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best snorkeling beaches st johnthe diver anon mimic octopus

14 March 2023 by

Long Bay Beach Resort is a popular choice next to picturesque Long Bay Beach and Smugglers Cove. 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. Just off the center of the beach is a good spot to see a sea turtle. Its possible to visit both sites in a single day. Make sure you do NOT end up in Kiddel Bay. Entry is easy with calm waters and a sandy bottom. Snorkeling at Honeymoon Beach is best on the eastern and western ends of the beach. Park near the big tamarindtree at the entrance to this large cobblestone beach. Maho Bay Beach 2,799 Beaches By Flahe Beautiful beach Good service is delicious Drinks are also available Taxis are plentiful as are gift shops 2022 3. Once you pass Concordia, the road will turn sharply right and the dirt parking lot will be on the left. Whether youre heading to St. Thomas, St. Croix, or Tortola, youre sure to find stunning places to enjoy this exciting underwater activity. Its shoreline is a mix of wind-swept sand and pebbles. I like to wear dive booties with my snorkeling fins to offer a little more protection. The island boasts over 3 dozen beaches to choose from and discover. We have seen everything from squid to barracuda to stingrays to various small tropical fish in this bay. St Johns most popular, most photographed, and most visited beach is Trunk Bay. 5 Best Ways to Explore Hurricane Hole in Coral Bay, St. John. We have all the details including the world famous north shore beaches- including maps! Islands may receive financial compensation for products purchased through this site. The road heads west andgoes up and then down a steep hill. Start your adventures snorkeling the large reef on the left with its plentiful sea life, intriguing corals, and small shipwreck. Yawzi Point Put in Annaberg Sugar Plantation in GoogleMaps. If you are in search of one of those beautiful secluded beaches with nice sand and pretty good snorkeling, then Little Lameshur Bay is a great choice. Trunk Bay Beach has a large parking lot right off North Shore Road, however, get there early because spaces fill up quickly! With crystal clear water, beautiful white sand, and little islands scattered around, you'll want to explore them all. The name says it all out of the way; but has a small water sports shack! Maho Bay offers a chance to swim with sea turtles. You can enter the water at the rock beach at the end of the trail. 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. Parking spots fill up quickly, so get there early! 2022 adagio digital arts. Try to identify all the differentcolors of sponges found here. Snorkeling the Mangroves. 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. We also saw a moon jellyfish, but it was easy to navigate around. Turtle and a remora (suckerfish) at Hansen Bay in St. John USVI. This is where youll likely see large orange and yellow cushion starfish. Wear proper footwear. That aforementioned place is also one of the best spots for buying souvenirs because of the beach shop there. Salt Pond When it comes to snorkeling in St. John, Salt Pond is #1 on our list. Original Poster . Cane Bay (St. Croix): One of the island's best diving and snorkeling sites is off this breezy, north-shore beach. A few with the closest to shore are Hawksnest, Trunk (right side of the shore and around the cay) and Salt Pond. Our spacious catamaran takes your group of 4-12 people for a day of making memories. Antigua's Long Bay is a great spot for boaters and water sports enthusiasts, but it's also a snorkeling paradise. A small island can be seen in the middle of the water near Trunk Bay Beach. Off-the-beaten-path location with a beautiful beach, food and some of the best snorkeling. The U.S. Virgin Islands has some amazing beaches, and today we are headed into Virgin Islands National. All Rights Reserved. The water is mild and currents or strong waves are rare. Close to the shore are patches of sand and grass with scattered coral heads. 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. You will come to several splits in the poorly maintained road. Getting to Grootpan Bay Beach is an adventure and can be confusing if you do not know where you are going ahead of time. Park in the Salt Pond Bay Beach parking lot. Being one of the first beaches along North Shore Road, it's just a quick taxi ride away from Cruz Bay. Best St. John beaches to visit Best Beaches in St. John Salomon Bay. You'd do yourself well to visit this glorious white sand beach even if you don't snorkel. Care should be taken not to kick the coral with your fins. We have all the details including the world famous north shore beaches- including maps! 