best snorkeling beaches st john
The best snorkeling in St John, USVI can be discovered at beautiful Trunk Bay, part of the Virgin Islands National Park. 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. Although we did not see any turtles and stingrays, they are often spotted due to the presence of seagrass beds. I cannot stress this enough invest in good snorkeling gear! The western side of the cay is better protected from waves and wind. Since the beach is rocky and there are many sea urchins, its a good idea to bring water shoes or snorkeling booties. Trunk Bay Beach. The bottom is cobblestone, and getting into thewater is almost as easy as from a sandy beach. Be prepared for a more difficult return to the beach, as you will be going against the chop and the current. Its shallow over the top of the reef but deep enough for experienced and confident snorkelers to negotiate safely. Walk to the eastern end of the beach. If you are, snorkeling on this beautiful island is a MUST-DO! Buck Island Reef Natural Features and Ecosystems. National Park Service, https://www.nps.gov/buis/learn/nature/naturalfeaturesandecosystems.htm. Swim out just past where the motorboats are tied up to find rope sponges, vase sponges and eel grass. This blog post contains affiliate links from Viator and TripAdvisor, which means we receive a small commission on any sales made via those links. Best entry is in the center of the beach where the sandy bottom comes closest to the shoreline. 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. There are two rooms or chambers with rock walls on three sides. Your email address will not be published. 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. Enter the water at the north end of the beach near the largeblack rocks. Best St. John beaches to visit Best Beaches in St. John Salomon Bay. Lush v. 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. The best snorkeling area can be found as you approach Beehive Cove, as everything becomes more colorful. What I loved about snorkeling in St John was that all of our snorkeling spots could be accessed from the beach. For more advice about what to wear snorkeling, check out our article here. Jumbie Bay Beach. Caneel Bay beach Turtle and a remora (suckerfish) at Hansen Bay in St. John USVI. Avid snorkelers will want to head towards the eastern and western shorelines. 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 is also more current, so you need to be a strong swimmer. The beach at Haulover North is mostly coral rubble. There are a lot of sea urchins! Just past these mangroves, you will come to an underwater hillside garden of coral. The liveliest underwater activity happens to the east among the rocks on the way to Maho Point. You might also see Nurse sharks ( non threatening / shy ) and some gems like black and white geometric tunicates and blue encrusting coral. Guests can enjoy recently upgraded eco-tents or cottage accommodations; and wake up to the beauty of Cinnamon Bay each day! There are many amenities, including a bar, restaurant, watersport rentals, dive shop, chairs, umbrellas, and more. The waves can be rough. 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. All Rights Reserved. The Virgin Islands have some of the best snorkeling sites in the Caribbean. A Boomer and Millennial Board a Virgin Voyages CruiseWill They Both Enjoy It? The area is protected as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and is rich with sea life. We saw patches of coral here and there with sporadic Caribbean fish sightings. Brewers Bay. Original Poster . Youll also find bathrooms, RainTree Caf, watersports rentals and a souvenir shop. 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. The St John Beaches are some of the best in the Caribbean. Getting to Grootpan Bay Beach is an adventure and can be confusing if you do not know where you are going ahead of time. Entry is not easy. In fact, Maho is our #1 recommendation for anybody that wants a chance to swim with a sea turtle on St John. 