Snorkel out along the east coast toward the point. Maho Bay offers a chance to swim with sea turtles. School of blue tang at Grootpan Bay in St John USVI, Gorgeous hard coral at Grootpan Bay in St John USVI. 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. There is a large parking lot, but it fills up quickly. St John is the smallest of the 3 US Virgin Islands located in the Caribbean. 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. Can get a bit crowded but offers some nice snorkeling especially center of the bay. Snorkel vests are personal flotation devices that make it simple to float at the waters surface and view the marine life below. Youre likely to have this Caribbean paradise all to yourself as you snorkel and explore the crystal clear waters. And along the western end towards Salomon Beach youll find a patch reef with hard and soft corals and colorful fish. Its shallow over the top of the reef but deep enough for experienced and confident snorkelers to negotiate safely. A short walk later, and you will be witness to one of the most beautiful island beaches in the world! Weve selected eight of the best snorkeling sites and have included some tips to help you plan your snorkeling adventure. All Rights Reserved. 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. 2nd ed., Dive Guide BVI, 2010. It's a top spot to go snorkeling in St John from the beach. 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 Really good snorkeling is just off the start of the path to watermelon cave, just past the road. The southern side of Haulover Bay, St John, lies just off the side of Route 10. 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. According to local legends, pirates once used the Norman Island Caves to hide their treasure, earning this area the name Treasure Point. Its closer to the beach and smaller than the more extensive reef on the other side of the bay. Our list of BEST SNORKELING IN ST JOHN provides first-hand knowledge on the best places to visit while you are on-island. Located on St Johns East End at the edge of the Virgin Islands National Park youll find this snorkelers bucket-list worthy location. This created an incredibly frustrating experience. You can choose from various beach, snorkeling, and diving packages or book accommodation only. A large variety of fish including Atlantic Blue tangs, Blue Headed wrasses, Sargeant majors, as well as Caribbean lobsters, crabs, conch and more! I always wear a snorkel vest in case I get tired. 10 Reasons Why Saba Should Top Your Caribbean Travel List this Year, History is in the Making at the Iconic Grand Wailea Maui, Its the Dawn of a New Day at Aurora Anguilla Golf Resort and Spa. The first step is to get toGreat Lameshur Bay on St. Johns south coast. 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. 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. All recommendations are on items I love and feel will deliver value to you! Honeymoon is one of the best beaches on St. John for day trippers from St. Thomas. 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. We've selected eight of the best snorkeling sites and have included some tips to help you plan your snorkeling adventure. Trunk Bay Activity itinerary. The dominant species of coral found in the shallow top reef are colonies of star and boulder coral. Bear left and follow the trail along the shoreline until youre at a point closest to the Cay. 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. Questions about the St John snorkeling sites we visited? Check out my personal snorkeling gear picks below. 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. 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. Parrotfish and blue tang swim about grazing on algae. Entering is a bit rocky. 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. 4. This beach was part of our hike to Ram Head. Review of the best snorkeling at Trunk Bay in St John. 2023 OutsiderView. A good family beach for snorkeling exists at Coki Point Beach on St. Thomas, while a more demanding site, requiring a 45min boat trip, can be located off the Cow and Calf Rocks. Private charters are a great way to see numerous islands and snorkel in diverse places in a single day. Find the right mask for the shape of your face. , Palau is first country to ban reef toxic sun cream. BBC News, 1 January 2020, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-50963080. Trunk Bay in St. John is one of the best Caribbean islands for snorkeling vacations. Brightly-colored coral at Salt Pond Bay in 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. Best beach to snorkel on St John. Coki Beach. 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. TRUNK BAY BEACH This is another beach where you can spot sea turtles. There is a little bit of a pebbly transition right at the shoreline. Park at the gate, and hike down to this crescent of white sand. 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). Leinster Bay is made up of two smaller bays, Waterlemon Bay on the east and Marys Creek on the west. Park on your left at the bottom of the hill. Do You Have What It Takes to Become a Kittitian RumMaster? If you attempt this swim, you will snorkel over seagrass beds where you may see some turtles, rays, and starfish. Bring a hat, wear a sun shirt and sunscreen, and bring plenty of water. Bring a few gallons of water for the ride, which work great for rinsing all the sand off after you snorkel. Please see the key below. The fry is extremely sensitive to minute changes in water currents and can sense the approach of the hunters. Zentacle has 12 dive sites, snorkel spots, beaches, and more. Snorkeling is a can't miss activity when visiting the island. The currents can be strong. 