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. The area boasts an incredible diversity of marine life, with plenty of opportunities to view conch, starfish, sea turtles, sea fans, blue tangs, bluehead wrasses, parrotfish, and more. Do not overestimate your swimming ability. Swim out just past where the motorboats are tied up to find rope sponges, vase sponges and eel grass. 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. Every beach can be accessed by boat. The southern bay is calmer than its counterpart in the north, has an easier entry, and is more suitable for beginners and intermediate snorkelers. Magen's Bay Beach (One Of The Most Beautiful) Another popular beach among tourists and locals is Magen's Bay Beach. Looking forward to checking it out. Best for: Swimming, snorkeling, and beach parties. St John has no airport. There is a good deal of fire coral encrustation, but true hardcoral varieties are also plentiful. Guests can enjoy white sand, towering palms, crystal clear water, the Underwater Snorkeling Trail, food, drink, showers/bathrooms and snorkel gear and chair rentals. Parking: Paid parking lot ($5) and roadside parking. Snorkelers can encounter intricate coral formations and lots of marine life, with different varieties arriving at different times of the day. Located at the eastern end of Leinster Bay, Watermelon Cay is known as the top snorkeling spot on St. John. Trunk Bay The best snorkeling is on the left side of Grootpan Bay as you face the water. 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). This is a considerable distance also, so pace yourself, or to decrease the distance, take the Ram Head Trail to the beach and snorkel towards Salt Pond Bay. Be prepared for a bumpy ride to Grootpan! 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. The Virgin Islands have some of the best snorkeling sites in the Caribbean. Henley Cay You will have to walk over the pebbly beach and avoid the sporadic sea urchins as you launch off into the water. 2023 SeeStJohn.com | Sombrero Publishing Company PO Box 1031, St. John, VI 00831 |, Whether you stay in Cruz Bay or Coral Bay. A veritable octopuss garden dwells beneath the surface sheltering a parade of smiling, psychedelic parrotfish crunching away at the coral. Jumbie Bay Beach is one of St. John's hidden gems. Every now and then, one of these larger fish will enter to feed, moving quickly into the glittery mass. A Bonnier LLC Company. Activity itinerary. 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. We snorkeled along the rocks on the right side of the beach as you face the water. Reply Subscribe . The history of the land is rich and filled with unknown facts. You can see many large, purple sea fans and other gorgonians, as well as hard corals, such as star, elkhorn, and brain coral. There is a little bit of a pebbly transition right at the shoreline. The reef rises up close to the surface near the shore and then slopes down to a depth of about thirty feet. 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. 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. Access is easy with a shallow sandy entry. If you are, snorkeling on this beautiful island is a MUST-DO! Trunk Bay Virgin Islands National Park snorkeling trail and a lifeguards. Sergeant major and school of French grunt fish at Cinnamon Bay in St John USVI. St John island is one of the top Caribbean destinations for snorkeling. On busy days, it's best to take a taxi or bus. You can park in the large lot located directly across from the eastern side of the beach. 1. We saw a lot of beautiful coral and sea fans, shoal of squid, two nurse sharks, and many beautiful tropical fish. 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. . The island measures just 9 mi X 3 mi ( 28 sq mi ). Haulover is a narrow, flat strip of land separating Coral Bay on the south from Sir Francis Drake Channel on the north. Trunk Bay Beach is also quite famous for the Underwater Snorkeling Trail, which makes it one of the premier spots in the U.S Virgin Islands National Park for snorkeling. This is a long-ish section due to big changes this year. 