The US Virgin Islands are famous for their beaches, and Salomon Bay Beach is considered one of the gems on St. John's island.. With arguably the best shallow water snorkeling in all of the Virgin Islands youre sure to have a great experience. The grass environment attracts rays, green turtles, starfish, and conch. Neltjeberg Bay lies on the far side of a thick tangle of bush - including wild-growing pineapple and guava - to the west of the more accessible Dorothea Beach. 2022 adagio digital arts. Pristine sand lines and a perfect half-moon bay are the rewards at the end of a 20-minute hike out to St Thomas's finest secret beach. Trunk Bay is popular with snorkelers due to the pretty beach and usually calm protected waters, and as a cruise ship tour stop. All recommendations are on items I love and feel will deliver value to you! It has the best of both worlds when it comes to snorkeling with sandy shores and gorgeous natural reefs. The snorkeling is great along the reef on the left side (as you face the water). 99.9% of travelers come to St John by boat ! . 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. 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. This section of the reef tends to attract larger predators such as blue runners, mutton snapper, and yellowtail snapper. The US Virgin Islands national park is home to famous beaches like Cinnamon Bay, Trunk Bay, and Maho Bay. Many products featured on this site were editorially chosen. Trunk Bay Beach is popular for its clear waters, soft white sand, and views that make it one of the most beautiful beaches in St John. Take the North Shore Road towards Annaberg Sugar Plantation. Posts: 957 Likes: 0 So when you see pictures of St. John, chances are you are going to see a photo of the famous Trunk Bay overlook. Drive PAST the Greater Lameshur Bay to reach Little Lameshur Bay Beach. Theres plenty of parking. My mask would fog, and I would get a bunch of water in my snorkel. To reach Waterlemon Bay, which has two great snorkeling locations, take the Leinster Bay Trail, beginning at the parking area for the Annaberg Sugar Mill Ruins. I would advise starting this adventure early in the morning. These amenities include showers, foot rinses, food and beverage concessions, snorkel rentals, and more. Every beach can be accessed by boat. This is one of the best beaches on St. John for foraging along the shoreline and discovering what the tide washes up. . Be aware the far side of the Cay can have strong currents. 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. Bring a dive light if you want to explore deeper into any of the caves, as it can get quite dark. Difficulty: Easy. Once you pass Concordia, the road will turn sharply right and the dirt parking lot will be on the left. There are also many vendors where you can get food and drinks or rent beach chairs and umbrellas. 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. The most popular ferries are out of Charlotte Amalie and Red Hook, St Thomas. The Caves are accessible only by boat, so youll need to book a private charter or guided tour or visit with your own vessel. The best snorkeling is on the right side along the rocks as you face the water. The best snorkeling is on the western side of the bay (left side of the bay as you face the water). Our ultimate printable guide to Trunk Bay snorkeling in St John have snorkel dive descriptions, maps, lodging recommendations and contact information. A couple of beach shacks sell drinks and snacks and rent stand up paddleboards, beach chairs, umbrellas, and snorkel gear, but there are no restrooms or other amenities. Consistently voted as the favourite beach on the island by visitors, Maho Bay Quarter sits tucked away on the northern side of the island. There are bathrooms, grills and covered pavillion with picnic tables on the western end of the beach. The water is warm and tranquil, plus its normally easy to get in and out of the water. The beach is narrow and lined with towering coconut palms and seagrape trees for shade. This is another beach where you can spot sea turtles. - See 478 traveler reviews, 98 candid photos, and great deals for St. Thomas, at Tripadvisor. Using the offline map, you should be able to continue to navigate your way over to Grootpan. Because the island is surrounded by fragile coral reef, swimming too closely to it is not advised. Trunk Bay Virgin Islands National Park snorkeling trail and a lifeguards. Coki Beach is one of the most popular snorkeling spots in St. Thomas. On St. John, Estate Lindholm is a top pick within Virgin Islands National Park. 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. Find the part where the sandy bottom meets the shore to allow for easier entry. Buck Island Reef Natural Features and Ecosystems. National Park Service, https://www.nps.gov/buis/learn/nature/naturalfeaturesandecosystems.htm. We snorkeled to the left (as you face the water) across the small bay to the larger patch reef. Make sure you do NOT end up in Kiddel Bay. She is passionate about outdoor activities and enjoys writing pieces that inspire others to get outside. 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. Download an offline St. John USVI map on Google Maps ahead of time. The highlight was seeing a lemon shark. After you park, walk down a dirt uneven path for about 7 minutes until you reach a beautiful crescent-shaped beach with gorgeous clear water. Snorkel out along the east coast toward the point. Please be careful as you navigate into the water. This little beach gets LOTS OF SUN and doesn't afford much protection. Snorkeling with the island's wildlife is sure to be the highlight of your vacation! The result is literal forests of gorgonians and sea fans, brain corals, fire coral and healthy populations of reef fish. Best entry is in the center of the beach where the sandy bottom comes closest to the shoreline. The only sign of civilization . 