Trunk Bay Beach has a large parking lot right off North Shore Road, however, get there early because spaces fill up quickly! Both beaches can be reached via the Lind Point Trail or from the Caneel Bay Resort. Love my. With its secluded location, Brown Bay is considered the hidden gem of St. John. Snorkeling at Trunk Bay is best just off the center of the beach around Trunk Cay. The hike to Salt Pond Beach is fairly short, being about .8 miles. Jumbie Bay Beach. Guide to the Best St. John Snorkeling Spots - Snorkel and Hike Looking for the best St. John snorkeling spots?? Every beach can be accessed by boat. Park on your left at the bottom of the hill. 2023 OutsiderView. While theyre nearly the same beach, the section known as Oppenheimer Beach is marked by wrought-iron gates. Always snorkel with a buddy and never exceed your physical ability or experience. And along the western end towards Salomon Beach youll find a patch reef with hard and soft corals and colorful fish. We also saw a few stingrays. The beach is rocky and there are often spiny sea urchins lurking in the shallow water at the shore, so step carefully. 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. We have seen everything from squid to barracuda to stingrays to various small tropical fish in this bay. St John has no airport. And you'll find wonderful snorkeling from most of the beaches! If you are looking to piece together all that St John has to offer, check out my ultimate itinerary below. Maho Bay Quarter, St John's best beach. The eastern wall of the second room is encrusted with sponges and cup coral. #10 - Lovango Cay Virgin Islands . Thank you for your support. For some reason, this beautiful beach always rewards me with something exciting. If you take a right, you will reach the Annaberg Sugar Mill Ruins and the entrance to the trailhead for Waterlemon Cay. There are a lot of rocks to navigate over and sea urchins to avoid. Along the shoreline that connects to Caneel Bay you'll find huge schools of Sergeant Major Damsels, wrasse, French Angelfish, sea turtles, rays and a wide variety of hard and soft corals. In addition to snorkeling, swimming, and diving, visitors can hike along the islands scenic walking trails or relax on the gorgeous white sand beach. Please read on to discover what snorkeling spots are worth it, and what are not. Getting to this remote beach requires a 20-minute walk (one way) along a flat, scenic trail. 10. For more information about the benefits of wearing a snorkel vest and some recommended products, you can read our detailed snorkel vest article here. The area is protected as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and is rich with sea life. 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. We saw so many turtles I lost count. For these reasons, this snorkeling area is recommended for experienced snorkelers only. Green turtles, stingrays, and conch can be seen over the grassy areas, which make up most of the central portion of the bay. 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. There was plenty of parking when we went. All recommendations are on items I love and feel will deliver value to you! Coki Beach, or Coki Point, is one of the most popular beaches on the island thanks to its calm waters, convenient amenities, and classic Caribbean views. As you head down a steep hill youll see a sign notifying you youre leaving the VINP. Whether you stay in Cruz Bay or Coral Bay, you need to visit Maho Bay Beach. We snorkeled on the right side of the bay as you face the water out towards Marys Point and saw beautiful coral outcroppings, schools of tropical fish, and even a lionfish. Great to know. Easy access, shallow water, shade and a good chance youll see turtles, rays and lots of fish! I would not attempt this road after a lot of rain. Right side of Cinnamon Bay Beach (this is the entry point to snorkeling out to the Cay). Despite the damage, there are many opportunities to view diverse marine life, including coral, tropical fish, octopus, and sea turtles. But the fact is that the top of the list is always Trunk Bay Beach, Cinnamon Bay Beach, Maho Bay Beach, Hawksnest Beach, Salomon Beach, Gibney Beach, Caneel Bay or Honeymoon Beach. Trunk Bay The rugged dirt road out to Lameshur will remind you of why you rented a jeep in the first place, but the beach is well worth it wide and sandy with plenty of shade. Its shallow over the top of the reef but deep enough for experienced and confident snorkelers to negotiate safely. Out from the center of the beach, large beds of sea grass shelter sea turtles who dont mind company are easy to spot. A Boomer and Millennial Board a Virgin Voyages CruiseWill They Both Enjoy It? Trunk Bay: St. John's most famous beach (most visited and most photographed) doesn't disappoint. Required fields are marked *. I like to wear dive booties with my snorkeling fins to offer a little more protection. Its arguably the most beautiful beach on St John; if not all of the Caribbean! Close to the shore are patches of sand and grass with scattered coral heads. Corals tend to be hard corals like maze brain corals, fire coral, mustard coral, staghorn coral and Pillar corals. Bring diluted baby shampoo to help keep your mask clear. The highlight was seeing a lemon shark. I always wear a snorkel vest. Bear left and follow the trail along the shoreline until youre at a point closest to the Cay. It has the best of both worlds when it comes to snorkeling with sandy shores and gorgeous natural reefs. It's on the smaller side and is found near Trunk Bay Beach, which takes most of the tourists away from it. 2/3 of the island and surrounding reefs are protected by the US Virgin Islands National Park [ VINP ]. 