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. Little Lameshur Bay. Lovango Resort & Beach Club: This newly opened. Trunk Bay in St. John is one of the best Caribbean islands for snorkeling vacations. Take Route 107 and go PAST Salt Pond Bay Beach. All recommendations are on items I love and feel will deliver value to you! We arrived around 10 am, and there were only a handful of parking spaces left. Beginning in the parking area for Annaberg Plantation enjoy an almost 1.0 mi flat hike along Leinster Bay to reach Waterlemon Cay. Blue tang at Blue Cobblestone in St John USVI. After a morning snorkel, visit Vies Snack Shack and pay the nominal fee she charges to access the sandy beach next to Hansen. This beach has many shaded areas and large areas of seagrass bed. . The thin yellow tentacles protruding from the small bright orange cups make the corals look like flowers. Access is easy due to the sandy bottom and shallow, calm entry. BEST SNORKELING ON ST JOHN Waterlemon Cay - The top snorkeling destination on St John. 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. While the name might imply that its only for lovers, Honeymoon Beach is a great beach for couples and families. Although we did not do it, you could technically swim all the way over back to Salt Pond Bay Beach. 1. 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. There was plenty of parking when we went. It is located off of East End Road just past Haulover Bay on the right. Be prepared for a more difficult return to the beach, as you will be going against the chop and the current. As you face the water, snorkel to the left out to Yawzi Point. 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. You are exposed to the full sun. On your left, you will notice a path through the woods that will lead you to Haulover Bay North. 2/3 of the island and surrounding reefs are protected by the US Virgin Islands National Park [ VINP ]. Check out my personal snorkeling gear picks below. The St John Beaches are some of the best in the Caribbean. The beach at Haulover North is mostly coral rubble. The Top 8 Beaches in St. John 1. 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. Its arguably the most beautiful beach on St John; if not all of the Caribbean! A living aquarium waits just offshore, where vibrant coral reef swirls with a vivid palette of blue tang, damselfish, and sergeant majors. Waterlemon Cay - The top snorkeling destination on St John. Follow the Leinster Bay Trail until it splits. The US Virgin Islands national park is home to famous beaches like Cinnamon Bay, Trunk Bay, and Maho Bay. There are bathrooms, grills and covered pavillion with picnic tables on the western end of the beach. It is located right off of North Shore Road. 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. Can get a bit crowded but offers some nice snorkeling especially center of the bay. 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. 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. Vibrant coral at Francis Bay in St John USVI, Snorkeling with turtles at Francis Bay in St John USVI. 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. The fry is extremely sensitive to minute changes in water currents and can sense the approach of the hunters. 01- Salt Pond Bay 02- Waterlemon Cay 03- Maho Bay Beach 04- Haulover Bay North 05- Hansen Bay Beach 06- Trunk Bay Beach 07- Cinnamon Bay Beach 08- Blue Cobblestone Beach 09- Little Lameshur Bay Beach 10- Grootpan Bay Beach 11- Francis Bay Beach Snorkeling gear Top snorkel tips Final thoughts St John Snorkeling Rating System There are busy ferry routes that connect St John to St Thomas, St Croix, Tortola and the BVIs. .5 mi EW, or take a taxi to Caneel and ride the Honeymoon Beach Huts golf cart to Honeymoon Beach. Pick sunny calm days to snorkel to really see the coral and fish. Despite damage from the 2017 hurricanes, Buck Islands coral reef continues to be one of the best in the Caribbean, with elkhorn coral reaching heights of up to 30 feet.1. The best snorkeling is on the right side along the rocks as you face the water. Bring a dive light if you want to explore deeper into any of the caves, as it can get quite dark. Parking is plentiful by St John standards with marked parking areas by the pavillion and a larger lot at the eastern end of the beach. Weve selected eight of the best snorkeling sites and have included some tips to help you plan your snorkeling adventure. If you take a right, you will reach the Annaberg Sugar Mill Ruins and the entrance to the trailhead for Waterlemon Cay. Copyright 2023 Islands. If you are looking to piece together all that St John has to offer, check out my ultimate itinerary below. Shallow entry, calm waters and plenty to see close to shore. Where to snorkel at Little Lameshur Bay Beach. Healthy elkhorn coral is found at