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). Drive past the parking lot for Salt Pond Bay Beach and take your second left. Its shoreline is a mix of wind-swept sand and pebbles. According to local legends, pirates once used the Norman Island Caves to hide their treasure, earning this area the name Treasure Point. There are busy ferry routes that connect St John to St Thomas, St Croix, Tortola and the BVIs. Yawzi Point Unfortunately, I have not seen any without signs of coral bleaching, as evidenced by the white areas on the coral, so enjoy it while you can. At the seaside edge of the reef is an underwater hillside, which descends about 30 feet to meet the sand and grass bottom of the center portion of the bay. 1. Corals tend to be hard corals like maze brain corals, fire coral, mustard coral, staghorn coral and Pillar corals. Cane Bay at sunrise, St. Croix. You might also see Nurse sharks ( non threatening / shy ) and some gems like black and white geometric tunicates and blue encrusting coral. Wear proper footwear. Find the right mask for the shape of your face. In the British Virgin Islands, the island of Tortola makes a great base for snorkelers. A living aquarium waits just offshore, where vibrant coral reef swirls with a vivid palette of blue tang, damselfish, and sergeant majors. 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. I went to the left and saw nice fans, fish. The currents can be strong. Just be sure to use approved anchorages so you don't harm precious reefs. I was actually pleasantly surprised by the quality of snorkeling here. Watch out for black spiny sea urchins hiding here. Close to the shore are patches of sand and grass with scattered coral heads. 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. Great Lameshur Baylies at the bottom of the hill. Lenister Bay is the perfect spot: It's usually uncrowded, and its calm waters have colorful fish, sea cucumbers, starfish, and green turtles. The liveliest underwater activity happens to the east among the rocks on the way to Maho Point. Jumbie Bay Beach is one of St. John's hidden gems. Located just off Caneel Bay Resort youll see an 11 acre cay. If you decide to make the long swim out there, be SUPER CAREFUL because there is boat traffic. It's about a mile long and perfect for families or those who are not strong swimmers. There are boats that dock in the bay, so it can be dangerous if you try to navigate around them. Enter the water at the north end of the beach near the largeblack rocks. For some reason, this beautiful beach always rewards me with something exciting. The western side of the cay is better protected from waves and wind. Start your snorkeling around the middle to left side of the beach. This snorkeling spot is best for intermediate to advanced snorkelers since the current can be stronger than in other areas. 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. Beaches By Harlaxton7 Great snorkeling with lobster, tarpon, squid, sea turtles and a beautiful beach, great place at sunset. This healthy reef community supports a diverse and tropical fish population,including grazing blue tang andfast swimming predators such as yellowtailsnapper, blue runners, barracuda, and tarpon. 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. We saw several turtles in the seagrass beds. Haulover (North) These small silvery fish travel in close proximity to one another in large schools that look like moving underwater shadows. Even if you're seeking a beach day, this is a phenomenal choice. 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. Along the shoreline that connects to Caneel Bay youll find huge schools of Sergeant Major Damsels, wrasse, French Angelfish, sea turtles, rays and a wide variety of hard and soft corals. Some of Our Top Picks For Snorkeling On St John, USVI. There are not many spots. Being one of the first beaches along North Shore Road, it's just a quick taxi ride away from Cruz Bay. What I loved about snorkeling in St John was that all of our snorkeling spots could be accessed from the beach. 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 ( Because it is off-the-beaten-path, this beach does not appear to get much use. There is a good deal of fire coral encrustation, but true hardcoral varieties are also plentiful. Follow East End Road beyond Coral Bay. Haulover Bay (St. John): A favorite with locals, this small bay is rougher than Leinster, with a pebbly beach. Although we did not do it, you could technically swim all the way over back to Salt Pond Bay Beach. 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. We would like to snorkel off the beach and not have to go out in a boat. 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? If you want to try sailing or windsurfing, they even . Haulover (North) - Some of the most dramatic underwater structure and corals on the island. Take Route 107 and go PAST Salt Pond Bay Beach. As you snorkel around the point, or headland, which defines BeehiveBay, you can see a line of large rocks, which seems to attract a good share of marine life. 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. 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. Check out my personal snorkeling gear picks below. Shallow entry, calm waters and plenty to see close to shore. 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. Parking spots fill up quickly, so get there early! On the north side of the point, there is asmall cave with an exit to the surface. Shutterstock Maho Bay 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. 