The area can get crowded, so plan to arrive early for the best experience. It was better than I was expecting. We've selected eight of the best snorkeling sites and have included some tips to help you plan your snorkeling adventure. I was thankful I wore my snorkel vest for this snorkeling adventure because it was choppy right at the point. Last updated Jan 29, 2023 | Best Snorkeling Caribbean, St. John. The currents can be strong. A Boomer and Millennial Board a Virgin Voyages CruiseWill They Both Enjoy It? You can choose from various beach, snorkeling, and diving packages or book accommodation only. Its north east facing location can make conditions challenging. Snorkeling at Maho Bay Beach is one of the reasons people love this locations. 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. We have seen everything from squid to barracuda to stingrays to various small tropical fish in this bay. 14.1K subscribers In this video, we go out in search of the best snorkeling in St. John. Overall, I would rate St John USVI as a whole as 4/5 snorkels. Just off the center of the beach is a good spot to see a sea turtle. Porcupine fish at Little Lameshur Bay in St John USVI. The access to the water is not easy but not hard. Cinnamon Bay is a lot like Trunk Bay with its beauty and amenities, but bigger and more spacious. The oceanfront boutique resort provides a luxurious yet laid-back experience with access to a wide range of outdoor activities, including snorkeling, sailing, surfing, and paddle boarding. Those are just examples, nearly all of the beaches have close snorkeling. It was rated #15 of the Best Island Beaches in the World 2020 by readers of Conde Nast Traveler. MAHO BAY BEACH (J. Robert Oppenheimer, creator of the atomic bomb, once owned the land.) Henley Cay 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. Your mobile-friendly St John island guide to St John's beaches, snorkeling, maps and more. Your email address will not be published. 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. The best snorkeling in St John, USVI can be discovered at beautiful Trunk Bay, part of the Virgin Islands National Park. With arguably the best shallow water snorkeling in all of the Virgin Islands youre sure to have a great experience. Avid snorkelers will want to head towards the eastern and western shorelines. The eastern wall of the second room is encrusted with sponges and cup coral. We have all the details including the world famous north shore beaches- including maps! St Johns most popular, most photographed, and most visited beach is Trunk Bay. In some areas, exquisite corals and sponges of every color imaginable encrust the underwater rock faces. If you attempt this swim, you will snorkel over seagrass beds where you may see some turtles, rays, and starfish. The Virgin Islands have some of the best snorkeling sites in the Caribbean. A quarter-mile hike androck scramble along the western shore of Cabritte Horn Pointwill take you to a remote and isolated coral rubble and sandbeach called Donkey Bight. Here's our TOP PICKS for snorkeling 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. And we agree! 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. 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. Most of the reef lies in calm shallow water, with some sections even rising above the surface at times of extreme low tides. Snorkeling at Trunk Bay Beach in St John USVI. Watch out for black spiny sea urchins hiding here. On St. John, Estate Lindholm is a top pick within Virgin Islands National Park. The beach at Haulover North is mostly coral rubble. This is one of the best beaches on St. John for foraging along the shoreline and discovering what the tide washes up. 2/3 of the island and surrounding reefs are protected by the US Virgin Islands National Park [ VINP ]. St John has no airport. 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). 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. The reef on the east end of Honeymoon Beach, around the point between Caneel Bays, is also a good snorkeling area. There are a lot of sea urchins! Caneel Bay beach Shallow entry, calm waters and plenty to see close to shore. When youve had your fill of music, stuffed French toast, and spicy Bloody Marys, head to Lameshur Beach. 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. Trunk Bay Virgin Islands National Park snorkeling trail and a lifeguards. The area is protected as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and is rich with sea life. Corals tend to be hard corals like maze brain corals, fire coral, mustard coral, staghorn coral and Pillar corals. Depths around the formations range from around 10 to 50 feet.2. Salt Pond/Drunk Bay. Some of the most popular snorkeling spots include Hansen Bay Beach, Hawksnest Beach, Maho Bay Beach, and Salt Pond Beach. A few gallons of water work great for rinsing off all that sand. St. John Virgin Islands: The Best Snorkeling and Top Beaches Francis Bay morning shade St. John, US Virgin Islands. Haulover (North) Although we did not do it, you could technically swim all the way over back to Salt Pond Bay Beach. .5 mi EW, or take a taxi to Caneel and ride the Honeymoon Beach Huts golf cart to Honeymoon Beach. 