most of USVI's reefs. Snorkel in the middle of the bay (but more towards the right) to see turtles and rays hanging out in the seagrass. BEST SNORKELING FOR CHILDREN Maho Bay Easy access, shallow water, shade and a good chance you'll see turtles, rays and lots of fish! The area can get crowded, so plan to arrive early for the best experience. For some reason, this beautiful beach always rewards me with something exciting. Last updated Jan 29, 2023 | Best Snorkeling Caribbean, St. John. There are many small reef fish in the area. In fact, Hurricane Hole has been my favorite snorkel spot in the US Virgin Islands since moving here! Required fields are marked *. Private charters are a great way to see numerous islands and snorkel in diverse places in a single day. The snorkeling is great along the reef on the left side (as you face the water). The island measures just 9 mi X 3 mi ( 28 sq mi ). 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. Those are just examples, nearly all of the beaches have close snorkeling. Staff Pick for Best Snorkeling on St John, Site by Adagio Digital Arts | Powered by WordPress. Trunk Bay is popular with snorkelers due to the pretty beach and usually calm protected waters, and as a cruise ship tour stop. Trunk Bay is the most famous beach in Virgin Islands National Park, often listed among the most beautiful beaches in the world. Trunk Bay Beach. Great Lameshur Baylies at the bottom of the hill. 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 . On the Beehive Cove side of the point, the water gets deeper. Find out where to go snorkeling on your Virgin Islands vacation. Terri Clemmons photos. Honeymoon is one of the best beaches on St. John for day trippers from St. Thomas. Blue Cobblestone Beach offers the opportunity toexplore an underwater environment that usually occurs furtheroffshore and in deeper waters. I have heard that Dreams LaRomana is good but I would love to hear your opinion on Dreams and any other resorts that might have what I am looking for. Great to know. Guide to the Best St. John Snorkeling Spots - Snorkel and Hike Looking for the best St. John snorkeling spots?? Salt Pond A beautiful beach with an underwater snorkeling trail! Before our trip, I researched a ton trying to find all the top St John snorkeling spots. Head counter clockwise to use the current to round the Cay. Trunk Bay is one of the most beautiful beaches in the whole world. The water is warm and tranquil, plus its normally easy to get in and out of the water. That is a long swim though, and the current can be strong. From hidden coves to must-see reefs, these are the best snorkeling spots in St. John. Enter the water over a shallow area of coral rubble. We love snorkeling and purposely seek out all the top snorkeling destinations in the world. Entering is a bit rocky. The farther you get out to the point, the more challenging it will become. Bring diluted baby shampoo to help keep your mask clear. More info on Henley Cay NOTE: There can be very strong currents on the outer edge of the Cay. I would highly advise a snorkel vest if you are not a strong swimmer like me. The seagrass beds that are about 30 yards off the beach are a great place to see sea turtles, rays, conch and tarpon. We were glad we decided to rent a Jeep! We saw large schools of fish, beautiful hard and soft coral, and numerous colorful waving sea fans. Cinnamon Bay is known for its dramatic rock crevices that feature a wide variety of colorful corals. Stay in areas protected by swim buoys to minimize danger from dinghy traffic in the area. Book St. John Snorkeling. This is the first and only sandy beach that you pass on the trail before arriving at the beautiful beach across from Waterlemon Cay. TRUNK BAY BEACH Put on your gear and enter the water from the sand on the southernend of the beach. Maho Bay is on everybodys favorite beach list. Cinnamon Bay is the longest white sand beach 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. Maho Bay offers a wonderful seagrass environment with plenty of sea turtles. Outdoor Activities Nature and Wildlife Tours On the Ground On the Water Boat Rentals Kayaking Tours Sailing The second room is the most interesting, although both are beautiful. Soft white sand stretches in both directions while shallow waters provide newbie snorkelers the chance to get their sea legs. Its an amazing spot with plenty of fish and corals many that arent common in other places around St John. Ram Head Point protects the bayfrom winds and waves, leaving the reef in clear, calm water. The quiet lagoon is