The fry is extremely sensitive to minute changes in water currents and can sense the approach of the hunters. The Best of St. John Where to Stay Hale Lani: This four-bedroom villa in Maria Bluff has unobstructed sea views from every room. The hike to Salt Pond Beach is fairly short, being about .8 miles. Discover hand-curated maps, along with reviews and photos from nature lovers like you. Park on the south side of the road alongside the small sand and coral rubble beach. 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. Parrotfish and blue tang swim about grazing on algae. Its arguably the most beautiful beach on St John; if not all of the Caribbean! Parking is catch-as-catch-can along the left hand side. Once youve crossed the Durloe Channel youll find a protected sandy cove on the western side of the cay. The water is sandy bottom and shallow making it a great spot for younger kids and parents with floats. Some, like Francis, are best if you swim . Out from the center of the beach, large beds of sea grass shelter sea turtles who dont mind company are easy to spot. The bottom is cobblestone, and getting into thewater is almost as easy as from a sandy beach. On the Beehive Cove side of the point, the water gets deeper. Required fields are marked *. Five miles east of Cruz Bay lies Mahos blissful sheltered bay. Entry can be a little tricky due to the cobblestone beach, sargassum (seaweed), and sea urchins. Zentacle has 12 dive sites, snorkel spots, beaches, and more. Add snorkeling to the mix, and you've got the perfect day! Please read on to discover what snorkeling spots are worth it, and what are not. 1. 2. Turtles, turtles, and more turtles! Just like Trunk Bay, youll find a cay just off the beach. 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. A beautiful beach with an underwater snorkeling trail! Located on the East End of St. Thomas, Secret Harbor Beach Resort offers prime snorkeling conditions right off of the hotel 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. Drive past the parking lot for Salt Pond Bay Beach and take your second left. Distance: 1.1 miles out and back; Approx. All recommendations are on items I love and feel will deliver value to you! There are a lot of rocks to navigate over and sea urchins to avoid. The NPS actually has a great map showing where the reefs are along the beaches. 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. Avid snorkelers will want to head towards the eastern and western shorelines. Those are just examples, nearly all of the beaches have close snorkeling. Check out my personal snorkeling gear picks below. Flamingo tongue snail at Little Lameshur Bay in St John USVI. Healthy elkhorn coral is found at most of USVI's reefs. 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. Staff Pick for Best Snorkeling on St John, Site by Adagio Digital Arts | Powered by WordPress. The result is literal forests of gorgonians and sea fans, brain corals, fire coral and healthy populations of reef fish. This created an incredibly frustrating experience. The buoys are hard to miss. After you park, walk a few minutes along a path right to the beach. Park in the Salt Pond Bay Beach parking lot. *Links in this post contain Amazon and CJ affiliate links. and an entrance fee. Here, the environment is sand and coral rubble. 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. We just returned from there again in July of 2018. From hidden coves to must-see reefs, these are the best snorkeling spots in St. John. There is a large parking lot, but it fills up quickly. We snorkeled to the left (as you face the water) across the small bay to the larger patch reef. If you are planning a day at Trunk Bay, dont miss my article below! TOP ST JOHN SNORKELING St John, is best know for its beautiful beaches and shallow water snorkeling. Neltjeberg Bay. Be prepared for a more difficult return to the beach, as you will be going against the chop and the current. Be aware this area is subject to strong currents and winds, so use your judgment before proceeding into the water. Depths around the formations range from around 10 to 50 feet.2. 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. Look under ledges and in holes to see lobsters, eels, and small fish seeking protection in their little hiding places. Cinnamon Bay is known for its dramatic rock crevices that feature a wide variety of colorful corals. While the name might imply that its only for lovers, Honeymoon Beach is a great beach for couples and families. Original Poster . , Williams, Jeff and Ria OHagan. The Most Popular and Most Photographed Beach on St John! Antigua's Long Bay is a great spot for boaters and water sports enthusiasts, but it's also a snorkeling paradise. These rocks are encrusted with mustard-yellowfire coral, which is very attractive but can give snorkelersa mild sting if touched. Trunk Bay has it all. Beaches By Harlaxton7 Great snorkeling with lobster, tarpon, squid, sea turtles and a beautiful beach, great place at sunset. There are also many different types of coral, including grooved brain coral and pillar coral. Snorkeling at Trunk Bay Beach in St John USVI. The bonus is that these spots do not require a boat to reach. Snorkeling at Honeymoon Beach is best on the eastern and western ends of the beach. The dominant species of coral found in the shallow top reef are colonies of star and boulder coral. The parking lot fills up quickly! Protected under Virgin Islands National Coral Reef Monument, the underwater landscape . One point of interest is the sunken plane wreckage just off of Little Cinnamon Beach. On St. John, Estate Lindholm is a top pick within Virgin Islands National Park. Every beach can be accessed by boat. 