Youll find directions to each location along with an informative snorkeling report, St John beach map and local tips so you can decide which spots are right for you; and where to stay on St John. Care should be taken not to kick the coral with your fins. St. John is the most natural of the islands and has numerous easy access snorkeling spots. 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. Avid snorkelers will want to head towards the eastern and western shorelines. There are some beautiful tropical fish and coral outcroppings; however, I would not consider this a top snorkeling spot. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Enriching Pursuits. You are exposed to the full sun. Thalia, the owner of the land in front of the beach, very kindly upkeeps the beach through donations. 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. The most popular ferries are out of Charlotte Amalie and Red Hook, St Thomas. And we agree! 1. Maho Bay Quarter, St John's best beach. While theyre nearly the same beach, the section known as Oppenheimer Beach is marked by wrought-iron gates. 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. and an entrance fee. These rocks are encrusted with mustard-yellowfire coral, which is very attractive but can give snorkelersa mild sting if touched. All Rights Reserved. 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. You can see many large, purple sea fans and other gorgonians, as well as hard corals, such as star, elkhorn, and brain coral. The reefs are destroyed but there are plenty of fish and at Maho you can't snorkel without seeing a few turtles. 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. 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. Its shoreline is a mix of wind-swept sand and pebbles. The reef rises up close to the surface near the shore and then slopes down to a depth of about thirty feet. But its a fun sight in 8 or less of shallow water. The Virgin Islands have some of the best snorkeling in the Caribbean. Best for: Swimming, snorkeling, and beach parties. 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. You might also see Nurse sharks ( non threatening / shy ) and some gems like black and white geometric tunicates and blue encrusting coral. Its north east facing location can make conditions challenging. 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. 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. My husband is awesome at picking out the little creatures! I always wear a snorkel vest. You'd do yourself well to visit this glorious white sand beach even if you don't snorkel. Long Bay Beach Resort is a popular choice next to picturesque Long Bay Beach and Smugglers Cove. Snorkeling the Mangroves. This private speedboat charter from St. Thomas is a top pick that will take you snorkeling at the prime spots in the USVI and BVI. Do You Have What It Takes to Become a Kittitian RumMaster? There is a large parking lot, but it fills up quickly. Entry can be a little tricky due to the cobblestone beach, sargassum (seaweed), and sea urchins. 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. A beautiful beach with an underwater snorkeling trail! Henley Cay This section of the reef tends to attract larger predators such as blue runners, mutton snapper, and yellowtail snapper. There is a little bit of a pebbly transition right at the shoreline. The island measures just 9 mi X 3 mi ( 28 sq mi ). Every list of the Best St John Beaches includes the beautiful North Shore beaches! 2023 OutsiderView. Parrotfish and blue tang swim about grazing on algae. 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. 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 possible to visit both sites in a single day. Honeymoon Beach is an off-the-beaten-path destination offering excellent snorkeling and other watersports in a secluded area within Virgin Islands National Park. Trunk Bay is a body of water and a beach on St. John in the United States Virgin Islands.Cinnamon Bay Beach is one of the longest beaches in the park. When youve had your fill of music, stuffed French toast, and spicy Bloody Marys, head to Lameshur Beach. Visitors will argue about which one is their favorite. Snorkeling equipment, as well as single and double kayaks, standup paddle boards, and beach chairs can be rented at the Honeymoon Beach Hut. St John island is one of the top Caribbean destinations for snorkeling. Soft white sand stretches in both directions while shallow waters provide newbie snorkelers the chance to get their sea legs. Drive PAST the Greater Lameshur Bay to reach Little Lameshur Bay Beach. Reply Subscribe . MAHO BAY BEACH Great to know. Located at the southern end of the British Virgin Islands, Norman Island allegedly inspired Robert Louis Stevensons famous pirate novel Treasure Island. Guide to the Best St. John Snorkeling Spots - Snorkel and Hike Looking for the best St. John snorkeling spots?? Brewers Bay is a favorite for Green Sea Turtles and Hawksbill Turtles. 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 second room is the most interesting, although both are beautiful. Those are just examples, nearly all of the beaches have close snorkeling. 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. If you are looking to piece together all that St John has to offer, check out my ultimate itinerary below. More info on Haulover North NOTE: Conditions at Haulover North depend on wind and waves. The coral reef here is in relatively good condition, and the reef community is colorful and diverse. Because of the way it is situated, Maho Bay is usually the calmest of the north shore beaches. Cinnamon Bay Beach is one of several gorgeous beaches located right off of North Shore Road. 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. Begin by snorkeling around the large rocks at the corner ofthe beach. Right side of Cinnamon Bay Beach (this is the entry point to snorkeling out to the Cay). With its secluded location, Brown Bay is considered the hidden gem of St. John. There are busy ferry routes that connect St John to St Thomas, St Croix, Tortola and the BVIs. 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. Bear left and follow the trail along the shoreline until youre at a point closest to the Cay. Bring a hat, wear a sun shirt and sunscreen, and bring plenty of water. 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. More Info on Waterlemon Cay NOTE: There can be very strong currents on the outer edge of the Cay. Haulover (North) Questions about the St John snorkeling sites we visited? Trunk Bay Beach. For more advice about what to wear snorkeling, check out our article here. Because of the calm, shallow water, Smugglers Cove is a great snorkeling site for beginners. Please be careful as you navigate into the water. All rights reserved. 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. 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. For some reason, this beautiful beach always rewards me with something exciting. It all depends on the winds and current. Shallow entry, calm waters and plenty to see close to shore. The water is shallow and has a sandy bottom. Private NEW Luxury Power Catamaran. This beach has many shaded areas and large areas of seagrass bed. We just returned from there again in July of 2018. 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. Also, expect much more snorkeling fins in your face because of the increased crowds. Be aware the water can get rough along the far side of the Cay due to exposure to the wind. Trunk Bay in St. John is one of the best Caribbean islands for snorkeling vacations. Overall, I would rate St John USVI as a whole as 4/5 snorkels. You will come to several splits in the poorly maintained road. There are boats that dock in the bay, so it can be dangerous if you try to navigate around them. There's an underwater snorkel trail and you'll see some incredible coral and fish. The road heads west andgoes up and then down a steep hill. The elkhorn coral barrier reef surrounds two-thirds of the island, creating a rich marine ecosystem home to many threatened and endangered plant and animal species. 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. It was better than I was expecting. Scrawled filefish can sometimes be seen making their way along the bottom hunting for food. 2022 2. Put on your gear and enter the water from the sand on the southernend of the beach. Dont forget your waterproof snorkeling bag to keep your valuables safe. , very kindly upkeeps the beach and Hike Looking for the best John... You have What it Takes to Become a Kittitian RumMaster and Smugglers is. Give snorkelersa mild sting if touched here is in relatively good condition, and bring of..., Brown Bay is considered the hidden gem of St. John is entry. July of 2018, which is very attractive but can give snorkelersa mild sting if touched put on gear! 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