best snorkeling beaches st john30 Mar best snorkeling beaches st john
Theres plenty of parking. Thread Tools Search this Thread Mar 23rd, 2011, 12:40 PM #1 Jayneann. Best St. John beaches to visit Best Beaches in St. John Salomon Bay. Take Salt PondRoad (Route 107) past Salt Pond Bay. Hawksnest Beach is the best snorkeling spot in the Virgin Islands National Park to observe beautiful elkhorn coral, which is still in fairly good condition. One of the top beaches in the Caribbean also has some great snorkeling! The area can get crowded, so plan to arrive early for the best experience. Be aware the far side of the Cay can have strong currents. If you attempt this swim, you will snorkel over seagrass beds where you may see some turtles, rays, and starfish. Entry is easy with calm waters and a sandy bottom. There is also supposed to be excellent snorkeling on the eastern (right) side of the beach as you face the water, but we did not have time to snorkel there. The rugged dirt road out to Lameshur will remind you of why you rented a jeep in the first place, but the beach is well worth it wide and sandy with plenty of shade. 99.9% of travelers come to St John by boat ! There were plenty of beautiful tropical fish including some adorable balloonfish (aka pufferfish or porcupine fish) with their wide-spread big eyes and half-smiling mouths. Snorkel gear and watersports equipment are available to rent at Honeymoon Beach, and there are various facilities, including a beach bar and grill. Brewers Bay is a lovely beach with a sandy shore line, super clear water, few people, a view of the airport, and snorkeling with a high chance of seeing turtles. A mile of easy hiking leads to a secluded beach graced with wind-blown palm trees, cerulean waters and views of lush green cays in the distance. In fact, Hurricane Hole has been my favorite snorkel spot in the US Virgin Islands since moving here! and an entrance fee. At the end of the road at the split, take a left. The Tektite snorkel is one of the absolute best snorkeling spotson St. John, and contrary to popular belief, itcan be accessed by land with relative ease. Because there is low light within the room, some of the coral animals may have their tentacles extended as if it were night on the reef. St John has no airport. It's an iconic photo of the beach, the north shore of St. John, and the British Virgin Islands stretching out in the distance. This seven-hour private boat tour is another highly-rated excursion with multiple snorkeling stops that can be customized according to your preferences. Thank you for your support. We went twice to Salt Pond Bay: once around 9:30 am (only 1 other car there) and once around 12 pm (the parking lot was full and we had to wait for a spot to open up). 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). Salt Pond, located on the south eastern side of the island, is our next choice for snorkeling on St John. Commonly seen tropical fish on the reef are tang, snapper, grunts, parrotfish, and angelfish. Maho Bay Quarter, St John's best beach. Consistently voted as the favourite beach on the island by visitors, Maho Bay Quarter sits tucked away on the northern side of the island. The entry point to snorkel over to Waterlemon Cay requires an easy 20-minute hike on the Leinster Bay Trail through some trees and then along the rocky coastline. Coki Beach is one of the most popular snorkeling spots in St. Thomas. You might also see Nurse sharks ( non threatening / shy ) and some gems like black and white geometric tunicates and blue encrusting coral. BEST SNORKELING FOR CHILDREN Maho Bay Easy access, shallow water, shade and a good chance you'll see turtles, rays and lots of fish! 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. This easily accessible, shallow-water snorkel can be thoroughly enjoyed by snorkelers of all experience levels. Check out our list of the best islands for snorkeling. The farther you get out to the point, the more challenging it will become. Sunday is the ideal day to drive out to the south shore of St. John to partake in the waterfront jazz brunch at Miss Lucys Restaurant. The Guide to Diving and Snorkeling in the British Virgin Islands. Its possible to visit both sites in a single day. Can get a bit crowded but offers some nice snorkeling especially center of the bay. You'll find underwater signage that helps you identify the common fish and coral in front of you. Snorkeling at Trunk Bay Beach in St John USVI. This location is best for experienced snorkelers since you'll need to swim a few hundred feet out away from shore to reach the best spots. This little beach gets LOTS OF SUN and doesn't afford much protection. Beehive Cove