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). Entry can be a little tricky due to the cobblestone beach, sargassum (seaweed), and sea urchins. What I loved about snorkeling in St John was that all of our snorkeling spots could be accessed from the 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. I could spend hours swimming with these adorable guys. Turtles, turtles, and more turtles! The western side of the cay is better protected from waves and wind. MAHO BAY BEACH Access is easy with a shallow sandy entry. The Caneel Bay resort was decimated by back-to-back hurricanes in 2017 and has yet to be rebuilt. . The name says it all out of the way; but has a small water sports shack! Snorkeling is a can't miss activity when visiting the island. The snorkeling is great along the reef on the left side (as you face the water). 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. 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. 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. This beautiful environment continues out and around the point. You might also see Nurse sharks ( non threatening / shy ) and some gems like black and white geometric tunicates and blue encrusting coral. 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. I would strongly consider wearing dive booties with your snorkeling fins. Distance: 1.1 miles out and back; Approx. Whether you want to enjoy the North Shore's Trunk Bay, Cinnamon Bay, Maho Beach and Caneel Bay beaches or favor the solitude of a beach that's off the beaten path - like a "secret" beach, Lameshur, Haulover Bay and Salt Pond Bay - this guide has it all. Our ultimate printable guide to Trunk Bay snorkeling in St John have snorkel dive descriptions, maps, lodging recommendations and contact information. Best for: Swimming, snorkeling, and beach parties. Entry is rocky and snorkelers should be aware of urchins. The area boasts an incredible diversity of marine life, with plenty of opportunities to view conch, starfish, sea turtles, sea fans, blue tangs, bluehead wrasses, parrotfish, and more. The local museum brings the best elements that can show you the history of the place. This hidden spot provides a relaxing atmosphere thats perfect for those seeking solitude. We snorkeled to the left (as you face the water) across the small bay to the larger patch reef. Dont forget your waterproof snorkeling bag to keep your valuables safe. 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. The most popular ferries are out of Charlotte Amalie and Red Hook, St Thomas. I cannot emphasize enough about getting here early to avoid the peak crowds. As soon as we spotted him, he did not stick around for long and quickly swam away as we approached. We saw a few turtles in the middle of the bay where the seagrass beds are located. With crystal clear water, beautiful white sand, and little islands scattered around, you'll want to explore them all. There are a lot of rocks to navigate over and sea urchins to avoid. There is a little bit of a pebbly transition right at the shoreline. That is a long swim though, and the current can be strong. This is the first and only sandy beach that you pass on the trail before arriving at the beautiful beach across from Waterlemon Cay. Looking forward to checking it out. I always wear a snorkel vest. Avid snorkelers will want to head towards the eastern and western shorelines. The US Virgin Islands are famous for their beaches, and Salomon Bay Beach is considered one of the gems on St. John's island.. You can swim from the sandy beach out to the Cay, which is quite a long swim. Most of the reef lies in calm shallow water, with some sections even rising above the surface at times of extreme low tides. Like many areas in the Virgin Islands, Smugglers Cove is still recovering from hurricanes Maria and Irma. 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. Its also the only St John beach with a lifeguard . 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. Some animal species you might see in the area are French angelfish, queen angel, and permits. Its a Must-See on many visitors STJ Bucket List. We have all the details including the world famous north shore beaches- including maps! Best entry is in the center of the beach where the sandy bottom comes closest to the shoreline. Magen's Bay Beach (One Of The Most Beautiful) Another popular beach among tourists and locals is Magen's Bay Beach. This section of the reef tends to attract larger predators such as blue runners, mutton snapper, and yellowtail snapper. 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. All recommendations are on items I love and feel will deliver value to you! We were glad we decided to rent a Jeep! Getting to this remote beach requires a 20-minute walk (one way) along a flat, scenic trail. Take Salt PondRoad (Route 107) past Salt Pond Bay. Always snorkel with a buddy and never exceed your physical ability or experience. 