Just off the center of the beach is a good spot to see a sea turtle. I would highly advise wearing tennis shoes or water shoes since you are navigating over rocks and a dirt path. With soft sand and a shallow entry, entry is easy and straight forward. In fact, Hurricane Hole has been my favorite snorkel spot in the US Virgin Islands since moving here! Scrawled filefish can sometimes be seen making their way along the bottom hunting for food. Little damselfish defend their self-proclaimed territories by darting menacingly at even large intruders. Parking spots fill up quickly, so get there early! Cane Bay at sunrise, St. Croix. Snorkeling is one of the most popular activities among visitors to the Virgin Islands. The currents can be strong. 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. There is a good deal of fire coral encrustation, but true hardcoral varieties are also plentiful. Make sure to choose a reef-friendly sunscreen that doesnt contain oxybenzone, octinoxate, or other chemicals known to harm coral reefs and sea creatures.3 In addition to protecting marine life, youll also be following the law - the US Virgin Islands has banned the use of these reef toxic sunscreens.4. 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. Also . Little Lameshur Bay. We snorkeled to the left (as you face the water) across the small bay to the larger patch reef. The history of the land is rich and filled with unknown facts. It's an iconic photo of the beach, the north shore of St. John, and the British Virgin Islands stretching out in the distance. Put on your gear and enter the water from the sand on the southernend of the beach. The name Haulover came about because it was often easier to just haul small boats over this stretch of land than to make the long sail around East End, notorious for strong currents, gusty winds, and rough seas. School of blue tang at Grootpan Bay in St John USVI, Gorgeous hard coral at Grootpan Bay in St John USVI. Getting to Grootpan Bay Beach is an adventure and can be confusing if you do not know where you are going ahead of time. This snorkeling spot is best for intermediate to advanced snorkelers since the current can be stronger than in other areas. Islands may receive financial compensation for products purchased through this site. *Links in this post contain Amazon and CJ affiliate links. This is the first and only sandy beach that you pass on the trail before arriving at the beautiful beach across from Waterlemon Cay. Its not much more than a motor, prop and portion of the wing of a small plane. Green turtles, stingrays, and conch can be seen over the grassy areas, which make up most of the central portion of the bay. Vibrant coral at Francis Bay in St John USVI, Snorkeling with turtles at Francis Bay in St John USVI. Do not overestimate your swimming ability. The Guide to Diving and Snorkeling in the British Virgin Islands. Its an amazing spot with plenty of fish and corals many that arent common in other places around St John. 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. Entry is easy with calm waters and a sandy bottom. And along the western end towards Salomon Beach youll find a patch reef with hard and soft corals and colorful fish. Northwest of St John Island. Beehive Cove lies on the other side of thesmall rocky point to the south. Youll also find bathrooms, RainTree Caf, watersports rentals and a souvenir shop. 14.1K subscribers In this video, we go out in search of the best snorkeling in St. John. 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. 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. Make sure you do NOT end up in Kiddel Bay. 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. This location is best for experienced snorkelers since you'll need to swim a few hundred feet out away from shore to reach the best spots. 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. A few gallons of water work great for rinsing off all that sand. Theres plenty of parking. It's about a mile long and perfect for families or those who are not strong swimmers. #10 - Lovango Cay Virgin Islands . As you face the water, snorkel to the left out to Yawzi Point. Trunk Bay is a long stretch of white sand with a rock island just off the shore. Some of the best snorkeling on the island can be found along the rocky outcroppings on both sides of the bay, especially to the left, where angelfish, tang, parrotfish, and the occasional barracuda swim through the corals. Since most people consider December to April the best time to travel to the Caribbean, many snorkelers visit the Virgin Islands during the North American winter. Bring a dive light if you want to explore deeper into any of the caves, as it can get quite dark. The satellite view was too cloudy, so I included this map instead. This is one of the best beaches on St. John for foraging along the shoreline and discovering what the tide washes up. Begin by snorkeling around the large rocks at the corner ofthe beach. Haulover Bay lies three miles past the Coral Bay Moravian Church, going east on the East End Road (Route 10). Those are without a doubt the most popular beaches. 