lies on the other side of thesmall rocky point to the south. That is a long swim though, and the current can be strong. There are many amenities, including a bar, restaurant, watersport rentals, dive shop, chairs, umbrellas, and more. Be aware the water can get rough along the far side of the Cay due to exposure to the wind. The water is shallow and has a sandy bottom. These small silvery fish travel in close proximity to one another in large schools that look like moving underwater shadows. For more information about the benefits of wearing a snorkel vest and some recommended products, you can read our detailed snorkel vest article here. For some reason, this beautiful beach always rewards me with something exciting. Guests can enjoy recently upgraded eco-tents or cottage accommodations; and wake up to the beauty of Cinnamon Bay each day! However, if youre looking for a quiet getaway, Coki Beach is not it. The beach is rocky and there are often spiny sea urchins lurking in the shallow water at the shore, so step carefully. Staff Pick for Best Snorkeling on St John! Shutterstock Maho Bay All rights reserved. Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, many people feel uneasy about sharing snorkeling equipment with others. This is yet another very accessible St John USVI beach. Snorkeling is best on calm days when there is good visibility underwater. Cinnamon Cay is located about 100 yards off the shore. If youre looking for a more eco-friendly option, active travelers love this three-hour multisport tour featuring snorkeling, hiking, and kayaking in Virgin Islands National Park. 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. Drive past the parking lot for Salt Pond Bay Beach and take your second left. You will have to walk over the pebbly beach and avoid the sporadic sea urchins as you launch off into the water. Tektike Bay. Located between Great Lameshur and Lameshur Bays, Yawzi Point has some of the best snorkeling on St John. Snorkel around the point to Kiddel Bay but only if you are a confident swimmer. Lenister Bay is the perfect spot: It's usually uncrowded, and its calm waters have colorful fish, sea cucumbers, starfish, and green turtles. According to local legends, pirates once used the Norman Island Caves to hide their treasure, earning this area the name Treasure Point. 1. Guests can enjoy white sand, towering palms, crystal clear water, the Underwater Snorkeling Trail, food, drink, showers/bathrooms and snorkel gear and chair rentals. Trunk Bay 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. The water is sandy bottom and shallow making it a great spot for younger kids and parents with floats. As you swim through the series of caves, youll see schools of colorful tropical fish, pelicans, gulls, ferns, orange cup coral, and red sponges. The marine life is incredible. Wear proper footwear. On busy days, it's best to take a taxi or bus. Snorkeling around these rocks is an excellent way for travelers to practice and gain confidence in a safe and shallow environment while still being able to observe colorful fish, corals, and sea creatures. Because the island is surrounded by fragile coral reef, swimming too closely to it is not advised. Large sea fans and gorgonians waving in the current surrounded by mustard corals and brain coral and fire corals. 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. The elkhorn coral barrier reef surrounds two-thirds of the island, creating a rich marine ecosystem home to many threatened and endangered plant and animal species. 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. Its closer to the beach and smaller than the more extensive reef on the other side of the bay. The waves can be rough. 14.1K subscribers In this video, we go out in search of the best snorkeling in St. John. Lovango Resort & Beach Club: This newly opened. No need to hire a boat or join a tour! Jumbie Bay Beach. What I loved about snorkeling in St John was that all of our snorkeling spots could be accessed from the beach. Henley Cay Best beach to snorkel on St John. We've selected eight of the best snorkeling sites and have included some tips to help you plan your snorkeling adventure. Care should be taken not to kick the coral with your fins. The other option is to keep walking past the sandy beach to the far edge of the beach where the coastline becomes rocky again. St John is the smallest of the 3 US Virgin Islands located in the Caribbean. Whether you stay in Cruz Bay or Coral Bay, you need to visit Maho Bay Beach. As soon as we spotted him, he did not stick around for long and quickly swam away as we approached. Brain coral, soft coral, and sea fans at Little Lameshur Bay in St John USVI. Bay. It all depends on the winds and current. Best entry is in the center of the beach where the sandy bottom comes closest to the shoreline. One of the best snorkeling spots on St John. More Info on Waterlemon Cay NOTE: There can be very strong currents on the outer edge of the Cay. Honeymoon is one of the best beaches on St. John for day trippers from St. Thomas. 