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. 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. St. John is the most natural of the islands and has numerous easy access snorkeling spots. Drive PAST the Greater Lameshur Bay to reach Little Lameshur Bay Beach. Overall, I would rate St John USVI as a whole as 4/5 snorkels. This is another beach where you can spot sea turtles. Eventually, you reach a sign that states no outlet. This is the end of the paved road. The southern bay is calmer than its counterpart in the north, has an easier entry, and is more suitable for beginners and intermediate snorkelers. Can get a bit crowded but offers some nice snorkeling especially center of the bay. Once in the water head straight for across the narrow channel. Once you pass Concordia, the road will turn sharply right and the dirt parking lot will be on the left. This makes people coming from northern climates especially susceptible to the strong Caribbean sun. Download an offline St. John USVI map on Google Maps ahead of time. 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. Alternatively, there is limited parking right along the road itself. TOP ST JOHN SNORKELING St John, is best know for its beautiful beaches and shallow water snorkeling. 99.9% of travelers come to St John by boat ! Its a Must-See on many visitors STJ Bucket List. Bring a hat, wear a sun shirt and sunscreen, and bring plenty of water. The reef rises up close to the surface near the shore and then slopes down to a depth of about thirty feet. Honeymoon Beach (located next to Salomon Beach) is one of the most beautiful and popular beaches in Virgin Islands National Park on St. John. 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. The waves can be rough. Located on St Johns East End at the edge of the Virgin Islands National Park youll find this snorkelers bucket-list worthy location. Snorkel in the middle of the bay (but more towards the right) to see turtles and rays hanging out in the seagrass. Here is a map of all 11 snorkeling sites we discovered during our 1-week exploration of St John USVI. Although we did not see any turtles and stingrays, they are often spotted due to the presence of seagrass beds. We have seen everything from squid to barracuda to stingrays to various small tropical fish in this bay. For these reasons, this snorkeling area is recommended for experienced snorkelers only. Trunk Bay is the most famous beach in Virgin Islands National Park, often listed among the most beautiful beaches in the world. I was thankful I wore my snorkel vest for this snorkeling adventure because it was choppy right at the point. 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! Do not overestimate your swimming ability. Snorkel around the point to Kiddel Bay but only if you are a confident swimmer. Just be sure to use approved anchorages so you don't harm precious reefs. We saw a lot of beautiful coral and sea fans, shoal of squid, two nurse sharks, and many beautiful tropical fish. After you park, walk a few minutes along a path right to the beach. Its not much more than a motor, prop and portion of the wing of a small plane. Best St. John beaches to visit Best Beaches in St. John Salomon Bay. The quiet lagoon is known for its calm, turquoise waters and is an excellent destination for snorkelers of all skill levels. Its closer to the beach and smaller than the more extensive reef on the other side of the bay. , Skincare Chemicals and Coral Reefs. National Ocean Service, https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/news/sunscreen-corals.html. Its shoreline is a mix of wind-swept sand and pebbles. We saw many schools of fish, numerous soft and hard coral outcroppings, a stingray, and gorgeous gigantic waving purple sea fans. 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! 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. The Best Snorkeling Beaches In Antigua Galleon Beach - English Harbour On the Southernmost tip of the island Galleon beach is a location offering not just snorkeling, but walks and breathtaking views. Salt Pond/Drunk Bay. . Also, expect much more snorkeling fins in your face because of the increased crowds. Put in Annaberg Sugar Plantation in GoogleMaps. 14 Best St. John Beaches. Your email address will not be published. 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). While many of the beaches listed above have snorkeling gear available for rent, bringing your own equipment will provide you with a consistent fit, improved comfort, and a more relaxing experience overall. Buck Island Reef Natural Features and Ecosystems. National Park Service, https://www.nps.gov/buis/learn/nature/naturalfeaturesandecosystems.htm. To get to it youll need to visit by charter or kayak tour. 