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. We would like to snorkel off the beach and not have to go out in a boat. Protected under Virgin Islands National Coral Reef Monument, the underwater landscape . A Bonnier LLC Company. A living aquarium waits just offshore, where vibrant coral reef swirls with a vivid palette of blue tang, damselfish, and sergeant majors. Although we did not do it, you could technically swim all the way over back to Salt Pond Bay Beach. A small island can be seen in the middle of the water near Trunk Bay Beach. Continue driving on the bumpy, gravely, potholed road to reach the two Lameshur Bays. Walk to the eastern end of the beach. You can relax in a hammock on the white sand beach and snorkel close to shore or rent kayaks and stand up paddleboards and paddle to nearby Caneel Bay Beach, Henley Cay, or Hawksnest Beach. We also saw a moon jellyfish, but it was easy to navigate around. The water is shallow and has a sandy bottom. To get to it youll need to visit by charter or kayak tour. The marine life is incredible. Wear proper footwear. The small beach is less than 5 minutes away from Red Hook and is easily reached by car or taxi. Also . And we agree! At the end of the road at the split, take a left. Snorkel along the western shore toward the point and around the offshore rocks called the blinders. 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. 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. The trip includes a short ride to/from the pier on a dinghy (must be . The island boasts over 3 dozen beaches to choose from and discover. Large sea fans and gorgonians waving in the current surrounded by mustard corals and brain coral and fire corals. Five miles east of Cruz Bay lies Mahos blissful sheltered bay. I didnt realize you could snorkel right there. We enjoyed excellent snorkeling around this cay. The beach is narrow and lined with towering coconut palms and seagrape trees for shade. 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. Whether you stay in Cruz Bay or Coral Bay, you need to visit Maho Bay Beach. These factors make Maho Bay the perfect starting place for children and those just learning to snorkel. Access is easy due to the sandy bottom and shallow, calm entry. Just be sure to use approved anchorages so you don't harm precious reefs. When we snorkeled to the left of Hansen Bay, there were plenty of tropical fish, coral outcroppings, and some larger Jacks. 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. Original Poster . 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. According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Sapphire Beach: Parasail Experience in St Thomas (From C$185.80) 50' Luxury Yacht. Discover hand-curated maps, along with reviews and photos from nature lovers like you. The water is sandy bottom and shallow making it a great spot for younger kids and parents with floats. Trunk Bay Beach has a large parking lot right off North Shore Road, however, get there early because spaces fill up quickly! Some, like Francis, are best if you swim . 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. 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. 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. 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. Cinnamon Bay. 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. Access is easy due to the shallow entry and sandy bottom. Located at the eastern end of Leinster Bay, Watermelon Cay is known as the top snorkeling spot on St. John. The Guide to Diving and Snorkeling in the British Virgin Islands. 14.1K subscribers In this video, we go out in search of the best snorkeling in St. John. All rights reserved. Maho Bay She is passionate about outdoor activities and enjoys writing pieces that inspire others to get outside. Park on your left at the bottom of the hill. 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. 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. If you are planning a day at Trunk Bay, dont miss my article below! A Boomer and Millennial Board a Virgin Voyages CruiseWill They Both Enjoy It? 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. Since the beach is rocky and there are many sea urchins, its a good idea to bring water shoes or snorkeling booties. 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. The other option is to keep walking past the sandy beach to the far edge of the beach where the coastline becomes rocky again. School of blue tang at Grootpan Bay in St John USVI, Gorgeous hard coral at Grootpan Bay in St John USVI. After you park, walk down a dirt uneven path for about 7 minutes until you reach a beautiful crescent-shaped beach with gorgeous clear water. I cannot stress this enough invest in good snorkeling gear! The thin yellow tentacles protruding from the small bright orange cups make the corals look like flowers. Start your adventures snorkeling the large reef on the left with its plentiful sea life, intriguing corals, and small shipwreck. There are patches of reef on both the right and left sides of the bay, but the right side (as you face the water) is supposed to be better. The result is literal forests of gorgonians and sea fans, brain corals, fire coral and healthy populations of reef fish. 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 Head counter clockwise to use the current to round the Cay. Watermelon Cay occasionally has strong currents, making this option best for more experienced snorkelers and confident swimmers. I always wear a snorkel vest in case I get tired. 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. Salt Pond, located on the south eastern side of the island, is our next choice for snorkeling on St John. 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