The beach has a sandy bottom and an easy shallow entry. Its possible to visit both sites in a single day. Terri Clemmons photos. Despite the damage, there are many opportunities to view diverse marine life, including coral, tropical fish, octopus, and sea turtles. A Boomer and Millennial Board a Virgin Voyages CruiseWill They Both Enjoy It? Henley Cay - Staff Pick for Best Snorkeling on St John - requires kayak or charter. Most of the reef lies in calm shallow water, with some sections even rising above the surface at times of extreme low tides. To the right facing the water, there is a formation of black rocks that separates Hawksnest Beach from Gibney Beach. The latest articles, guides, and resources, sent to your inbox monthly. For more advice about what to wear snorkeling, check out our article here. More info on Haulover North NOTE: Conditions at Haulover North depend on wind and waves. 99.9% of travelers come to St John by boat ! 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. Maho Bay Quarter, St John's best beach. 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. This created an incredibly frustrating experience. Overall, I would rate St John USVI as a whole as 4/5 snorkels. Trunk Bay has it all. Check out our list of the best islands for snorkeling. The highlight here is the Cane Bay Wall, where the seafloor plummets from around 40 feet . Beaches By Harlaxton7 Great snorkeling with lobster, tarpon, squid, sea turtles and a beautiful beach, great place at sunset. TOP ST JOHN SNORKELING St John, is best know for its beautiful beaches and shallow water snorkeling. Staff Pick for Best Snorkeling on St John! Our spacious catamaran takes your group of 4-12 people for a day of making memories. St John island is one of the top Caribbean destinations for snorkeling. Along the shoreline that connects to Caneel Bay you'll find huge schools of Sergeant Major Damsels, wrasse, French Angelfish, sea turtles, rays and a wide variety of hard and soft corals. This top-notch snorkeling spot is easy to access. Even if you're seeking a beach day, this is a phenomenal choice. The most popular ferries are out of Charlotte Amalie and Red Hook, St Thomas. Haulover (North) The result is literal forests of gorgonians and sea fans, brain corals, fire coral and healthy populations of reef fish. That aforementioned place is also one of the best spots for buying souvenirs because of the beach shop there. Where to snorkel at Little Lameshur Bay Beach. These small silvery fish travel in close proximity to one another in large schools that look like moving underwater shadows. Blue tang at Blue Cobblestone in St John USVI. Bear left and follow the trail along the shoreline until youre at a point closest to the Cay. 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. The hike to Salt Pond Beach is fairly short, being about .8 miles. Its shallow over the top of the reef but deep enough for experienced and confident snorkelers to negotiate safely. Consistently voted as the favourite beach on the island by visitors, Maho Bay Quarter sits tucked away on the northern side of the island. These factors make Maho Bay the perfect starting place for children and those just learning to snorkel. As you swim through the series of caves, youll see schools of colorful tropical fish, pelicans, gulls, ferns, orange cup coral, and red sponges. The waves can be rough. Park near the big tamarindtree at the entrance to this large cobblestone beach. In this area, one may also see southern stingrays, conch, trunkfish, and others. The protected bay has calm, clear waters with ample opportunities to view parrotfish, sea turtles, manta rays, angelfish, barracuda, and porcupine puffers. We will be in St. Thomas and St. Maarten. There are also many colorful spongesand various types of hard coral in this area. The Tektite snorkel is one of the absolute best snorkeling spots on St. John, and contrary to popular belief, it can be accessed by land with relative ease. Soft starfish, red sea urchins, and bristle worms can be seen under the rocks in shallow areas. The water is a bit rougher since it can get quite choppy with high currents and waves since the winds around the area are strong. Parking spots fill up quickly, so get there early! We have seen everything from squid to barracuda to stingrays to various small tropical fish in this bay. The bonus is that these spots do not require a boat to reach. Questions about the St John snorkeling sites we visited? 