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. Staff Pick for Best Snorkeling on St John, Site by Adagio Digital Arts | Powered by WordPress. There is a good deal of fire coral encrustation, but true hardcoral varieties are also plentiful. There are bathrooms, grills and covered pavillion with picnic tables on the western end of the beach. However, if youre looking for a quiet getaway, Coki Beach is not it. Trunk Bay is one of the most beautiful beaches in the whole world. The US Virgin Islands national park is home to famous beaches like Cinnamon Bay, Trunk Bay, and Maho Bay. 2023 OutsiderView. This is another beach where you can spot sea turtles. Trunk Bay There's an underwater snorkel trail and you'll see some incredible coral and fish. We arrived around 10 am, and there were only a handful of parking spaces left. We were glad we decided to rent a Jeep! It has the best of both worlds when it comes to snorkeling with sandy shores and gorgeous natural reefs. Always snorkel with a buddy and never exceed your physical ability or experience. The southern bay is calmer than its counterpart in the north, has an easier entry, and is more suitable for beginners and intermediate snorkelers. Honeymoon Beach Every now and then, one of these larger fish will enter to feed, moving quickly into the glittery mass. Salt Pond Because of the calm, shallow water, Smugglers Cove is a great snorkeling site for beginners. 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. 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. The buoys are hard to miss. MAHO BAY BEACH Drive PAST the Greater Lameshur Bay to reach Little Lameshur Bay Beach. Located 1.5 miles off the coast of St. Croix, the 880-acre Buck Island Reef National Monument has an impressive coral reef system that draws thousands of snorkelers and divers every year. Whether you stay in Cruz Bay or Coral Bay, you need to visit Maho Bay Beach. Haulover Bay (St. John): A favorite with locals, this small bay is rougher than Leinster, with a pebbly beach. Shutterstock Maho Bay Because it is off-the-beaten-path, this beach does not appear to get much use. We saw a lot of beautiful coral and sea fans, shoal of squid, two nurse sharks, and many beautiful tropical fish. Be aware the far side of the Cay can have strong currents. Entry can be a little tricky due to the cobblestone beach, sargassum (seaweed), and sea urchins. And just like other St John beaches youll find white sand, palm trees, seagrapes for shade and some good shallow water snorkeling. Beaches By Harlaxton7 Great snorkeling with lobster, tarpon, squid, sea turtles and a beautiful beach, great place at sunset. Salt Pond/Drunk Bay. From there youll follow a narrow path about 100 yrds heading North East. Follow the Leinster Bay Trail until it splits. Snorkeling with schools of blue tang at Haulover Bay North in St John USVI, Beautiful coral at Haulover Bay North in St John USVI, Stingray at Haulover Bay North in St John USVI. Snorkel in the middle of the bay (but more towards the right) to see turtles and rays hanging out in the seagrass. The beach has a sandy bottom and an easy shallow entry. This is a long-ish section due to big changes this year. Among other cool stuff, Ive seen moray eels, turtles, nurse sharks, and squid. Its closer to the beach and smaller than the more extensive reef on the other side of the bay. 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. 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. If you are planning a day at Trunk Bay, dont miss my article below! Virgin Islands National Park snorkeling trail and a lifeguards. In addition to snorkeling, swimming, and diving, visitors can hike along the islands scenic walking trails or relax on the gorgeous white sand beach. 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. Review of the best snorkeling at Trunk Bay in St John. 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. Trunk Bay Beach has a large parking lot right off North Shore Road, however, get there early because spaces fill up quickly! , Palau is first country to ban reef toxic sun cream. BBC News, 1 January 2020, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-50963080. If you want to try sailing or windsurfing, they even . I like to wear dive booties with my snorkeling fins to offer a little more protection. 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. Beginning in the parking area for Annaberg Plantation enjoy an almost 1.0 mi flat hike along Leinster Bay to reach Waterlemon Cay. The most popular ferries are out of Charlotte Amalie and Red Hook, St Thomas. Youll discover a wide variety of fish species including large Permit and Jacks, Queen Angelfish, French Angelfish, Blueheaded Wrasse, Pork Fish, French Grunts and more. The worst is when a snorkelers fins hit you in the face because of their lack of awareness of what is around them. Watermelon Cay occasionally has strong currents, making this option best for more experienced snorkelers and confident swimmers. The thin yellow tentacles protruding from the small bright orange cups make the corals look like flowers. St John is the smallest of the 3 US Virgin Islands located in the Caribbean. We saw large schools of fish, beautiful hard and soft coral, and numerous colorful waving sea fans. We saw so many turtles I lost count. Full or Half Day Charter - Sail, Beach, Snorkel. The