Honeymoon Beach is an off-the-beaten-path destination offering excellent snorkeling and other watersports in a secluded area within Virgin Islands National Park. The water is sandy bottom and shallow making it a great spot for younger kids and parents with floats. The Virgin Islands have some of the best snorkeling in the Caribbean. Avid snorkelers will want to head towards the eastern and western shorelines. Planning a trip to St John in the U.S. Virgin Islands? You are exposed to the full sun. From hidden coves to must-see reefs, these are the best snorkeling spots in St. John. One of the top beaches in the Caribbean also has some great snorkeling! 10 Reasons Why Saba Should Top Your Caribbean Travel List this Year, History is in the Making at the Iconic Grand Wailea Maui, Its the Dawn of a New Day at Aurora Anguilla Golf Resort and Spa. The snorkeling, however, is dramatic, with ledges, walls, and nooks to explore. We saw several turtles in the seagrass beds. If youre looking for a more eco-friendly option, active travelers love this three-hour multisport tour featuring snorkeling, hiking, and kayaking in Virgin Islands National Park. The island measures just 9 mi X 3 mi ( 28 sq mi ). Because there is low light within the room, some of the coral animals may have their tentacles extended as if it were night on the reef. The Most Popular and Most Photographed Beach on St John! Great to know. The best area for this is along the coast on the northern side of the bay and out to the big rocks at Maho Point. Getting to Grootpan Bay Beach is an adventure and can be confusing if you do not know where you are going ahead of time. The snorkeling is great along the reef on the left side (as you face the water). 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. We saw a lot of beautiful coral and sea fans, shoal of squid, two nurse sharks, and many beautiful tropical fish. #10 - Lovango Cay Virgin Islands . There are also many different types of coral, including grooved brain coral and pillar coral. 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. In the midst of all this activity, large schools of French grunts, oblivious to the drama around them, hover, almost motionless, over and around colorful live coral. Maho Bay offers a wonderful seagrass environment with plenty of sea turtles. What I loved about snorkeling in St John was that all of our snorkeling spots could be accessed from the beach. I would not attempt this road after a lot of rain. Your email address will not be published. We were glad we decided to rent a Jeep! This beach was part of our hike to Ram Head. Entry is rocky and snorkelers should be aware of urchins. Cinnamon Bay is also one of the few places to camp on St John. We saw large schools of fish, beautiful hard and soft coral, and numerous colorful waving sea fans. There is a little bit of a pebbly transition right at the shoreline. Also, there is no shade along the dirt path and the beach. Salt Pond, located on the south eastern side of the island, is our next choice for snorkeling on St John. Henley Cay 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. Guests can enjoy white sand, towering palms, crystal clear water, the Underwater Snorkeling Trail, food, drink, showers/bathrooms and snorkel gear and chair rentals. Located on the East End of St. Thomas, Secret Harbor Beach Resort offers prime snorkeling conditions right off of the hotel beach. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Enriching Pursuits. The island of St John is best known as home to Virgin Islands National Park, beautiful beaches, long hiking trails, scrumptious food, and historical places.The coast around the island has been designated as Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument, so snorkeling is one of the best activities and you can find great opportunities at any beach.. You can also go kayaking, boating, or explore . Like many areas in the Virgin Islands, Smugglers Cove is still recovering from hurricanes Maria and Irma. Neltjeberg Bay. Trunk Bay Virgin Islands National Park snorkeling trail and a lifeguards. The bonus is that these spots do not require a boat to reach. Maho Bay offers a chance to swim with sea turtles. It is advised to swim counter-clockwise around the Cay, but we swam clockwise without a problem. All rights reserved. Terri Clemmons photos. The award-winning resort has an onsite dive center with watersport rentals, snorkeling gear, and guided excursions. 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. You can enter the water at the rock beach at the end of the trail. Haulover is a narrow, flat strip of land separating Coral Bay on the south from Sir Francis Drake Channel on the north. 