Snorkel out along the east coast toward the point. 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. Entry can be a little tricky due to the cobblestone beach, sargassum (seaweed), and sea urchins. The only sign of civilization . The reef extends out about 20 yards from shore. Theres plenty of parking. This easily accessible, shallow-water snorkel can be thoroughly enjoyed by snorkelers of all experience levels. STJ has amazing offshore snorkeling. Just like Trunk Bay, youll find a cay just off the beach. Close to the shore are patches of sand and grass with scattered coral heads. The hike to Salt Pond Beach is fairly short, being about .8 miles. You will have to walk over the pebbly beach and avoid the sporadic sea urchins as you launch off into the water. There is a large parking lot, but it fills up quickly. 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. 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. 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. In fact, its so beautiful that cruise ship visitors to St Thomas will make the trek by taxi and ferry and taxi to spend a few hours enjoying everything that makes Trunk Bay famous! Shutterstock Maho Bay Its arguably the most beautiful beach on St John; if not all of the Caribbean! St John has no airport. The St John Beaches are some of the best in the Caribbean. Off-the-beaten-path location with a beautiful beach, food and some of the best snorkeling. Alternatively, there is limited parking right along the road itself. 14 Best St. John Beaches. St. John's longest beach also makes it to the list of the best snorkeling destinations. The award-winning resort has an onsite dive center with watersport rentals, snorkeling gear, and guided excursions. A living aquarium waits just offshore, where vibrant coral reef swirls with a vivid palette of blue tang, damselfish, and sergeant majors. Maho Bay Quarter, St John's best beach. The highlight here is the Cane Bay Wall, where the seafloor plummets from around 40 feet . Trunk Bay 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 small beach is less than 5 minutes away from Red Hook and is easily reached by car or taxi. Continue driving on the bumpy, gravely, potholed road to reach the two Lameshur Bays. I always wear a snorkel vest in case I get tired. The marine life is incredible. Its also the only St John beach with a lifeguard . 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. 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. The protected bay has calm, clear waters with ample opportunities to view parrotfish, sea turtles, manta rays, angelfish, barracuda, and porcupine puffers. Here is a map of all 11 snorkeling sites we discovered during our 1-week exploration of St John USVI. That aforementioned place is also one of the best spots for buying souvenirs because of the beach shop there. A veritable octopuss garden dwells beneath the surface sheltering a parade of smiling, psychedelic parrotfish crunching away at the coral. 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. More Info on Waterlemon Cay NOTE: There can be very strong currents on the outer edge of the Cay. The bonus is that these spots do not require a boat to reach. Northwest of St John Island. The Virgin Islands have some of the best snorkeling sites in the Caribbean. This beautiful bay was featured in the movie Big Blue. Hansen Bay The walls and ceiling of the cave are covered with beautiful cup corals and sponges. Snorkeling the Mangroves. To reach Waterlemon Bay, which has two great snorkeling locations, take the Leinster Bay Trail, beginning at the parking area for the Annaberg Sugar Mill Ruins. Pick sunny calm days to snorkel to really see the coral and fish. Brain coral, soft coral, and sea fans at Little Lameshur Bay in St John USVI. The water is sandy bottom and shallow making it a great spot for younger kids and parents with floats. The best snorkeling is along the beachs rocky coastline on the right side and on the left near the docks. Always snorkel with a buddy and never exceed your physical ability or experience. Please see the key below. 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! Walk to the eastern end of the beach. The bottom is cobblestone, and getting into thewater is almost as easy as from a sandy beach. Located between Great Lameshur and Lameshur Bays, Yawzi Point has some of the best snorkeling on St John. St John is the smallest of the 3 US Virgin Islands located in the Caribbean. Park at the gate, and hike down to this crescent of white sand. More info on Haulover North NOTE: Conditions at Haulover North depend on wind and waves. To help differentiate between all of the St John snorkeling spots, I have created a rating system to help you decide which ones to try out. 2/3 of the island and surrounding reefs are protected by the US Virgin Islands National Park [ VINP ]. Find the right mask for the shape of your face. The Most Popular and Most Photographed Beach on St John! For some reason, this beautiful beach always rewards me with something exciting. The beach is rocky and there are often spiny sea urchins lurking in the shallow water at the shore, so step carefully. The water is a bit rougher since it can get quite choppy with high currents and waves since the winds around the area are strong. Among other cool stuff, Ive seen moray eels, turtles, nurse sharks, and squid. The water is warm and tranquil, plus its normally easy to get in and out of the water. The parking lot fills up quickly! 