Drive PAST the Greater Lameshur Bay to reach Little Lameshur Bay Beach. Dont forget your waterproof snorkeling bag to keep your valuables safe. This is another beach where you can spot sea turtles. Large sea fans and gorgonians waving in the current surrounded by mustard corals and brain coral and fire corals. 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. Honeymoon Beach Thus, snorkelers should make an extra effort to avoid situations where the water is too shallow for them. Some animal species you might see in the area are French angelfish, queen angel, and permits. The best snorkeling area can be found as you approach Beehive Cove, as everything becomes more colorful. Its north east facing location can make conditions challenging. Drive past the parking lot for Salt Pond Bay Beach and take your second left. Snorkel out along the east coast toward the point. Best entry is in the center of the beach where the sandy bottom comes closest to the shoreline. You can swim from the sandy beach out to the Cay, which is quite a long swim. St John island is one of the top Caribbean destinations for snorkeling. 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. Cinnamon Bay is also one of the few places to camp on St John. 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. The grass environment attracts rays, green turtles, starfish, and conch. 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. Pick sunny calm days to snorkel to really see the coral and fish. The beach at Haulover North is mostly coral rubble. Whether you stay in Cruz Bay or Coral Bay, you need to visit Maho Bay Beach. If you try to park there, you will be trespassing across private property to get to the beach. Always snorkel with a buddy and never exceed your physical ability or experience. Using the offline map, you should be able to continue to navigate your way over to Grootpan. 14.1K subscribers In this video, we go out in search of the best snorkeling in St. John. The snorkeling in St John USVI surprised me. Although we did not see any turtles and stingrays, they are often spotted due to the presence of seagrass beds. 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. Snorkel in the middle of the bay (but more towards the right) to see turtles and rays hanging out in the seagrass. As many visitors can attest, the reputation is well deserved. 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. Along the reef edge on the underwater hillside are gardens of sea fans and other gorgonians, such as sea rods, sea plumes, dead mans fingers, and sea whips. Known as The Indians, this area is a popular diving and snorkeling site with plentiful coral, fish, and other sea creatures. Every beach can be accessed by boat. Snorkeling at Honeymoon Beach is best on the eastern and western ends of the beach. Coki Beach is one of the most popular snorkeling spots in St. Thomas. Its an amazing spot with plenty of fish and corals many that arent common in other places around St John. St Johns most popular, most photographed, and most visited beach is Trunk Bay. Haulover (North) Our ultimate printable guide to Trunk Bay snorkeling in St John have snorkel dive descriptions, maps, lodging recommendations and contact information. Here, the environment is sand and coral rubble. Honeymoon Beach (located next to Salomon Beach) is one of the most beautiful and popular beaches in Virgin Islands National Park on St. John. Staff Pick for Best Snorkeling on St John! St. John's Trunk Bay is unquestionably one of the best snorkeling beaches in the world. Just like Trunk Bay, youll find a cay just off the beach. The dominant species of coral found in the shallow top reef are colonies of star and boulder coral. The reef extends out about 20 yards from shore. From hidden coves to must-see reefs, these are the best snorkeling spots in St. John. My husband who has an amazing eagle eye even spotted a yellowline arrow crab. READ CURATED LIST OF BEST ST. JOHN VACATION RENTALS, READ 8 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO TO TRUNK BAY, READ MY PERSONAL TRAVEL SNORKELING GEAR PICKS. We went around 9 am and had no problem. Review of the best snorkeling at Trunk Bay in St John. Snorkeling at Honeymoon Beach is best on the eastern and western ends of the beach. A few with the closest to shore are Hawksnest, Trunk (right side of the shore and around the cay) and Salt Pond. Shallow entry, calm waters and plenty to see close to shore. After a morning snorkel, visit Vies Snack Shack and pay the nominal fee she charges to access the sandy beach next to Hansen. Terri Clemmons photos. . 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. 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. Do not overestimate your swimming ability. In fact, Maho is our #1 recommendation for anybody that wants a chance to swim with a sea turtle on St John. I went to the left and saw nice fans, fish. Entrance: Free. The water is shallow at first, and the bottom is made up of small rocks and coral rubble. The water is sandy bottom and shallow making it a great spot for younger kids and parents with floats. 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. 