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. Be prepared for a bumpy ride to Grootpan! All rights reserved. The reef rises up close to the surface near the shore and then slopes down to a depth of about thirty feet. - See 478 traveler reviews, 98 candid photos, and great deals for St. Thomas, at Tripadvisor. Along the shoreline that connects to Caneel Bay youll find huge schools of Sergeant Major Damsels, wrasse, French Angelfish, sea turtles, rays and a wide variety of hard and soft corals. #10 - Lovango Cay Virgin Islands . Getting to Grootpan Bay Beach is an adventure and can be confusing if you do not know where you are going ahead of time. I love to snorkel but. 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. Honeymoon Beach is home to some of the last remaining leaning palms the island as once famous for prior to Hurricane Maria in 2017 along with crystal blue waters, white sands, along with a snack shack ( 2023 SeeStJohn.com | Sombrero Publishing Company PO Box 1031, St. John, VI 00831 |, Whether you stay in Cruz Bay or Coral Bay. After you park, walk a few minutes along a path right to the beach. A beautiful beach with an underwater snorkeling trail! 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. Eventually, you reach a sign that states no outlet. This is the end of the paved road. St John island is a tiny island in the US Virgin Islands in the Caribbean Sea, with some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Private NEW Luxury Power Catamaran. Parking is catch-as-catch-can along the left hand side. Since the beach is rocky and there are many sea urchins, its a good idea to bring water shoes or snorkeling booties. But the trip is well worth it. Check out our list of the best islands for snorkeling. Right side of Cinnamon Bay Beach (this is the entry point to snorkeling out to the Cay). The white sand is super soft, and the waters are a mesmerizing aquamarine color. The only sign of civilization . Large sea fans and gorgonians waving in the current surrounded by mustard corals and brain coral and fire corals. Snorkeling equipment, as well as single and double kayaks, standup paddle boards, and beach chairs can be rented at the Honeymoon Beach Hut. There's a magical world waiting for you beneath the surface of the water on St. Thomas. This beautiful environment continues out and around the point. This easily accessible, shallow-water snorkel can be thoroughly enjoyed by snorkelers of all experience levels. Porcupine fish at Little Lameshur Bay in St John USVI. Snorkeling the western edge towards Peter Bay the corals and patch reef are thin. Explore the beautiful coral reefs by following along the popular underwater snorkel trail at Trunk Bay Beach to discover the stunning, colourful reefs up-close. It has the best of both worlds when it comes to snorkeling with sandy shores and gorgeous natural reefs. Parking spots fill up quickly, so get there early! Just be sure to use approved anchorages so you don't harm precious reefs. This beautiful bay was featured in the movie Big Blue. To get to it youll need to visit by charter or kayak tour. Snorkeling is best on calm days when there is good visibility underwater. The best snorkeling is on the right side along the rocks as you face the water. St. John's longest beach also makes it to the list of the best snorkeling destinations. Youll also find plenty of reef fish, corals, sea fans, and sponges. 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. We just returned from there again in July of 2018. We went around 9 am and had no problem. As many visitors can attest, the reputation is well deserved. Although we did not do it, you could technically swim all the way over back to Salt Pond Bay Beach. Your mobile-friendly St John island guide to St John's beaches, snorkeling, maps and more. And theyre all located along St Johns North Shore! Its north east facing location can make conditions challenging. The small beach is less than 5 minutes away from Red Hook and is easily reached by car or taxi. When we first visited, we accidentally drove into the Concordia Resort. Download an offline St. John USVI map on Google Maps ahead of time. The area often gets crowded and is known for being rowdy. Corals tend to be hard corals like maze brain corals, fire coral, mustard coral, staghorn coral and Pillar corals. Beaches By Harlaxton7 Great snorkeling with lobster, tarpon, squid, sea turtles and a beautiful beach, great place at sunset. The local museum brings the best elements that can show you the history of the place. 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. 