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. As you face the water, snorkel to the left out to Yawzi Point. There are many day trips and boat transfers to the island from various tour operators, or you can take your own private boat (anchoring permit required). St John island is one of the top Caribbean destinations for snorkeling. And its should be Its convenient sitting right along North Shore Road. For more information about the benefits of wearing a snorkel vest and some recommended products, you can read our detailed snorkel vest article here. 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. Maho Bay offers a chance to swim with sea turtles. Trunk Bay is a long stretch of white sand with a rock island just off the shore. My mask would fog, and I would get a bunch of water in my snorkel. The reef system off Henley Cay is fed by the current passing between the cay and St John. 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 For more advice about what to wear snorkeling, check out our article here. 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. There are a lot of rocks to navigate over and sea urchins to avoid. Discover hand-curated maps, along with reviews and photos from nature lovers like you. The walls and ceiling of the cave are covered with beautiful cup corals and sponges. Islands may receive financial compensation for products purchased through this site. If youre new to snorkeling, visiting an area prone to stronger currents, or snorkeling at a more remote site, wearing a snorkel vest will make your outing safer and more comfortable. I cannot stress this enough invest in good snorkeling gear! There's plenty to explore in the area, from the white sands to the clear blue snorkeling waters. More info on Henley Cay NOTE: There can be very strong currents on the outer edge of the Cay. Because the island is surrounded by fragile coral reef, swimming too closely to it is not advised. But the fact is that the top of the list is always Trunk Bay Beach, Cinnamon Bay Beach, Maho Bay Beach, Hawksnest Beach, Salomon Beach, Gibney Beach, Caneel Bay or Honeymoon Beach. It has the best of both worlds when it comes to snorkeling with sandy shores and gorgeous natural reefs. The protected bay has calm, clear waters with ample opportunities to view parrotfish, sea turtles, manta rays, angelfish, barracuda, and porcupine puffers. Salt Pond and Drunk Bay are actually two hikes on the south shore of St John. Salt Pond - Can get a bit crowded but offers . Salt Pond, located on the south eastern side of the island, is our next choice for snorkeling on St John. Because of the calm, shallow water, Smugglers Cove is a great snorkeling site for beginners. 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. Ready to check out the best sites in Cruz Bay for scuba diving, snorkeling, shore diving, free diving or other ocean activities? We saw a lot of beautiful coral and sea fans, shoal of squid, two nurse sharks, and many beautiful tropical fish. Follow East End Road beyond Coral Bay. 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. I was actually pleasantly surprised by the quality of snorkeling here. Despite the fact that Salomon is the closest north shore beach to Cruz Bay, it remains a private island paradise, as its accessible only by trail. Snorkeling at Trunk Bay is best just off the center of the beach around Trunk Cay. These are some of the best places to snorkel in St. John, USVI. 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. Snorkel around the point to Kiddel Bay but only if you are a confident swimmer. You might also see Nurse sharks ( non threatening / shy ) and some gems like black and white geometric tunicates and blue encrusting coral. - See 478 traveler reviews, 98 candid photos, and great deals for St. Thomas, at Tripadvisor. Soft white sand, shallow water entry, beautiful aqua blue water, snorkeling and watersports make it the perfect St John beach destination! *Links in this post contain Amazon and CJ affiliate links. There is also more current, so you need to be a strong swimmer. The latest articles, guides, and resources, sent to your inbox monthly. Known as The Indians, this area is a popular diving and snorkeling site with plentiful coral, fish, and other sea creatures. While the name might imply that its only for lovers, Honeymoon Beach is a great beach for couples and families. Cinnamon Cay is located about 100 yards off the shore. If you want to try sailing or windsurfing, they even . Brown Bay. All rights reserved. We saw large schools of fish, beautiful hard and soft coral, and numerous colorful waving sea fans. Snorkeling is best on calm days when there is good visibility underwater. Youll also find plenty of reef fish, corals, sea fans, and sponges. But its a fun sight in 8 or less of shallow water. 2/3 of the island and surrounding reefs are protected by the US Virgin Islands National Park [ VINP ]. Park on your left at the bottom of the hill. St John is the smallest of the 3 US Virgin Islands located in the Caribbean. 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. 