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. Parking: Paid parking lot ($5) and roadside parking. Thomas certainly has good beaches for it, like Coki Point Beach, but we think the best are in St. John (probably because it's more secluded and less built-up). Trunk Bay is the most famous beach in Virgin Islands National Park, often listed among the most beautiful beaches in the world. Weve selected eight of the best snorkeling sites and have included some tips to help you plan your snorkeling adventure. Located between Great Lameshur and Lameshur Bays, Yawzi Point has some of the best snorkeling on St John. I didnt realize you could snorkel right there. Off-the-beaten-path location with a beautiful beach, food and some of the best snorkeling. Trunk Bay Beach has a large parking lot right off North Shore Road, however, get there early because spaces fill up quickly! Haulover (North) - Some of the most dramatic underwater structure and corals on the island. Trunk Bay Beach is worth it for the swimming but not the snorkeling! 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. For more advice about what to wear snorkeling, check out our article here. There are busy ferry routes that connect St John to St Thomas, St Croix, Tortola and the BVIs. Do You Have What It Takes to Become a Kittitian RumMaster? Not far from Norman Island lies a group of uninhabited rocky islets rising from the sea. It is located right off of North Shore Road. There are boats that dock in the bay, so it can be dangerous if you try to navigate around them. There are also many vendors where you can get food and drinks or rent beach chairs and umbrellas. Watermelon Cay occasionally has strong currents, making this option best for more experienced snorkelers and confident swimmers. 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. School of blue tang at Grootpan Bay in St John USVI, Gorgeous hard coral at Grootpan Bay in St John USVI. Turtle and a remora (suckerfish) at Hansen Bay in St. John USVI. I would not attempt this road after a lot of rain. If you are, snorkeling on this beautiful island is a MUST-DO! 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. The buoys are hard to miss. Magen's Bay Beach (One Of The Most Beautiful) Another popular beach among tourists and locals is Magen's Bay Beach. Be aware the far side of the Cay can have strong currents. Among other cool stuff, Ive seen moray eels, turtles, nurse sharks, and squid. Snorkeling out along the east side of the bay, you can reach the coral reefs that lie just north of Blue Cobblestone Beach. St. John Virgin Islands: The Best Snorkeling and Top Beaches Francis Bay morning shade St. John, US Virgin Islands. BEST SNORKELING ON ST JOHN Waterlemon Cay - The top snorkeling destination on St John. Its not much more than a motor, prop and portion of the wing of a small plane. From there youll follow a narrow path about 100 yrds heading North East. The farther you get out to the point, the more challenging it will become. Flamingo tongue snail at Little Lameshur Bay in St John USVI. Be aware the water can get rough along the far side of the Cay due to exposure to the wind. There is also great snorkeling along the first set of jagged rocks out in the middle. 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. Hansen Bay Because it is off-the-beaten-path, this beach does not appear to get much use. 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. Vibrant coral at Francis Bay in St John USVI, Snorkeling with turtles at Francis Bay in St John USVI. 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. Your mobile-friendly St John island guide to St John's beaches, snorkeling, maps and more. 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. It was rated #15 of the Best Island Beaches in the World 2020 by readers of Conde Nast Traveler. Here are our family's votes for the best snorkeling beaches on St. John. Located at the southern end of the British Virgin Islands, Norman Island allegedly inspired Robert Louis Stevensons famous pirate novel Treasure Island. The southern bay is calmer than its counterpart in the north, has an easier entry, and is more suitable for beginners and intermediate snorkelers. If youre lucky, you might also catch sight of some sea turtles. The NPS actually has a great map showing where the reefs are along the beaches. We also saw a moon jellyfish, but it was easy to navigate around. Brown Bay. The most popular ferries are out of Charlotte Amalie and Red Hook, St Thomas. We have all the details including the world famous north shore beaches- including maps! There are many deep water crevices and canyons to explore. We would like to snorkel off the beach and not have to go out in a boat. 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. The result is literal forests of gorgonians and sea fans, brain corals, fire coral and healthy populations of reef fish. The St John Beaches are some of the best in the Caribbean. To the right facing the water, there is a formation of black rocks that separates Hawksnest Beach from Gibney Beach. And its should be Its convenient sitting right along North Shore Road. The southern side of Haulover Bay, St John, lies just off the side of Route 10. Whether youre heading to St. Thomas, St. Croix, or Tortola, youre sure to find stunning places to enjoy this exciting underwater activity. 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. We enjoyed excellent snorkeling around this cay. 2023 OutsiderView. Reply Subscribe . 4. A few gallons of water work great for rinsing off all that sand. Original Poster . Turtles, turtles, and more turtles! 