We will be in St. Thomas and St. Maarten. Be prepared for a bumpy ride to Grootpan! Virgin Islands Day Sailing: The best sailing/snorkeling trip ever! 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. Located on St Johns East End at the edge of the Virgin Islands National Park youll find this snorkelers bucket-list worthy location. No hike required. It's a top spot to go snorkeling in St John from the beach. Like many areas in the Virgin Islands, Smugglers Cove is still recovering from hurricanes Maria and Irma. Our ultimate printable guide to Trunk Bay snorkeling in St John have snorkel dive descriptions, maps, lodging recommendations and contact information. 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. Head counter clockwise to use the current to round the Cay. The local museum brings the best elements that can show you the history of the place. , Williams, Jeff and Ria OHagan. School of blue tang at Grootpan Bay in St John USVI, Gorgeous hard coral at Grootpan Bay in St John USVI. Where to snorkel at Little Lameshur Bay Beach. It is located right off of North Shore Road. St. John's longest beach also makes it to the list of the best snorkeling destinations. Planning a trip to St John in the U.S. Virgin Islands? 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. A small island can be seen in the middle of the water near Trunk Bay Beach. And its should be Its convenient sitting right along North Shore Road. All recommendations are on items I love and feel will deliver value to you! Among other cool stuff, Ive seen moray eels, turtles, nurse sharks, and squid. You will have to walk over the pebbly beach and avoid the sporadic sea urchins as you launch off into the water. With its secluded location, Brown Bay is considered the hidden gem of St. John. We were glad we decided to rent a Jeep! Staff Pick for Best Snorkeling on St John! The rocky north coast on the right-hand side of the beach offers excellent snorkeling, especially during the summer months when large schools of fry congregate close to shore. 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. Begin by snorkeling around the large rocks at the corner ofthe beach. 5 Best Ways to Explore Hurricane Hole in Coral Bay, St. John. To get to it youll need to visit by charter or kayak tour. You will come to several splits in the poorly maintained road. If you are, snorkeling on this beautiful island is a MUST-DO! After you park, walk a few minutes along a path right to the beach. 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. Despite the fact that Salomon is the closest north shore beach to Cruz Bay, it remains a private island paradise, as its accessible only by trail. Snorkel around the point to Kiddel Bay but only if you are a confident swimmer. The U.S. Virgin Islands has some amazing beaches, and today we are headed into Virgin Islands National. 99.9% of travelers come to St John by boat ! Some, like Francis, are best if you swim . This is yet another very accessible St John USVI beach. It's on the smaller side and is found near Trunk Bay Beach, which takes most of the tourists away from it. Cane Bay (St. Croix): One of the island's best diving and snorkeling sites is off this breezy, north-shore beach. At the end of the road at the split, take a left. Here's our TOP PICKS for snorkeling on St John. Snorkeling the waters of St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands, is one of the most rewarding and exciting things to do on St. John. The parking lot fills up quickly! A short walk later, and you will be witness to one of the most beautiful island beaches in the world! 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. 5. Lovango Resort & Beach Club: This newly opened. The second room is the most interesting, although both are beautiful. Located on the East End of St. Thomas, Secret Harbor Beach Resort offers prime snorkeling conditions right off of the hotel beach. Eventually, you reach a sign that states no outlet. This is the end of the paved road. Most of the reef lies in calm shallow water, with some sections even rising above the surface at times of extreme low tides. All rights reserved. This is where youll likely see large orange and yellow cushion starfish. 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. Terri Clemmons photos. However, if youre looking for a quiet getaway, Coki Beach is not it. This is the closest entry point to get to Waterlemon Cay, which is the route we chose. This top-notch snorkeling spot is easy to access. Shallow entry, calm waters and plenty to see close to shore. Getting to this remote beach requires a 20-minute walk (one way) along a flat, scenic trail. 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. Like The Caves, The Indians are accessible only by boat. Cinnamon Bay 1,205 Beaches By ElizabethG393 But the snorkeling is some of the best on the island. Scrawled filefish can sometimes be seen making their way along the bottom hunting for food. There are also some patches of reef on both sides of the bay, but the right side of the beach (as you face the water) is supposed to be slightly better and better suited for advanced snorkelers. 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. 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. The island measures just 9 mi X 3 mi ( 28 sq mi ). 