You will be snorkeling in a location that is somewhat far awayfrom a convenient place to get out of the water, and there maybe areas of rough seas. Along the reef edge on the underwater hillside are gardens of sea fans and other gorgonians, such as sea rods, sea plumes, dead mans fingers, and sea whips. Full or Half Day Charter - Sail, Beach, Snorkel. Copyright 2023 Islands. If you want to try sailing or windsurfing, they even . There are many small reef fish in the area. Out from the center of the beach, large beds of sea grass shelter sea turtles who dont mind company are easy to spot. Large sea fans and gorgonians waving in the current surrounded by mustard corals and brain coral and fire corals. Leinster Bay is made up of two smaller bays, Waterlemon Bay on the east and Marys Creek on the west. Brain coral, soft coral, and sea fans at Little Lameshur Bay in St John USVI. If you are still in the planning phase and want to know what are the best places to stay near some of these top snorkeling spots, do not miss my article below! 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. , Palau is first country to ban reef toxic sun cream. BBC News, 1 January 2020, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-50963080. I wore my Cressi dive booties and then just slipped on my Cressi travel fins at the beach. Henley Cay - Staff Pick for Best Snorkeling on St John - requires kayak or charter. Not far from Norman Island lies a group of uninhabited rocky islets rising from the sea. Find the right mask for the shape of your face. Trunk Bay Private Full or Half Day Catamaran Snorkel, & Beach Experience; Private Luxury Catamaran Yacht. The US Virgin Islands are famous for their beaches, and Salomon Bay Beach is considered one of the gems on St. John's island.. Please be careful as you navigate into the water. Also, there is no shade along the dirt path and the beach. Depths around the formations range from around 10 to 50 feet.2. While theyre nearly the same beach, the section known as Oppenheimer Beach is marked by wrought-iron gates. The water is shallow and has a sandy bottom. Yawzi Point From the beach, you can see huge rock structures in the middle of the bay. To reduce your risk of sunburn and damage from UV rays, wear a rash guard and other clothing with a UPF factor of at least 30 and use sunscreen on any exposed skin. Park on the south side of the road alongside the small sand and coral rubble beach. The US Virgin Islands national park is home to famous beaches like Cinnamon Bay, Trunk Bay, and Maho Bay. 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. Required fields are marked *. Families will love the convenience of unloading cooler, chairs, snorkel gear and kids floaties! 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. Among other cool stuff, Ive seen moray eels, turtles, nurse sharks, and squid. There are not many spots. 99.9% of travelers come to St John by boat ! Its closer to the beach and smaller than the more extensive reef on the other side of the bay. Pick sunny calm days to snorkel to really see the coral and fish. Shutterstock Maho Bay Blue tang at Blue Cobblestone in St John USVI. Your email address will not be published. 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). I didnt realize you could snorkel right there. This hidden spot provides a relaxing atmosphere thats perfect for those seeking solitude. July 25, 2019 With miles of natural coral reef, excellent visibility and a gentle coastline with access, the U.S. Virgin Island of St. John is a snorkeler's paradise. Be aware the water can get rough along the far side of the Cay due to exposure to the wind. We have all the details including the world famous north shore beaches- including maps! 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. 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. Located at the eastern end of Leinster Bay, Watermelon Cay is known as the top snorkeling spot on St. John. Follow the Leinster Bay Trail until it splits. It's a top spot to go snorkeling in St John from the beach. Watermelon Cay occasionally has strong currents, making this option best for more experienced snorkelers and confident swimmers. Soft white sand, shallow water entry, beautiful aqua blue water, snorkeling and watersports make it the perfect St John beach destination! Soft white sand stretches in both directions while shallow waters provide newbie snorkelers the chance to get their sea legs. The reefs are destroyed but there are plenty of fish and at Maho you can't snorkel without seeing a few turtles. Because of the way it is situated, Maho Bay is usually