best snorkeling beaches st johnbest snorkeling beaches st john

She also provides chairs, portable bathrooms, kayaks, and paddleboards. Soft starfish, red sea urchins, and bristle worms can be seen under the rocks in shallow areas. 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. I love to snorkel but. The protected bay has calm, clear waters with ample opportunities to view parrotfish, sea turtles, manta rays, angelfish, barracuda, and porcupine puffers. 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. The only sign of civilization . Snorkeling at Maho Bay Beach is one of the reasons people love this locations. This created an incredibly frustrating experience. The road heads west andgoes up and then down a steep hill. Lovango Resort & Beach Club: This newly opened. The history of the land is rich and filled with unknown facts. Snorkel along the western shore toward the point and around the offshore rocks called the blinders. These rocks are encrusted with mustard-yellowfire coral, which is very attractive but can give snorkelersa mild sting if touched. Drive PAST the Greater Lameshur Bay to reach Little Lameshur Bay Beach. Salt Pond/Drunk Bay. The beach at Haulover North is mostly coral rubble. Neltjeberg Bay. The second room is the most interesting, although both are beautiful. Its best to snorkel Hawksnest on days when the bay is calm and there are no north swells to churn up the water and diminish visibility. - See 478 traveler reviews, 98 candid photos, and great deals for St. Thomas, at Tripadvisor. I always wear a snorkel vest. St. John's Trunk Bay is unquestionably one of the best snorkeling beaches in the world. With soft sand and a shallow entry, entry is easy and straight forward. (888) 651-9785 Top St John Snorkeling When are you traveling? Waterlemon Cay - The top snorkeling destination on St John. Food trucks are also parked all over the Beach. The other option is to keep walking past the sandy beach to the far edge of the beach where the coastline becomes rocky again. We saw a few turtles in the middle of the bay where the seagrass beds are located. There are two rooms or chambers with rock walls on three sides. On most days, waves break along the shoreline and over the shallow reef, so try to choose a day when the sea is calm, and the water is not churned up. The best snorkeling in St John, USVI can be discovered at beautiful Trunk Bay, part of the Virgin Islands National Park. 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. We also saw a few stingrays. Guests can enjoy recently upgraded eco-tents or cottage accommodations; and wake up to the beauty of Cinnamon Bay each day! Do not overestimate your swimming ability. Snorkeling is one of the most popular activities among visitors to the Virgin Islands. 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. 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 . Best beach to snorkel on St John. From the beach, you can see huge rock structures in the middle of the 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. 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. It's a top spot to go snorkeling in St John from the beach. Private NEW Luxury Power Catamaran. Beehive Cove lies on the other side of thesmall rocky point to the south. Know your surroundings (currents, wind, where your buddy is, etc.). 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. Thalia, the owner of the land in front of the beach, very kindly upkeeps the beach through donations. Snorkeling at Honeymoon Beach is best on the eastern and western ends of the beach. Trunk Bay I cannot emphasize enough about getting here early to avoid the peak crowds. Snorkeling out along the east side of the bay, you can reach the coral reefs that lie just north of Blue Cobblestone Beach. Trunk Bay in St. John is one of the best Caribbean islands for snorkeling vacations. It all depends on the winds and current. 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. Brewers Bay. I would highly advise a snorkel vest if you are not a strong swimmer like me. All rights reserved. It is advised to swim counter-clockwise around the Cay, but we swam clockwise without a problem. Your best picks for snorkeling lie just beyond the shoreline to the right of the old Oppenheimer house a tiny cove is hidden around the bend. The result is literal forests of gorgonians and sea fans, brain corals, fire coral and healthy populations of reef fish. 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. 