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. Dont forget your waterproof snorkeling bag to keep your valuables safe. We just returned from there again in July of 2018. Best entry is in the center of the beach where the sandy bottom comes closest to the shoreline. The best snorkeling in St John, USVI can be discovered at beautiful Trunk Bay, part of the Virgin Islands National Park. As many visitors can attest, the reputation is well deserved. Even if you're seeking a beach day, this is a phenomenal choice. Maho Bay offers a wonderful seagrass environment with plenty of sea turtles. On the north side of the point, there is asmall cave with an exit to the surface. The island boasts over 3 dozen beaches to choose from and discover. The trailhead to Waterlemon Cay is at the coastline right near the parking lot. Depths around the formations range from around 10 to 50 feet.2. The Most Popular and Most Photographed Beach on St John! There is a large parking lot, but it fills up quickly. It has the best of both worlds when it comes to snorkeling with sandy shores and gorgeous natural reefs. Questions about the St John snorkeling sites we visited? Northwest of St John Island. The satellite view was too cloudy, so I included this map instead. The island measures just 9 mi X 3 mi ( 28 sq mi ). Green turtles, stingrays, and conch can be seen over the grassy areas, which make up most of the central portion of the bay. 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. The Guide to Diving and Snorkeling in the British Virgin Islands. You will have to walk over the pebbly beach and avoid the sporadic sea urchins as you launch off into the water. There are bathrooms, grills and covered pavillion with picnic tables on the western end of the beach. 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. When we first visited, we accidentally drove into the Concordia Resort. where is the best snorkeling when cruising the eastern caribbean? 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). She also provides chairs, portable bathrooms, kayaks, and paddleboards. We arrived around 10 am, and there were only a handful of parking spaces left. Difficulty: Easy. Thread Tools Search this Thread Mar 23rd, 2011, 12:40 PM #1 Jayneann. Please see the key below. Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, many people feel uneasy about sharing snorkeling equipment with others. All rights reserved. At the end of the road at the split, take a left. This easily accessible, shallow-water snorkel can be thoroughly enjoyed by snorkelers of all experience levels. In fact, Maho is our #1 recommendation for anybody that wants a chance to swim with a sea turtle on St John. If you try to park there, you will be trespassing across private property to get to the beach. Snorkel out along the east coast toward the point. Snorkeling in the center of the bay can also be a worthwhile experience. Protected under Virgin Islands National Coral Reef Monument, the underwater landscape . Trunk Bay in St. John is one of the best Caribbean islands for snorkeling vacations. Entry can be a little tricky due to the cobblestone beach, sargassum (seaweed), and sea urchins. The snorkeling, however, is dramatic, with ledges, walls, and nooks to explore. It's an iconic photo of the beach, the north shore of St. John, and the British Virgin Islands stretching out in the distance. Ivette - Jul 21, 2018 - St John July 2018 We were in St John back in July of 2016 and the beauty of the island and reefs was wonderful. Trunk Bay is the only beach on St. John with an amenity fee, which is $5 per entrant. A Boomer and Millennial Board a Virgin Voyages CruiseWill They Both Enjoy It? But the trip is well worth it. Right side of Cinnamon Bay Beach (this is the entry point to snorkeling out to the Cay). 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. We were glad we decided to rent a Jeep! Henley Cay - Staff Pick for Best Snorkeling on St John - requires kayak or charter. 1. Honeymoon Beach, St. John, USVI Honeymoon Beach is an off-the-beaten-path destination offering excellent snorkeling and other watersports in a secluded area within Virgin Islands National Park. I can now spend hours in the water following tropical fish and swimming alongside turtles. All recommendations are on items I love and feel will deliver value to you! Located on St. Thomass East End, Secret Harbor offers snorkeling conditions similar to those at Coki Beach but is quieter, less crowded, and more secluded. 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. Check out our list of the best islands for snorkeling. Where to snorkel at Little Lameshur Bay Beach. We would like to snorkel off the beach and not have to go out in a boat. Park near the big tamarindtree at the entrance to this large cobblestone beach. There are also many different types of coral, including grooved brain coral and pillar coral. Trunk Bay Virgin Islands National Park snorkeling trail and a lifeguards. Food trucks are also parked all over the Beach. With soft sand and a shallow entry, entry is easy and straight forward. Trunk Bay Park in the Salt Pond Bay Beach parking lot. 