the calmest of the north shore beaches. The trail eventually cuts inland over a few hills before it dumps you onto Blue Cobblestone Beach. We snorkeled along the rocks on the right side of the beach as you face the water. I always wear a snorkel vest. Head counter clockwise to use the current to round the Cay. The second room is the most interesting, although both are beautiful. Buck Island Reef Natural Features and Ecosystems. National Park Service, https://www.nps.gov/buis/learn/nature/naturalfeaturesandecosystems.htm. My husband is awesome at picking out the little creatures! Deserves its designation as the most popular snorkeling destination on St John. Difficulty: Easy. Take Route 107 and go PAST Salt Pond Bay Beach. The water is sandy bottom and shallow making it a great spot for younger kids and parents with floats. We also saw a moon jellyfish, but it was easy to navigate around. 6) Trunk Bay - This is the most snorkeled beach on St. John for good reason - its shallow, underwater snorkel trail means it's an excellent option for all ages and experience levels. 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. Because it is off-the-beaten-path, this beach does not appear to get much use. Beginning in the parking area for Annaberg Plantation enjoy an almost 1.0 mi flat hike along Leinster Bay to reach Waterlemon Cay. 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. The buoys are hard to miss. The reef extends out about 20 yards from shore. Entry is easy with calm waters and a sandy bottom. 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. Tektike Bay. Snorkeling in Hurricane Hole is a MUST do on any trip to St. John. St John is the smallest of the 3 US Virgin Islands located in the Caribbean. The best St John snorkeling places list must include Maho Bay. And along the western end towards Salomon Beach youll find a patch reef with hard and soft corals and colorful fish. 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. You'd do yourself well to visit this glorious white sand beach even if you don't snorkel. Dont forget your waterproof snorkeling bag to keep your valuables safe. Youre likely to have this Caribbean paradise all to yourself as you snorkel and explore the crystal clear waters. In the British Virgin Islands, the island of Tortola makes a great base for snorkelers. Snorkel gear and watersports equipment are available to rent at Honeymoon Beach, and there are various facilities, including a beach bar and grill. Do not overestimate your swimming ability. If youre new to snorkeling, visiting an area prone to stronger currents, or snorkeling at a more remote site, wearing a snorkel vest will make your outing safer and more comfortable. We saw many schools of fish, numerous soft and hard coral outcroppings, a stingray, and gorgeous gigantic waving purple sea fans. Haulover (North) - Some of the most dramatic underwater structure and corals on the island. Just off the center of the beach is a good spot to see a sea turtle. You can find all kinds of entertainment while you're exploring Coki Beach. Do You Have What It Takes to Become a Kittitian RumMaster? There are many amenities, including a bar, restaurant, watersport rentals, dive shop, chairs, umbrellas, and more. Snorkeling at Trunk Bay Beach in St John USVI. Cinnamon Bay Beach is one of several gorgeous beaches located right off of North Shore Road. Parking spots fill up quickly, so get there early! Snorkeling the Mangroves. The currents can be strong. Follow East End Road beyond Coral Bay. Getting to Grootpan Bay Beach is an adventure and can be confusing if you do not know where you are going ahead of time. Salt Pond When it comes to snorkeling in St. John, Salt Pond is #1 on our list. Discover hand-curated maps, along with reviews and photos from nature lovers like you. Snorkeling at Trunk Bay is best just off the center of the beach around Trunk Cay. Honeymoon is one of the best beaches on St. John for day trippers from St. Thomas. Magen's Bay Beach (One Of The Most Beautiful) Another popular beach among tourists and locals is Magen's Bay Beach. Brown Bay. When I first started to snorkel almost a decade ago, I would rent basic gear from a local shop. On the north side of the point, there is asmall cave with an exit to the surface. This beach was part of our hike to Ram Head. Snorkeling the waters of St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands, is one of the most rewarding and exciting things to do on St. John. Parking: Paid parking lot ($5) and roadside parking. Waterlemon Cay Wear proper footwear. 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