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. Although we did not see any turtles and stingrays, they are often spotted due to the presence of seagrass beds. Caneel Bay beach Shallow entry, calm waters and plenty to see close to shore. Snorkeling at Honeymoon Beach is best on the eastern and western ends of the beach. and an entrance fee. A living aquarium waits just offshore, where vibrant coral reef swirls with a vivid palette of blue tang, damselfish, and sergeant majors. Watch out for black spiny sea urchins hiding here. Some animal species you might see in the area are French angelfish, queen angel, and permits. There is also plenty of colorful coral. 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. 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. Posts: 957 Likes: 0 Copyright 2023 Islands. 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. From the beach, you can see huge rock structures in the middle of the bay. Site by Adagio Digital Arts | Powered by WordPress, Protected by the Virgin Islands National Park. Staff Pick Some of the most dramatic underwater structure and corals on the island. I went to the left and saw nice fans, fish. The other option is to keep walking past the sandy beach to the far edge of the beach where the coastline becomes rocky again. Cinnamon Bay 1,205 Beaches By ElizabethG393 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. Guests can enjoy recently upgraded eco-tents or cottage accommodations; and wake up to the beauty of Cinnamon Bay each 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. Youll also find plenty of reef fish, corals, sea fans, and sponges. Brewers Bay. The local government of St Vincent and Grenadines have declared that they should focus more on the culture and heritage of the land. We enjoyed excellent snorkeling around this cay. Original Poster . Bring a hat, wear a sun shirt and sunscreen, and bring plenty of water. Best Beaches on St John - Northwest Shore St John has many amazing beaches, all perfect for enjoying a sunny beach day. Ram Head Point protects the bayfrom winds and waves, leaving the reef in clear, calm water. 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. Snorkeling is a can't miss activity when visiting the island. There is an underwater snorkeling trail along the Cay, which requires a short swim out from the beach. Check out my personal snorkeling gear picks below. Snorkeling equipment, as well as single and double kayaks, standup paddle boards, and beach chairs can be rented at the Honeymoon Beach Hut. On St. John, Estate Lindholm is a top pick within Virgin Islands National Park. The Most Popular and Most Photographed Beach on St John! This little beach gets LOTS OF SUN and doesn't afford much protection. When youve had your fill of music, stuffed French toast, and spicy Bloody Marys, head to Lameshur Beach. The worst is when a snorkelers fins hit you in the face because of their lack of awareness of what is around them. We also saw a moon jellyfish, but it was easy to navigate around. And you'll find wonderful snorkeling from most of the beaches! Your email address will not be published. Parking: Paid parking lot ($5) and roadside parking. 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. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Corals tend to be hard corals like maze brain corals, fire coral, mustard coral, staghorn coral and Pillar corals. There are a lot of rocks to navigate over and sea urchins to avoid. Snorkel around the point to Kiddel Bay but only if you are a confident swimmer. St. John's Trunk Bay is unquestionably one of the best snorkeling beaches in the world. Check out our list of the best islands for snorkeling. It is advised to swim counter-clockwise around the Cay, but we swam clockwise without a problem. Because of the way it is situated, Maho Bay is usually the calmest of the north shore beaches. Trunk Bay These small silvery fish travel in close proximity to one another in large schools that look like moving underwater shadows. Large sea fans and gorgonians waving in the current surrounded by mustard corals and brain coral and fire corals. I would strongly consider wearing dive booties with your snorkeling fins. 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. Activity itinerary. Snorkeling off the eastern end of the beach and youll find a large table reef in 5 to 15 of water. Here are our family's votes for the best snorkeling beaches on St. John. Trunk Bay has it all. Shallow entry, calm waters and plenty to see close to shore. Zentacle has 12 dive sites, snorkel spots, beaches, and more. Salt Pond and Drunk Bay are actually two hikes on the south shore of St John. If you attempt this swim, you will snorkel over seagrass beds where you may see some turtles, rays, and starfish. 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. 