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. You will have to walk over the pebbly beach and avoid the sporadic sea urchins as you launch off into the water. Considered to have some of the best snorkeling on St. Thomas, Coki Beach is known for its calm waters, white sands, and abundant marine life. 5 Best Ways to Explore Hurricane Hole in Coral Bay, St. John. Best entry is in the center of the beach where the sandy bottom comes closest to the shoreline. Beginning in the parking area for Annaberg Plantation enjoy an almost 1.0 mi flat hike along Leinster Bay to reach Waterlemon Cay. Snorkeling equipment, as well as single and double kayaks, standup paddle boards, and beach chairs can be rented at the Honeymoon Beach Hut. Watermelon Cay occasionally has strong currents, making this option best for more experienced snorkelers and confident swimmers. The best snorkeling is on the left side of Grootpan Bay as you face the water. But its a fun sight in 8 or less of shallow water. Please be careful as you navigate into the water. We have all the details including the world famous north shore beaches- including maps! I would advise starting this adventure early in the morning. . You can enter the water at the rock beach at the end of the trail. St. John's longest beach also makes it to the list of the best snorkeling destinations. When we snorkeled to the left of Hansen Bay, there were plenty of tropical fish, coral outcroppings, and some larger Jacks. While Honeymoon Bay, Caneel Bay, Hawks Nest Bay, Peter Bay, and Cinnamon Bay all make for enjoyable beach visits when trying to figure out which U.S. Virgin Island has the best beaches, we would like to introduce you to our top 3 beaches on St. John: Maho Bay Beach One of the best snorkeling spots on St John. Really good snorkeling is just off the start of the path to watermelon cave, just past the road. A few with the closest to shore are Hawksnest, Trunk (right side of the shore and around the cay) and Salt Pond. If you try to park there, you will be trespassing across private property to get to the beach. From there youll follow a narrow path about 100 yrds heading North East. Do You Have What It Takes to Become a Kittitian RumMaster? We just returned from there again in July of 2018. The trail eventually cuts inland over a few hills before it dumps you onto Blue Cobblestone Beach. 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. Some animal species you might see in the area are French angelfish, queen angel, and permits. Cinnamon Bay. 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. Cinnamon Bay is the longest white sand beach on St John. Shutterstock This white sand beach, home to Pineapple Beach Club resort, has some of the best snorkeling on the east side of Antigua. The only sign of civilization . Watch out for black spiny sea urchins hiding here. 20-30 minutes. 4. It is advised to swim counter-clockwise around the Cay, but we swam clockwise without a problem. Shutterstock Maho Bay The Guide to Diving and Snorkeling in the British Virgin Islands. Salt Pond and Drunk Bay are actually two hikes on the south shore of St John. Full or Half Day Charter - Sail, Beach, Snorkel. The NPS actually has a great map showing where the reefs are along the beaches. A veritable octopuss garden dwells beneath the surface sheltering a parade of smiling, psychedelic parrotfish crunching away at the coral. Discover hand-curated maps, along with reviews and photos from nature lovers like you. Distance: 1.1 miles out and back; Approx. Take Salt PondRoad (Route 107) past Salt Pond Bay. By the way, if you are still in the planning process for your U.S. Virgin Island trip, read my travel guide on Where to Stay, Play, and Eat in St John. Zentacle has 12 dive sites, snorkel spots, beaches, and more. We went around 9 am and had no problem. My mask would fog, and I would get a bunch of water in my snorkel. Sergeant major and school of French grunt fish at Cinnamon Bay in St John USVI. As you face the water, snorkel to the left out to Yawzi Point. With soft sand and a shallow entry, entry is easy and straight forward. Honeymoon is one of the best beaches on St. John for day trippers from St. Thomas. Book St. John Snorkeling. Coki Beach, or Coki Point, is one of the most popular beaches on the island thanks to its calm waters, convenient amenities, and classic Caribbean views. From the beach, you can see huge rock structures in the middle of the bay. That is a long swim though, and the current can be strong. Bring diluted baby shampoo to help keep your mask clear. Its north east facing location can make conditions challenging. 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. If you are planning a day at Trunk Bay, dont miss my article below! No hike required. 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. Trunk Bay in St. John is one of the best Caribbean islands for snorkeling vacations. Make sure you do NOT end up in Kiddel Bay. Find out where to go snorkeling on your Virgin Islands vacation. A small island can be seen in the middle of the water near Trunk Bay Beach. In addition to swimming and snorkeling, visitors can explore the ruins of the 18th-century Annaberg Sugar Plantation nearby. If you are, snorkeling on this beautiful island is a MUST-DO! 