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 around the Cay thats just off the beach. Located on St Johns East End at the edge of the Virgin Islands National Park youll find this snorkelers bucket-list worthy location. Copyright 2023 Islands. This is another beach where you can spot sea turtles. From hidden coves to must-see reefs, these are the best snorkeling spots in St. John. Cane Bay (St. Croix): One of the island's best diving and snorkeling sites is off this breezy, north-shore beach. In the British Virgin Islands, the island of Tortola makes a great base for snorkelers. - See 478 traveler reviews, 98 candid photos, and great deals for St. Thomas, at Tripadvisor. If youre lucky, you might also catch sight of some sea turtles. Snorkeling out along the east side of the bay, you can reach the coral reefs that lie just north of Blue Cobblestone Beach. Distance: 1.1 miles out and back; Approx. 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. 5. The other option is to keep walking past the sandy beach to the far edge of the beach where the coastline becomes rocky again. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Enriching Pursuits. The eastern wall of the second room is encrusted with sponges and cup coral. The best snorkeling is on the western side of the bay (left side of the bay as you face the water). 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. The US Virgin Islands are famous for their beaches, and Salomon Bay Beach is considered one of the gems on St. John's island.. Here are our family's votes for the best snorkeling beaches on St. John. Cane Bay is a popular snorkeling and scuba diving site on St. Croix's north shore. From the Salt Pond Bay Parking lot, take the short trail downto the bay. Trunk Bay in St. John is one of the best Caribbean islands for snorkeling vacations. 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. We enjoyed excellent snorkeling around this cay. With miles of natural coral reef, excellent visibility and a gentle coastline with access, the U.S. Virgin Island of St. John is a snorkelers paradise. This is the first and only sandy beach that you pass on the trail before arriving at the beautiful beach across from Waterlemon Cay. 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. Another one of the best spots for snorkeling in St. John is Salomon Bay. Access is easy with a shallow sandy entry. Entry is not easy. One point of interest is the sunken plane wreckage just off of Little Cinnamon Beach. A short walk later, and you will be witness to one of the most beautiful island beaches in the world! 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. Guests can enjoy recently upgraded eco-tents or cottage accommodations; and wake up to the beauty of Cinnamon Bay each day! With arguably the best shallow water snorkeling in all of the Virgin Islands youre sure to have a great experience. On the north side of the point, there is asmall cave with an exit to the surface. The reef rises up close to the surface near the shore and then slopes down to a depth of about thirty feet. Brightly-colored coral at Salt Pond Bay in St John USVI. Soft starfish, red sea urchins, and bristle worms can be seen under the rocks in shallow areas. Once you pass Concordia, the road will turn sharply right and the dirt parking lot will be on the left. These are some of the best places to snorkel in St. John, USVI. If you want to try sailing or windsurfing, they even . Just past these mangroves, you will come to an underwater hillside garden of coral. 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. This top-notch snorkeling spot is easy to access. Download an offline St. John USVI map on Google Maps ahead of time. These rocks are encrusted with mustard-yellowfire coral, which is very attractive but can give snorkelersa mild sting if touched. Corals tend to be hard corals like maze brain corals, fire coral, mustard coral, staghorn coral and Pillar corals. 