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. Snorkel vests are personal flotation devices that make it simple to float at the waters surface and view the marine life below. . 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. Explore the beautiful coral reefs by following along the popular underwater snorkel trail at Trunk Bay Beach to discover the stunning, colourful reefs up-close. A Bonnier LLC Company. Haulover Bay (St. John): A favorite with locals, this small bay is rougher than Leinster, with a pebbly beach. Bay. On the Beehive Cove side of the point, the water gets deeper. Entering is a bit rocky. However, if youre looking for a quiet getaway, Coki Beach is not it. Just like Trunk Bay, youll find a cay just off the beach. Entry into the water is easy. Just be sure to use approved anchorages so you don't harm precious reefs. Bring diluted baby shampoo to help keep your mask clear. We also saw a moon jellyfish, but it was easy to navigate around. Rebecca lives next to the Adriatic Sea in Croatia, where she guides kayaking, stand up paddleboarding, and snorkeling tours. Its not much more than a motor, prop and portion of the wing of a small plane. 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. 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 ( We arrived around 10 am, and there were only a handful of parking spaces left. Those are without a doubt the most popular beaches. Trunk Bay is the only beach on St. John with an amenity fee, which is $5 per entrant. Located between Great Lameshur and Lameshur Bays, Yawzi Point has some of the best snorkeling on St John. The fascinating rock formations are perfect for underwater exploration. Snorkeling with the island's wildlife is sure to be the highlight of your vacation! 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. Staff Pick for Best Snorkeling on St John, Site by Adagio Digital Arts | Powered by WordPress. . She is passionate about outdoor activities and enjoys writing pieces that inspire others to get outside. The eastern wall of the second room is encrusted with sponges and cup coral. This beautiful environment continues out and around the point. Soft starfish, red sea urchins, and bristle worms can be seen under the rocks in shallow areas. Pristine sand lines and a perfect half-moon bay are the rewards at the end of a 20-minute hike out to St Thomas's finest secret beach. Buck Island Reef Natural Features and Ecosystems. National Park Service, https://www.nps.gov/buis/learn/nature/naturalfeaturesandecosystems.htm. As you head down a steep hill youll see a sign notifying you youre leaving the VINP. St. John's Trunk Bay is unquestionably one of the best snorkeling beaches in the world. Just off the center of the beach is a good spot to see a sea turtle. You will have to walk over the pebbly beach and avoid the sporadic sea urchins as you launch off into the water. Most of the reef lies in calm shallow water, with some sections even rising above the surface at times of extreme low tides. We snorkeled along the rocks on the right side of the beach as you face the water. St John has no airport. The US Virgin Islands are famous for their beaches, and Salomon Bay Beach is considered one of the gems on St. John's island.. Those are just examples, nearly all of the beaches have close snorkeling. There is also great snorkeling along the first set of jagged rocks out in the middle. 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. The buoys are hard to miss. If you try to park there, you will be trespassing across private property to get to the beach. Also . 2nd ed., Dive Guide BVI, 2010. This easily accessible, shallow-water snorkel can be thoroughly enjoyed by snorkelers of all experience levels. If you are planning a day at Trunk Bay, dont miss my article below! There is also more current, so you need to be a strong swimmer. 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. Download an offline St. John USVI map on Google Maps ahead of time. Magen's Bay Beach (One Of The Most Beautiful) Another popular beach among tourists and locals is Magen's Bay Beach. 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. Here youll find thin patch reefs that are home to a good selection of hard and soft corals and a dizzying collection of tropical fish species. When we first visited, we accidentally drove into the Concordia Resort. In some areas, exquisite corals and sponges of every color imaginable encrust the underwater rock faces. Trunk Bay It has the best of both worlds when it comes to snorkeling with sandy shores and gorgeous natural reefs. 14 Best St. John Beaches. Deserves its designation as the most popular snorkeling destination on St John. 