. Because it is off-the-beaten-path, this beach does not appear to get much use. With soft sand and a shallow entry, entry is easy and straight forward. My husband who has an amazing eagle eye even spotted a yellowline arrow crab. This bay, an inner bay of Great Lameshur,lies just to the north of Beehive Cove, the bay where the Tektiteproject took place. I was thankful I wore my snorkel vest for this snorkeling adventure because it was choppy right at the point. I cannot stress this enough invest in good snorkeling gear! For some reason, this beautiful beach always rewards me with something exciting. Whether youre heading to St. Thomas, St. Croix, or Tortola, youre sure to find stunning places to enjoy this exciting underwater activity. The second room is the most interesting, although both are beautiful. Protected under Virgin Islands National Coral Reef Monument, the underwater landscape . Shutterstock This white sand beach, home to Pineapple Beach Club resort, has some of the best snorkeling on the east side of Antigua. These are some of the best places to snorkel in St. John, USVI. Snorkeling the waters of St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands, is one of the most rewarding and exciting things to do on St. John. The seagrass beds that are about 30 yards off the beach are a great place to see sea turtles, rays, conch and tarpon. There are busy ferry routes that connect St John to St Thomas, St Croix, Tortola and the BVIs. Haulover Bay (St. John): A favorite with locals, this small bay is rougher than Leinster, with a pebbly beach. . Because the island is surrounded by fragile coral reef, swimming too closely to it is not advised. Parking spots fill up quickly, so get there early! Snorkeling is best on calm days when there is good visibility underwater. Access is easy due to the shallow entry and sandy bottom. Islands may receive financial compensation for products purchased through this site. We saw so many turtles I lost count. Northwest of St John Island. Every now and then, one of these larger fish will enter to feed, moving quickly into the glittery mass. Copyright 2023 Islands. Maho Bay also offers good reef snorkeling for those looking to explore the sea life on a coral reef. With arguably the best shallow water snorkeling in all of the Virgin Islands youre sure to have a great experience. Virgin Islands Day Sailing: The best sailing/snorkeling trip ever! Youll also find plenty of reef fish, corals, sea fans, and sponges. Find the part where the sandy bottom meets the shore to allow for easier entry. Those are just examples, nearly all of the beaches have close snorkeling. Beginning in the parking area for Annaberg Plantation enjoy an almost 1.0 mi flat hike along Leinster Bay to reach Waterlemon Cay. There are a lot of rocks to navigate over and sea urchins to avoid. There is also more current, so you need to be a strong swimmer. 1. Salt Pond and Drunk Bay are actually two hikes on the south shore of St John. I would highly advise wearing tennis shoes or water shoes since you are navigating over rocks and a dirt path. Snorkeling out along the east side of the bay, you can reach the coral reefs that lie just north of Blue Cobblestone Beach. Weve selected eight of the best snorkeling sites and have included some tips to help you plan your snorkeling adventure. 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. Find the right mask for the shape of your face. 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. Depths around the formations range from around 10 to 50 feet.2. Its shallow over the top of the reef but deep enough for experienced and confident snorkelers to negotiate safely. The Guide to Diving and Snorkeling in the British Virgin Islands. Knowing the correct snorkeling techniques, understanding the St. Johns undersea environment, and being able to identify and know about what you will see in this strange new world can greatly enhance your enjoyment of the sport, as well as alert you to any possible safety or environmental concerns. This is the first and only sandy beach that you pass on the trail before arriving at the beautiful beach across from Waterlemon Cay. The best snorkeling is along the beachs rocky coastline on the right side and on the left near the docks. The snorkeling, however, is dramatic, with ledges, walls, and nooks to explore. The bonus is that these spots do not require a boat to reach. 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. However, if youre looking for a quiet getaway, Coki Beach is not it. Some of Our Top Picks For Snorkeling On St John, USVI. Magen's Bay Beach (One Of The Most Beautiful) Another popular beach among tourists and locals is Magen's Bay Beach. 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. Trunk Bay Beach. All rights reserved. At the seaward edge of this reef is a channel of sandabout ten yards wide that separates the fringing reef from aneighboring patch reef farther offshore. All rights reserved. The marine life is incredible. You can park in the large lot located directly across from the eastern side of the beach. And along the western end towards Salomon Beach youll find a patch reef with hard and soft corals and colorful fish. Although we did not do it, you could technically swim all the way over back to Salt Pond Bay Beach. 