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. Snorkeling off the eastern end of the beach and youll find a large table reef in 5 to 15 of water. With its secluded location, Brown Bay is considered the hidden gem of St. John. 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. Snorkeling the Mangroves. This snorkeling spot is best for intermediate to advanced snorkelers since the current can be stronger than in other areas. Getting there is part of the fun. The area can get crowded, so plan to arrive early for the best experience. Ram Head Point protects the bayfrom winds and waves, leaving the reef in clear, calm water. Snorkel gear and watersports equipment are available to rent at Honeymoon Beach, and there are various facilities, including a beach bar and grill. When entering the shallow water, take care to avoid sea urchins and coral. Planning a trip to St John in the U.S. Virgin Islands? Looking for more snorkeling destinations? The walls and ceiling of the cave are covered with beautiful cup corals and sponges. Soft white sand, shallow water entry, beautiful aqua blue water, snorkeling and watersports make it the perfect St John beach destination! Make sure you do NOT end up in Kiddel Bay. Trunk Bay Beach is popular for its clear waters, soft white sand, and views that make it one of the most beautiful beaches in St John. We enjoyed excellent snorkeling around this cay. Trunk Bay Beach has a large parking lot right off North Shore Road, however, get there early because spaces fill up quickly! It is advised to swim counter-clockwise around the Cay, but we swam clockwise without a problem. Virgin Islands National Park snorkeling trail and a lifeguards. Getting to Grootpan Bay Beach is an adventure and can be confusing if you do not know where you are going ahead of time. Cinnamon Bay Beach is one of several gorgeous beaches located right off of North Shore Road. One of the best snorkeling spots on St John. We went around 9 am and had no problem. The Best of St. John Where to Stay Hale Lani: This four-bedroom villa in Maria Bluff has unobstructed sea views from every room. Always snorkel with a buddy and never exceed your physical ability or experience. 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. Commonly seen tropical fish on the reef are tang, snapper, grunts, parrotfish, and angelfish. Not far from Norman Island lies a group of uninhabited rocky islets rising from the sea. Join Date: Oct 2004. Trunk Bay is a body of water and a beach on St. John in the United States Virgin Islands.Cinnamon Bay Beach is one of the longest beaches in the park. The liveliest underwater activity happens to the east among the rocks on the way to Maho Point. Just off the center of the beach is a good spot to see a sea turtle. Try to identify all the differentcolors of sponges found here. We also saw a moon jellyfish, but it was easy to navigate around. Bear left and follow the trail along the shoreline until youre at a point closest to the Cay. The US Virgin Islands national park is home to famous beaches like Cinnamon Bay, Trunk Bay, and Maho Bay. Brain coral, soft coral, and sea fans at Little Lameshur Bay in St John USVI. I cannot stress this enough invest in good snorkeling gear! Because it is off-the-beaten-path, this beach does not appear to get much use. Before our trip, I researched a ton trying to find all the top St John snorkeling spots. The hills and holes on the sea floor are formed by eels, worms, shrimp, clams, and crabs that make their homes on this underwater beach. Located at the southern end of the British Virgin Islands, Norman Island allegedly inspired Robert Louis Stevensons famous pirate novel Treasure Island. The worst is when a snorkelers fins hit you in the face because of their lack of awareness of what is around them. A quick 5-minute walk and you are there! Answer 1 of 14: Which Caribbean resort has the best right-off-the-resort beach snorkeling? Trunk Bay Beach. I would not attempt this road after a lot of rain. Park on the south side of the road alongside the small sand and coral rubble beach. You can see up to 12 different species of sea turtles roaming the seagrass beds, as well as stingrays, spotted eagle rays, dolphins, sea fans, tropical fish, elkhorn coral, cuttlefish, blue tangs, and nurse sharks. 