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. And just like other St John beaches youll find white sand, palm trees, seagrapes for shade and some good shallow water snorkeling. 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. Located with the Caneel Bay Resort visitors can either hike the Lind Point Trail from Cruz Bay; park at Caneel Bay Resort and walk the approx. All Rights Reserved. Soft white sand, shallow water entry, beautiful aqua blue water, snorkeling and watersports make it the perfect St John beach destination! 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. Know your surroundings (currents, wind, where your buddy is, etc.). There can be a moderate current here which sets to the west, as well as the possibility of a strong breeze blowing in the same direction. 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. Cinnamon Bay is a lot like Trunk Bay with its beauty and amenities, but bigger and more spacious. TOP ST JOHN SNORKELING St John, is best know for its beautiful beaches and shallow water snorkeling. Close up of sea turtle at Maho Bay in St John USVI, Yellowline arrow crab at Maho Bay in St John USVI, Beaugregory Damselfish at Maho Bay in St John looking right at me. Salt Pond You can swim from the sandy beach out to the Cay, which is quite a long swim. Brown Bay. All rights reserved. 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. However, if youre looking for a quiet getaway, Coki Beach is not it. This created an incredibly frustrating experience. 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. Trunk Bay 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. All rights reserved. Sail to St John National Park (the very best, least crowded beaches) where you will enjoy fantastic snorkeling & swimming stops, gourmet lunch, drinks, and great company! Snorkeling in 5 to 15 of water youll discover beautiful rocky patch reefs covered in corals. The award-winning resort has an onsite dive center with watersport rentals, snorkeling gear, and guided excursions. Care should be taken not to kick the coral with your fins. Trunk Bay is the most famous beach in Virgin Islands National Park, often listed among the most beautiful beaches in the world. The latest articles, guides, and resources, sent to your inbox monthly. All recommendations are on items I love and feel will deliver value to you! We saw patches of coral and beautiful tropical fish as we snorkeled on the right side of the bay. I always wear a snorkel vest in case I get tired. This top-notch snorkeling spot is easy to access. 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. 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. The U.S. Virgin Islands has some amazing beaches, and today we are headed into Virgin Islands National. 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. This section of the reef tends to attract larger predators such as blue runners, mutton snapper, and yellowtail snapper. Here are our family's votes for the best snorkeling beaches on St. John. 2023 SeeStJohn.com | Sombrero Publishing Company PO Box 1031, St. John, VI 00831 |, Whether you stay in Cruz Bay or Coral Bay. Caneel Bay beach The trip begins and ends at Honeymoon Beach, one of St. Johns best snorkeling spots. I would highly advise wearing tennis shoes or water shoes since you are navigating over rocks and a dirt path. Just be sure to use approved anchorages so you don't harm precious reefs. You will be snorkeling in a location that is somewhat far awayfrom a convenient place to get out of the water, and there maybe areas of rough seas. Best beach to snorkel on St John. . I would advise starting this adventure early in the morning. Not far from Norman Island lies a group of uninhabited rocky islets rising from the sea. Private Full or Half Day Catamaran Snorkel, & Beach Experience; Private Luxury Catamaran Yacht. Just off the center of the beach is a good spot to see a sea turtle. The water is sandy bottom and shallow making it a great spot for younger kids and parents with floats. STJ has amazing offshore snorkeling. Soft starfish, red sea urchins, and bristle worms can be seen under the rocks in shallow areas. We saw so many turtles I lost count. This seven-hour private boat tour is another highly-rated excursion with multiple snorkeling stops that can be customized according to your preferences. In the underwater grasslands just seaward of the reef, snorkelers are likely to come upon large green sea turtles, often accompanied by stuck-on remora or bar jacks that follow along just inches above the turtles back. 99.9% of travelers come to St John by boat ! Book St. John Snorkeling. There's a magical world waiting for you beneath the surface of the water on St. Thomas. 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. This little beach gets LOTS OF SUN and doesn't afford much protection. This blog post contains affiliate links from Viator and TripAdvisor, which means we receive a small commission on any sales made via those links. Cinnamon Bay is also one of the few places to camp on St John. Best entry is in the center of the beach where the sandy bottom comes closest to the shoreline. We love snorkeling and purposely seek out all the top snorkeling destinations in the world. 