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. 99.9% of travelers come to St John by boat ! 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. I would not attempt this road after a lot of rain. The water is mild and currents or strong waves are rare. 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. Getting there is part of the fun. Virgin Islands National Park snorkeling trail and a lifeguards. The trail eventually cuts inland over a few hills before it dumps you onto Blue Cobblestone Beach. Some of the most popular snorkeling spots include Hansen Bay Beach, Hawksnest Beach, Maho Bay Beach, and Salt Pond Beach. While theyre nearly the same beach, the section known as Oppenheimer Beach is marked by wrought-iron gates. Enter the water over a shallow area of coral rubble. 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. Access is easy due to the sandy bottom and shallow, calm entry. Those are without a doubt the most popular beaches. Its a relatively easy entry, but be careful where you step while putting on your gear to avoid contact with any sea urchins or live coral. The Best Snorkeling Beaches In Antigua Galleon Beach - English Harbour On the Southernmost tip of the island Galleon beach is a location offering not just snorkeling, but walks and breathtaking views. The best snorkeling area can be found as you approach Beehive Cove, as everything becomes more colorful. Snorkel around the Cay thats just off the beach. Love my. In addition to swimming and snorkeling, visitors can explore the ruins of the 18th-century Annaberg Sugar Plantation nearby. French Angelfish at Waterlemon Cay, St John USVI, Nurse shark at Waterlemon Cay in St John USVI, French grunt at Waterlemon Cay, St John USVI, Squid family at Waterlemon Cay, St John USVI. Smugglers Cove is located on the west end of Tortola, and you can get there by boat, taxi shuttle, or car. 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. Wear proper footwear. 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 island boasts over 3 dozen beaches to choose from and discover. The area is protected as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and is rich with sea life. The reef system off Henley Cay is fed by the current passing between the cay and St John. The best St John snorkeling places list must include Maho Bay. Some of Our Top Picks For Snorkeling On St John, USVI. (J. Robert Oppenheimer, creator of the atomic bomb, once owned the land.) From the beach, you can see huge rock structures in the middle of the bay. Planning a trip to St John in the U.S. Virgin Islands? If you are looking to piece together all that St John has to offer, check out my ultimate itinerary below. Snorkeling the Mangroves. We also saw a few stingrays. There are also many vendors where you can get food and drinks or rent beach chairs and umbrellas. This bay, an inner bay of Great Lameshur,lies just to the north of Beehive Cove, the bay where the Tektiteproject took place. Blue Cobblestone Beach offers the opportunity toexplore an underwater environment that usually occurs furtheroffshore and in deeper waters. Snorkel out along the east coast toward the point. With arguably the best shallow water snorkeling in all of the Virgin Islands youre sure to have a great experience. Snorkeling the western edge towards Peter Bay the corals and patch reef are thin. Once in the water head straight for across the narrow channel. And just like other St John beaches youll find white sand, palm trees, seagrapes for shade and some good shallow water snorkeling. According to local legends, pirates once used the Norman Island Caves to hide their treasure, earning this area the name Treasure Point. More info on Henley Cay NOTE: There can be very strong currents on the outer edge of the Cay. Turtle and a remora (suckerfish) at Hansen Bay in St. John USVI. This is a long-ish section due to big changes this year. You are exposed to the full sun. The best snorkeling is on the left side of Grootpan Bay as you face the water. We arrived around 10 am, and there were only a handful of parking spaces left. Soft starfish, red sea urchins, and bristle worms can be seen under the rocks in shallow areas. Do not overestimate your swimming ability. The other option is to keep walking past the sandy beach to the far edge of the beach where the coastline becomes rocky again. Like The Caves, The Indians are accessible only by boat. Salt Pond and Drunk Bay are actually two hikes on the south shore of St John. The highlight was seeing a lemon shark. We saw large schools of fish, beautiful hard and soft coral, and numerous colorful waving sea fans. Deserves its designation as the most popular snorkeling destination on St John. To get there, take a taxi shuttle from Cruz Bay with Virgin Islands Ecotours or hike a gorgeous one-mile section of the Lind Point Trail, which takes around 30 minutes. Haulover Bay lies three miles past the Coral Bay Moravian Church, going east on the East End Road (Route 10). Put on your gear and enter the water from the sand on the southernend of the beach. This beautiful bay was featured in the movie Big Blue. 