sq mi ). Start your adventures snorkeling the large reef on the left with its plentiful sea life, intriguing corals, and small shipwreck. Whether you want to enjoy the North Shore's Trunk Bay, Cinnamon Bay, Maho Beach and Caneel Bay beaches or favor the solitude of a beach that's off the beaten path - like a "secret" beach, Lameshur, Haulover Bay and Salt Pond Bay - this guide has it all. Here is a map of all 11 snorkeling sites we discovered during our 1-week exploration of St John USVI. St Johns most popular, most photographed, and most visited beach is Trunk Bay. The water is shallow and has a sandy bottom. Jumbie Bay Beach. Enter the water over a shallow area of coral rubble. Follow East End Road beyond Coral Bay. Entry is easy with calm waters and a sandy bottom. Face the Crowds at St John's Most Famous Beach Trunk Bay Beach Trunk Bay is the most famous beach in St John USVI, and you will quickly see why. Trunk Bay 2. On your left, you will notice a path through the woods that will lead you to Haulover Bay North. We arrived around 10 am, and there were only a handful of parking spaces left. Here youll find thin patch reefs that are home to a good selection of hard and soft corals and a dizzying collection of tropical fish species. 10. Along the shoreline that connects to Caneel Bay you'll find huge schools of Sergeant Major Damsels, wrasse, French Angelfish, sea turtles, rays and a wide variety of hard and soft corals. Lush v. Its a relatively easy entry, but be careful where you step while putting on your gear to avoid contact with any sea urchins or live coral. Little damselfish defend their self-proclaimed territories by darting menacingly at even large intruders. Best for: Swimming, snorkeling, and beach parties. The beach is narrow and lined with towering coconut palms and seagrape trees for shade. There are patches of reef on both the right and left sides of the bay, but the right side (as you face the water) is supposed to be better. Walk to the other end of the beach and start out onthe Ram Head Trail, which begins as a shoreline walk alongthe west side of the Ram Head Peninsula and take the trailas far as the Blue Cobblestone Beach. I have heard that Dreams LaRomana is good but I would love to hear your opinion on Dreams and any other resorts that might have what I am looking for. There are bathrooms, grills and covered pavillion with picnic tables on the western end of the beach. Both beaches can be reached via the Lind Point Trail or from the Caneel Bay Resort. 2/3 of the island and surrounding reefs are protected by the US Virgin Islands National Park [ VINP ]. The buoys are hard to miss. The beach at Haulover North is mostly coral rubble. Snorkeling off the eastern end of the beach and youll find a large table reef in 5 to 15 of water. Its perfect for beginner snorkelers and children. Because of its secluded location, Watermelon Cay rarely gets too crowded. There are busy ferry routes that connect St John to St Thomas, St Croix, Tortola and the BVIs. The reef on the east end of Honeymoon Beach, around the point between Caneel Bays, is also a good snorkeling area. Watch out for black spiny sea urchins hiding here. We saw a lot of beautiful coral and sea fans, shoal of squid, two nurse sharks, and many beautiful tropical fish. Like The Caves, The Indians are accessible only by boat. Waterlemon Cay - The top snorkeling destination on St John. The Most Popular and Most Photographed Beach on St John! Despite the fact that Salomon is the closest north shore beach to Cruz Bay, it remains a private island paradise, as its accessible only by trail. Snorkeling with schools of blue tang at Haulover Bay North in St John USVI, Beautiful coral at Haulover Bay North in St John USVI, Stingray at Haulover Bay North in St John USVI. Trunk Bay Beach. Its shoreline is a mix of wind-swept sand and pebbles. The only sign of civilization . The trip includes a short ride to/from the pier on a dinghy (must be . St. John Virgin Islands: The Best Snorkeling and Top Beaches Francis Bay morning shade St. John, US Virgin Islands. The reefs are destroyed but there are plenty of fish and at Maho you can't snorkel without seeing a few turtles. Because it is off-the-beaten-path, this beach does not appear to get much use. Always snorkel with a buddy and never exceed your physical ability or experience. Once I was properly fitted with the correct snorkeling gear that actually fit my face and feet, a whole new underwater world opened up to me. I wore my Cressi dive booties and then just slipped on my Cressi travel fins at the beach. What I loved about snorkeling in St John was that all of our snorkeling spots could be accessed from the beach. The southern bay is calmer than its counterpart in the north, has an easier entry, and is more suitable for beginners and intermediate snorkelers. Theres a beautiful reef located just about in the center of Salt Pond Bay, where two sets of rocks rise above the surface of the water. Bring a dive light if you want to explore deeper into any of the caves, as it can get quite dark. For a full appreciation of this area, one should also have the ability to free dive in order to investigate the environments under ledges, beneath coral heads, and within caves and tunnels. Once you pass Concordia, the road will turn sharply right and the dirt parking lot will be on the left. Trunk Bay Beach has a large parking lot right off North Shore Road, however, get there early because spaces fill up quickly! Its a Must-See on many visitors STJ Bucket List. The hike to Salt Pond Beach is fairly short, being about .8 miles. We saw many schools of fish, numerous soft and hard coral outcroppings, a stingray, and gorgeous gigantic waving purple sea fans. We went around 9 am and had no problem. St John island is a tiny island in the US Virgin Islands in the Caribbean Sea, with some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Another one of the best spots for snorkeling in St. John is Salomon Bay. MAHO BAY BEACH Even if you're seeking a beach day, this is a phenomenal choice. There is also more current, so you need to be a strong swimmer. Some animal species you might see in the area are French angelfish, queen angel, and permits. That is why you will get to see some of the best spots. You will be snorkeling in a location that is somewhat far awayfrom a convenient place to get out of the water, and there maybe areas of rough seas. There is also plenty of colorful coral. ; s a top snorkeling spot we visited Tortola, and permits larger fish will to! Snorkeling at maho Bay beach has a sandy bottom North shore stretches in directions! Or chambers with rock walls on three sides coastline right near the parking will. 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