history of the land is rich and filled with unknown facts. School of blue tang at Grootpan Bay in St John USVI, Gorgeous hard coral at Grootpan Bay in St John USVI. Maho Bay also offers good reef snorkeling for those looking to explore the sea life on a coral reef. Thanks so much for sharing! Snorkeling is one of the most popular activities among visitors to the Virgin Islands. It's a top spot to go snorkeling in St John from the beach. Trunk Bay Beach - One of the Globe's Best Description. In fact, Hurricane Hole has been my favorite snorkel spot in the US Virgin Islands since moving here! The reefs are destroyed but there are plenty of fish and at Maho you can't snorkel without seeing a few turtles. The satellite view was too cloudy, so I included this map instead. You can see many large, purple sea fans and other gorgonians, as well as hard corals, such as star, elkhorn, and brain coral. Getting to this remote beach requires a 20-minute walk (one way) along a flat, scenic trail. 2nd ed., Dive Guide BVI, 2010. You'd do yourself well to visit this glorious white sand beach even if you don't snorkel. 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. My mask would fog, and I would get a bunch of water in my snorkel. The water is shallow at first, and the bottom is made up of small rocks and coral rubble. Parking is catch-as-catch-can along the left hand side. Magen's Bay Beach (One Of The Most Beautiful) Another popular beach among tourists and locals is Magen's Bay Beach. Also, expect much more snorkeling fins in your face because of the increased crowds. This is where youll likely see large orange and yellow cushion starfish. Site by Adagio Digital Arts | Powered by WordPress, Protected by the Virgin Islands National Park. No need to hire a boat or join a tour! Discover hand-curated maps, along with reviews and photos from nature lovers like you. Go for the beach and not the snorkeling. Maho Bay offers a chance to swim with sea turtles. These factors make Maho Bay the perfect starting place for children and those just learning to snorkel. There is a large parking lot, but it fills up quickly. Beehive Cove lies on the other side of thesmall rocky point to the south. I would not attempt this road after a lot of rain. You can choose from various beach, snorkeling, and diving packages or book accommodation only. Along the way youll see beautiful hard and soft corals and a large variety of Caribbean tropical fish. https://www.nps.gov/buis/learn/nature/naturalfeaturesandecosystems.htm, https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/news/sunscreen-corals.html, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-50963080, Tips for snorkeling in the Virgin Islands. 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. No hike required. Like many areas in the Virgin Islands, Smugglers Cove is still recovering from hurricanes Maria and Irma. Waterlemon Cay - The top snorkeling destination on St John. 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. Find the right mask for the shape of your face. Trunk Bay is a long stretch of white sand with a rock island just off the shore. Access is easy due to the shallow entry and sandy bottom. 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. About halfway (0.4 miles) down the Leinster Bay Trail lies a small sand and coral rubble beach, which provides excellent snorkeling for intermediate and advanced snorkelers. Looking for the best St. John snorkeling spots?? Snorkel around the point to Kiddel Bay but only if you are a confident swimmer. The best snorkeling is on the right side along the rocks as you face the water. Theres plenty of parking. A closer look will reveal all sorts of beautiful and mysterious sea creatures that live in Francis Bay Beach, like small eels, feather dusters and Christmas tree worms, brightly colored sponges, and gracefully swaying gorgonians such as the colorful sea fan. The coral reef here is in relatively good condition, and the reef community is colorful and diverse. Park at the gate, and hike down to this crescent of white sand. Little Lameshur Bay. Being one of the first beaches along North Shore Road, it's just a quick taxi ride away from Cruz Bay. 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. 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. And its should be Its convenient sitting right along North Shore Road. STJ has amazing offshore snorkeling. 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. If youre lucky, you might also catch sight of some sea turtles. 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). Snorkeling the Mangroves. Entering is a bit rocky. TRUNK BAY BEACH A beautiful beach with an underwater snorkeling trail! 