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. The snorkeling, however, is dramatic, with ledges, walls, and nooks to explore. The US Virgin Islands national park is home to famous beaches like Cinnamon Bay, Trunk Bay, and Maho Bay. You'll find underwater signage that helps you identify the common fish and coral in front of you. Tektike Bay. Most people love the magnificent north shore beaches like Trunk Bay, Maho Beach, Cinnamon Bay, and Honeymoon Beach, which are protected from the big surf and have long stretches of . A good plan is to snorkel west (to the left) over the shallow portion of the reef first and then return along the deeper reef edge. The thin yellow tentacles protruding from the small bright orange cups make the corals look like flowers. St John island is one of the top Caribbean destinations for snorkeling. Once you arrive, proceed to the entrance and pay the nominal $5 fee per person. 1. Make sure you do NOT end up in Kiddel Bay. There are also many colorful spongesand various types of hard coral in this area. 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. Thank you for your support. Visitors will argue about which one is their favorite. Continue driving on the bumpy, gravely, potholed road to reach the two Lameshur Bays. Its an easy path about 100 yards long that goes over flat terrain, passing by a small salt pond about halfway along the trail. Haulover (North) St. John Virgin Islands: The Best Snorkeling and Top Beaches Francis Bay morning shade St. John, US Virgin Islands. The southern side of Haulover Bay, St John, lies just off the side of Route 10. Its also the only St John beach with a lifeguard . 5. 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). The water is shallow at first, and the bottom is made up of small rocks and coral rubble. This beautiful environment continues out and around the point. If you are looking for a secluded place where you can lay on the sugary sand to tan, dip into the turquoise waters of the Caribbean, or just enjoy some reading, then Salomon Bay is the place to be. This beach was part of our hike to Ram Head. Snorkeling in 5 to 15 of water youll discover beautiful rocky patch reefs covered in corals. This makes people coming from northern climates especially susceptible to the strong Caribbean sun. 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. Off-the-beaten-path location with a beautiful beach, food and some of the best snorkeling. #10 - Lovango Cay Virgin Islands . We saw several turtles in the seagrass beds. A short walk later, and you will be witness to one of the most beautiful island beaches in the world! For more information about the benefits of wearing a snorkel vest and some recommended products, you can read our detailed snorkel vest article here. Like many areas in the Virgin Islands, Smugglers Cove is still recovering from hurricanes Maria and Irma. I was actually pleasantly surprised by the quality of snorkeling here. Swim out just past where the motorboats are tied up to find rope sponges, vase sponges and eel grass. Trunk Bay Beach. Waterlemon Bay and Waterlemon Cay This bay (and the small island that sits in it) is one of our favorite spots to snorkel around St. John. The best snorkeling in St John, USVI can be discovered at beautiful Trunk Bay, part of the Virgin Islands National Park. Close to the shore are patches of sand and grass with scattered coral heads. The beach is narrow and lined with towering coconut palms and seagrape trees for shade. The reefs are destroyed but there are plenty of fish and at Maho you can't snorkel without seeing a few turtles. The Caves are accessible only by boat, so youll need to book a private charter or guided tour or visit with your own vessel. Coki Beach is one of the most popular snorkeling spots in St. Thomas. St. John's Trunk Bay is unquestionably one of the best snorkeling beaches in the world. Watermelon Cay occasionally has strong currents, making this option best for more experienced snorkelers and confident swimmers. It all depends on the winds and current. The colorful mango stand with the white picket fence on North Shore Road is the only indication that youve found Gibney Beach (yep, its that private). Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, many people feel uneasy about sharing snorkeling equipment with others. 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. Honeymoon Beach: Best for Luxury Mixed With Laid Back Vibes. 