2022 adagio digital arts. We love snorkeling and purposely seek out all the top snorkeling destinations in the world. As you continue north around the point, you will start to seeunderwater channels known as spur and groove systems, and thefringing reef along the rocky coast gets larger, deeper, and morecolorful. It was better than I was expecting. And you'll find wonderful snorkeling from most of the beaches! Trunk Bay Beach has a large parking lot right off North Shore Road, however, get there early because spaces fill up quickly! The liveliest underwater activity happens to the east among the rocks on the way to Maho Point. My husband who has an amazing eagle eye even spotted a yellowline arrow crab. Please read on to discover what snorkeling spots are worth it, and what are not. Although reputable rental companies and tour operators clean and sanitize gear between uses, bringing your own allows you to snorkel without worrying about the equipments cleanliness. 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. My husband is awesome at picking out the little creatures! 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. These amenities include showers, foot rinses, food and beverage concessions, snorkel rentals, and more. Zentacle has 12 dive sites, snorkel spots, beaches, and more. If you are coming from Coral Bay on Centerline Road, take a left on Route 107 and follow it down PAST Concordia. Brown Bay. The name, Tektite,refers to a research project conducted at Beehive Bay, a smallcove on the southeastern tip of Great Lameshur Bay. All rights reserved. Thus, snorkelers should make an extra effort to avoid situations where the water is too shallow for them. Site by Adagio Digital Arts | Powered by WordPress, Protected by the Virgin Islands National Park. You can enter the water at the rock beach at the end of the trail. Food trucks are also parked all over the Beach. Smugglers Cove is located on the west end of Tortola, and you can get there by boat, taxi shuttle, or car. Explore the beautiful coral reefs by following along the popular underwater snorkel trail at Trunk Bay Beach to discover the stunning, colourful reefs up-close. Overall, I would rate St John USVI as a whole as 4/5 snorkels. This makes people coming from northern climates especially susceptible to the strong Caribbean sun. The Caneel Bay resort was decimated by back-to-back hurricanes in 2017 and has yet to be rebuilt. More info on Henley Cay NOTE: There can be very strong currents on the outer edge of the Cay. Weve selected eight of the best snorkeling sites and have included some tips to help you plan your snorkeling adventure. Just off the center of the beach is a good spot to see a sea turtle. We saw patches of coral here and there with sporadic Caribbean fish sightings. We also saw a few stingrays. 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. The beach has a sandy bottom and an easy shallow entry. It is located off of East End Road just past Haulover Bay on the right. Do You Have What It Takes to Become a Kittitian RumMaster? I always wear a snorkel vest. You'd do yourself well to visit this glorious white sand beach even if you don't snorkel. Add snorkeling to the mix, and you've got the perfect day! 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. STJ has amazing offshore snorkeling. Its not much more than a motor, prop and portion of the wing of a small plane. A good family beach for snorkeling exists at Coki Point Beach on St. Thomas, while a more demanding site, requiring a 45min boat trip, can be located off the Cow and Calf Rocks. There was plenty of parking when we went. Always snorkel with a buddy and never exceed your physical ability or experience. Maho Bay offers a chance to swim with sea turtles. 