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. Because of the calm, shallow water, Smugglers Cove is a great snorkeling site for beginners. Go for the beach and not the snorkeling. Its a relatively easy entry, but be careful where you step while putting on your gear to avoid contact with any sea urchins or live coral. Brightly-colored coral at Salt Pond Bay in St John USVI. Waterlemon Cay The name says it all out of the way; but has a small water sports shack! Where to snorkel at Trunk Bay Beach. Getting to Grootpan Bay Beach is an adventure and can be confusing if you do not know where you are going ahead of time. St. John's Trunk Bay is unquestionably one of the best snorkeling beaches in the world. When (and if) you tire of lazing in the shade of the palms, snorkel the extensive reef between Salomon and Honeymoon Beach on the bays east end. This private speedboat charter from St. Thomas is a top pick that will take you snorkeling at the prime spots in the USVI and BVI. 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. Parrotfish and blue tang swim about grazing on algae. Virgin Islands National Park snorkeling trail and a lifeguards. The currents can be strong. There's a magical world waiting for you beneath the surface of the water on St. Thomas. Discover hand-curated maps, along with reviews and photos from nature lovers like you. Honeymoon Beach is an off-the-beaten-path destination offering excellent snorkeling and other watersports in a secluded area within Virgin Islands National Park. On busy days, it's best to take a taxi or bus. St John island is one of the top Caribbean destinations for snorkeling. Entry can be a little tricky due to the cobblestone beach, sargassum (seaweed), and sea urchins. Maho Bay offers a chance to swim with sea turtles. , Williams, Jeff and Ria OHagan. Activity itinerary. Cane Bay at sunrise, St. Croix. 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. . That is why you will get to see some of the best spots. Located at the southern end of the British Virgin Islands, Norman Island allegedly inspired Robert Louis Stevensons famous pirate novel Treasure Island. Access is easy due to the sandy bottom and shallow, calm entry. The name, Tektite,refers to a research project conducted at Beehive Bay, a smallcove on the southeastern tip of Great Lameshur Bay. The southern bay is calmer than its counterpart in the north, has an easier entry, and is more suitable for beginners and intermediate snorkelers. Sergeant major and school of French grunt fish at Cinnamon Bay in St John USVI. The Virgin Islands have some of the best snorkeling sites in the Caribbean. Being one of the first beaches along North Shore Road, it's just a quick taxi ride away from Cruz Bay. Bear left and follow the trail along the shoreline until youre at a point closest to the Cay. Great Lameshur Baylies at the bottom of the hill. There are many amenities, including a bar, restaurant, watersport rentals, dive shop, chairs, umbrellas, and more. 5. The small beach is less than 5 minutes away from Red Hook and is easily reached by car or taxi. Commonly seen tropical fish on the reef are tang, snapper, grunts, parrotfish, and angelfish. Be aware the far side of the Cay can have strong currents. 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. Great to know. St John has no airport. She also provides chairs, portable bathrooms, kayaks, and paddleboards. 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). This is one of the best beaches on St. John for foraging along the shoreline and discovering what the tide washes up. Park on your left at the bottom of the hill. Located on the East End of St. Thomas, Secret Harbor Beach Resort offers prime snorkeling conditions right off of the hotel beach. The white sand is super soft, and the waters are a mesmerizing aquamarine color. The farther you get out to the point, the more challenging it will become. The quiet lagoon is known for its calm, turquoise waters and is an excellent destination for snorkelers of all skill levels. 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. The fascinating rock formations are perfect for underwater exploration. 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. Just past these mangroves, you will come to an underwater hillside garden of coral. Alternatively, there is limited parking right along the road itself. More Info on Waterlemon Cay NOTE: There can be very strong currents on the outer edge of the Cay. This seven-hour private boat tour is another highly-rated excursion with multiple snorkeling stops that can be customized according to your preferences. 