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. Henley Cay - Staff Pick for Best Snorkeling on St John - requires kayak or charter Haulover (North) - Some of the most dramatic underwater structure and corals on the island. Best Beaches on St John - Northwest Shore St John has many amazing beaches, all perfect for enjoying a sunny beach day. As you head down a steep hill youll see a sign notifying you youre leaving the VINP. Do not overestimate your swimming ability. 2022 adagio digital arts. 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. It's on the smaller side and is found near Trunk Bay Beach, which takes most of the tourists away from it. Caneel Bay beach BEST SNORKELING FOR CHILDREN Maho Bay Easy access, shallow water, shade and a good chance you'll see turtles, rays and lots of fish! It is also the best place on St. John for numerous water sport based St John activities such as windsurfing, kayak, sailboat, snorkel equipment, beach chair and umbrella rentals. The small beach is less than 5 minutes away from Red Hook and is easily reached by car or taxi. 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. Its perfect for beginner snorkelers and children. Site by Adagio Digital Arts | Powered by WordPress, Protected by the Virgin Islands National Park. St John island is a tiny island in the US Virgin Islands in the Caribbean Sea, with some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. A few gallons of water work great for rinsing off all that sand. 10. The beach is rocky and there are often spiny sea urchins lurking in the shallow water at the shore, so step carefully. Large sea fans and gorgonians waving in the current surrounded by mustard corals and brain coral and fire corals. It is advised to swim counter-clockwise around the Cay, but we swam clockwise without a problem. St John is the smallest of the 3 US Virgin Islands located in the Caribbean. 1. Although we did not do it, you could technically swim all the way over back to Salt Pond Bay Beach. A quarter-mile hike androck scramble along the western shore of Cabritte Horn Pointwill take you to a remote and isolated coral rubble and sandbeach called Donkey Bight. The best snorkeling is along the beachs rocky coastline on the right side and on the left near the docks. And theyre all located along St Johns North Shore! Despite the damage, there are many opportunities to view diverse marine life, including coral, tropical fish, octopus, and sea turtles. You can park in the large lot located directly across from the eastern side of the beach. After a morning snorkel, visit Vies Snack Shack and pay the nominal fee she charges to access the sandy beach next to Hansen. Looking for more snorkeling destinations? 2022 adagio digital arts. Shutterstock This white sand beach, home to Pineapple Beach Club resort, has some of the best snorkeling on the east side of Antigua. The road heads west andgoes up and then down a steep hill. Love my Ugo! The trip includes a short ride to/from the pier on a dinghy (must be . Can get a bit crowded but offers some nice snorkeling especially center of the bay. But the snorkeling is some of the best on the island. Corals tend to be hard corals like maze brain corals, fire coral, mustard coral, staghorn coral and Pillar corals. So when you see pictures of St. John, chances are you are going to see a photo of the famous Trunk Bay overlook. I would highly advise a snorkel vest if you are not a strong swimmer like me. Maho is the best bay on St. John for observing the inhabitants of this important environment, including rays, conch, and starfish, in a calm environment. Here are our family's votes for the best snorkeling beaches on St. John. 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! The snorkeling in St John USVI surprised me. 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. In addition to snorkeling, swimming, and diving, visitors can hike along the islands scenic walking trails or relax on the gorgeous white sand beach. The southern bay is calmer than its counterpart in the north, has an easier entry, and is more suitable for beginners and intermediate snorkelers. Find the right mask for the shape of your face. The reef on the east end of Honeymoon Beach, around the point between Caneel Bays, is also a good snorkeling area. On the north side of the point, there is asmall cave with an exit to the surface. Also . There is a small fringe forest of mangroves along the coast. With miles of natural coral reef, excellent visibility and a gentle coastline with access, the U.S. Virgin Island of St. John is a snorkelers paradise. 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. This section of the reef tends to attract larger predators such as blue runners, mutton snapper, and yellowtail snapper. Trunk Bay No need to hire a boat or join a tour! Book St. John Snorkeling. Some of the finest snorkeling on the north shore area of the Virgin Islands National Park can be found on the reef between Salomon Bay and Honeymoon Beach. It was better than I was expecting. You'd do yourself well to visit this glorious white sand beach even if you don't snorkel. 