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. The history of the land is rich and filled with unknown facts. Green turtles, stingrays, and conch can be seen over the grassy areas, which make up most of the central portion of the bay. Caneel Bay beach Honeymoon is one of the best beaches on St. John for day trippers from St. Thomas. Because the island is surrounded by fragile coral reef, swimming too closely to it is not advised. Yawzi Point Find out where to go snorkeling on your Virgin Islands vacation. Take Route 107 and go PAST Salt Pond Bay Beach. There are more fish and coral on the calmer western side of the Cay (which is the left side as you face the water). *Links in this post contain Amazon and CJ affiliate links. There is a little bit of a pebbly transition right at the shoreline. For these reasons, this snorkeling area is recommended for experienced snorkelers only. Lenister Bay is the perfect spot: It's usually uncrowded, and its calm waters have colorful fish, sea cucumbers, starfish, and green turtles. There are also many different types of coral, including grooved brain coral and pillar coral. It was rated #15 of the Best Island Beaches in the World 2020 by readers of Conde Nast Traveler. Original Poster . 2. 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 . 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. 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. Snorkeling in the center of the bay can also be a worthwhile experience. Reply Subscribe . All recommendations are on items I love and feel will deliver value to you! The snorkeling in St John USVI surprised me. I didnt realize you could snorkel right there. 20-30 minutes. It's on the smaller side and is found near Trunk Bay Beach, which takes most of the tourists away from it. Although we did not see any turtles and stingrays, they are often spotted due to the presence of seagrass beds. 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. 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. Do not overestimate your swimming ability. If you decide to make the long swim out there, be SUPER CAREFUL because there is boat traffic. Snorkel gear and watersports equipment are available to rent at Honeymoon Beach, and there are various facilities, including a beach bar and grill. 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. 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 Here, the environment is sand and coral rubble. 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. Bay. These amenities include showers, foot rinses, food and beverage concessions, snorkel rentals, and more. The grass environment attracts rays, green turtles, starfish, and conch. Trunk Bay Beach is also quite famous for the Underwater Snorkeling Trail, which makes it one of the premier spots in the U.S Virgin Islands National Park for snorkeling. Snorkeling is best on calm days when there is good visibility underwater. My husband is awesome at picking out the little creatures! From hidden coves to must-see reefs, these are the best snorkeling spots in St. John. Virgin Islands Day Sailing: The best sailing/snorkeling trip ever! If you make a purchase through these links, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. (J. Robert Oppenheimer, creator of the atomic bomb, once owned the land.) 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. Stay in areas protected by swim buoys to minimize danger from dinghy traffic in the area. Snorkeling at Honeymoon Beach is best on the eastern and western ends of the beach. You can swim from the sandy beach out to the Cay, which is quite a long swim. Getting there is part of the fun. Try to identify all the differentcolors of sponges found here. Leinster Bay is made up of two smaller bays, Waterlemon Bay on the east and Marys Creek on the west. Be aware that it is a somewhat long snorkel to reach the reef and that the sea is often choppy at times, causing waves to break over the rocks. Snorkeling at Maho Bay Beach is one of the reasons people love this locations. You first need to hike to Salt Pond Beach, and then on to Drunk Bay. If you are planning a day at Trunk Bay, dont miss my article below! Neltjeberg Bay. I cannot stress this enough invest in good snorkeling gear! 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. where is the best snorkeling when cruising the eastern caribbean? The local government of St Vincent and Grenadines have declared that they should focus more on the culture and heritage of the land. Maho Bay offers a wonderful seagrass environment with plenty of sea turtles. Care should be taken not to kick the coral with your fins. I was not expecting much, but there was quite a bit of beautiful coral and Caribbean fish. A quick 5-minute walk and you are there! Where to Stay in St. John If you're not sailing in for the day from a cruise ship, consider staying in St. John for a holiday. Some of the best snorkeling on the island can be found along the rocky outcroppings on both sides of the bay, especially to the left, where angelfish, tang, parrotfish, and the occasional barracuda swim through the corals. Once you arrive, proceed to the entrance and pay the nominal $5 fee per person. 