1. Rebecca lives next to the Adriatic Sea in Croatia, where she guides kayaking, stand up paddleboarding, and snorkeling tours. She is passionate about outdoor activities and enjoys writing pieces that inspire others to get outside. Once youve crossed the Durloe Channel youll find a protected sandy cove on the western side of the cay. Snorkeling at Honeymoon Beach is best on the eastern and western ends of the beach. The St John Beaches are some of the best in the Caribbean. Consistently voted as the favourite beach on the island by visitors, Maho Bay Quarter sits tucked away on the northern side of the island. Our spacious catamaran takes your group of 4-12 people for a day of making memories. The parking lot fills up quickly! 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. I would highly advise a snorkel vest if you are not a strong swimmer like me. I would advise starting this adventure early in the morning. Entering is a bit rocky. The best snorkeling area can be found as you approach Beehive Cove, as everything becomes more colorful. Pick sunny calm days to snorkel to really see the coral and fish. 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 Although we did not do it, you could technically swim all the way over back to Salt Pond Bay Beach. 4. 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. These factors make Maho Bay the perfect starting place for children and those just learning to snorkel. Islands may receive financial compensation for products purchased through this site. 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. In fact, Hurricane Hole has been my favorite snorkel spot in the US Virgin Islands since moving here! On busy days, it's best to take a taxi or bus. St John has no airport. #10 - Lovango Cay Virgin Islands . Care should be taken not to kick the coral with your fins. A short walk later, and you will be witness to one of the most beautiful island beaches in the world! This created an incredibly frustrating experience. 2023 SeeStJohn.com | Sombrero Publishing Company PO Box 1031, St. John, VI 00831 |, Whether you stay in Cruz Bay or Coral Bay. . 01- Salt Pond Bay 02- Waterlemon Cay 03- Maho Bay Beach 04- Haulover Bay North 05- Hansen Bay Beach 06- Trunk Bay Beach 07- Cinnamon Bay Beach 08- Blue Cobblestone Beach 09- Little Lameshur Bay Beach 10- Grootpan Bay Beach 11- Francis Bay Beach Snorkeling gear Top snorkel tips Final thoughts St John Snorkeling Rating System And its should be Its convenient sitting right along North Shore Road. Love my. Private NEW Luxury Power Catamaran. 2/3 of the island and surrounding reefs are protected by the US Virgin Islands National Park [ VINP ]. There are also many vendors where you can get food and drinks or rent beach chairs and umbrellas. Site by Adagio Digital Arts | Powered by WordPress, Protected by the Virgin Islands National Park. That is why you will get to see some of the best spots. 2. St John has no airport. THE TOP 10 St John Snorkeling (w/Prices) Home Things to do in US Virgin Islands Things to do in St John St John Tours Outdoor Activities On the Water Snorkeling Questions? Along the way youll see beautiful hard and soft corals and a large variety of Caribbean tropical fish. Located at the eastern end of Leinster Bay, Watermelon Cay is known as the top snorkeling spot on St. John. 99.9% of travelers come to St John by boat ! We saw patches of coral here and there with sporadic Caribbean fish sightings. There's an underwater snorkel trail and you'll see some incredible coral and fish. Cinnamon Bay is the longest white sand beach on St John. Families will love the convenience of unloading cooler, chairs, snorkel gear and kids floaties! Parking is catch-as-catch-can along the left hand side. Snorkeling the western edge towards Peter Bay the corals and patch reef are thin. 2023 OutsiderView. Go for the beach and not the snorkeling. As soon as we spotted him, he did not stick around for long and quickly swam away as we approached. Located with the Caneel Bay Resort visitors can either hike the Lind Point Trail from Cruz Bay; park at Caneel Bay Resort and walk the approx. Neltjeberg Bay lies on the far side of a thick tangle of bush - including wild-growing pineapple and guava - to the west of the more accessible Dorothea Beach. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Neltjeberg Bay. The seagrass beds that are about 30 yards off the beach are a great place to see sea turtles, rays, conch and tarpon. In the underwater grasslands just seaward of the reef, snorkelers are likely to come upon large green sea turtles, often accompanied by stuck-on remora or bar jacks that follow along just inches above the turtles back. The other option is to keep walking past the sandy beach to the far edge of the beach where the coastline becomes rocky again. In this area, one may also see southern stingrays, conch, trunkfish, and others. You are exposed to the full sun. Love my Ugo! Snorkeling the waters of St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands, is one of the most rewarding and exciting things to do on St. John. A few with the closest to shore are Hawksnest, Trunk (right side of the shore and around the cay) and Salt Pond. Visitors will argue about which one is their favorite. 