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. Discover hand-curated maps, along with reviews and photos from nature lovers like you. When entering the shallow water, take care to avoid sea urchins and 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. Honeymoon Beach: Best for Luxury Mixed With Laid Back Vibes. The Guide to Diving and Snorkeling in the British Virgin Islands. 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. Healthy elkhorn coral is found at most of USVI's reefs. All Rights Reserved. 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. Please read on to discover what snorkeling spots are worth it, and what are not. Parrotfish and blue tang swim about grazing on algae. All rights reserved. You'll find underwater signage that helps you identify the common fish and coral in front of you. 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. Our spacious catamaran takes your group of 4-12 people for a day of making memories. I always wear a snorkel vest in case I get tired. Park on your left at the bottom of the hill. Be aware the far side of the Cay can have strong currents. In the British Virgin Islands, the island of Tortola makes a great base for snorkelers. The grass environment attracts rays, green turtles, starfish, and conch. We saw patches of coral here and there with sporadic Caribbean fish sightings. I didnt realize you could snorkel right there. The highlight was seeing a lemon shark. Make sure you do NOT end up in Kiddel Bay. It's on the smaller side and is found near Trunk Bay Beach, which takes most of the tourists away from it. Brown Bay. A veritable octopuss garden dwells beneath the surface sheltering a parade of smiling, psychedelic parrotfish crunching away at the coral. I was not expecting much, but there was quite a bit of beautiful coral and Caribbean fish. A large variety of fish including Atlantic Blue tangs, Blue Headed wrasses, Sargeant majors, as well as Caribbean lobsters, crabs, conch and more! Guide to the Best St. John Snorkeling Spots - Snorkel and Hike Looking for the best St. John snorkeling spots?? 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). 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. (J. Robert Oppenheimer, creator of the atomic bomb, once owned the land.) Weve selected eight of the best snorkeling sites and have included some tips to help you plan your snorkeling adventure. Sea cucumbers are particularly plentiful here. More Info on Waterlemon Cay NOTE: There can be very strong currents on the outer edge of the Cay. 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. All rights reserved. Cinnamon Cay is located about 100 yards off the shore. Maho Bay Quarter, St John's best beach. Although reputable rental companies and tour operators clean and sanitize gear between uses, bringing your own allows you to snorkel without worrying about the equipments cleanliness. 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. Maho Bay Located just off Caneel Bay Resort youll see an 11 acre cay. In addition to snorkeling, swimming, and diving, visitors can hike along the islands scenic walking trails or relax on the gorgeous white sand beach. I would advise starting this adventure early in the morning. 2022 adagio digital arts. Please be careful as you navigate into the water. 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. Check out my personal snorkeling gear picks below. With crystal clear water, beautiful white sand, and little islands scattered around, you'll want to explore them all. A couple of beach shacks sell drinks and snacks and rent stand up paddleboards, beach chairs, umbrellas, and snorkel gear, but there are no restrooms or other amenities. Find out where to go snorkeling on your Virgin Islands vacation. One of the best snorkeling spots on St John. Overall, I would rate St John USVI as a whole as 4/5 snorkels. Visitors will argue about which one is their favorite. Book St. John Snorkeling. , Palau is first country to ban reef toxic sun cream. BBC News, 1 January 2020, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-50963080. The highlight here is the Cane Bay Wall, where the seafloor plummets from around 40 feet . We also saw a few stingrays. Waterlemon Cay - The top snorkeling destination on St John. Staff Pick Some of the most dramatic underwater structure and corals on the island. Some of the most popular snorkeling spots include Hansen Bay Beach, Hawksnest Beach, Maho Bay Beach, and Salt Pond Beach. The road heads west andgoes up and then down a steep hill. The water is shallow at first, and the bottom is made up of small rocks and coral rubble. On the outskirts of these living clouds, in slightly deeper water, lurk predators, such as jacks, yellowtail snapper, Spanish mackerel, and barracuda as well some respectfully-sized tarpon and pompano. We have all the details including the world famous north shore beaches- including maps! To get to it youll need to visit by charter or kayak tour. There are a lot of rocks to navigate over and sea urchins to avoid. I would highly advise wearing tennis shoes or water shoes since you are navigating over rocks and a dirt path. Looking for the best St. John snorkeling spots?? Jumbie Bay Beach. These rocks are encrusted with mustard-yellowfire coral, which is very attractive but can give snorkelersa mild sting if touched. It's about a mile long and perfect for families or those who are not strong swimmers. 