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. Beehive Cove lies on the other side of thesmall rocky point to the south. With arguably the best shallow water snorkeling in all of the Virgin Islands youre sure to have a great experience. We arrived around 10 am, and there were only a handful of parking spaces left. And you'll find wonderful snorkeling from most of the beaches! Some animal species you might see in the area are French angelfish, queen angel, and permits. Lush v. You might also see Nurse sharks ( non threatening / shy ) and some gems like black and white geometric tunicates and blue encrusting coral. 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. Soft starfish, red sea urchins, and bristle worms can be seen under the rocks in shallow areas. St. John is the most natural of the islands and has numerous easy access snorkeling spots. 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. The fry is extremely sensitive to minute changes in water currents and can sense the approach of the hunters. The eastern wall of the second room is encrusted with sponges and cup coral. Be aware the water can get rough along the far side of the Cay due to exposure to the wind. Here are our family's votes for the best snorkeling beaches on St. John. Swim out just past where the motorboats are tied up to find rope sponges, vase sponges and eel grass. . The best snorkeling is on the left side of Grootpan Bay as you face the water. From hidden coves to must-see reefs, these are the best snorkeling spots in St. John. A quick 5-minute walk and you are there! Food trucks are also parked all over the Beach. Answer 1 of 14: Which Caribbean resort has the best right-off-the-resort beach snorkeling? The best snorkeling area can be found as you approach Beehive Cove, as everything becomes more colorful. There are many small reef fish in the area. 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. 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. Cinnamon Cay is located about 100 yards off the shore. Discover hand-curated maps, along with reviews and photos from nature lovers like you. Because it is off-the-beaten-path, this beach does not appear to get much use. We saw a lot of beautiful coral and sea fans, shoal of squid, two nurse sharks, and many beautiful tropical fish. Theres plenty of parking. Always snorkel with a buddy and never exceed your physical ability or experience. The western part of Waterlemon Cay is where we saw the two nurse sharks relaxing at the bottom of the reef. Maho Bay also offers good reef snorkeling for those looking to explore the sea life on a coral reef. The area is protected as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and is rich with sea life. The US Virgin Islands are famous for their beaches, and Salomon Bay Beach is considered one of the gems on St. John's island.. Your mobile-friendly St John island guide to St John's beaches, snorkeling, maps and more. Snorkel around the Cay thats just off the beach. Ivette - Jul 21, 2018 - St John July 2018 We were in St John back in July of 2016 and the beauty of the island and reefs was wonderful. Despite the damage, there are many opportunities to view diverse marine life, including coral, tropical fish, octopus, and sea turtles. Waterlemon Cay There is also more current, so you need to be a strong swimmer. 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. It's about a mile long and perfect for families or those who are not strong swimmers. Blue tang at Blue Cobblestone in St John USVI. Cane Bay at sunrise, St. Croix. 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. Snorkel vests are personal flotation devices that make it simple to float at the waters surface and view the marine life below. Waterlemon Cay - The top snorkeling destination on St John. Dont forget your waterproof snorkeling bag to keep your valuables safe. As you face the water, snorkel to the left out to Yawzi Point. All Rights Reserved. Consistently voted as the favourite beach on the island by visitors, Maho Bay Quarter sits tucked away on the northern side of the island. Here is a map of all 11 snorkeling sites we discovered during our 1-week exploration of St John USVI. Do not overestimate your swimming ability. Posts: 957 Likes: 0 Thus, snorkelers should make an extra effort to avoid situations where the water is too shallow for them. Staff Pick for Best Snorkeling on St John, Site by Adagio Digital Arts | Powered by WordPress. 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 In fact, Maho is our #1 recommendation for anybody that wants a chance to swim with a sea turtle on St John. Maho Bay is on everybodys favorite beach list. The snorkeling is great along the reef on the left side (as you face the water). It all depends on the winds and current. Along the way youll see beautiful hard and soft corals and a large variety of Caribbean tropical fish. Review of the best snorkeling at Trunk Bay in St John. Its closer to the beach and smaller than the more extensive reef on the other side of the bay. The history of the land is rich and filled with unknown facts. Its perfect for beginner snorkelers and children. Protected under Virgin Islands National Coral Reef Monument, the underwater landscape . Keep an eye out for brain corals, seafans, gorgonians, Blue Bell Tunicate corals, and a large variety of tropical fish including French Angelfish, Yellowtail Snapper, Puddingwife Wrasse, Blueheaded Wrasse, Jeweled Damsels, Queen Triggerfish, Blue Runners and Beau Gregory Damsels. Depths around the formations range from around 10 to 50 feet.2. Honeymoon is one of the best beaches on St. John for day trippers from St. Thomas. Do You Have What It Takes to Become a Kittitian RumMaster? Salt Pond - Can get a bit crowded but offers . 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