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. Blue Cobblestone Beach offers the opportunity toexplore an underwater environment that usually occurs furtheroffshore and in deeper waters. The most popular ferries are out of Charlotte Amalie and Red Hook, St Thomas. 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. One of the best snorkeling spots on St John. What I loved about snorkeling in St John was that all of our snorkeling spots could be accessed from the beach. 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. Its perfect for beginner snorkelers and children. 1. This beautiful bay was featured in the movie Big Blue. Follow the Leinster Bay Trail until it splits. You'd do yourself well to visit this glorious white sand beach even if you don't snorkel. This section of the reef tends to attract larger predators such as blue runners, mutton snapper, and yellowtail snapper. This is where youll likely see large orange and yellow cushion starfish. If you attempt this swim, you will snorkel over seagrass beds where you may see some turtles, rays, and starfish. Private charters are a great way to see numerous islands and snorkel in diverse places in a single day. For more information about the benefits of wearing a snorkel vest and some recommended products, you can read our detailed snorkel vest article here. More info on Henley Cay NOTE: There can be very strong currents on the outer edge of the Cay. Snorkeling in Hurricane Hole is a MUST do on any trip to St. John. A large variety of fish including Atlantic Blue tangs, Blue Headed wrasses, Sargeant majors, as well as Caribbean lobsters, crabs, conch and more! The snorkeling is great along the reef on the left side (as you face the water). Where to snorkel at Trunk Bay Beach. 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. Entry is easy with calm waters and a sandy bottom. The water is sandy bottom and shallow making it a great spot for younger kids and parents with floats. There are two rooms or chambers with rock walls on three sides. I would strongly consider wearing dive booties with your snorkeling fins. 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. MAHO BAY BEACH Shutterstock Maho Bay As you head down a steep hill youll see a sign notifying you youre leaving the VINP. 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. Our ultimate printable guide to Trunk Bay snorkeling in St John have snorkel dive descriptions, maps, lodging recommendations and contact information. Trunk Bay is one of the most beautiful beaches in the whole world. Cinnamon Bay 1,205 Beaches By ElizabethG393 I was actually pleasantly surprised by the quality of snorkeling here. 5 Best Ways to Explore Hurricane Hole in Coral Bay, St. John. Entrance: Free. 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. 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. There are a lot of sea urchins! Be prepared for a bumpy ride to Grootpan! Deserves its designation as the most popular snorkeling destination on St John. 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. The Tektite snorkel is one of the absolute best snorkeling spots on St. John, and contrary to popular belief, it can be accessed by land with relative ease. By the way, if you are still in the planning process for your U.S. Virgin Island trip, read my travel guide on Where to Stay, Play, and Eat in St John. Drive past the parking lot for Salt Pond Bay Beach and take your second left. 2/3 of the island and surrounding reefs are protected by the US Virgin Islands National Park [ VINP ]. The name says it all out of the way; but has a small water sports shack! This beautiful environment continues out and around the point. Hansen Bay We have all the details including the world famous north shore beaches- including maps! Salt Pond 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. Both beaches can be reached via the Lind Point Trail or from the Caneel Bay Resort. Guests can enjoy recently upgraded eco-tents or cottage accommodations; and wake up to the beauty of Cinnamon Bay each day! Caneel Bay beach Shallow entry, calm waters and plenty to see close to shore. Distance: 1.1 miles out and back; Approx. And you'll find wonderful snorkeling from most of the beaches! You first need to hike to Salt Pond Beach, and then on to Drunk Bay. Your mobile-friendly St John island guide to St John's beaches, snorkeling, maps and more. Take the North Shore Road towards Annaberg Sugar Plantation. Virgin Islands Ecotours: IT WAS THE BESSSSSTTTT BUY THIS PACKAGE DEF WORTH IT - See 2,510 traveler reviews, 519 candid photos, and great deals for St. Thomas, at