1. Answer 1 of 14: Which Caribbean resort has the best right-off-the-resort beach snorkeling? Snorkeling off the eastern end of the beach and youll find a large table reef in 5 to 15 of water. Located just off Caneel Bay Resort youll see an 11 acre cay. Entry is rocky and snorkelers should be aware of urchins. Moreover, the water deepens gradually and stays relatively shallow as you wade out from the beach. Questions about the St John snorkeling sites we visited? There is a good deal of fire coral encrustation, but true hardcoral varieties are also plentiful. 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. These factors make Maho Bay the perfect starting place for children and those just learning to snorkel. 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. Snorkel in the middle of the bay (but more towards the right) to see turtles and rays hanging out in the seagrass. Bring diluted baby shampoo to help keep your mask clear. With its secluded location, Brown Bay is considered the hidden gem of St. John. Getting to this remote beach requires a 20-minute walk (one way) along a flat, scenic trail. Shallow entry, calm waters and plenty to see close to shore. Along the way youll see beautiful hard and soft corals and a large variety of Caribbean tropical fish. Always snorkel with a buddy and never exceed your physical ability or experience. I wore my Cressi dive booties and then just slipped on my Cressi travel fins at the beach. Head counter clockwise to use the current to round the Cay. We saw a few turtles in the middle of the bay where the seagrass beds are located. The most popular ferries are out of Charlotte Amalie and Red Hook, St Thomas. 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 Both beaches can be reached via the Lind Point Trail or from the Caneel Bay Resort. 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. Stay in areas protected by swim buoys to minimize danger from dinghy traffic in the area. Planning a trip to St John in the U.S. Virgin Islands? To reach the northwestern section of Haulover Bay, take the trail on the other (north) side of the road. Once youve crossed the Durloe Channel youll find a protected sandy cove on the western side of the cay. There are some beautiful tropical fish and coral outcroppings; however, I would not consider this a top snorkeling spot. Love my Ugo! 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. The reefs are destroyed but there are plenty of fish and at Maho you can't snorkel without seeing a few turtles. After you park, walk a few minutes along a path right to the beach. A living aquarium waits just offshore, where vibrant coral reef swirls with a vivid palette of blue tang, damselfish, and sergeant majors. There are busy ferry routes that connect St John to St Thomas, St Croix, Tortola and the BVIs. The water is shallow at first, and the bottom is made up of small rocks and coral rubble. You can find all kinds of entertainment while you're exploring Coki Beach. Yawzi Point The latest articles, guides, and resources, sent to your inbox monthly. Cinnamon Bay 1,205 Beaches By ElizabethG393 From hidden coves to must-see reefs, these are the best snorkeling spots in St. John. I went to the left and saw nice fans, fish. One point of interest is the sunken plane wreckage just off of Little Cinnamon Beach. Entering is a bit rocky. Those are without a doubt the most popular beaches. In the British Virgin Islands, the island of Tortola makes a great base for snorkelers. As you continue north around the point, you will start to seeunderwater channels known as spur and groove systems, and thefringing reef along the rocky coast gets larger, deeper, and morecolorful. Guests can enjoy recently upgraded eco-tents or cottage accommodations; and wake up to the beauty of Cinnamon Bay each day! Before our trip, I researched a ton trying to find all the top St John snorkeling spots. 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. Hansen Bay You are exposed to the full sun. 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. Trunk Bay Beach has a large parking lot right off North Shore Road, however, get there early because spaces fill up quickly! 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. She is passionate about outdoor activities and enjoys writing pieces that inspire others to get outside. Brown Bay. and an entrance fee. Maho Bay While the name might imply that its only for lovers, Honeymoon Beach is a great beach for couples and families. Snorkeling the western edge towards Peter Bay the corals and patch reef are thin. The reef rises up close to the surface near the shore and then slopes down to a depth of about thirty feet. 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. Use reef-safe sunscreen like my favorite called Colorscience Sunforgettable Total Protection Sport Stick. Best entry is in the center of the beach where the sandy bottom comes closest to the shoreline. 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. 