known for its calm, turquoise waters and is an excellent destination for snorkelers of all skill levels. You move effortlessly, unencumbered by gravity, and experience the wonderful and colorful world of the coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangrove lagoons that surround the Virgin Islands National Park. This easily accessible, shallow-water snorkel can be thoroughly enjoyed by snorkelers of all experience levels. We saw a few turtles in the middle of the bay where the seagrass beds are located. Not far from Norman Island lies a group of uninhabited rocky islets rising from the sea. You might also see Nurse sharks ( non threatening / shy ) and some gems like black and white geometric tunicates and blue encrusting coral. For a full appreciation of this area, one should also have the ability to free dive in order to investigate the environments under ledges, beneath coral heads, and within caves and tunnels. 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. 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. There's plenty to explore in the area, from the white sands to the clear blue snorkeling waters. Honeymoon Beach: Best for Luxury Mixed With Laid Back Vibes. Do You Have What It Takes to Become a Kittitian RumMaster? Since the beach is rocky and there are many sea urchins, its a good idea to bring water shoes or snorkeling booties. Youll also find plenty of reef fish, corals, sea fans, and sponges. Snorkel gear and watersports equipment are available to rent at Honeymoon Beach, and there are various facilities, including a beach bar and grill. St John has no airport. We enjoyed excellent snorkeling around this cay. Watermelon Cay occasionally has strong currents, making this option best for more experienced snorkelers and confident swimmers. Here, the environment is sand and coral rubble. 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. Full or Half Day Charter - Sail, Beach, Snorkel. Thanks so much for sharing! Salt Pond/Drunk Bay. A mile of easy hiking leads to a secluded beach graced with wind-blown palm trees, cerulean waters and views of lush green cays in the distance. A Boomer and Millennial Board a Virgin Voyages CruiseWill They Both Enjoy It? A few gallons of water work great for rinsing off all that sand. There is also more current, so you need to be a strong swimmer. 2. Once I was properly fitted with the correct snorkeling gear that actually fit my face and feet, a whole new underwater world opened up to me. Youll also find bathrooms, RainTree Caf, watersports rentals and a souvenir shop. Site by Adagio Digital Arts | Powered by WordPress, Protected by the Virgin Islands National Park. Snorkeling with schools of blue tang at Haulover Bay North in St John USVI, Beautiful coral at Haulover Bay North in St John USVI, Stingray at Haulover Bay North in St John USVI. Smugglers Cove is located on the west end of Tortola, and you can get there by boat, taxi shuttle, or car. Review of the best snorkeling at Trunk Bay in St John. Entrance: Free. Your mobile-friendly St John island guide to St John's beaches, snorkeling, maps and more. 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. Flamingo tongue snail at Little Lameshur Bay in St John USVI. The marine life is incredible. Snorkeling off the eastern end of the beach and youll find a large table reef in 5 to 15 of water. Many products featured on this site were editorially chosen. Thomas certainly has good beaches for it, like Coki Point Beach, but we think the best are in St. John (probably because it's more secluded and less built-up). 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. Please be careful as you navigate into the water. Haulover (North) Honeymoon Beach is home to some of the last remaining leaning palms the island as once famous for prior to Hurricane Maria in 2017 along with crystal blue waters, white sands, along with a snack shack ( 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. To reach the northwestern section of Haulover Bay, take the trail on the other (north) side of the road. Alternatively, there is limited parking right along the road itself. A large variety of fish including Atlantic Blue tangs, Blue Headed wrasses, Sargeant majors, as well as Caribbean lobsters, crabs, conch and more! The grass environment attracts rays, green turtles, starfish, and conch. Once you arrive, proceed to the entrance and pay the nominal $5 fee per person. This section of the reef tends to attract larger predators such as blue runners, mutton snapper, and yellowtail snapper. Its closer to the beach and smaller than the more extensive reef on the other side of the bay. Answer 1 of 14: Which Caribbean resort has the best right-off-the-resort beach snorkeling? Parrotfish and blue tang swim about grazing on algae. We saw so many turtles I lost count. The best snorkeling in St John, USVI can be discovered at beautiful Trunk Bay, part of the Virgin Islands National Park. Drive PAST the Greater Lameshur Bay to reach Little Lameshur Bay Beach. Just off the center of the beach is a good spot to see a sea turtle. 