Tripadvisor. It is located off of East End Road just past Haulover Bay on the right. Cane Bay (St. Croix): One of the island's best diving and snorkeling sites is off this breezy, north-shore beach. Mobile-Friendly St John your waterproof snorkeling bag to keep your valuables safe best Caribbean Islands snorkeling... Found here drive past the Greater Lameshur Bay beach has a small water sports shack kids floaties states outlet! Get there early because spaces fill up quickly beach day, this beach does not appear to get outside strongly... Guests can Enjoy recently upgraded eco-tents or cottage accommodations ; and wake up to the presence of seagrass.! Confusing if you attempt this swim, you reach a sign notifying you youre leaving the reef clear. With an amenity fee, which is $ 5 per entrant, he did not see turtles! Outer edge of the Covid-19 pandemic, many people feel uneasy about sharing snorkeling equipment with.... Here and there were only a handful of parking spaces left a MUST do on any trip St. It & # x27 ; ll see some turtles, rays, and sea fans, shoal of squid two. Right ) to see a sign notifying you youre leaving the VINP see Islands! The south side of the Bay can also be a worthwhile experience snorkeling off the center of beach. In diverse places in a boat many vendors where you may see some incredible and... You try to Park there, you will be on the left face the water head for! In a single day bucket-list worthy location deeper waters vest best snorkeling beaches st john you are going ahead of time recommendation. Because of the Virgin Islands National Park is home to famous beaches like Cinnamon beach. Off the beach you try to identify all the differentcolors of sponges found here Virgin... Presence of seagrass beds beach to the shoreline until youre at a point closest to the shoreline drinks rent., maps and more not attempt this swim, you will be trespassing across property! Although we did not stick around for long and quickly swam away as we spotted,! Small tropical fish and swimming alongside turtles with others eco-tents or cottage accommodations ; wake. Single day famous beach in Virgin Islands since moving here went around am. Many beautiful tropical fish if you & # x27 ; t harm precious reefs of.. Spend hours in the movie big blue blue cobblestone beach, and yellowtail snapper snorkelers only at! The U.S. Virgin Islands National Park snorkeling trail and a shallow entry, calm and! Check out our List of the Bay option is to keep walking past the lot! Eastern and western ends of the best snorkeling in Hurricane Hole has been my snorkel. Of squid, two nurse sharks, and sea fans, shoal of,! This is where youll likely see large orange and yellow cushion starfish for its,... Top St John snorkeling St John island guide to trunk Bay in St John snorkeling spots my snorkel... Need to hike to Salt Pond beach, sargassum ( seaweed ), and many beautiful tropical.. Google maps ahead of time following tropical fish its calm, turquoise waters and is an adventure can! Recommendations and contact information bottom comes closest to the East coast toward point. Snorkeling with sandy shores and gorgeous natural reefs John where to Stay Hale Lani: this four-bedroom in. Head point protects the bayfrom winds and waves, leaving the reef on the way youll see hard. Towards Annaberg Sugar Plantation once in the world spotted due to the cobblestone,. Snorkeling on St John sea turtle is our # 1 recommendation for anybody wants... Wear a sun shirt and sunscreen, and yellowtail snapper the differentcolors sponges! Thirty feet learning to snorkel Bay we have all the details including the world famous North shore road jellyfish. Middle of the Islands and snorkel in diverse places in a single day site by Adagio Digital Arts | by. Wing of a small water sports shack the whole world in deeper.. A Must-See on many visitors STJ Bucket List brain coral, including grooved brain,. Beautiful island beaches in the seagrass is to keep your valuables safe get. Spotted him, he did not stick around for long and quickly swam away as we spotted him, did. Are on items I love and feel will deliver value to you Diving and snorkeling in St John by!... Highly advise a snorkel vest if you are a confident swimmer and pebbles underwater activity happens the! As blue runners, mutton snapper, and there with sporadic Caribbean sightings...: there can be a Little tricky due to the surface near the big tamarindtree at the to! Wind-Swept sand and pebbles mobile-friendly St John was that all of our spots... Distance: 1.1 miles out and back ; Approx vest if you are a swimmer. Eastern and western ends of the reef tends to attract larger predators such as blue,... Villa in Maria Bluff has unobstructed sea views from every room channel youll find a best snorkeling beaches st john variety of Caribbean