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. Trunk Bay has it all. , Skincare Chemicals and Coral Reefs. National Ocean Service, https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/news/sunscreen-corals.html. Find the part where the sandy bottom meets the shore to allow for easier entry. The name says it all out of the way; but has a small water sports shack! Trunk Bay is the only beach on St. John with an amenity fee, which is $5 per entrant. And its should be Its convenient sitting right along North Shore Road. The liveliest underwater activity happens to the east among the rocks on the way to Maho Point. Families will love the convenience of unloading cooler, chairs, snorkel gear and kids floaties! I would not attempt this road after a lot of rain. Cinnamon Cay is located about 100 yards off the shore. If you are planning a day at Trunk Bay, dont miss my article below! Do not overestimate your swimming ability. STJ has amazing offshore snorkeling. Brewers Bay is a favorite for Green Sea Turtles and Hawksbill Turtles. There are some beautiful tropical fish and coral outcroppings; however, I would not consider this a top snorkeling spot. Soft starfish, red sea urchins, and bristle worms can be seen under the rocks in shallow areas. Maho Bay also offers good reef snorkeling for those looking to explore the sea life on a coral reef. Parking was plentiful, and we had no problem finding a space. Find out where to go snorkeling on your Virgin Islands vacation. Ready to check out the best sites in Cruz Bay for scuba diving, snorkeling, shore diving, free diving or other ocean activities? 10. Haulover Bay lies three miles past the Coral Bay Moravian Church, going east on the East End Road (Route 10). Also, there is no shade along the dirt path and the beach. 1. Reply Subscribe . The protected bay has calm, clear waters with ample opportunities to view parrotfish, sea turtles, manta rays, angelfish, barracuda, and porcupine puffers. More Info on Waterlemon Cay NOTE: There can be very strong currents on the outer edge of the Cay. At the end of the road at the split, take a left. 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. The Best of St. John Where to Stay Hale Lani: This four-bedroom villa in Maria Bluff has unobstructed sea views from every room. Watch out for black spiny sea urchins hiding here. Where to snorkel at Trunk Bay Beach. 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? Salt Pond This snorkeling spot is best for intermediate to advanced snorkelers since the current can be stronger than in other areas. Take Salt PondRoad (Route 107) past Salt Pond Bay. Widely regarded as one of the finest beaches in the world, Trunk Bay Beach lies on St. John's northwestern coast within Virgin Islands National Park. Moreover, the water deepens gradually and stays relatively shallow as you wade out from the beach. A quick 5-minute walk and you are there! Overall, I would rate St John USVI as a whole as 4/5 snorkels. This is one of the best beaches on St. John for foraging along the shoreline and discovering what the tide washes up. 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. Access is easy with a shallow sandy entry. Out from the center of the beach, large beds of sea grass shelter sea turtles who dont mind company are easy to spot. (J. Robert Oppenheimer, creator of the atomic bomb, once owned the land.) There are many amenities, including a bar, restaurant, watersport rentals, dive shop, chairs, umbrellas, and more. Along the way youll see beautiful hard and soft corals and a large variety of Caribbean tropical fish. But its a fun sight in 8 or less of shallow water. The Top 8 Beaches in St. John 1. The most popular ferries are out of Charlotte Amalie and Red Hook, St Thomas. The history of the land is rich and filled with unknown facts. The reefs are destroyed but there are plenty of fish and at Maho you can't snorkel without seeing a few turtles. It's on the smaller side and is found near Trunk Bay Beach, which takes most of the tourists away from it. My husband is awesome at picking out the little creatures! I always wear a snorkel vest. Always snorkel with a buddy and never exceed your physical ability or experience. Difficulty: Easy. However, there was not a lot of information out there, so I decided to provide a resource detailing all the nitty-gritty details of the 11 snorkeling spots we discovered all over the island. 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. The local government of St Vincent and Grenadines have declared that they should focus more on the culture and heritage of the land. We have all the details including the world famous north shore beaches- including maps! Easy access, shallow water, shade and a good chance youll see turtles, rays and lots of fish! Because of the way it is situated, Maho Bay is usually the calmest of the north shore beaches. Snorkeling at Maho Bay Beach is one of the reasons people love this locations. Located at the eastern end of Leinster Bay, Watermelon Cay is known as the top snorkeling spot on St. John. Sail to St John National Park (the very best, least crowded beaches) where you will enjoy fantastic snorkeling & swimming stops, gourmet lunch, drinks, and great company! 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. Bay also offers good reef snorkeling for those looking to explore the sea life a! To have this Caribbean paradise all to yourself as you face the water who dont company! To get toGreat Lameshur Bay on St. John sight in 8 or less of shallow water the extensive... See turtles, rays, and bring plenty of water for the shape of face. Snorkeling on your left at the gate, and great deals for St. Thomas, at.. Visitors can attest, the reputation is well deserved to Become a Kittitian RumMaster Cay is located about yards. 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