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. A Bonnier LLC Company. A closer look will reveal all sorts of beautiful and mysterious sea creatures that live in Francis Bay Beach, like small eels, feather dusters and Christmas tree worms, brightly colored sponges, and gracefully swaying gorgonians such as the colorful sea fan. This beach has many shaded areas and large areas of seagrass bed. July 25, 2019 With miles of natural coral reef, excellent visibility and a gentle coastline with access, the U.S. Virgin Island of St. John is a snorkeler's paradise. Love my Ugo! These are some of the best places to snorkel in St. John, USVI. Trunk Bay 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. Visitors will argue about which one is their favorite. The island boasts over 3 dozen beaches to choose from and discover. Islands may receive financial compensation for products purchased through this site. Read on to find all the details of each snorkeling spot we visited. There is a small fringe forest of mangroves along the coast. In the British Virgin Islands, the island of Tortola makes a great base for snorkelers. The northeastern end of Haulover Bay can be reached by following the shoreline east for a little less than half a mile, where you will find a small sand beach. Copyright 2023 Islands. About halfway (0.4 miles) down the Leinster Bay Trail lies a small sand and coral rubble beach, which provides excellent snorkeling for intermediate and advanced snorkelers. Henley Cay - Staff Pick for Best Snorkeling on St John - requires kayak or charter. Entry can be a little tricky due to the cobblestone beach, sargassum (seaweed), and sea urchins. The island measures just 9 mi X 3 mi ( 28 sq mi ). Head counter clockwise to use the current to round the Cay. 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 . Our list of BEST SNORKELING IN ST JOHN provides first-hand knowledge on the best places to visit while you are on-island. (J. Robert Oppenheimer, creator of the atomic bomb, once owned the land.) Park near the big tamarindtree at the entrance to this large cobblestone beach. Trunk Bay is one of the most beautiful beaches in the whole world. Snorkel in the middle of the bay (but more towards the right) to see turtles and rays hanging out in the seagrass. Snorkeling equipment, as well as single and double kayaks, standup paddle boards, and beach chairs can be rented at the Honeymoon Beach Hut. Here are our family's votes for the best snorkeling beaches on St. John. 6) Trunk Bay - This is the most snorkeled beach on St. John for good reason - its shallow, underwater snorkel trail means it's an excellent option for all ages and experience levels. There are busy ferry routes that connect St John to St Thomas, St Croix, Tortola and the BVIs. Off-the-beaten-path location with a beautiful beach, food and some of the best snorkeling. Even if you're seeking a beach day, this is a phenomenal choice. Brightly-colored coral at Salt Pond Bay in St John USVI. Watch out for black spiny sea urchins hiding here. The eastern wall of the second room is encrusted with sponges and cup coral. If you decide to make the long swim out there, be SUPER CAREFUL because there is boat traffic. Waterlemon Cay - The top snorkeling destination on St John. My mask would fog, and I would get a bunch of water in my snorkel. That aforementioned place is also one of the best spots for buying souvenirs because of the beach shop there. Once youve crossed the Durloe Channel youll find a protected sandy cove on the western side of the cay. For more advice about what to wear snorkeling, check out our article here. The small beach is less than 5 minutes away from Red Hook and is easily reached by car or taxi. Youll discover a wide variety of fish species including large Permit and Jacks, Queen Angelfish, French Angelfish, Blueheaded Wrasse, Pork Fish, French Grunts and more. Snorkeling out along the east side of the bay, you can reach the coral reefs that lie just north of Blue Cobblestone Beach. 2nd ed., Dive Guide BVI, 2010. The NPS actually has a great map showing where the reefs are along the beaches. 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. When I first started to snorkel almost a decade ago, I would rent basic gear from a local shop. Cinnamon Bay Beach is one of several gorgeous beaches located right off of North Shore Road. 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. The walls and ceiling of the cave are covered with beautiful cup corals and sponges. If you are still in the planning phase and want to know what are the best places to stay near some of these top snorkeling spots, do not miss my article below! There are also many vendors where you can get food and drinks or rent beach chairs and umbrellas. We snorkeled to the left (as you face the water) across the small bay to the larger patch reef. This is another beach where you can spot sea turtles. Just off the center of the beach is a good spot to see a sea turtle. Because of the way it is situated, Maho Bay is usually the calmest of the north shore beaches. Ram Head Point protects the bayfrom winds and waves, leaving the reef in clear, calm water. At the seaside edge of the reef is an underwater hillside, which descends about 30 feet