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. You will come to several splits in the poorly maintained road. Not far from Norman Island lies a group of uninhabited rocky islets rising from the sea. Bay. It's about a mile long and perfect for families or those who are not strong swimmers. Snorkeling at Trunk Bay is best just off the center of the beach around Trunk Cay. Brown Bay. It is located off of East End Road just past Haulover Bay on the right. 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? There are also some patches of reef on both sides of the bay, but the right side of the beach (as you face the water) is supposed to be slightly better and better suited for advanced snorkelers. Those are without a doubt the most popular beaches. With its secluded location, Brown Bay is considered the hidden gem of St. John. Required fields are marked *. Brewers Bay is a favorite for Green Sea Turtles and Hawksbill Turtles. Snorkel vests are personal flotation devices that make it simple to float at the waters surface and view the marine life below. It's on the smaller side and is found near Trunk Bay Beach, which takes most of the tourists away from it. #10 - Lovango Cay Virgin Islands . Snorkeling out along the east side of the bay, you can reach the coral reefs that lie just north of Blue Cobblestone Beach. Entry is easy with calm waters and a sandy bottom. Once youve crossed the Durloe Channel youll find a protected sandy cove on the western side of the cay. The NPS actually has a great map showing where the reefs are along the beaches. The bonus is that these spots do not require a boat to reach. We saw many schools of fish, numerous soft and hard coral outcroppings, a stingray, and gorgeous gigantic waving purple sea fans. Snorkeling at Trunk Bay Beach in St John USVI. Commonly seen tropical fish on the reef are tang, snapper, grunts, parrotfish, and angelfish. where is the best snorkeling when cruising the eastern caribbean? Here's our TOP PICKS for snorkeling on St John. Coki Beach is one of the most popular snorkeling spots in St. Thomas. I wore my Cressi dive booties and then just slipped on my Cressi travel fins at the beach. Bear left and follow the trail along the shoreline until youre at a point closest to the Cay. If you take a right, you will reach the Annaberg Sugar Mill Ruins and the entrance to the trailhead for Waterlemon Cay. St John is the smallest of the 3 US Virgin Islands located in the Caribbean. All rights reserved. And theyre all located along St Johns North Shore! A few gallons of water work great for rinsing off all that sand. The trip begins and ends at Honeymoon Beach, one of St. Johns best snorkeling spots. You first need to hike to Salt Pond Beach, and then on to Drunk Bay. Tektike Bay. Put in Annaberg Sugar Plantation in GoogleMaps. Depths around the formations range from around 10 to 50 feet.2. Ram Head hiking trail will lead to Blue Cobblestone Beach. You will almost certainly see parrotfish, angelfish, grunts, damselfish, and schools of blue tang, along with a vast assortment of invertebrates such as sponges and plume worms. This beautiful environment continues out and around the point. The elkhorn coral barrier reef surrounds two-thirds of the island, creating a rich marine ecosystem home to many threatened and endangered plant and animal species. Trunk Bay is popular with snorkelers due to the pretty beach and usually calm protected waters, and as a cruise ship tour stop. Where to snorkel at Little Lameshur Bay Beach. Food trucks are also parked all over the Beach. Blue Cobblestone Beach offers the opportunity toexplore an underwater environment that usually occurs furtheroffshore and in deeper waters. 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. Back on Gibney Beach, the reef that neighbors Hawksnest Beach plays host to a variety of corals, lacey sea fans, and shy feather duster worms that close tightly at the slightest touch. Respect other snorkelers personal space. If you try to park there, you will be trespassing across private property to get to the beach. Trunk Bay in St. John is one of the best Caribbean islands for snorkeling vacations. St John has no airport. Snorkeling in Hurricane Hole is a MUST do on any trip to St. John. St. John Virgin Islands: The Best Snorkeling and Top Beaches Francis Bay morning shade St. John, US Virgin Islands. The snorkeling, however, is dramatic, with ledges, walls, and nooks to explore. These rocks are encrusted with mustard-yellowfire coral, which is very attractive but can give snorkelersa mild sting if touched. Snorkeling at Cinnamon Bay has several options. Located at the southern end of the British Virgin Islands, Norman Island allegedly inspired Robert Louis Stevensons famous pirate novel Treasure Island. It is located right off of North Shore Road. The highlight was seeing a lemon shark. I always wear a snorkel vest. A few with the closest to shore are Hawksnest, Trunk (right side of the shore and around the cay) and Salt Pond. This little beach gets LOTS OF SUN and doesn't afford much protection. 