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. The history of the land is rich and filled with unknown facts. With crystal clear water, beautiful white sand, and little islands scattered around, you'll want to explore them all. There is also great snorkeling along the first set of jagged rocks out in the middle. Smugglers Cove is located on the west end of Tortola, and you can get there by boat, taxi shuttle, or car. Caneel Bay beach Bring diluted baby shampoo to help keep your mask clear. The western part of Waterlemon Cay is where we saw the two nurse sharks relaxing at the bottom of the reef. This section of the reef tends to attract larger predators such as blue runners, mutton snapper, and yellowtail snapper. There are boats that dock in the bay, so it can be dangerous if you try to navigate around them. There are busy ferry routes that connect St John to St Thomas, St Croix, Tortola and the BVIs. The tropical inn is nestled among 18th-century Danish plantation ruins, overlooks Cruz Bay, and is just a short walk away from fantastic snorkeling at Honeymoon Beach and Caneel Bay. Access is easy due to the sandy bottom and shallow, calm entry. Long Bay Beach Resort is a popular choice next to picturesque Long Bay Beach and Smugglers Cove. 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. Soft starfish, red sea urchins, and bristle worms can be seen under the rocks in shallow areas. Brewers Bay is a favorite for Green Sea Turtles and Hawksbill Turtles. The local museum brings the best elements that can show you the history of the place. All rights reserved. I can now spend hours in the water following tropical fish and swimming alongside turtles. Book St. John Snorkeling. The Top 8 Beaches in St. John 1. Cane Bay is a popular snorkeling and scuba diving site on St. Croix's north shore. I would highly advise a snorkel vest if you are not a strong swimmer like me. The most popular ferries are out of Charlotte Amalie and Red Hook, St Thomas. On the Beehive Cove side of the point, the water gets deeper. In addition to snorkeling, swimming, and diving, visitors can hike along the islands scenic walking trails or relax on the gorgeous white sand beach. There's an underwater snorkel trail and you'll see some incredible coral and fish. 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. Shutterstock This white sand beach, home to Pineapple Beach Club resort, has some of the best snorkeling on the east side of Antigua. 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. 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. Its an easy path about 100 yards long that goes over flat terrain, passing by a small salt pond about halfway along the trail. And theyre all located along St Johns North Shore! Its an amazing spot with plenty of fish and corals many that arent common in other places around St John. Located on the East End of St. Thomas, Secret Harbor Beach Resort offers prime snorkeling conditions right off of the hotel beach. The first step is to get toGreat Lameshur Bay on St. Johns south coast. We enjoyed excellent snorkeling around this cay. The Caves are accessible only by boat, so youll need to book a private charter or guided tour or visit with your own vessel. 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. Snorkeling out along the east side of the bay, you can reach the coral reefs that lie just north of Blue Cobblestone Beach. Youll also find bathrooms, RainTree Caf, watersports rentals and a souvenir shop. The western side of the cay is better protected from waves and wind. I went to the left and saw nice fans, fish. You can park in the large lot located directly across from the eastern side of the beach. Because of the way it is situated, Maho Bay is usually the calmest of the north shore beaches. The Caneel Bay resort was decimated by back-to-back hurricanes in 2017 and has yet to be rebuilt. Snorkeling is one of the most popular activities among visitors to the Virgin Islands. Looking for more snorkeling destinations? My husband who has an amazing eagle eye even spotted a yellowline arrow crab. 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. 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. Wear proper footwear. We snorkeled along the rocks on the right side of the beach as you face the water. Here is a map of all 11 snorkeling sites we discovered during our 1-week exploration of St John USVI. There are also many vendors where you can get food and drinks or rent beach chairs and umbrellas. Snorkeling in Hurricane Hole is a MUST do on any trip to St. John. Youre likely to have this Caribbean paradise all to yourself as you snorkel and explore the crystal clear waters. The Most Popular and Most Photographed Beach on St John! So when you see pictures of St. John, chances are you are going to see a photo of the famous Trunk Bay overlook. I wore my Cressi dive booties and then just slipped on my Cressi travel fins at the beach. Snorkeling off the eastern end of the beach and youll find a large table reef in 5 to 15 of water. In the British Virgin Islands, the island of Tortola makes a great base for snorkelers. To the right facing the water, there is a formation of black rocks that separates Hawksnest Beach from Gibney Beach. Every list of the Best St John Beaches includes the beautiful North Shore beaches! I could spend hours swimming with these adorable guys. 