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. Corals tend to be hard corals like maze brain corals, fire coral, mustard coral, staghorn coral and Pillar corals. Since the beach is rocky and there are many sea urchins, its a good idea to bring water shoes or snorkeling booties. Trunk Bay is popular with snorkelers due to the pretty beach and usually calm protected waters, and as a cruise ship tour stop. 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. In fact, its so beautiful that cruise ship visitors to St Thomas will make the trek by taxi and ferry and taxi to spend a few hours enjoying everything that makes Trunk Bay famous! Its shoreline is a mix of wind-swept sand and pebbles. Required fields are marked *. This beautiful environment continues out and around the point. 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. The coral reef here is in relatively good condition, and the reef community is colorful and diverse. The reefs are destroyed but there are plenty of fish and at Maho you can't snorkel without seeing a few turtles. After you park, walk a few minutes along a path right to the beach. 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. We love snorkeling and purposely seek out all the top snorkeling destinations in the world. I wore my Cressi dive booties and then just slipped on my Cressi travel fins at the beach. The farther you get out to the point, the more challenging it will become. Little damselfish defend their self-proclaimed territories by darting menacingly at even large intruders. The island measures just 9 mi X 3 mi ( 28 sq mi ). . 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. Thanks so much for sharing! Snorkeling in 5 to 15 of water youll discover beautiful rocky patch reefs covered in corals. 5. Shallow entry, calm waters and plenty to see close to shore. Located on St. Thomass East End, Secret Harbor offers snorkeling conditions similar to those at Coki Beach but is quieter, less crowded, and more secluded. Always snorkel with a buddy and never exceed your physical ability or experience. 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. Waterlemon Cay hike leads you through a short section of forest in the beginning, And then the trail dumps you on the rocky coastline for the remainder of the hike. There are bathrooms, grills and covered pavillion with picnic tables on the western end of the beach. 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. Whether youre heading to St. Thomas, St. Croix, or Tortola, youre sure to find stunning places to enjoy this exciting underwater activity. Here, the environment is sand and coral rubble. The best snorkeling is on the right side along the rocks as you face the water. We also saw a few stingrays. 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. 10. The walls and ceiling of the cave are covered with beautiful cup corals and sponges. Located at the eastern end of Leinster Bay, Watermelon Cay is known as the top snorkeling spot on St. John. A quarter-mile hike androck scramble along the western shore of Cabritte Horn Pointwill take you to a remote and isolated coral rubble and sandbeach called Donkey Bight. Head counter clockwise to use the current to round the Cay. 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. 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. Outdoor Activities Nature and Wildlife Tours On the Ground On the Water Boat Rentals Kayaking Tours Sailing 2022 adagio digital arts. The water is sandy bottom and shallow making it a great spot for younger kids and parents with floats. Entry is not easy. Snorkeling the western edge towards Peter Bay the corals and patch reef are thin. 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). Caneel Bay beach Shallow entry, calm waters and plenty to see close to shore. This makes people coming from northern climates especially susceptible to the strong Caribbean sun. Park at the gate, and hike down to this crescent of white sand. The trailhead to Waterlemon Cay is at the coastline right near the parking lot. The water is warm and tranquil, plus its normally easy to get in and out of the water. Your mobile-friendly St John island guide to St John's beaches, snorkeling, maps and more. Entry can be a little tricky due to the cobblestone beach, sargassum (seaweed), and sea urchins. Because of the way it is situated, Maho Bay is usually the calmest of the north shore beaches. Henley Cay I would not attempt this road after a lot of rain. You'd do yourself well to visit this glorious white sand beach even if you don't snorkel. It is located on the eastern end of the island along East End Road right past a sign that states you are leaving the Virgin Islands National Park. And along the western end towards Salomon Beach youll find a patch reef with hard and soft corals and colorful fish. And we agree! Best for: Swimming, snorkeling, and beach parties. Sunday is the ideal day to drive out to the south shore of St. John to partake in the waterfront jazz brunch at Miss Lucys Restaurant. 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