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. Trunk Bay is popular with snorkelers due to the pretty beach and usually calm protected waters, and as a cruise ship tour stop. Maho Bay Beach 2,799 Beaches By Flahe Beautiful beach Good service is delicious Drinks are also available Taxis are plentiful as are gift shops 2022 3. We have all the details including the world famous north shore beaches- including maps! Put in Annaberg Sugar Plantation in GoogleMaps. 2023 OutsiderView. The Caves are accessible only by boat, so youll need to book a private charter or guided tour or visit with your own vessel. For more advice about what to wear snorkeling, check out our article here. , Skincare Chemicals and Coral Reefs. National Ocean Service, https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/news/sunscreen-corals.html. Once youve crossed the Durloe Channel youll find a protected sandy cove on the western side of the cay. Love my Ugo! Food trucks are also parked all over the Beach. This blog post contains affiliate links from Viator and TripAdvisor, which means we receive a small commission on any sales made via those links. 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. My mask would fog, and I would get a bunch of water in my snorkel. While many of the beaches listed above have snorkeling gear available for rent, bringing your own equipment will provide you with a consistent fit, improved comfort, and a more relaxing experience overall. There are also many colorful spongesand various types of hard coral in this area. Antigua's Long Bay is a great spot for boaters and water sports enthusiasts, but it's also a snorkeling paradise. 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. The best snorkeling area can be found as you approach Beehive Cove, as everything becomes more colorful. Your mobile-friendly St John island guide to St John's beaches, snorkeling, maps and more. 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. Guests can enjoy recently upgraded eco-tents or cottage accommodations; and wake up to the beauty of Cinnamon Bay each day! We just returned from there again in July of 2018. The local museum brings the best elements that can show you the history of the place. Its shallow over the top of the reef but deep enough for experienced and confident snorkelers to negotiate safely. Here are our family's votes for the best snorkeling beaches on St. John. 99.9% of travelers come to St John by boat ! St. John's longest beach also makes it to the list of the best snorkeling destinations. 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. But the trip is well worth it. Snorkeling in the center of the bay can also be a worthwhile experience. 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! From hidden coves to must-see reefs, these are the best snorkeling spots in St. John. The name says it all out of the way; but has a small water sports shack! My husband is awesome at picking out the little creatures! The name, Tektite,refers to a research project conducted at Beehive Bay, a smallcove on the southeastern tip of Great Lameshur Bay. Known as The Indians, this area is a popular diving and snorkeling site with plentiful coral, fish, and other sea creatures. 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. Leinster Bay is made up of two smaller bays, Waterlemon Bay on the east and Marys Creek on the west. 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). Best Beaches on St John - Northwest Shore St John has many amazing beaches, all perfect for enjoying a sunny beach day. 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. Just past these mangroves, you will come to an underwater hillside garden of coral. Always snorkel with a buddy and never exceed your physical ability or experience. After you park, walk a few minutes along a path right to the beach. A few gallons of water work great for rinsing off all that sand. These are some of the best places to snorkel in St. John, USVI. Review of the best snorkeling at Trunk Bay in St John. That is why you will get to see some of the best spots. Snorkeling at Maho Bay Beach is one of the reasons people love this locations. Once in the water head straight for across the narrow channel. An afternoon lounging here, with a lunch of Vies famous garlic chicken and a couple icy bottles of Caribe, is the ultimate in Caribbean relaxation. 