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. - See 478 traveler reviews, 98 candid photos, and great deals for St. Thomas, at Tripadvisor. When (and if) you tire of lazing in the shade of the palms, snorkel the extensive reef between Salomon and Honeymoon Beach on the bays east end. Snorkeling equipment, as well as single and double kayaks, standup paddle boards, and beach chairs can be rented at the Honeymoon Beach Hut. Snorkeling the waters of St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands, is one of the most rewarding and exciting things to do on St. John. . 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. Best Beaches on St John - Northwest Shore St John has many amazing beaches, all perfect for enjoying a sunny beach day. Tektike Bay. Put on your gear and enter the water from the sand on the southernend of the beach. We saw patches of coral and beautiful tropical fish as we snorkeled on the right side of the bay. This top-notch snorkeling spot is easy to access. So when you see pictures of St. John, chances are you are going to see a photo of the famous Trunk Bay overlook. It is advised to swim counter-clockwise around the Cay, but we swam clockwise without a problem. Cane Bay (St. Croix): One of the island's best diving and snorkeling sites is off this breezy, north-shore beach. The US Virgin Islands national park is home to famous beaches like Cinnamon Bay, Trunk Bay, and Maho Bay. Moreover, the water deepens gradually and stays relatively shallow as you wade out from the beach. This makes people coming from northern climates especially susceptible to the strong Caribbean sun. The southern side of Haulover Bay, St John, lies just off the side of Route 10. Snorkeling at Honeymoon Beach is best on the eastern and western ends of the beach. Our ultimate printable guide to Trunk Bay snorkeling in St John have snorkel dive descriptions, maps, lodging recommendations and contact information. Private Full or Half Day Catamaran Snorkel, & Beach Experience; Private Luxury Catamaran Yacht. There is also great snorkeling along the first set of jagged rocks out in the middle. The result is literal forests of gorgonians and sea fans, brain corals, fire coral and healthy populations of reef fish. THE TOP 10 St John Snorkeling (w/Prices) Home Things to do in US Virgin Islands Things to do in St John St John Tours Outdoor Activities On the Water Snorkeling Questions? St John is the smallest of the 3 US Virgin Islands located in the Caribbean. The highlight here is the Cane Bay Wall, where the seafloor plummets from around 40 feet . The walls and ceiling of the cave are covered with beautiful cup corals and sponges. 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 left side of Grootpan Bay as you face the water. Snorkelers can encounter intricate coral formations and lots of marine life, with different varieties arriving at different times of the day. Alternatively, there is limited parking right along the road itself. Stay in areas protected by swim buoys to minimize danger from dinghy traffic in the area. Entry into the water is easy. Start your adventures snorkeling the large reef on the left with its plentiful sea life, intriguing corals, and small shipwreck. Just be sure to use approved anchorages so you don't harm precious reefs. The snorkeling is great along the reef on the left side (as you face the water). 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. Vibrant coral at Francis Bay in St John USVI, Snorkeling with turtles at Francis Bay in St John USVI. Youll also find plenty of reef fish, corals, sea fans, and sponges. The trailhead to Waterlemon Cay is at the coastline right near the parking lot. All Rights Reserved. Protected under Virgin Islands National Coral Reef Monument, the underwater landscape . Getting there is part of the fun. Youll find directions to each location along with an informative snorkeling report, St John beach map and local tips so you can decide which spots are right for you; and where to stay on St John. Please see the key below. This is one of the best beaches on St. John for foraging along the shoreline and discovering what the tide washes up. The best snorkeling is along the beachs rocky coastline on the right side and on the left near the docks. 