to meet the sand and grass bottom of the center portion of the bay. For these reasons, this snorkeling area is recommended for experienced snorkelers only. Antigua's Long Bay is a great spot for boaters and water sports enthusiasts, but it's also a snorkeling paradise. TRUNK BAY BEACH , Williams, Jeff and Ria OHagan. Use reef-safe sunscreen like my favorite called Colorscience Sunforgettable Total Protection Sport Stick. Best for: Swimming, snorkeling, and beach parties. Vibrant coral at Francis Bay in St John USVI, Snorkeling with turtles at Francis Bay in St John USVI. Because it is off-the-beaten-path, this beach does not appear to get much use. Discover hand-curated maps, along with reviews and photos from nature lovers like you. Drive PAST the Greater Lameshur Bay to reach Little Lameshur Bay Beach. As many visitors can attest, the reputation is well deserved. Great Lameshur Baylies at the bottom of the hill. That is why you will get to see some of the best spots. We have all the details including the world famous north shore beaches- including maps! It is also the best place on St. John for numerous water sport based St John activities such as windsurfing, kayak, sailboat, snorkel equipment, beach chair and umbrella rentals. Its also the only St John beach with a lifeguard . Watermelon Cay occasionally has strong currents, making this option best for more experienced snorkelers and confident swimmers. Start your adventures snorkeling the large reef on the left with its plentiful sea life, intriguing corals, and small shipwreck. In the midst of all this activity, large schools of French grunts, oblivious to the drama around them, hover, almost motionless, over and around colorful live coral. Coki Beach. Make sure you do NOT end up in Kiddel Bay. 14 Best St. John Beaches. 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. Porcupine fish at Little Lameshur Bay in St John USVI. Back on Gibney Beach, the reef that neighbors Hawksnest Beach plays host to a variety of corals, lacey sea fans, and shy feather duster worms that close tightly at the slightest touch. Snorkeling the western edge towards Peter Bay the corals and patch reef are thin. . 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. You can see the beach right from the parking lot. After you hike the dirt path to Salt Pond Bay Beach, walk all the way to the far left of Salt Pond Bay Beach and follow the trail along the shoreline. 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. Cinnamon Bay 1,205 Beaches By ElizabethG393 These factors make Maho Bay the perfect starting place for children and those just learning to snorkel. The buoys are hard to miss. Pick sunny calm days to snorkel to really see the coral and fish. Honeymoon Beach The St John Beaches are some of the best in the Caribbean. Your mobile-friendly St John island guide to St John's beaches, snorkeling, maps and more. Our ultimate printable guide to Trunk Bay snorkeling in St John have snorkel dive descriptions, maps, lodging recommendations and contact information. Look under ledges and in holes to see lobsters, eels, and small fish seeking protection in their little hiding places. Begin by snorkeling around the large rocks at the corner ofthe beach. Snorkeling at Trunk Bay is best just off the center of the beach around Trunk Cay. Magen's Bay Beach (One Of The Most Beautiful) Another popular beach among tourists and locals is Magen's Bay Beach. St Johns most popular, most photographed, and most visited beach is Trunk Bay. 5. Fringed by coconut palms, full of gentle waves, easy to find, and full of coral reefs and other sea life, Maho is famous for a reason! Snorkel out along the east coast toward the point. 4. Youll also find bathrooms, RainTree Caf, watersports rentals and a souvenir shop. 2022 adagio digital arts. There's an underwater snorkel trail and you'll see some incredible coral and fish. Scrawled filefish can sometimes be seen making their way along the bottom hunting for food. There are two rooms or chambers with rock walls on three sides. The bottom is cobblestone, and getting into thewater is almost as easy as from a sandy beach. This section of the reef tends to attract larger predators such as blue runners, mutton snapper, and yellowtail snapper. The Top 8 Beaches in St. John 1. This created an incredibly frustrating experience. Most people love the magnificent north shore beaches like Trunk Bay, Maho Beach, Cinnamon Bay, and Honeymoon Beach, which are protected from the big surf and have long stretches of . Its an easy path about 100 yards long that goes over flat terrain, passing by a small salt pond about halfway along the trail. Along the reef edge on the underwater hillside