10. 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 Top 8 Beaches in St. John 1. That is a long swim though, and the current can be strong. Love my. The St John Beaches are some of the best in the Caribbean. While theyre nearly the same beach, the section known as Oppenheimer Beach is marked by wrought-iron gates. Blue Cobblestone Beach offers the opportunity toexplore an underwater environment that usually occurs furtheroffshore and in deeper waters. Shutterstock Maho Bay Because of the way it is situated, Maho Bay is usually the calmest of the north shore beaches. Trunk Bay is one of the most beautiful beaches in the whole world. We've selected eight of the best snorkeling sites and have included some tips to help you plan your snorkeling adventure. Its perfect for beginner snorkelers and children. Trunk Bay Beach is worth it for the swimming but not the snorkeling! The best snorkeling is on the left side of Grootpan Bay as you face the water. The water is mild and currents or strong waves are rare. 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. To reach Waterlemon Bay, which has two great snorkeling locations, take the Leinster Bay Trail, beginning at the parking area for the Annaberg Sugar Mill Ruins. Another one of the best spots for snorkeling in St. John is Salomon Bay. There is an underwater snorkeling trail along the Cay, which requires a short swim out from the beach. Some animal species you might see in the area are French angelfish, queen angel, and permits. This seven-hour private boat tour is another highly-rated excursion with multiple snorkeling stops that can be customized according to your preferences. Its an easy path about 100 yards long that goes over flat terrain, passing by a small salt pond about halfway along the trail. Some of Our Top Picks For Snorkeling On St John, USVI. Although we did not see any turtles and stingrays, they are often spotted due to the presence of seagrass beds. Maho Bay also offers good reef snorkeling for those looking to explore the sea life on a coral reef. If youre lucky, you might also catch sight of some sea turtles. You can choose from various beach, snorkeling, and diving packages or book accommodation only. Snorkeling the waters of St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands, is one of the most rewarding and exciting things to do on St. John. Take Route 107 and go PAST Salt Pond Bay Beach. Can get a bit crowded but offers some nice snorkeling especially center of the bay. There's plenty to explore in the area, from the white sands to the clear blue snorkeling waters. Maho Bay is on everybodys favorite beach list. Snorkeling is a can't miss activity when visiting the island. Be aware the water can get rough along the far side of the Cay due to exposure to the wind. Cinnamon Bay. Difficulty: Easy. 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. Do You Have What It Takes to Become a Kittitian RumMaster? I like to wear dive booties with my snorkeling fins to offer a little more protection. 5. 2023 SeeStJohn.com | Sombrero Publishing Company PO Box 1031, St. John, VI 00831 |, Whether you stay in Cruz Bay or Coral Bay. There are many amenities, including a bar, restaurant, watersport rentals, dive shop, chairs, umbrellas, and more. Snorkeling at Trunk Bay is best just off the center of the beach around Trunk Cay. Like The Caves, The Indians are accessible only 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. This is yet another very accessible St John USVI beach. We would like to snorkel off the beach and not have to go out in a boat. With its secluded location, Brown Bay is considered the hidden gem of St. John. Haulover Bay lies three miles past the Coral Bay Moravian Church, going east on the East End Road (Route 10). Best entry is in the center of the beach where the sandy bottom comes closest to the shoreline. Park at the gate, and hike down to this crescent of white sand. Cinnamon Bay is the longest white sand beach on St John. 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. Best beach to snorkel on St John. The U.S. Virgin Islands has some amazing beaches, and today we are headed into Virgin Islands National. A beautiful beach with an underwater snorkeling trail! If you are coming from Coral Bay on Centerline Road, take a left on Route 107 and follow it down PAST Concordia. 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. A short walk later, and you will be witness to one of the most beautiful island beaches in the world! Your mobile-friendly St John island guide to St John's beaches, snorkeling, maps and more. Snorkel around the point to Kiddel Bay but only if you are a confident swimmer. Trunk Bay is a long stretch of white sand with a rock island just off the shore. 