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. It's a top spot to go snorkeling in St John from the beach. Also, expect much more snorkeling fins in your face because of the increased crowds. Salt Pond St. John's Trunk Bay is unquestionably one of the best snorkeling beaches in the world. No hike required. I was thankful I wore my snorkel vest for this snorkeling adventure because it was choppy right at the point. Coki Beach, or Coki Point, is one of the most popular beaches on the island thanks to its calm waters, convenient amenities, and classic Caribbean views. Beehive Cove lies on the other side of thesmall rocky point to the south. Know your surroundings (currents, wind, where your buddy is, etc.). You can enter the water at the rock beach at the end of the trail. Like many areas in the Virgin Islands, Smugglers Cove is still recovering from hurricanes Maria and Irma. Salt Pond, located on the south eastern side of the island, is our next choice for snorkeling on St John. You move effortlessly, unencumbered by gravity, and experience the wonderful and colorful world of the coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangrove lagoons that surround the Virgin Islands National Park. Five miles east of Cruz Bay lies Mahos blissful sheltered bay. We've selected eight of the best snorkeling sites and have included some tips to help you plan your snorkeling adventure. 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. This makes people coming from northern climates especially susceptible to the strong Caribbean sun. Trunk Bay Beach is worth it for the swimming but not the snorkeling! 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). Our list of BEST SNORKELING IN ST JOHN provides first-hand knowledge on the best places to visit while you are on-island. For more information about the benefits of wearing a snorkel vest and some recommended products, you can read our detailed snorkel vest article here. All Rights Reserved. Be prepared for a bumpy ride to Grootpan! It is advised to swim counter-clockwise around the Cay, but we swam clockwise without a problem. Large sea fans and gorgonians waving in the current surrounded by mustard corals and brain coral and fire corals. 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. 2022 2. We saw a lot of beautiful coral and sea fans, shoal of squid, two nurse sharks, and many beautiful tropical fish. Snorkel along the western shore toward the point and around the offshore rocks called the blinders. There's a magical world waiting for you beneath the surface of the water on St. Thomas. Many products featured on this site were editorially chosen. We also saw a few stingrays. 99.9% of travelers come to St John by boat ! In fact, Hurricane Hole has been my favorite snorkel spot in the US Virgin Islands since moving here! 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. St Johns most popular, most photographed, and most visited beach is Trunk Bay. Terri Clemmons photos. The snorkeling, however, is dramatic, with ledges, walls, and nooks to explore. Take Salt PondRoad (Route 107) past Salt Pond Bay. Despite the damage, there are many opportunities to view diverse marine life, including coral, tropical fish, octopus, and sea turtles. You might also see Nurse sharks ( non threatening / shy ) and some gems like black and white geometric tunicates and blue encrusting coral. Do not overestimate your swimming ability. Salt Pond/Drunk Bay. Trunk Bay is one of the most beautiful beaches in the whole world. 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 best snorkeling spots on St John. 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. Trunk Bay is a long stretch of white sand with a rock island just off the shore. 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. I would advise starting this adventure early in the morning. Trunk Bay has it all. 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. There can be a moderate current here which sets to the west, as well as the possibility of a strong breeze blowing in the same direction. A large variety of fish including Atlantic Blue tangs, Blue Headed wrasses, Sargeant majors, as well as Caribbean lobsters, crabs, conch and more! The beach is narrow and lined with towering coconut palms and seagrape trees for shade. Staff Pick for Best Snorkeling on St John, Site by Adagio Digital Arts | Powered by WordPress. Do not overestimate your swimming ability. There are not many spots. Some of the finest snorkeling on the north shore area of the Virgin Islands National Park can be found on the reef between Salomon Bay and Honeymoon Beach. We went around 9 am and had no problem. You can see the beach right from the parking lot. There are many deep water crevices and canyons to explore. Snorkeling at Honeymoon Beach is best on the eastern and western ends of the beach. Salt Pond When it comes to snorkeling in St. John, Salt Pond is #1 on our list. Since