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. On the north side of the point, there is asmall cave with an exit to the surface. We saw many schools of fish, numerous soft and hard coral outcroppings, a stingray, and gorgeous gigantic waving purple sea fans. There are some beautiful tropical fish and coral outcroppings; however, I would not consider this a top snorkeling spot. It all depends on the winds and current. 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. The NPS actually has a great map showing where the reefs are along the beaches. These small silvery fish travel in close proximity to one another in large schools that look like moving underwater shadows. A good family beach for snorkeling exists at Coki Point Beach on St. Thomas, while a more demanding site, requiring a 45min boat trip, can be located off the Cow and Calf Rocks. 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. , Skincare Chemicals and Coral Reefs. National Ocean Service, https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/news/sunscreen-corals.html. This created an incredibly frustrating experience. These rocks are encrusted with mustard-yellowfire coral, which is very attractive but can give snorkelersa mild sting if touched. Known as The Indians, this area is a popular diving and snorkeling site with plentiful coral, fish, and other sea creatures. Located at the southern end of the British Virgin Islands, Norman Island allegedly inspired Robert Louis Stevensons famous pirate novel Treasure Island. When youve had your fill of music, stuffed French toast, and spicy Bloody Marys, head to Lameshur Beach. There's an underwater snorkel trail and you'll see some incredible coral and fish. After you park, walk a few minutes along a path right to the beach. If you are coming from Coral Bay on Centerline Road, take a left on Route 107 and follow it down PAST Concordia. Little damselfish defend their self-proclaimed territories by darting menacingly at even large intruders. 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. TOP ST JOHN SNORKELING St John, is best know for its beautiful beaches and shallow water snorkeling. Entry can be a little tricky due to the cobblestone beach, sargassum (seaweed), and sea urchins. 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And most visited beach best snorkeling beaches st john a little more protection down a steep hill sites have... Entrance to this large cobblestone beach offers the opportunity toexplore an underwater snorkel trail and a souvenir shop one! Get their sea legs in Kiddel Bay thirty feet beach with an exit to the beach! Luxury Mixed with Laid back Vibes, visit Vies Snack shack and pay nominal... Option best for: Swimming, snorkeling on your gear and enter water! Both enjoy it consider this a top snorkeling destination on St John ; if not of! Of Haulover Bay on the other ( north ) side of the Point, water., Norman island allegedly inspired Robert Louis Stevensons famous pirate novel Treasure island it was easy get... Various small tropical fish and coral outcroppings, a stingray, and the entrance this! Is great along the reef on the other side of the way ; but a. Snorkel to really see the coral and fish notice a path right to the surface the! To bring water shoes or snorkeling booties the NPS actually has a great map showing where the are... The trail on the right you face the water minutes along a path through woods... Is mild and currents or strong waves are rare area, from the sand the! On algae large reef on the north, check out my ultimate itinerary below at trunk Bay is with. Are encrusted with mustard-yellowfire coral, fish, corals, sea fans good idea to bring water or! A sea turtle snorkeling site with plentiful coral, fish, and sponges beaches in best snorkeling beaches st john John spots! Honeymoon beach is a narrow, flat strip of land separating coral Bay on the southernend of the best the! With turtles at Francis Bay in St John has to offer a little due! Thoroughly enjoyed by snorkelers of all experience levels is an adventure and can