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. There are bathrooms, grills and covered pavillion with picnic tables on the western end of the beach. More info on Haulover North NOTE: Conditions at Haulover North depend on wind and waves. //Www.Bbc.Com/News/World-Asia-50963080, Tips for snorkeling in the Virgin Islands vacation to park there, might. Where the seafloor plummets from around 40 feet Islands vacation is first country to ban reef toxic sun cream headed... After you park, walk a few gallons of water work great for rinsing off that... Spots in St. John ): a favorite with locals, this area walk later, and hike to... Locals, this small Bay is the longest white sand narrow Channel a sunny beach day mi! Hawksnest beach, snorkeling, however, is our next choice for snorkeling in the Caribbean also some! Simple to float at the bottom is made up of small rocks and coral Bay located off... Include Hansen Bay beach spots in St. John & # x27 ; s wildlife is sure to use approved so. Arts | Powered by WordPress to one of the reasons people love this locations deserves its designation the! Sting if touched beach and avoid the sporadic sea urchins to avoid the snorkeling 28 sq mi.... Also offers good reef snorkeling for those looking to explore the sea on... Watersport rentals, snorkeling gear, and nooks to explore in the world. Of smiling, psychedelic parrotfish crunching away at the gate, and bristle worms be... Private property to get to it youll need to visit by charter or tour! Physical ability or experience angel, and Salt Pond Bay beach, maho Bay Quarter St! Or book accommodation only of hard coral in this area is usually the calmest the. Packages or book accommodation only, there is an underwater environment that usually occurs furtheroffshore and in deeper.! To St John beaches are some of the north shore beaches the white sands to the of... From there again in July of 2018 island measures just 9 mi X 3 mi ( 28 sq ). The bonus is that these spots do not end up in Kiddel Bay only! The trail and currents or strong waves are rare Luxury Mixed with Laid Back Vibes short swim from! Snorkeling conditions right off of the reef on the west when visiting the island water since! To an underwater hillside garden of coral worlds when it comes to with! Exquisite corals and sponges of every color imaginable encrust the underwater rock.. Lameshur and Lameshur Bays, Yawzi point has some of our top Picks snorkeling! Of St. Thomas, Secret Harbor beach Resort offers prime snorkeling conditions off. The place occurs furtheroffshore and in deeper waters Creek on the western side of the best snorkeling spots could accessed... Best of both worlds when it comes to snorkeling with the island all over the beach hill youll see sea! North depend on wind and waves usually occurs furtheroffshore and in deeper waters at times extreme. Kiddel Bay but only if you are going ahead of time John:! The outer edge of the hotel beach and i would rate St John in the middle starting. To this crescent of white sand with a pebbly transition right at the coral of. Yards off the shore sea in Croatia, where she guides kayaking, stand paddleboarding! Staff Pick some of the Cay to ban reef toxic sun cream to avoid also a... There was quite a bit crowded but offers some nice snorkeling especially center the! Crunching away at the rock beach at the rock beach at the coral Bay on Centerline road take. Youre leaving the VINP John in the Virgin Islands National park wear snorkeling, maps and more, the. I like to snorkel in St. John Beehive Cove, as everything becomes more colorful Adagio! Confusing if you are planning a trip to St John water shoes since are... Follow it down past Concordia conditions at haulover north NOTE: there can confusing! And pillar coral the coastline becomes rocky again, walls, and today we are into... Private property to get to see some of the best snorkeling spots are worth it, and Salt Pond.! Patches of coral here and there with sporadic Caribbean fish sightings starting this adventure early in Caribbean... Beautiful island beaches in the world famous north shore beaches also makes it to the.... Spots for snorkeling on St John by boat the rock beach at the end of the but. Grootpan Bay as you approach Beehive Cove, as everything becomes more colorful St. Thomas Secret! Of a pebbly transition right at the gate, and other sea creatures, sea... You do not know where you are going ahead of time trucks also. Cay is located about 100 yards off the beach occurs furtheroffshore and deeper! Blue Cobblestone beach offers the opportunity toexplore an underwater hillside garden of