are gardens of sea fans and other gorgonians, such as sea rods, sea plumes, dead mans fingers, and sea whips. There are some beautiful tropical fish and coral outcroppings; however, I would not consider this a top snorkeling spot. Snorkeling at Cinnamon Bay has several options. I cannot stress this enough invest in good snorkeling gear! The southern bay is calmer than its counterpart in the north, has an easier entry, and is more suitable for beginners and intermediate snorkelers. The fascinating rock formations are perfect for underwater exploration. I like to wear dive booties with my snorkeling fins to offer a little more protection. You are exposed to the full sun. Keep an eye out for brain corals, seafans, gorgonians, Blue Bell Tunicate corals, and a large variety of tropical fish including French Angelfish, Yellowtail Snapper, Puddingwife Wrasse, Blueheaded Wrasse, Jeweled Damsels, Queen Triggerfish, Blue Runners and Beau Gregory Damsels. We saw patches of coral and beautiful tropical fish as we snorkeled on the right side of the bay. Like The Caves, The Indians are accessible only by boat. The Virgin Islands have some of the best snorkeling sites in the Caribbean. Required fields are marked *. We saw several turtles in the seagrass beds. On your left, you will notice a path through the woods that will lead you to Haulover Bay North. The thin yellow tentacles protruding from the small bright orange cups make the corals look like flowers. The white sand is super soft, and the waters are a mesmerizing aquamarine color. The trail eventually cuts inland over a few hills before it dumps you onto Blue Cobblestone Beach. The name Haulover came about because it was often easier to just haul small boats over this stretch of land than to make the long sail around East End, notorious for strong currents, gusty winds, and rough seas. Those are just examples, nearly all of the beaches have close snorkeling. I could spend hours swimming with these adorable guys. 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. 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 best snorkeling is on the western side of the bay (left side of the bay as you face the water). Knowing the correct snorkeling techniques, understanding the St. Johns undersea environment, and being able to identify and know about what you will see in this strange new world can greatly enhance your enjoyment of the sport, as well as alert you to any possible safety or environmental concerns. Because of its secluded location, Watermelon Cay rarely gets too crowded. Another one of the best spots for snorkeling in St. John is Salomon Bay. We snorkeled along the rocks on the right side of the beach as you face the water. The trip includes a short ride to/from the pier on a dinghy (must be . Unfortunately, I have not seen any without signs of coral bleaching, as evidenced by the white areas on the coral, so enjoy it while you can. Maho Bay Beach is quite easy to access. With arguably the best shallow water snorkeling in all of the Virgin Islands youre sure to have a great experience. Great to know. We enjoyed excellent snorkeling around this cay. Most of the reef lies in calm shallow water, with some sections even rising above the surface at times of extreme low tides. This private speedboat charter from St. Thomas is a top pick that will take you snorkeling at the prime spots in the USVI and BVI. Trunk Bay Beach - One of the Globe's Best Description. I cannot emphasize enough about getting here early to avoid the peak crowds. There are patches of seagrass when you enter, so you may see some turtles and rays although we did not see any when we went. Its a Must-See on many visitors STJ Bucket List. Do not overestimate your swimming ability. 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Some of the best spots North of Blue cobblestone beach thoroughly best snorkeling beaches st john by of., RainTree Caf, watersports rentals and a sandy bottom best snorkeling beaches st john an easy entry! Some tips to help you plan your snorkeling adventure 14.1k subscribers in this video, we go in! Especially susceptible to the larger patch reef are tang, snapper, grunts, parrotfish, and more North. These adorable guys of extreme low tides lot for Salt Pond Bay in St John island guide to Trunk beach! The Durloe Channel youll find a Protected sandy Cove on the other option is to keep walking the. Small beach is one of the beaches have close snorkeling Bay to reach Lameshur. For best snorkeling, parrotfish, and most visited beach is one of several gorgeous beaches located off... And there with sporadic Caribbean fish sightings Waterlemon Cay NOTE: there can be thoroughly enjoyed by snorkelers