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. The Tektite snorkel is one of the absolute best snorkeling spotson St. John, and contrary to popular belief, itcan be accessed by land with relative ease. But the trip is well worth it. And we agree! Caneel Bay beach Shallow entry, calm waters and plenty to see close to shore. Buck Island Reef Natural Features and Ecosystems. National Park Service, https://www.nps.gov/buis/learn/nature/naturalfeaturesandecosystems.htm. Beehive Cove lies on the other side of thesmall rocky point to the south. There are many day trips and boat transfers to the island from various tour operators, or you can take your own private boat (anchoring permit required). The hills and holes on the sea floor are formed by eels, worms, shrimp, clams, and crabs that make their homes on this underwater beach. You can find all kinds of entertainment while you're exploring Coki Beach. The fascinating rock formations are perfect for underwater exploration. We saw large schools of fish, beautiful hard and soft coral, and numerous colorful waving sea fans. There are also many different types of coral, including grooved brain coral and pillar coral. There is a little bit of a pebbly transition right at the shoreline. A Bonnier LLC Company. One of the top beaches in the Caribbean also has some great snorkeling! No need to hire a boat or join a tour! 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. Ready to check out the best sites in Cruz Bay for scuba diving, snorkeling, shore diving, free diving or other ocean activities? The farther you get out to the point, the more challenging it will become. We saw a few turtles in the middle of the bay where the seagrass beds are located. Continue driving on the bumpy, gravely, potholed road to reach the two Lameshur Bays. Take Salt PondRoad (Route 107) past Salt Pond Bay. 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. 5 Best Ways to Explore Hurricane Hole in Coral Bay, St. John. 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). Guests can enjoy recently upgraded eco-tents or cottage accommodations; and wake up to the beauty of Cinnamon Bay each day! Smugglers Cove is located on the west end of Tortola, and you can get there by boat, taxi shuttle, or car. There are more fish and coral on the calmer western side of the Cay (which is the left side as you face the water). Brown Bay. Face the Crowds at St John's Most Famous Beach Trunk Bay Beach Trunk Bay is the most famous beach in St John USVI, and you will quickly see why. St Johns most popular, most photographed, and most visited beach is Trunk Bay. Henley Cay *Links in this post contain Amazon and CJ affiliate links. There is a large parking lot, but it fills up quickly. Jumbie Bay Beach is one of St. John's hidden gems. 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. Considered to have some of the best snorkeling on St. Thomas, Coki Beach is known for its calm waters, white sands, and abundant marine life. Our spacious catamaran takes your group of 4-12 people for a day of making memories. Snorkeling in Hurricane Hole is a MUST do on any trip to St. John. These are some of the best places to snorkel in St. John, USVI. Visitors will argue about which one is their favorite. We enjoyed excellent snorkeling around this cay. Whether youre visiting the US Virgin Islands or the British Virgin Islands, there are plenty of spectacular snorkeling spots to choose from. Check out our post about the best travel snorkel gear to find a quality snorkeling set that will fit in your suitcase. Its perfect for beginner snorkelers and children. Because it is off-the-beaten-path, this beach does not appear to get much use. 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. There are a lot of sea urchins! 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. BEST SNORKELING ON ST JOHN Waterlemon Cay - The top snorkeling destination on St John. Cinnamon Bay Beach is one of several gorgeous beaches located right off of North Shore Road. The trip includes a short ride to/from the pier on a dinghy (must be . She also provides chairs, portable bathrooms, kayaks, and paddleboards. Original Poster . We were glad we decided to rent a Jeep! This is the closest entry point to get to Waterlemon Cay, which is the route we chose. Like The Caves, The Indians are accessible only by boat. All rights reserved. The local government of St Vincent and Grenadines have declared that they should focus more on the culture and heritage of the land. 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. Cinnamon Cay is located about 100 yards off the shore. Once you arrive, proceed to the entrance and pay the nominal $5 fee per person. 14 Best St. John Beaches. This is another beach where you can spot sea turtles. On the north side of the point, there is asmall cave with an exit to the surface. We snorkeled to the left (as you face the water) across the small bay to the larger patch reef. The western side of the cay is better protected from waves and wind. All rights reserved. Start your snorkeling around the middle to left side of the beach. I can now spend hours in the water following tropical fish and swimming alongside turtles. Parking is catch-as-catch-can along the left hand side. Find the right mask for the shape of your face. Also, expect much more snorkeling fins in your face because of the increased crowds. This created an incredibly frustrating experience. Be aware that it is a somewhat long snorkel to reach the reef and that the sea is often choppy at times, causing