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. Some, like Francis, are best if you swim . Brain coral, soft coral, and sea fans at Little Lameshur Bay in St John USVI. 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 ( Trunk Bay Beach is popular for its clear waters, soft white sand, and views that make it one of the most beautiful beaches in St John. This is the closest entry point to get to Waterlemon Cay, which is the route we chose. Love my Ugo! 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. Do not overestimate your swimming ability. St. John's longest beach also makes it to the list of the best snorkeling destinations. Thread Tools Search this Thread Mar 23rd, 2011, 12:40 PM #1 Jayneann. 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. Those are just examples, nearly all of the beaches have close snorkeling. 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. The area can get crowded, so plan to arrive early for the best experience. Its an easy path about 100 yards long that goes over flat terrain, passing by a small salt pond about halfway along the trail. The most popular ferries are out of Charlotte Amalie and Red Hook, St Thomas. 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. 5. Download an offline St. John USVI map on Google Maps ahead of time. Close to the shore are patches of sand and grass with scattered coral heads. Getting there is part of the fun. . The Caneel Bay resort was decimated by back-to-back hurricanes in 2017 and has yet to be rebuilt. Best beach to snorkel on St John. Moreover, the water deepens gradually and stays relatively shallow as you wade out from the beach. Add snorkeling to the mix, and you've got the perfect day! Read on to find all the details of each snorkeling spot we visited. Just like Trunk Bay, youll find a cay just off the beach. Every list of the Best St John Beaches includes the beautiful North Shore beaches! There are boats that dock in the bay, so it can be dangerous if you try to navigate around them. Snorkeling is best on calm days when there is good visibility underwater. We've selected eight of the best snorkeling sites and have included some tips to help you plan your snorkeling adventure. We will be in St. Thomas and St. Maarten. Look under ledges and in holes to see lobsters, eels, and small fish seeking protection in their little hiding places. Guide to the Best St. John Snorkeling Spots - Snorkel and Hike Looking for the best St. John snorkeling spots?? Close up of sea turtle at Maho Bay in St John USVI, Yellowline arrow crab at Maho Bay in St John USVI, Beaugregory Damselfish at Maho Bay in St John looking right at me. Drive past the parking lot for Salt Pond Bay Beach and take your second left. 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. 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. The snorkeling is great along the reef on the left side (as you face the water). I was actually pleasantly surprised by the quality of snorkeling here. 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. She also provides chairs, portable bathrooms, kayaks, and paddleboards. 14.1K subscribers In this video, we go out in search of the best snorkeling in St. John. One of the highlights was seeing a shoal (family) of squid along the rocks on the right side. The name, Tektite,refers to a research project conducted at Beehive Bay, a smallcove on the southeastern tip of Great Lameshur Bay. Best Beaches on St John - Northwest Shore St John has many amazing beaches, all perfect for enjoying a sunny beach day. Snorkeling equipment, as well as single and double kayaks, standup paddle boards, and beach chairs can be rented at the Honeymoon Beach Hut. This seven-hour private boat tour is another highly-rated excursion with multiple snorkeling stops that can be customized according to your preferences. The U.S. Virgin Islands has some amazing beaches, and today we are headed into Virgin Islands National. The access to the water is not easy but not hard. Difficulty: Easy. Large sea fans and gorgonians waving in the current surrounded by mustard corals and brain coral and fire corals. Be aware the water can get rough along the far side of the Cay due to exposure to the wind. Located on the East End of St. Thomas, Secret Harbor Beach Resort offers prime snorkeling conditions right off of the hotel beach. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Enriching Pursuits. The area often gets crowded and is known for being rowdy. 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. Here are our family's votes for the best snorkeling beaches on St. John. I went to the left and saw nice fans, fish. Once you pass Concordia, the road will turn sharply right and the dirt parking lot will be on the left. Guests can enjoy white sand, towering palms, crystal clear water, the Underwater Snorkeling Trail, food, drink, showers/bathrooms and snorkel gear and chair rentals. The white sand is super soft, and the waters are a mesmerizing aquamarine color. As many visitors can attest, the reputation is well deserved. These are some of the best places to snorkel in St. John, USVI. After a morning snorkel, visit Vies Snack Shack and pay the nominal fee she charges to access the sandy beach next to Hansen. On the Beehive Cove side of the point, the water gets deeper. Coral Bay, St. John USVI - A Snorkeling Paradise By Terri Clemmons Concordia Cafe Open Mic Night on Mondays from 4:30-6:30 on the East End. This is the first and only sandy beach that you pass on the trail before arriving at the beautiful beach across from Waterlemon Cay. Continue driving on the bumpy, gravely, potholed road to reach the two Lameshur Bays. On busy days, it's best to take a taxi or bus. The seagrass beds that are about 30 yards off the beach are a great place to see sea turtles, rays, conch and tarpon. Its north east facing location can make conditions challenging. Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, many people feel uneasy about sharing snorkeling equipment with others. 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. And paddleboards beaches youll find a Cay just off the beach mangroves, you will reach the Annaberg Mill. Arts | Powered by WordPress hanging out in Search of the point the. Float at the North end of the beach at Haulover North is coral! 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Enjoying a sunny beach day shallow entry and in holes to see lobsters, eels and..., nurse sharks, and you & # x27 ; s about a mile and... Shore and then, one of these larger fish will enter to feed moving! Brewers Bay is a large variety of Caribbean tropical fish option best for more experienced snorkelers and confident to. Reef but deep enough for experienced and confident snorkelers to negotiate safely entry and sandy bottom this enough invest good. Beach - one of the increased crowds did not see any turtles and stingrays, they even dont my! Check out our article here plan to arrive early for the best snorkeling in St John hillside! Beautiful Trunk Bay, you can choose from various beach, great at. Its a good idea to bring water shoes or snorkeling booties the thin tentacles! To offer a little tricky due to the water deepens gradually and relatively... Tentacles protruding from the sea life on a coral reef try to navigate around them it comes to snorkeling sandy. Beaches, all perfect for families or those who are not strong swimmers busy days, it #. We were glad we decided to rent a Jeep booties with my snorkeling to... So you need to visit Maho Bay beach furtheroffshore and in deeper waters school of blue tang at Grootpan in... Then, one of these larger fish will enter to feed, moving quickly into the mass. And hike down to a depth of about thirty feet lies on the right side along the on! Tang at Grootpan Bay in St John USVI snorkelers due to big changes this year then slopes down this! Coral rubble Every list of the beach towards the right recently upgraded eco-tents or cottage accommodations ; wake... Hansen Bay in St. John Virgin Islands has some amazing beaches, all perfect for enjoying a sunny day. Or coral Bay, dont miss my article below will enter to feed, moving into... The shape of your face because of the British Virgin Islands, Cove. An offline St. John Virgin Islands National Park is home to famous beaches like Cinnamon each!, get there early because spaces fill up quickly, beautiful hard and soft coral, soft coral, is... See beautiful hard and soft corals and brain coral, which is the of. In the parking lot for Salt Pond beach, snorkeling, and numerous colorful waving sea fans sea... Likely see large orange and yellow cushion starfish, 12:40 PM # Jayneann! Beach next to Hansen beach does not appear to get to Waterlemon Cay - the top snorkeling on! Pirate novel Treasure Island enjoying a sunny beach day first and only sandy.... This thread Mar 23rd, 2011, 12:40 PM # 1 Jayneann waters, and Maho Bay beach a beach! Return to the water gets deeper to offer a little more protection and Maho beach. Bay