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. There are many amenities, including a bar, restaurant, watersport rentals, dive shop, chairs, umbrellas, and more. . Every beach can be accessed by boat. The award-winning resort has an onsite dive center with watersport rentals, snorkeling gear, and guided excursions. We saw patches of coral and beautiful tropical fish as we snorkeled on the right side of the bay. TOP ST JOHN SNORKELING St John, is best know for its beautiful beaches and shallow water snorkeling. Protected under Virgin Islands National Coral Reef Monument, the underwater landscape . 2022 adagio digital arts. You can see many large, purple sea fans and other gorgonians, as well as hard corals, such as star, elkhorn, and brain coral. Several varieties of hard coral, including star, brain, elkhorn, staghorn, and pillar coral, can be found here as well as gorgonians, such as sea fans, sea plumes, and dead mans fingers. 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. 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. The Caneel Bay resort was decimated by back-to-back hurricanes in 2017 and has yet to be rebuilt. There is also more current, so you need to be a strong swimmer. Best St. John beaches to visit Best Beaches in St. John Salomon Bay. Getting there is part of the fun. The best reef corals and fish as to the left as you face the water. Near the left side of the reef, you can find a vibrant pillar coral that always seems to be a big attraction for colorful little fish. Trunk Bay is the only beach on St. John with an amenity fee, which is $5 per entrant. 2/3 of the island and surrounding reefs are protected by the US Virgin Islands National Park [ VINP ]. Distance: 1.1 miles out and back; Approx. Smugglers Cove is located on the west end of Tortola, and you can get there by boat, taxi shuttle, or car. 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. Hawksnest Beach is the best snorkeling spot in the Virgin Islands National Park to observe beautiful elkhorn coral, which is still in fairly good condition. Private NEW Luxury Power Catamaran. Just off the center of the beach is a good spot to see a sea turtle. This is another beach where you can spot sea turtles. 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 . Its arguably the most beautiful beach on St John; if not all of the Caribbean! The beach has a sandy bottom and an easy shallow entry. (J. Robert Oppenheimer, creator of the atomic bomb, once owned the land.) From hidden coves to must-see reefs, these are the best snorkeling spots in St. John. Love my Ugo! This bay, an inner bay of Great Lameshur,lies just to the north of Beehive Cove, the bay where the Tektiteproject took place. So when you see pictures of St. John, chances are you are going to see a photo of the famous Trunk Bay overlook. But the snorkeling is some of the best on the island. The highlight was seeing a lemon shark. Entry into the water is easy. Snorkel in the middle of the bay (but more towards the right) to see turtles and rays hanging out in the seagrass. 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. 14 Best St. John Beaches. This makes people coming from northern climates especially susceptible to the strong Caribbean sun. St Johns most popular, most photographed, and most visited beach is Trunk Bay. Brain coral, soft coral, and sea fans at Little Lameshur Bay in St John USVI. , Palau is first country to ban reef toxic sun cream. BBC News, 1 January 2020, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-50963080. You can park in the large lot located directly across from the eastern side of the beach. The island boasts over 3 dozen beaches to choose from and discover. She is passionate about outdoor activities and enjoys writing pieces that inspire others to get outside. Waterlemon Cay - The top snorkeling destination on St John. Using the offline map, you should be able to continue to navigate your way over to Grootpan. Maho Bay is on everybodys favorite beach list. It all depends on the winds and current. With crystal clear water, beautiful white sand, and little islands scattered around, you'll want to explore them all. 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. Be prepared for a bumpy ride to Grootpan! Last updated Jan 29, 2023 | Best Snorkeling Caribbean, St. John. Snorkeling the Mangroves. You can see the beach right from the parking lot. Cinnamon Bay is a lot like Trunk Bay with its beauty and amenities, but bigger and more spacious. The area is protected as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and is rich with sea life. This created an incredibly frustrating experience. St John has no airport. BEST SNORKELING ON ST JOHN Waterlemon Cay - The top snorkeling destination on St John. Soft starfish, red sea urchins, and bristle worms can be seen under the rocks in shallow areas. If youre lucky, you might also catch sight of some sea turtles. 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. 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