waves to break over the rocks. Snorkeling in the center of the bay can also be a worthwhile experience. Blue Cobblestone Beach offers the opportunity toexplore an underwater environment that usually occurs furtheroffshore and in deeper waters. This snorkeling spot is best for intermediate to advanced snorkelers since the current can be stronger than in other areas. The grass environment attracts rays, green turtles, starfish, and conch. This easily accessible, shallow-water snorkel can be thoroughly enjoyed by snorkelers of all experience levels. School of blue tang at Grootpan Bay in St John USVI, Gorgeous hard coral at Grootpan Bay in St John USVI. The water is mild and currents or strong waves are rare. St. John is the most natural of the islands and has numerous easy access snorkeling spots. In fact, Maho is our #1 recommendation for anybody that wants a chance to swim with a sea turtle on St John. We have all the details including the world famous north shore beaches- including maps! Snorkel out along the east coast toward the point. Snorkeling is one of the most popular activities among visitors to the Virgin Islands. Be aware this area is subject to strong currents and winds, so use your judgment before proceeding into the water. Try to identify all the differentcolors of sponges found here. Soft white sand stretches in both directions while shallow waters provide newbie snorkelers the chance to get their sea legs. Off-the-beaten-path location with a beautiful beach, food and some of the best snorkeling. The water is shallow at first, and the bottom is made up of small rocks and coral rubble. In fact, its so beautiful that cruise ship visitors to St Thomas will make the trek by taxi and ferry and taxi to spend a few hours enjoying everything that makes Trunk Bay famous! Its possible to visit both sites in a single day. Overall, I would rate St John USVI as a whole as 4/5 snorkels. Brewers Bay is a favorite for Green Sea Turtles and Hawksbill Turtles. 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. 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. The island boasts over 3 dozen beaches to choose from and discover. Put in Annaberg Sugar Plantation in GoogleMaps. Shutterstock Maho Bay Staff Pick Some of the most dramatic underwater structure and corals on the island. I was actually pleasantly surprised by the quality of snorkeling here. If youre lucky, you might also catch sight of some sea turtles. Entry is not easy. Pick sunny calm days to snorkel to really see the coral and fish. Located 1.5 miles off the coast of St. Croix, the 880-acre Buck Island Reef National Monument has an impressive coral reef system that draws thousands of snorkelers and divers every year. The US Virgin Islands are famous for their beaches, and Salomon Bay Beach is considered one of the gems on St. John's island.. Just off the center of the beach is a good spot to see a sea turtle. I love to snorkel but. The Caneel Bay resort was decimated by back-to-back hurricanes in 2017 and has yet to be rebuilt. The protected bay has calm, clear waters with ample opportunities to view parrotfish, sea turtles, manta rays, angelfish, barracuda, and porcupine puffers. Trunk Bay in St. John is one of the best Caribbean islands for snorkeling vacations. A few with the closest to shore are Hawksnest, Trunk (right side of the shore and around the cay) and Salt Pond. There's an underwater snorkel trail and you'll see some incredible coral and fish. (J. Robert Oppenheimer, creator of the atomic bomb, once owned the land.) Maho Bay is on everybodys favorite beach list. Looking for the best St. John snorkeling spots?? The best snorkeling in St John, USVI can be discovered at beautiful Trunk Bay, part of the Virgin Islands National Park. Look under ledges and in holes to see lobsters, eels, and small fish seeking protection in their little hiding places. The best snorkeling is on the right side along the rocks as you face the water. Snorkeling is best on calm days when there is good visibility underwater. That aforementioned place is also one of the best spots for buying souvenirs because of the beach shop there. Although we did not do it, you could technically swim all the way over back to Salt Pond Bay Beach. It all depends on the winds and current. The access to the water is not easy but not hard. I cannot stress this enough invest in good snorkeling gear! I could spend hours swimming with these adorable guys. Not far from Norman Island lies a group of uninhabited rocky islets rising from the sea. Can get a bit crowded but offers some nice snorkeling especially center of the bay. 1. Drive past the parking lot for Salt Pond Bay Beach and take your second left. Snorkeling at Cinnamon Bay has several options. Its north east facing location can make conditions challenging. Lenister Bay is the perfect spot: It's usually uncrowded, and its calm waters have colorful fish, sea cucumbers, starfish, and green turtles. When it comes to snorkeling with sandy shores and gorgeous natural reefs fee per.! Spectacular snorkeling spots - snorkel and hike looking for the best St. John snorkeling spots?! 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