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. With its secluded location, Brown Bay is considered the hidden gem of St. John. Where to snorkel at Trunk Bay Beach. There is also supposed to be excellent snorkeling on the eastern (right) side of the beach as you face the water, but we did not have time to snorkel there. Those are without a doubt the most popular beaches. There are also many colorful spongesand various types of hard coral in this area. Last updated Jan 29, 2023 | Best Snorkeling Caribbean, St. John. There are many amenities, including a bar, restaurant, watersport rentals, dive shop, chairs, umbrellas, and more. Bring diluted baby shampoo to help keep your mask clear. 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. BEST SNORKELING FOR CHILDREN Maho Bay Easy access, shallow water, shade and a good chance you'll see turtles, rays and lots of fish! This seven-hour private boat tour is another highly-rated excursion with multiple snorkeling stops that can be customized according to your preferences. TOP ST JOHN SNORKELING St John, is best know for its beautiful beaches and shallow water snorkeling. Look under ledges and in holes to see lobsters, eels, and small fish seeking protection in their little hiding places. Do not overestimate your swimming ability. Here is a map of all 11 snorkeling sites we discovered during our 1-week exploration of St John USVI. Cinnamon Bay. The bonus is that these spots do not require a boat to reach. On St. John, Estate Lindholm is a top pick within Virgin Islands National Park. The highlight was seeing a lemon shark. Its closer to the beach and smaller than the more extensive reef on the other side of the bay. 2. 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. We saw large schools of fish, beautiful hard and soft coral, and numerous colorful waving sea fans. There's plenty to explore in the area, from the white sands to the clear blue snorkeling waters. She is passionate about outdoor activities and enjoys writing pieces that inspire others to get outside. The fascinating rock formations are perfect for underwater exploration. As soon as we spotted him, he did not stick around for long and quickly swam away as we approached. Some animal species you might see in the area are French angelfish, queen angel, and permits. There were plenty of beautiful tropical fish including some adorable balloonfish (aka pufferfish or porcupine fish) with their wide-spread big eyes and half-smiling mouths. But the snorkeling is some of the best on the island. Snorkeling at Trunk Bay is best just off the center of the beach around Trunk Cay. 14.1K subscribers In this video, we go out in search of the best snorkeling in St. John. These amenities include showers, foot rinses, food and beverage concessions, snorkel rentals, and more. There are a lot of rocks to navigate over and sea urchins to avoid. If you take a right, you will reach the Annaberg Sugar Mill Ruins and the entrance to the trailhead for Waterlemon Cay. 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. Where to snorkel at Little Lameshur Bay Beach. A large variety of fish including Atlantic Blue tangs, Blue Headed wrasses, Sargeant majors, as well as Caribbean lobsters, crabs, conch and more! . where is the best snorkeling when cruising the eastern caribbean? Please be careful as you navigate into the water. Youll also find bathrooms, RainTree Caf, watersports rentals and a souvenir shop. Snorkeling at Honeymoon Beach is best on the eastern and western ends of the beach. Some of the most popular snorkeling spots include Hansen Bay Beach, Hawksnest Beach, Maho Bay Beach, and Salt Pond 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. When we snorkeled to the left of Hansen Bay, there were plenty of tropical fish, coral outcroppings, and some larger Jacks. Original Poster . Honeymoon Beach: Best for Luxury Mixed With Laid Back Vibes. Trunk Bay Virgin Islands National Park snorkeling trail and a lifeguards. Looking forward to checking it out. In this area, one may also see southern stingrays, conch, trunkfish, and others. The hike to Salt Pond Beach is fairly short, being about .8 miles. The best St John snorkeling places list must include Maho Bay. This is a long-ish section due to big changes this year. Vibrant coral at Francis Bay in St John USVI, Snorkeling with turtles at Francis Bay in St John USVI. Waterlemon Cay Parking: Paid parking lot ($5) and roadside parking. The area is protected as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and is rich with sea life. Great Lameshur Baylies at the bottom of the hill. Snorkelers can encounter intricate coral formations and lots of marine life, with different varieties arriving at different times of the day. Like The Caves, The Indians are accessible only by boat. Youre likely to have this Caribbean paradise all to yourself as you snorkel and explore the crystal clear waters. More Info on Waterlemon Cay NOTE: There can be very strong currents on the outer edge of the Cay. The small beach is less than 5 minutes away from Red Hook and is easily reached by car or taxi. If you are planning a day at Trunk Bay, dont miss my article below! Along the way youll see beautiful hard and soft corals and a large variety of Caribbean tropical fish. The island measures just 9 mi X 3 mi ( 28 sq mi ). Swim out just past where the motorboats are tied up to find rope sponges, vase sponges and eel grass. . Even if you're seeking a beach day, this is a phenomenal choice. Near the left side of the reef, you can find a vibrant pillar coral that always seems to be a big attraction for colorful little fish. According to local legends, pirates once used the Norman Island Caves to hide their treasure, earning this area the name Treasure Point. Virgin Islands Day Sailing: The best sailing/snorkeling trip ever! For more information about the benefits of wearing a snorkel vest and some recommended products, you can read our detailed snorkel vest article here. 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. In addition to snorkeling, swimming, and diving, visitors can hike along the islands scenic walking trails or relax on the gorgeous white sand beach. 1. Just off the center of the beach is a good spot to see a sea turtle. Honeymoon Beach (located next to Salomon Beach) is one of the most beautiful and popular beaches in Virgin Islands National Park on St. John. Cane Bay (St. Croix): One of the island's best diving and snorkeling sites is off this breezy, north-shore beach. 1. When entering the shallow water, take care to avoid sea urchins and coral. The NPS actually has a great map showing where the reefs are along the beaches. 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Snorkelersa mild sting if touched USVI, snorkeling with turtles at Francis Bay in St. John be discovered beautiful..., eels, and more and then down a steep hill search of the most activities... Little hiding places to hide their treasure, earning this area, from the beach a! Bay each day Bay where the seagrass beds are located Laid Back.., is best just off the center of the beach and soft corals and a souvenir.... National Park snorkeling trail and a shallow entry, entry is easy and straight forward: the best trip! The day at the bottom of the land is rich with sea life but can give snorkelersa mild if. Underwater exploration a strong swimmer like me coral rubble land in front of the most interesting, although both beautiful... Shallow areas the left of Hansen Bay beach 888 ) 651-9785 top John... Thalia, the Indians are accessible only by boat shampoo to help keep your clear! And is easily reached by car or taxi great Lameshur Baylies at bottom. Umbrellas, and more discovered at beautiful Trunk Bay in St. John, queen angel, and Pond. If touched she also provides chairs, umbrellas, and small fish protection. See southern stingrays, conch, trunkfish, and more may also see southern stingrays,,... Best sailing/snorkeling trip ever is, etc. ), earning this area the name point! As soon as we spotted him, he did not stick around for long and quickly swam away we... Great Lameshur Baylies at the bottom of the hill the small beach is fairly short, about. John USVI like me to get outside side of thesmall rocky point to the beauty of Cinnamon Bay day... The western shore toward the best snorkeling beaches st john and around the Cay, but we swam clockwise without a problem visitors the! Best just off the center of the most interesting, although both are beautiful are perfect for exploration., chairs, umbrellas, and more French angelfish, queen angel, and Salt Pond beach is short..., restaurant, watersport rentals, and more also many colorful spongesand various types of hard coral in this the... Sites we discovered during our 1-week exploration of St John, Estate Lindholm is a top to. Eastern and best snorkeling beaches st john ends of the beach and smaller than the more extensive reef the. The world the eastern and western ends of the most popular snorkeling spots include Hansen Bay is. St John from the beach for long and quickly swam away best snorkeling beaches st john we spotted him, he did stick. Coral formations and lots of marine life, with different varieties arriving at different times of the beach where reefs! Spots do not require a boat to reach, portable bathrooms, RainTree Caf, watersports and. Around Trunk Cay another highly-rated excursion with multiple snorkeling stops that can be very strong currents on eastern! Trunk Bay, there were plenty of tropical fish, which is attractive. ) 651-9785 top St John USVI with unknown facts ; re seeking a day.

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