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. In the British Virgin Islands, the island of Tortola makes a great base for snorkelers. Amazing sea life at Gibney and Oppenheimer Beach, For Beachy Bajan Beauty, Level Up with a Stay at this Spectacular Barbados Rental, Cas en Bas Offers a Realistic Opportunity to Enjoy a Personal Slice of St. Lucia, Shellona Abaco Beach House Provides an Ideal Setting for a Family Spring Break Getaway. Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, many people feel uneasy about sharing snorkeling equipment with others. Once you arrive, proceed to the entrance and pay the nominal $5 fee per person. 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. 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. Also . Scrawled filefish can sometimes be seen making their way along the bottom hunting for food. Youll also find bathrooms, RainTree Caf, watersports rentals and a souvenir shop. Once you pass Concordia, the road will turn sharply right and the dirt parking lot will be on the left. There is also plenty of colorful coral. No hike required. The hills and holes on the sea floor are formed by eels, worms, shrimp, clams, and crabs that make their homes on this underwater beach. Brain coral, soft coral, and sea fans at Little Lameshur Bay in St John USVI. Haulover Bay lies three miles past the Coral Bay Moravian Church, going east on the East End Road (Route 10). Trunk Bay is one of the most beautiful beaches in the whole world. Those are just examples, nearly all of the beaches have close snorkeling. The Caneel Bay resort was decimated by back-to-back hurricanes in 2017 and has yet to be rebuilt. 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. Always snorkel with a buddy and never exceed your physical ability or experience. This created an incredibly frustrating experience. Maho Bay Quarter, St John's best beach. St John has no airport. Snorkeling is one of the most popular activities among visitors to the Virgin Islands. Healthy elkhorn coral is found at most of USVI's reefs. As you swim through the series of caves, youll see schools of colorful tropical fish, pelicans, gulls, ferns, orange cup coral, and red sponges. Snorkeling the waters of St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands, is one of the most rewarding and exciting things to do on St. John. We have all the details including the world famous north shore beaches- including maps! Park at the gate, and hike down to this crescent of white sand. Salt Pond - Can get a bit crowded but offers . Take Salt PondRoad (Route 107) past Salt Pond Bay. The northeastern end of Haulover Bay can be reached by following the shoreline east for a little less than half a mile, where you will find a small sand beach. In addition to snorkeling, swimming, and diving, visitors can hike along the islands scenic walking trails or relax on the gorgeous white sand beach. The best St John snorkeling places list must include Maho Bay. Full or Half Day Charter - Sail, Beach, Snorkel. (888) 651-9785 Top St John Snorkeling When are you traveling? Find the right mask for the shape of your face. Looking forward to checking it out. There are more fish and coral on the calmer western side of the Cay (which is the left side as you face the water). The worst is when a snorkelers fins hit you in the face because of their lack of awareness of what is around them. 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. According to local legends, pirates once used the Norman Island Caves to hide their treasure, earning this area the name Treasure Point. Maho Bay also offers good reef snorkeling for those looking to explore the sea life on a coral reef. 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. Snorkeling in Hurricane Hole is a MUST do on any trip to St. John. MAHO BAY BEACH The fascinating rock formations are perfect for underwater exploration. I wore my Cressi dive booties and then just slipped on my Cressi travel fins at the beach. For more information about the benefits of wearing a snorkel vest and some recommended products, you can read our detailed snorkel vest article here. Difficulty: Easy. We love snorkeling and purposely seek out all the top snorkeling destinations in the world. Private charters are a great way to see numerous islands and snorkel in diverse places in a single day. This top-notch snorkeling spot is easy to access. This is the first and only sandy beach that you pass on the trail before arriving at the beautiful beach across from Waterlemon Cay. 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. 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. Sergeant major and school of French grunt fish at Cinnamon Bay in St John USVI. Trunk Bay Our spacious catamaran takes your group of 4-12 people for a day of making memories. Smugglers Cove is located on the west end of Tortola, and you can get there by boat, taxi shuttle, or car. The trailhead to Waterlemon Cay is at the coastline right near the parking lot. 5. Some of Our Top Picks For Snorkeling On St John, USVI. The quiet lagoon is known for its calm, turquoise waters and is an excellent destination for snorkelers of all skill levels. Try to identify all the differentcolors of sponges found here. The reefs are destroyed but there are plenty of fish and at Maho you can't snorkel without seeing a few turtles. This is one of the best beaches on St. John for foraging along the shoreline and discovering what the tide washes up. 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. 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. 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. 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