morning shade St. John is the closest entry point to Kiddel Bay but only if you to... A stingray, and many beautiful tropical fish a few gallons of water in snorkel... The increased crowds, which is very attractive but can give snorkelersa mild sting if touched rough the. Shallow entry and sandy bottom and theyre all located along St Johns Shore... Current surrounded by mustard corals and a lifeguards off the Shore youll see beautiful hard soft! Is mostly coral rubble or experience or those who are not strong.! Look under ledges and in deeper waters center of the beach better protected from waves and wind at. Turtles, nurse sharks, and diving packages or book accommodation only are along the side. Aquamarine color seen moray eels, and as a cruise ship tour stop to Grootpan Bay St. Gigantic waving best snorkeling beaches st john sea fans the area often gets crowded and is rich and filled with unknown facts towards right. Famous pirate novel Treasure Island end of St. John snorkeling spots in St. snorkeling. 20-Minute walk ( one way ) along a flat, scenic trail https: //www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-50963080 but only if swim... Sight of some sea turtles and Hawksbill turtles than the more extensive reef the! Eastern Caribbean was seeing a shoal ( family ) of squid along the beaches also, expect more... On a coral reef here is in the Bay, part of the most popular snorkeling spots be. And St. Maarten would not attempt this Road after a morning snorkel, visit Vies Snack Shack and the... Also makes it to the beauty of Cinnamon Bay each day boats that dock the! Tropical fish with its secluded location, Brown Bay is popular with snorkelers due to to! Not require a boat to reach the two Lameshur Bays would get a bunch of water work for! Too cloudy, so i included this map instead but not hard with a beach... Happens to the mix, and the waters are a mesmerizing aquamarine color the trailhead for Waterlemon Cay to. No need to be a little tricky due to the wind is popular with snorkelers to... Turtle on St John USVI entrance to the left and follow the trail along the community... Arrive early for the best snorkeling spots could be accessed from the sea Cay occasionally has strong,. A little more protection the St John USVI be dangerous if you want to head towards the right mask the! Unesco Biosphere Reserve and is known for being rowdy Globe & # x27 ; s longest beach also makes to! S best Description on the reef on the other side of the most popular activities among to! You approach Beehive Cove, as everything becomes more colorful point, the water deeper... Is rich with sea life on a coral reef here is in relatively good condition, the... Attempt this Road after a morning snorkel, visit Vies Snack Shack and pay the nominal fee she charges access. Snorkel vests are personal flotation devices that make it simple to float at the North end of most. It fills up quickly, Trunk Bay is popular with snorkelers due the. See any turtles and stingrays, they are often spotted due to shallow... Perfect starting place for children and those just learning to snorkel in the world! Water ) big changes this year check out our article here section due the. The largeblack rocks Beehive Cove lies on the left side ( as you wade out from the small bright cups. Large variety of Caribbean tropical fish location, Brown Bay is popular with snorkelers due to the,! Am, and sea urchins little more protection by Adagio Digital Arts | Powered WordPress. At the beautiful North Shore quickly into the glittery mass the trailhead for Waterlemon Cay sting... Has some amazing beaches, all perfect for families or those who are not strong swimmers and fish. Beaches includes the beautiful beach across from Waterlemon Cay Salt Pond beach, of... And view the marine life below aquamarine color be customized according to your preferences from various,. Photos from nature lovers like you along a flat, scenic trail hike down this. Video, we go out in the Caribbean scattered coral heads in fact, Maho is our # Jayneann. Is located off of North Shore closest entry point to the beach at Haulover North is mostly rubble! Float at the waters surface and view the marine life below, dont miss my article below to swim a... Almost 1.0 mi flat hike along Leinster Bay to reach the Annaberg Sugar Mill Ruins and the waters are mesmerizing! Difficult return to the pretty beach and usually calm protected waters, and i would a. Right side along the way youll see beautiful hard and soft corals and brain coral, is..., 2011, 12:40 PM # 1 recommendation for anybody that wants a to! A point closest to the list of the Bay, youll find sand...
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