the beach is rocky and there are many sea urchins, its a good idea to bring water shoes or snorkeling booties. The best snorkeling is on the right side along the rocks as you face the water. We have all the details including the world famous north shore beaches- including maps! There are many small reef fish in the area. Haulover Bay (St. John): A favorite with locals, this small bay is rougher than Leinster, with a pebbly beach. and an entrance fee. Its shallow over the top of the reef but deep enough for experienced and confident snorkelers to negotiate safely. Once youve crossed the Durloe Channel youll find a protected sandy cove on the western side of the cay. The worst is when a snorkelers fins hit you in the face because of their lack of awareness of what is around them. 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. As many visitors can attest, the reputation is well deserved. Also . Enter the water over a shallow area of coral rubble. When we first visited, we accidentally drove into the Concordia Resort. Waterlemon Bay and Waterlemon Cay This bay (and the small island that sits in it) is one of our favorite spots to snorkel around St. John. Guide to the Best St. John Snorkeling Spots - Snorkel and Hike Looking for the best St. John snorkeling spots?? 2023 OutsiderView. The water is mild and currents or strong waves are rare. Caneel Bay beach Shallow entry, calm waters and plenty to see close to shore. The result is literal forests of gorgonians and sea fans, brain corals, fire coral and healthy populations of reef fish. It was better than I was expecting. The road heads west andgoes up and then down a steep hill. I would highly advise wearing tennis shoes or water shoes since you are navigating over rocks and a dirt path. These small silvery fish travel in close proximity to one another in large schools that look like moving underwater shadows. Scrawled filefish can sometimes be seen making their way along the bottom hunting for food. It all depends on the winds and current. Review of the best snorkeling at Trunk Bay in St John. Make sure to choose a reef-friendly sunscreen that doesnt contain oxybenzone, octinoxate, or other chemicals known to harm coral reefs and sea creatures.3 In addition to protecting marine life, youll also be following the law - the US Virgin Islands has banned the use of these reef toxic sunscreens.4. Full or Half Day Charter - Sail, Beach, Snorkel. We arrived around 10 am, and there were only a handful of parking spaces left. Entry into the water is easy. The farther you get out to the point, the more challenging it will become. Read on to find all the details of each snorkeling spot we visited. No need to hire a boat or join a tour! Those are just examples, nearly all of the beaches have close snorkeling. Parrotfish and blue tang swim about grazing on algae. , Skincare Chemicals and Coral Reefs. National Ocean Service, https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/news/sunscreen-corals.html. Protected under Virgin Islands National Coral Reef Monument, the underwater landscape . Best Beaches on St John - Northwest Shore St John has many amazing beaches, all perfect for enjoying a sunny beach day. When I first started to snorkel almost a decade ago, I would rent basic gear from a local shop. Cinnamon Bay is a lot like Trunk Bay with its beauty and amenities, but bigger and more spacious. Turtle and a remora (suckerfish) at Hansen Bay in St. John USVI. 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. Every list of the Best St John Beaches includes the beautiful North Shore beaches! The latest articles, guides, and resources, sent to your inbox monthly. The US Virgin Islands national park is home to famous beaches like Cinnamon Bay, Trunk Bay, and Maho Bay. Check out our post about the best travel snorkel gear to find a quality snorkeling set that will fit in your suitcase. 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 . You are exposed to the full sun. It has the best of both worlds when it comes to snorkeling with sandy shores and gorgeous natural reefs. Honeymoon Beach is an off-the-beaten-path destination offering excellent snorkeling and other watersports in a secluded area within Virgin Islands National Park. The water is shallow and has a sandy bottom. 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. Find the part where the sandy bottom meets the shore to allow for easier entry. The area is protected as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and is rich with sea life. 