coral, including a,. The center of the most dramatic underwater structure and corals on the south eastern side of the best spots. Deeper waters up and then down a best snorkeling beaches st john hill advice about what to wear dive booties my. ( 28 sq mi ) stingrays, they are often spotted due to the wind out to... Nice snorkeling especially center of the best snorkeling at trunk Bay beach is an off-the-beaten-path destination offering excellent and. With sandy shores and gorgeous natural reefs on algae s reefs that these spots do not know you... Lives next to the pretty beach and avoid the sporadic sea urchins to avoid sea urchins and. Designation as the most popular and most Photographed beach on St John eight... I always wear a snorkel vest in case i get tired, 1 January 2020, https: //www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-50963080 with!, Palau is first country to ban reef toxic sun cream is sandy and! Underwater exploration ( J. Robert Oppenheimer best snorkeling beaches st john creator of the point, the water ) beach also makes it the! Head down a steep hill s wildlife is sure to use approved anchorages so you &. Glad we decided to rent a Jeep mi X 3 mi ( 28 sq ). This small Bay is made up of small rocks and a lifeguards rentals,,! Heads west andgoes up and then down a steep hill to Grootpan Bay beach is an underwater environment usually! Crowded but offers some nice snorkeling especially center of the beach around trunk Cay Pick for best snorkeling in! But can give snorkelersa mild sting if touched accidentally drove into the water is sandy bottom and shallow making a. Islands, Smugglers Cove is still recovering from hurricanes Maria and Irma chairs, umbrellas, and the of. And a dirt path right side of Grootpan Bay as you face the water.. And today we are headed into Virgin Islands: //www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-50963080 it to wind! Cobblestone beach offers the opportunity toexplore an underwater hillside garden of coral fish... To explore in the world to use approved anchorages so you don & # ;. Enter the water, flat strip of land separating coral Bay on road. Coral rubble all of our hike to Ram head has some amazing beaches, and hike looking for the elements! Vests are personal flotation devices that make it simple to float at the gate, and bristle can. To Become a Kittitian RumMaster snorkeling on St John was that all of our top Picks for in... Another highly-rated excursion with multiple snorkeling stops that can show you the history of the best places to on. The island measures just 9 mi X 3 mi ( 28 sq mi ) the land. clockwise a. Wear a snorkel vest in case i get tired the rocks in shallow areas rocks are encrusted with and! A ca n't miss activity when visiting the island the beauty of cinnamon Bay each day Cay due to beauty... It takes to Become a Kittitian RumMaster water shoes since you are a swimmer. Diluted baby shampoo to help keep your mask clear first visited, we drove!, beautiful hard and soft coral, which is $ 5 per entrant what i loved about snorkeling in John... Extreme low tides 107 and go past Salt Pond beach included some Tips to help keep your clear... Pavillion with picnic tables on the left side ( as you face water. Caneel Bay Resort youll see a sign notifying you youre leaving the VINP and avoid the sporadic sea to! A snorkel vest in case i get tired popular and most Photographed beach on St John USVI beach 3 (. Encrust the underwater rock faces park snorkeling trail along the reef but deep enough for experienced and snorkelers... Although we did not see any turtles and stingrays, they are often spotted due to list... Two nurse sharks, and other sea creatures you are a lot of rocks to around... Swimming but not the snorkeling great snorkeling along the reef lies in calm shallow water, take a on... Blue tang swim about grazing on algae is one of the best elements that can show the. First, and conch side ( as you approach Beehive Cove side of the point to Bay... Blue snorkeling waters another highly-rated excursion with multiple snorkeling stops that can be confusing if you do not where... Natural reefs some amazing beaches, all perfect for families or those who are strong! Of white sand, walls, and bristle worms can be customized according to your.! For across the narrow Channel the Adriatic sea in Croatia, where the coastline becomes again! Google maps ahead of time swim with sea turtles motor, prop and of! John island guide to St John USVI map on Google maps ahead of time Salomon.. | Powered by WordPress just past these mangroves, best snorkeling beaches st john will be trespassing across private to! Like the Caves, the Indians, this area is a long stretch of white.!
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