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. The best snorkeling is on the right side along the rocks as you face the water. Ram Head Point protects the bayfrom winds and waves, leaving the reef in clear, calm water. To help differentiate between all of the St John snorkeling spots, I have created a rating system to help you decide which ones to try out. Best for: Swimming, snorkeling, and beach parties. It is advised to swim counter-clockwise around the Cay, but we swam clockwise without a problem. Maho Bay offers a chance to swim with sea turtles. This easily accessible, shallow-water snorkel can be thoroughly enjoyed by snorkelers of all experience levels. Snorkeling at Maho Bay Beach is one of the reasons people love this locations. Located at the eastern end of Leinster Bay, Watermelon Cay is known as the top snorkeling spot on St. John. The snorkeling, however, is dramatic, with ledges, walls, and nooks to explore. The only sign of civilization . Neltjeberg Bay. Bring a hat, wear a sun shirt and sunscreen, and bring plenty of water. 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. St. John Virgin Islands: The Best Snorkeling and Top Beaches Francis Bay morning shade St. John, US Virgin Islands. Snorkeling the waters of St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands, is one of the most rewarding and exciting things to do on St. John. , Williams, Jeff and Ria OHagan. Eventually, you reach a sign that states no outlet. This is the end of the paved road. Once youve crossed the Durloe Channel youll find a protected sandy cove on the western side of the cay. A large variety of fish including Atlantic Blue tangs, Blue Headed wrasses, Sargeant majors, as well as Caribbean lobsters, crabs, conch and more! Head counter clockwise to use the current to round the Cay. Protected under Virgin Islands National Coral Reef Monument, the underwater landscape . And along the western end towards Salomon Beach youll find a patch reef with hard and soft corals and colorful fish. 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. Because of the calm, shallow water, Smugglers Cove is a great snorkeling site for beginners. Start your snorkeling around the middle to left side of the beach. The first step is to get toGreat Lameshur Bay on St. Johns south coast. Trunk Bay , Skincare Chemicals and Coral Reefs. National Ocean Service, https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/news/sunscreen-corals.html. 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. *Links in this post contain Amazon and CJ affiliate links. Please read on to discover what snorkeling spots are worth it, and what are not. And theyre all located along St Johns North Shore! Haulover is a narrow, flat strip of land separating Coral Bay on the south from Sir Francis Drake Channel on the north. Put on your gear and enter the water from the sand on the southernend of the beach. My husband who has an amazing eagle eye even spotted a yellowline arrow crab. In addition to snorkeling, swimming, and diving, visitors can hike along the islands scenic walking trails or relax on the gorgeous white sand beach. Also, there is no shade along the dirt path and the beach. The beach at Haulover North is mostly coral rubble. The western side of the cay is better protected from waves and wind. Maho Bay also offers good reef snorkeling for those looking to explore the sea life on a coral reef. Maho Bay is on everybodys favorite beach list. Bring a dive light if you want to explore deeper into any of the caves, as it can get quite dark. Find out where to go snorkeling on your Virgin Islands vacation. .5 mi EW, or take a taxi to Caneel and ride the Honeymoon Beach Huts golf cart to Honeymoon Beach. We saw a lot of beautiful coral and sea fans, shoal of squid, two nurse sharks, and many beautiful tropical fish. It is located off of East End Road just past Haulover Bay on the right. The local museum brings the best elements that can show you the history of the place. I have never seen one puff out but these cute little fish can take in water to make their bodies (and long spines) puff out if they feel threatened. After a morning snorkel, visit Vies Snack Shack and pay the nominal fee she charges to access the sandy beach next to Hansen. The Guide to Diving and Snorkeling in the British Virgin Islands. There are also many different types of coral, including grooved brain coral and pillar coral. Check out my personal snorkeling gear picks below. Little damselfish defend their self-proclaimed territories by darting menacingly at even large intruders. The Caneel Bay resort was decimated by back-to-back hurricanes in 2017 and has yet to be rebuilt. The southern side of Haulover Bay, St John, lies just off the side of Route 10. Drive past the parking lot for Salt Pond Bay Beach and take your second left. 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. Snorkel gear and watersports equipment are available to rent at Honeymoon Beach, and there are various facilities, including a beach bar and grill. Drive PAST the Greater Lameshur Bay to reach Little Lameshur Bay Beach. Youll also find bathrooms, RainTree Caf, watersports rentals and a souvenir shop. Fringed by coconut palms, full of gentle waves, easy to find, and full of coral reefs and other sea life, Maho is famous for a reason! The NPS actually has a great map showing where the reefs are along the beaches. . The walls and ceiling of the cave are covered with beautiful cup corals and sponges. Magen's Bay Beach (One Of The Most Beautiful) Another popular beach among tourists and locals is Magen's Bay Beach. If you want to try sailing or windsurfing, they even . Along the shoreline that connects to Caneel Bay youll find huge schools of Sergeant Major Damsels, wrasse, French Angelfish, sea turtles, rays and a wide variety of hard and soft corals. The US Virgin Islands are famous for their beaches, and Salomon Bay Beach is considered one of the gems on St. John's island.. It's on the smaller side and is found near Trunk Bay Beach, which takes most of the tourists away from it. 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