5. All rights reserved. The coral reef here is in relatively good condition, and the reef community is colorful and diverse. Trunk Bay Beach is worth it for the swimming but not the snorkeling! 14 Best St. John Beaches. Because of the calm, shallow water, Smugglers Cove is a great snorkeling site for beginners. 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. Snorkeling at Honeymoon Beach is best on the eastern and western ends of the beach. 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. Since the beach is rocky and there are many sea urchins, its a good idea to bring water shoes or snorkeling booties. The St John Beaches are some of the best in the Caribbean. It's an iconic photo of the beach, the north shore of St. John, and the British Virgin Islands stretching out in the distance. The water is mild and currents or strong waves are rare. All rights reserved. It's on the smaller side and is found near Trunk Bay Beach, which takes most of the tourists away from it. Brown Bay. The island measures just 9 mi X 3 mi ( 28 sq mi ). The western part of Waterlemon Cay is where we saw the two nurse sharks relaxing at the bottom of the reef. , Skincare Chemicals and Coral Reefs. National Ocean Service, https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/news/sunscreen-corals.html. Since most people consider December to April the best time to travel to the Caribbean, many snorkelers visit the Virgin Islands during the North American winter. 99.9% of travelers come to St John by boat ! As soon as we spotted him, he did not stick around for long and quickly swam away as we approached. Ram Head hiking trail will lead to Blue Cobblestone Beach. I was not expecting much, but there was quite a bit of beautiful coral and Caribbean fish. Beginning in the parking area for Annaberg Plantation enjoy an almost 1.0 mi flat hike along Leinster Bay to reach Waterlemon Cay. This top-notch snorkeling spot is easy to access. When youve had your fill of music, stuffed French toast, and spicy Bloody Marys, head to Lameshur Beach. St John is the smallest of the 3 US Virgin Islands located in the Caribbean. 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. You can enter the water at the rock beach at the end of the trail. I cannot stress this enough invest in good snorkeling gear! There is also great snorkeling along the first set of jagged rocks out in the middle. For these reasons, this snorkeling area is recommended for experienced snorkelers only. Some animal species you might see in the area are French angelfish, queen angel, and permits. where is the best snorkeling when cruising the eastern caribbean? Honeymoon Beach: Best for Luxury Mixed With Laid Back Vibes. Honeymoon Beach, St. John, USVI Honeymoon Beach is an off-the-beaten-path destination offering excellent snorkeling and other watersports in a secluded area within Virgin Islands National Park. We saw patches of coral here and there with sporadic Caribbean fish sightings. There are patches of reef on both the right and left sides of the bay, but the right side (as you face the water) is supposed to be better. The rocky north coast on the right-hand side of the beach offers excellent snorkeling, especially during the summer months when large schools of fry congregate close to shore. The history of the land is rich and filled with unknown facts. Fringed by coconut palms, full of gentle waves, easy to find, and full of coral reefs and other sea life, Maho is famous for a reason! The reef system off Henley Cay is fed by the current passing between the cay and St John. The beach at Haulover North is mostly coral rubble. We were glad we decided to rent a Jeep! Located at the eastern end of Leinster Bay, Watermelon Cay is known as the top snorkeling spot on St. John. Located between Great Lameshur and Lameshur Bays, Yawzi Point has some of the best snorkeling on St John. Snorkeling the Mangroves. Salt Pond Before our trip, I researched a ton trying to find all the top St John snorkeling spots. The latest articles, guides, and resources, sent to your inbox monthly. There's a $5 entrance fee but this beach has all of the amenities you could need including showers, restrooms, a snack bar, and gear rentals (snorkels and chairs). A small island can be seen in the middle of the water near Trunk Bay Beach. I love to snorkel but. Snorkeling the western edge towards Peter Bay the corals and patch reef are thin. Sunday is the ideal day to drive out to the south shore of St. John to partake in the waterfront jazz brunch at Miss Lucys Restaurant. 2023 OutsiderView. You can swim from the sandy beach out to the Cay, which is quite a long swim. One of the highlights was seeing a shoal (family) of squid along the rocks on the right side. Your mobile-friendly St John island guide to St John's beaches, snorkeling, maps and more. Maho Bay Watermelon Cay occasionally has strong currents, making this option best for more experienced snorkelers and confident swimmers. Start your adventures snorkeling the large reef on the left with its plentiful sea life, intriguing corals, and small shipwreck. Trunk Bay Beach has a large parking lot right off North Shore Road, however, get there early because spaces fill up quickly! Thalia, the owner of the land in front of the beach, very kindly upkeeps the beach through donations. 2nd ed., Dive Guide BVI, 2010. The buoys are hard to miss. The reef rises up close to the surface near the shore and then slopes down to a depth of about thirty feet. 2022 2. Near the left side of the reef, you can find a vibrant pillar coral that always seems to be a big attraction for colorful little fish. Outdoor Activities Nature and Wildlife Tours On the Ground On the Water Boat Rentals Kayaking Tours Sailing This beautiful environment continues out and around the point. 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