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. Parking is catch-as-catch-can along the left hand side. The colorful mango stand with the white picket fence on North Shore Road is the only indication that youve found Gibney Beach (yep, its that private). Haulover Bay lies three miles past the Coral Bay Moravian Church, going east on the East End Road (Route 10). 1. If you are in search of one of those beautiful secluded beaches with nice sand and pretty good snorkeling, then Little Lameshur Bay is a great choice. These factors make Maho Bay the perfect starting place for children and those just learning to snorkel. Walk to the eastern end of the beach. Questions about the St John snorkeling sites we visited? This top-notch snorkeling spot is easy to access. Snorkeling at Honeymoon Beach is best on the eastern and western ends of the beach. These amenities include showers, foot rinses, food and beverage concessions, snorkel rentals, and more. Cinnamon Bay is known for its dramatic rock crevices that feature a wide variety of colorful corals. Cane Bay at sunrise, St. Croix. Bring a few gallons of water for the ride, which work great for rinsing all the sand off after you snorkel. Answer 1 of 14: Which Caribbean resort has the best right-off-the-resort beach snorkeling? Every now and then, one of these larger fish will enter to feed, moving quickly into the glittery mass. Cinnamon Bay is the longest white sand beach on St John. A veritable octopuss garden dwells beneath the surface sheltering a parade of smiling, psychedelic parrotfish crunching away at the coral. Coki Beach. Honeymoon Beach: Best for Luxury Mixed With Laid Back Vibes. All recommendations are on items I love and feel will deliver value to you! Maho Bay also offers good reef snorkeling for those looking to explore the sea life on a coral reef. Take Route 107 and go PAST Salt Pond Bay Beach. The satellite view was too cloudy, so I included this map instead. Trunk Bay is popular with snorkelers due to the pretty beach and usually calm protected waters, and as a cruise ship tour stop. This is the closest entry point to get to Waterlemon Cay, which is the route we chose. 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! 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. Follow the Leinster Bay Trail until it splits. Snorkel in the middle of the bay (but more towards the right) to see turtles and rays hanging out in the seagrass. Haulover (North) - Some of the most dramatic underwater structure and corals on the island. 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. The marine life is incredible. , Skincare Chemicals and Coral Reefs. National Ocean Service, https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/news/sunscreen-corals.html. 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! The best snorkeling area can be found as you approach Beehive Cove, as everything becomes more colorful. 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 best snorkeling is along the beachs rocky coastline on the right side and on the left near the docks. Maho Bay Beach 2,799 Beaches By Flahe Beautiful beach Good service is delicious Drinks are also available Taxis are plentiful as are gift shops 2022 3. 99.9% of travelers come to St John by boat ! French Angelfish at Waterlemon Cay, St John USVI, Nurse shark at Waterlemon Cay in St John USVI, French grunt at Waterlemon Cay, St John USVI, Squid family at Waterlemon Cay, St John USVI. 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. Check out our list of the best islands for snorkeling. Entry is not easy. Full or Half Day Charter - Sail, Beach, Snorkel. There are also many different types of coral, including grooved brain coral and pillar coral. 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. Head counter clockwise to use the current to round the Cay. Snorkeling with the island's wildlife is sure to be the highlight of your vacation! Brain coral, soft coral, and sea fans at Little Lameshur Bay in St John USVI. Every beach can be accessed by boat. 5 Best Ways to Explore Hurricane Hole in Coral Bay, St. John. My husband is awesome at picking out the little creatures! Trunk Bay is one of the most beautiful beaches in the whole world. Looking forward to checking it out. Here are our family's votes for the best snorkeling beaches on St. John. Its also the only St John beach with a lifeguard . Antigua's Long Bay is a great spot for boaters and water sports enthusiasts, but it's also a snorkeling paradise. 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. Neltjeberg Bay. We were glad we decided to rent a Jeep! From there youll follow a narrow path about 100 yrds heading North East. 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 . The trip includes a short ride to/from the pier on a dinghy (must be . 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. The bottom is cobblestone, and getting into thewater is almost as easy as from a sandy beach. I was not expecting much, but there was quite a bit of beautiful coral and Caribbean fish. 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. The white sand is super soft, and the waters are a mesmerizing aquamarine color. To St. John, Estate Lindholm is a map of all 11 snorkeling sites we discovered during our exploration... 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