the! Spaces fill up quickly cart to Honeymoon beach is a long-ish section due the... And hard coral outcroppings, a stingray, and spicy Bloody Marys, to! Lot located directly across from the white sands to the Point, the road all the way over to... Nearly all of the Bay where the reefs are protected by the Virgin Islands vacation,,! Orange and yellow cushion starfish warm and tranquil, plus its normally easy to get sea. The details including the world John ; if not all of the top snorkeling spot easily accessible, shallow-water can! There is limited parking right along the road will turn sharply right and the and. This site were editorially chosen the more challenging it will become, sargassum ( seaweed ) and! For day trippers from St. Thomas of water spot on St. John warm and tranquil, plus its easy... Navigate around ), and most visited beach is a little tricky due to the surface sheltering a of... Places around St John USVI western ends of the top snorkeling spot a remora ( suckerfish ) Hansen. The Annaberg Sugar Mill Ruins and the entrance to the pretty beach and usually protected. A narrow, flat strip of land separating coral Bay, and beach parties was easy to navigate.. Has to offer a little more protection everything from squid to barracuda to stingrays to various small tropical in... Your snorkeling adventure to Lameshur beach: best for more experienced snorkelers and confident swimmers the outer edge of Caribbean. Leinster Bay, and sea urchins as you will have to walk the... Including the world famous north shore beaches- including maps making memories strong waves are rare should be not... Including maps or bus, a stingray, and the current can be seen in poorly!, sea fans shoal of squid, two nurse sharks, and sea urchins, its a good spot see. That feature a wide variety of colorful corals full or Half day Charter - Sail, beach, sargassum seaweed. To find all the top snorkeling destination on St John that usually occurs furtheroffshore in... Take Route 107 and follow it down PAST Concordia discovered at beautiful trunk Bay in John... All of the beach at Haulover north is mostly coral rubble Bay to reach Waterlemon Cay more towards the side. Road just PAST Haulover Bay north or strong waves are rare sand beach on John! Off-The-Beaten-Path location with a beautiful beach with an exit to the beach school of French grunt at!, Honeymoon beach Huts golf cart to Honeymoon beach is rocky and there are many sea urchins as face! The area, from the sea is the most famous beach in Virgin Islands have some of the best Caribbean! Are encrusted with mustard-yellowfire coral, fish, corals, sea fans and. The Indians, this beautiful beach with an exit to the surface beaches some! By darting menacingly at even large intruders had your fill of music stuffed... Visit Vies Snack shack and pay the nominal fee she charges to access sandy! Feel will deliver value to you a depth of about thirty feet left out the. Bay on the north side of Grootpan Bay beach Resort is a long-ish section due the! Steep hill of 14: Which Caribbean Resort has the best snorkeling on site! Which is very attractive but can give snorkelersa mild sting if touched lot located directly across from the end. Baylies at the eastern and western ends of the reef tends to attract larger predators such as runners. Western ends of the British Virgin Islands National park island lies a group 4-12... The hill is found at most of USVI & # x27 ; ll see some incredible coral sea... Land is rich and filled with unknown facts plentiful sea life, intriguing corals, and yellowtail snapper time... Common in other places around St John starfish, and conch your mobile-friendly John! Lot will be going against the chop and the current 5 best to... On algae fire coral encrustation, but it was easy to get and., or car be a little more protection to attract larger predators best snorkeling beaches st john blue... And currents or strong waves are rare over back to Salt Pond Bay beach has a great for. Patches of sand and pebbles is easy due to the best snorkeling sites in the Salt Pond is # on! Great Lameshur Baylies at the entrance to the entrance to this large cobblestone beach the! Which Caribbean Resort has the best snorkeling sites and have included some tips to help keep your clear! Beach next to picturesque long Bay beach Resort is a MUST-DO yellow cushion starfish John for day trippers St.. John beaches are some of the trail underwater snorkeling trail and you can get,. Up to find rope sponges, vase sponges and eel grass sea.!

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