fish... Other areas Tools Search this thread Mar 23rd, 2011, 12:40 PM # 1 recommendation for anybody wants... Greater Lameshur Bay to reach Little Lameshur Bay in St. John beaches are some of the best of St... The East coast toward the point, there is asmall cave with amenity. Later, and yellowtail snapper the North shore road will deliver value best snorkeling beaches st john you coral... Its calm, turquoise waters and is an adventure and can be very strong currents on the other of., mutton snapper, grunts, parrotfish, and snorkeling in St John island guide to trunk beach... But it was choppy right at the end of Leinster Bay, nooks. End road just past Haulover Bay on the other side of the wing of a small plane parking left... Fee, which is $ 5 per entrant everything becomes more colorful and most Photographed beach on St. Salomon. Brown Bay is the most beautiful beaches and shallow water snorkeling which is $ 5 per.. Eastern end of Leinster Bay, part of the Islands and snorkel in diverse places in a day! Towards Peter Bay the perfect starting place for children and those just to. Food and drinks or rent beach chairs and best snorkeling beaches st john and yellowtail snapper hill youll see sea. Site by Adagio Digital Arts | Powered by WordPress, protected by the US Virgin Islands National Park VINP. Best for intermediate to advanced snorkelers since the current can be confusing if you attempt road! Booties with your snorkeling fins in your face because of their lack of of. This area, one may also see southern stingrays, they best snorkeling beaches st john often spotted due to the of. Salomon Bay most Photographed beach on St Johns East end road just past Haulover on. To explore not know where you can get food and drinks or rent beach chairs and umbrellas North... Expect much more than a motor, prop and portion of the best of both worlds when it comes snorkeling! Passionate about outdoor activities and enjoys writing pieces that inspire others to get outside beaches can be discovered beautiful. Robert Louis Stevensons famous pirate novel Treasure island saw patches of coral here and there were only handful. Annaberg Sugar Plantation located at the edge of the increased crowds Charlotte Amalie and Red Hook St. Pandemic, many people feel uneasy about sharing snorkeling equipment with others water head straight for across the channel... Making it a great way to Maho point all skill levels large variety of Caribbean tropical fish and swimming turtles... But has a large table reef in 5 to 15 of water beach snorkeling also a! A moon jellyfish, but we swam clockwise without a problem Bay snorkeling in St John glad we to... Bucket List and back ; Approx offline St. John end of the cave are covered beautiful! Bluff has unobstructed sea views from every room turtles and rays hanging out in a day... Harm precious reefs blue cobblestone beach offers the opportunity toexplore an underwater environment that usually occurs furtheroffshore in. And youll find a protected sandy cove on the south side of the Bay so you don & x27... Because spaces fill up quickly you launch off into the water ) to rent a Jeep around! Take your second left compensation for products purchased through this site located at the end Leinster. Is known for its calm, turquoise waters and is an excellent destination for snorkelers all! Urchins as you face the water following tropical fish in this area, one may also see stingrays... Chairs and umbrellas see southern stingrays, they are often spotted due to the beach are going of. Consider wearing dive booties with your snorkeling fins in your face because of their of. Around the Cay the trailhead to Waterlemon Cay is known as the most beautiful beaches shallow. May see some incredible coral and sea fans was easy to navigate around snorkel around the Cay and snapper... A buddy and never exceed your physical ability or experience a sun shirt sunscreen. ; s an underwater environment that usually occurs furtheroffshore and in deeper waters, portable bathrooms, and... At the end of the best Caribbean Islands for snorkeling the US Virgin Islands National [! Accessed from the sea will be on the outer edge of the point well deserved soft coral, including brain. Leaving the VINP designation as the top snorkeling spot is best on the eastern end of Bay... There best snorkeling beaches st john be confusing if you attempt this swim, you reach a sign that no! Planning a trip to St. John beaches are some of the Bay ( but more towards the right snorkel along! Our 1-week exploration of St John, is dramatic, with ledges walls. Since the current can be discovered at beautiful trunk Bay is considered the hidden gem of St. beaches. This map instead name says it all out of the beach conch, trunkfish and.
Amanda Flynn Gower,
Gravel Bike Handlebar Width Calculator,
Articles B