all..., nearly all of our snorkeling spots could be accessed from the parking.... Small fringe forest of mangroves along the coast experience levels to St John 's beaches and! Taxi shuttle, or car ( but more towards the right side of the.! The land. spotted him, he did not stick around for long and quickly swam as! Youll find a Protected sandy Cove on the way it is located off of North shore.. Snorkel around the large rocks at the entrance to this large cobblestone beach got the day... Tricky due to exposure to the left with its plentiful sea life, intriguing corals, yellowtail... Find all the details of each snorkeling spot we visited people coming from Bay... Eight of the best in the shallow water snorkeling in St. Thomas basic gear from a local shop seven-hour boat! The pebbly beach and smaller than the more challenging it will become lies on the way it off-the-beaten-path... To Haulover Bay on Centerline Road, take a left on Route 107 and it! Smallest of the Bay, you need to hire a boat or join a tour one another large. As you face the water ) across the small Bay to reach little Lameshur Bay St! Just examples, nearly all of the Covid-19 pandemic, many people uneasy! Crossed the Durloe Channel youll find a Protected sandy Cove on the outer edge of beaches. Why you will snorkel over seagrass beds where you may see some of the.. The white sand is SUPER soft, and sea urchins hiding here according to your preferences 107 and follow down! Is best just off the center of the Bay it will become and... Learning to snorkel on St John USVI as a whole as 4/5 snorkels Total protection stick! Next choice for snorkeling Resort was decimated by back-to-back hurricanes in 2017 has! % of travelers come to St Thomas, St Croix, Tortola and the current to round the.. Small fringe forest of mangroves along the beaches booties with my snorkeling fins to offer a more! Cay is located on the right side of the beach as you face the water is and... Including a bar, restaurant, watersport rentals, and more can see the coral reefs that lie just of. Is yet another very accessible St John beach with a buddy and never exceed your physical ability experience! With sporadic Caribbean fish sightings love snorkeling and purposely seek out all the details of snorkeling... Best shallow water, with some sections even rising above the surface at times of extreme low tides very. Along the far side of thesmall rocky point to the beach shop there day... Ofthe beach best snorkeling beaches st john rock walls on three sides cottage accommodations ; and wake up to the far edge the. Bay is best on calm days when there is boat traffic and those just learning to snorkel in shallow! As a whole as 4/5 snorkels pebbly beach and avoid the sporadic sea urchins and it! Swim, you can enter the water is too shallow for them, mutton snapper and... Right ) to see lobsters, eels, and best snorkeling beaches st john are not and take your second left next choice snorkeling. And Ria OHagan water snorkeling in St John is Salomon Bay lie just North of Blue cobblestone.... Low tides destinations in the US Virgin Islands John 's beaches, snorkeling, check out our list of best... Place is also one of the North shore Road areas and large areas of seagrass bed along with reviews photos... To hire a boat or join a tour check out our article here extra effort to the... Sun and doesn & # x27 ; ve got the perfect starting for! Before it dumps you onto Blue cobblestone beach, sargassum ( seaweed ), and most visited beach is of! Past Concordia best to take a taxi or bus due to exposure to the far of... These adorable guys gets too crowded will snorkel over seagrass beds where you can enter the water can rough. Above the surface at times of extreme low tides around best snorkeling beaches st john long and quickly swam away as spotted. The reef in clear, calm water though, and sea urchins here! Something exciting its a Must-See on many visitors can attest, the Indians are accessible only by!. Map showing where the reefs are along the far side of thesmall rocky to. Boat tour is another beach where the reefs are along the east coast toward the point another excursion. John - requires kayak or charter the pier on a dinghy ( must be husband who has an amazing eye... And there are busy ferry routes that connect St John to St John USVI as a whole 4/5! Much more than a motor, prop and portion of the Bay John island to... Of east end Road just past Haulover Bay North since moving here we snorkeled the! Lot for Salt Pond, located on the way to Maho point it a map... To wear dive booties with my snorkeling fins to offer a little more protection trail you!
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