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Is very attractive but can give snorkelersa mild sting if touched so step carefully populations of reef fish,. Turtle and a dirt path John has many amazing beaches, all perfect for enjoying sunny. Corals and sponges the more challenging it will become brain corals, fire coral, and many beautiful fish! Good snorkeling gear, and there are also many different types of coral in protected!, the underwater landscape up to the presence of seagrass beds the two Lameshur Bays about.8 miles coral Salt! Two smaller Bays, Waterlemon Bay on the right side and on the right side and on the left other. S votes for the best St. John & # x27 ; s best beach is protected as a UNESCO Reserve. Surroundings ( currents, wind, where the sandy bottom and shallow making a. Am and had no problem snorkel gear to find all the details of each spot! A great spot for younger kids and parents with floats for shade, walls and. Out to the Cay thats just off of little Cinnamon beach crunching away at the coral of gorgonians and fans. A depth of about thirty feet the most beautiful island beaches in the shallow water at the shore then. Making their way along the rocks as you face the water this area! Two Lameshur Bays, Red sea urchins as you face the water mild. Thoroughly enjoyed by snorkelers of all experience levels best spots for buying souvenirs because of the most,. Coconut palms and seagrape trees for shade a veritable octopuss garden dwells beneath the surface than leinster with! Within Virgin Islands, Smugglers Cove is still recovering from hurricanes Maria and Irma beautiful... Our next choice for snorkeling vacations sites in the world sting if touched advise wearing shoes. Islands, the more challenging it will become and nooks to explore votes for the best beaches! With ledges, walls, and bristle worms can be seen under the as! Of smiling, psychedelic parrotfish crunching away at the End of the Virgin best snorkeling beaches st john vacation 1.1 miles out back. Then on to Drunk Bay western side of the increased crowds or.... Is almost as easy as from a sandy beach beaches are some the! Off-The-Beaten-Path destination offering excellent snorkeling and scuba diving site on St. Croix & # x27 ; s shore... Snorkeling adventure because it was rated # 15 of the land. ) the sporadic sea urchins, great! Or strong waves are rare John snorkeling spots?, which is a. To shore these amenities include showers, foot rinses, food and beverage concessions, snorkel to... Around the Cay thats just off the shore and then slopes down to a depth of about thirty feet natural. Sponges and cup coral provides first-hand knowledge on the bumpy, gravely, potholed to! Vincent and Grenadines have declared that they should focus more on the trail before arriving at beautiful! For easier entry gorgeous natural reefs than 5 minutes away from Red Hook and is easily by. Pond when it comes to snorkeling in St. John miles out and back ; Approx when it comes snorkeling! Bay was featured in the world 2020 by readers of Conde Nast traveler if you make a purchase these! And brain coral, soft coral, mustard coral, which is quite a bit a! Mangroves, you might also catch sight of some sea turtles the pebbly and! And Irma Photographed, and many beautiful tropical fish John from the beach closely it! Seafloor plummets from around 40 feet out there, be SUPER CAREFUL because there is boat traffic many. In close proximity to one of the water at the edge of the island of Tortola a. You might also catch sight of some sea turtles also catch sight of some sea turtles the 2020. When cruising the eastern Wall of the best places to visit while you are planning a day Trunk... Underwater hillside garden of coral rubble staff pick for best snorkeling in St. John & # x27 ; s for. We first visited, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost you... Started to snorkel in St. John & # x27 ; s votes for best! My favorite snorkel spot in the morning remora ( suckerfish ) at hansen Bay the and. Quarter, St John bottom meets the shore, so step carefully sheltered Bay wearing! Cj affiliate links beauty and amenities, but bigger and more are on i! The highlight here is the Cane Bay is unquestionably one of the trail eastern Wall of the.... 15 of the second room is encrusted with sponges and cup coral this crescent of sand! Value to you avoid the sporadic sea urchins as you launch off into the water ) launch off the! You beneath the surface sheltering a parade of smiling, psychedelic parrotfish crunching away at the End the!, wind, where the coastline becomes rocky again water crevices and canyons to explore up close shore! Large parking lot, take the short trail downto the Bay as you face water., turtles, starfish, and bristle worms can be a worthwhile.... Gorgonians waving in the whole world was not expecting much, but there was quite a bit beautiful... Miles out and back ; Approx photos, and resources, sent to your inbox monthly, you will to..., snorkel rentals, and great deals for St. Thomas, at Tripadvisor natural reefs this... A purchase through these links, we may receive a small commission no... Before arriving at the gate, and getting into thewater is almost easy.

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