10. Parking is catch-as-catch-can along the left hand side. There are many small reef fish in the area. Keep in mind that land access to this remote location requires driving down a bumpy dirt road that may be challenging to navigate without a jeep, SUV, or off-road vehicle. Like many areas in the Virgin Islands, Smugglers Cove is still recovering from hurricanes Maria and Irma. Zentacle has 12 dive sites, snorkel spots, beaches, and more. This section of the reef tends to attract larger predators such as blue runners, mutton snapper, and yellowtail snapper. I would not attempt this road after a lot of rain. If you are looking for a secluded place where you can lay on the sugary sand to tan, dip into the turquoise waters of the Caribbean, or just enjoy some reading, then Salomon Bay is the place to be. We also saw a moon jellyfish, but it was easy to navigate around. Soft starfish, red sea urchins, and bristle worms can be seen under the rocks in shallow areas. From hidden coves to must-see reefs, these are the best snorkeling spots in St. John. The road heads west andgoes up and then down a steep hill. Posts: 957 Likes: 0 The local government of St Vincent and Grenadines have declared that they should focus more on the culture and heritage of the land. There are also many vendors where you can get food and drinks or rent beach chairs and umbrellas. Snorkel out along the east coast toward the point. After a morning snorkel, visit Vies Snack Shack and pay the nominal fee she charges to access the sandy beach next to Hansen. This is the closest entry point to get to Waterlemon Cay, which is the route we chose. My husband is awesome at picking out the little creatures! The name Haulover came about because it was often easier to just haul small boats over this stretch of land than to make the long sail around East End, notorious for strong currents, gusty winds, and rough seas. Looking forward to checking it out. Antigua's Long Bay is a great spot for boaters and water sports enthusiasts, but it's also a snorkeling paradise. If you try to park there, you will be trespassing across private property to get to the beach. You can see many large, purple sea fans and other gorgonians, as well as hard corals, such as star, elkhorn, and brain coral. Be aware the water can get rough along the far side of the Cay due to exposure to the wind. Enter the water over a shallow area of coral rubble. 99.9% of travelers come to St John by boat ! Snorkeling is one of the most popular activities among visitors to the Virgin Islands. Despite damage from the 2017 hurricanes, Buck Islands coral reef continues to be one of the best in the Caribbean, with elkhorn coral reaching heights of up to 30 feet.1. Coki Beach. One of the highlights was seeing a shoal (family) of squid along the rocks on the right side. Bring a hat, wear a sun shirt and sunscreen, and bring plenty of water. Check out our post about the best travel snorkel gear to find a quality snorkeling set that will fit in your suitcase. At the end of the road at the split, take a left. The most popular ferries are out of Charlotte Amalie and Red Hook, St Thomas. This blog post contains affiliate links from Viator and TripAdvisor, which means we receive a small commission on any sales made via those links. Do not overestimate your swimming ability. Using the offline map, you should be able to continue to navigate your way over to Grootpan. Take Salt PondRoad (Route 107) past Salt Pond Bay. You can choose from various beach, snorkeling, and diving packages or book accommodation only. Large sea fans and gorgonians waving in the current surrounded by mustard corals and brain coral and fire corals. The other option is to keep walking past the sandy beach to the far edge of the beach where the coastline becomes rocky again. 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. Trunk Bay 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 . Just off the center of the beach is a good spot to see a sea turtle. Snorkel around the Cay thats just off the beach. Many products featured on this site were editorially chosen. We arrived around 10 am, and there were only a handful of parking spaces left. Trunk Bay is a long stretch of white sand with a rock island just off the shore. The water is warm and tranquil, plus its normally easy to get in and out of the water. Whether you stay in Cruz Bay or Coral Bay, you need to visit Maho Bay Beach. As soon as we spotted him, he did not stick around for long and quickly swam away as we approached. The Caves are accessible only by boat, so youll need to book a private charter or guided tour or visit with your own vessel. This location is best for experienced snorkelers since you'll need to swim a few hundred feet out away from shore to reach the best spots. 1. 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. - See 478 traveler reviews, 98 candid photos, and great deals for St. Thomas, at Tripadvisor. 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 trip includes a short ride to/from the pier on a dinghy (must be . St. John Virgin Islands: The Best Snorkeling and Top Beaches Francis Bay morning shade St. John, US Virgin Islands. Visit maho Bay the perfect starting place for children and those just learning to snorkel in John... Coral at Salt Pond Bay beach has a large variety of Caribbean tropical fish and coral rubble so there! 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