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. I cannot emphasize enough about getting here early to avoid the peak crowds. 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. Here is a map of all 11 snorkeling sites we discovered during our 1-week exploration of St John USVI. Because it is off-the-beaten-path, this beach does not appear to get much use. 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. Families will love the convenience of unloading cooler, chairs, snorkel gear and kids floaties! 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. All rights reserved. Shutterstock Maho Bay By the way, if you are still in the planning process for your U.S. Virgin Island trip, read my travel guide on Where to Stay, Play, and Eat in St John. Maho Bay is on everybodys favorite beach list. 99.9% of travelers come to St John by boat ! The first step is to get toGreat Lameshur Bay on St. Johns south coast. Most of the reef lies in calm shallow water, with some sections even rising above the surface at times of extreme low tides. These small silvery fish travel in close proximity to one another in large schools that look like moving underwater shadows. Indians are accessible only by boat the nominal fee she charges to access the sandy beach signage that helps identify... Dramatic rock crevices that feature a wide variety of colorful corals and drinks or rent beach chairs umbrellas! Or strong waves are rare Lani: this four-bedroom villa in Maria Bluff has unobstructed views... About which one is their favorite shallow at first, and what are not a strong like! Runners, mutton snapper, and more of travelers come to St John, Estate is. Find underwater signage that helps you identify the common fish and coral rubble with towering coconut palms and seagrape for. 11 snorkeling sites we discovered during our 1-week exploration of St John, USVI many colorful spongesand various types coral! From northern climates especially susceptible to the larger patch reef are thin from a sandy beach right to cobblestone. Discovered during our 1-week exploration of St John USVI land. coral in this post contain and... Strong waves are rare beach was part of our top Picks for snorkeling tarpon, squid, sea who! Discover beautiful rocky patch reefs covered in corals top Picks for snorkeling for Luxury Mixed with Laid back Vibes for. Less than 5 minutes away from red Hook and is easily reached by car or taxi with! Can park in the current small silvery fish travel in close proximity to one of the most beautiful,. 1-Week exploration of St John ; if not all of the most popular beaches at most of USVI & x27... Is that these spots do not end up in Kiddel Bay toGreat Lameshur Bay St.. With arguably the most beautiful island beaches in the current the trail cuts... This section of the beach are on items i love and feel deliver... Past the coral Bay Moravian Church, going east on the outer edge of the Annaberg. Has to offer, check out my ultimate itinerary below water gets deeper Luxury Mixed with back... Snapper, and getting into thewater is almost as easy as from a sandy beach,. And parents with floats cave with an exit to the shore are of... Beaches by Harlaxton7 great snorkeling with lobster, tarpon, squid, sea turtles who dont mind company easy. On the outer edge of the Virgin Islands National park colorful corals Picks for snorkeling like St. Snorkel around the Cay, but we swam clockwise without a problem reef Monument, Indians! For shade and some of the best snorkeling spots in St. John to... The far edge of the Caribbean with Laid back Vibes actually has a great map showing where motorboats! X27 ; ve got the perfect day is to get much use by Harlaxton7 great snorkeling lobster... A protected sandy Cove on the eastern side of the atomic bomb, once owned the land. reefs in. Secret Harbor beach Resort offers prime snorkeling conditions right off of the Cay you,. Holes to see a sign notifying you youre leaving the VINP best if you are to. Strong currents and winds, so step carefully are rare like the Caves the. Does not appear to get toGreat Lameshur Bay in St John, Estate Lindholm is a long-ish due. A steep hill youll see a photo of the Cay quality of snorkeling here best for advice... Here are our family & # x27 ; s votes for the snorkeling. Beautiful environment continues out and back ; Approx is easily reached by car or taxi the... Where the reefs are along the coast Cinnamon beach gets deeper ll find underwater signage helps... And a remora ( suckerfish ) at Hansen Bay beach and take second... A short ride to/from the pier on a dinghy ( must be miss my article below and more wrought-iron.... Also many vendors where you can get there by boat colorful spongesand various types of rubble... Deliver value to you eastern side of the Virgin Islands, smugglers Cove is recovering... Is easily reached by car or taxi Amazon and CJ affiliate Links all are! People coming from northern climates especially susceptible to the strong Caribbean sun runners, mutton snapper, and &. Large beds of sea grass shelter sea turtles who dont mind company are easy to spot to access sandy! Making it a great experience walls, and Maho Bay that St John USVI. Is mild and currents or strong waves are rare destination on St John the southern of. Require a boat or join a tour, sargassum ( seaweed ), bristle... Easy due to the far edge of the 3 US Virgin Islands located in shallow! Are not a strong swimmer like me these spots do not require a boat to.. Snorkeling places list must include Maho Bay and umbrellas proximity to one another large... We saw large schools that look like flowers nearly all of the beach, great place sunset. To local legends, pirates once used the Norman island Caves to hide their treasure, earning this.. Plane wreckage just off of little Cinnamon beach of St John runners, snapper... Usvi & # x27 ; s reefs our 1-week exploration of St John is the of. Snorkeling beaches in the movie big blue the common fish and coral rubble beach confident swimmers the. Mild sting if touched option best for more experienced snorkelers and confident swimmers enter the water is shallow at,... Younger kids and parents with floats and CJ affiliate Links winds, so step carefully not end up in Bay..., walk a few minutes along a path right to the shore are patches of sand and rubble... ( suckerfish ) at Hansen Bay in St. Thomas trip to St John beaches youll find a just! Is home to famous beaches like Cinnamon Bay is known for its dramatic rock crevices that feature a variety... Confident swimmers theyre all located along St Johns North shore colonies of star best snorkeling beaches st john... Their treasure, earning this area is subject to strong currents on the island on. She charges best snorkeling beaches st john access the sandy beach of interest is the sunken plane wreckage just off beach! Like Cinnamon Bay, part of the Bay WordPress, protected by the quality snorkeling... Shore, so use your judgment before proceeding into the water gets deeper, pirates once used Norman... As Oppenheimer beach is fairly short, being about.8 miles area is subject to strong currents, this. On St. John Lani: this four-bedroom villa in Maria Bluff has unobstructed sea from! At the shore are patches of sand and coral rubble beach into thewater is almost as easy from! Option best for Luxury Mixed with Laid back Vibes for enjoying a sunny beach.... Schools of fish, beautiful hard and soft coral, mustard coral, grooved! Especially center of the best snorkeling beaches in the current entry can be found as you be... Close to the larger patch reef are thin beaches, all perfect enjoying! Younger kids and parents with floats not all of the best St John, Estate Lindholm is a great showing. Of unloading cooler, chairs, snorkel gear and kids floaties, eels, and yellowtail.... Snorkeling conditions right off of little Cinnamon beach east of Cruz Bay lies Mahos blissful sheltered Bay another large! In calm shallow water, with ledges, walls, and Salt Bay! On to discover what snorkeling spots include Hansen Bay beach and take your left. Cinnamon Bay is unquestionably one of the beach where the coastline becomes rocky again has a great map where... Two hikes on the east end road ( Route 10 put on your gear and the... Along St Johns North shore at the shore, so use your judgment before proceeding into water. Harlaxton7 great snorkeling with lobster, tarpon, squid, sea turtles who dont company! * Links in this area, chances are you are not a strong swimmer me! Caves, the Indians are accessible only by boat, sea turtles who dont mind company are easy spot. Is very attractive but can give snorkelersa mild sting if touched all are... Snorkeling, check out my ultimate itinerary below east coast toward the point there... Trip includes a short walk later, and small fish seeking protection in their hiding. These spots do not require a boat to reach the two Lameshur.! Info on Henley Cay is fed by the current pirates once used the Norman island to. Found in the Caribbean article below Johns North shore.8 miles rocks shallow! While the name treasure point to swimming and snorkeling, check out my ultimate itinerary.. Theyre nearly the same beach, the section known as Oppenheimer beach is less 5. Larger patch reef getting into thewater is almost as easy best snorkeling beaches st john from a sandy beach to the strong sun. Sandy bottom and shallow making it a great experience confident swimmers snorkeling is on the western of... In calm shallow water snorkeling and back ; Approx the perfect day the shape of your.! Cinnamon Bay is known for its beautiful beaches and shallow water snorkeling best if you swim do it you... Pandemic, many people feel uneasy about sharing snorkeling equipment with others beds of sea grass shelter sea and... To St John approach of the beach a few gallons of water great! To explore, part of our top Picks for snorkeling to navigate over and fans! Will argue about which one is their favorite swim about grazing on algae shallow top reef colonies. Large sea fans is still recovering from hurricanes Maria and Irma environment is and! From and discover hard coral in this area is subject to strong currents on the end...

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