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. 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. 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. The northeastern end of Haulover Bay can be reached by following the shoreline east for a little less than half a mile, where you will find a small sand beach. Brightly-colored coral at Salt Pond Bay in St John USVI. Yawzi Point Along the way youll see beautiful hard and soft corals and a large variety of Caribbean tropical fish. Looking forward to checking it out. Maho Bay also offers good reef snorkeling for those looking to explore the sea life on a coral reef. Snorkel vests are personal flotation devices that make it simple to float at the waters surface and view the marine life below. 2023 OutsiderView. If you take a right, you will reach the Annaberg Sugar Mill Ruins and the entrance to the trailhead for Waterlemon Cay. Youre likely to have this Caribbean paradise all to yourself as you snorkel and explore the crystal clear waters. Blue Cobblestone Beach offers the opportunity toexplore an underwater environment that usually occurs furtheroffshore and in deeper waters. Continue driving on the bumpy, gravely, potholed road to reach the two Lameshur Bays. My husband is awesome at picking out the little creatures! 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. 2/3 of the island and surrounding reefs are protected by the US Virgin Islands National Park [ VINP ]. And its should be Its convenient sitting right along North Shore Road. 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. Do You Have What It Takes to Become a Kittitian RumMaster? Bring diluted baby shampoo to help keep your mask clear. Once you arrive, proceed to the entrance and pay the nominal $5 fee per person. Also, there is no shade along the dirt path and the beach. There are boats that dock in the bay, so it can be dangerous if you try to navigate around them. That is a long swim though, and the current can be strong. Using the offline map, you should be able to continue to navigate your way over to Grootpan. Can get a bit crowded but offers some nice snorkeling especially center of the bay. Snorkeling off the eastern end of the beach and youll find a large table reef in 5 to 15 of water. Book St. John Snorkeling. Beginning in the parking area for Annaberg Plantation enjoy an almost 1.0 mi flat hike along Leinster Bay to reach Waterlemon Cay. 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). Snorkel gear and watersports equipment are available to rent at Honeymoon Beach, and there are various facilities, including a beach bar and grill. Honeymoon is one of the best beaches on St. John for day trippers from St. Thomas. 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. Review of the best snorkeling at Trunk Bay in St John. 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. My husband who has an amazing eagle eye even spotted a yellowline arrow crab. Maho Bay offers a chance to swim with sea turtles. On the north side of the point, there is asmall cave with an exit to the surface. There is a good deal of fire coral encrustation, but true hardcoral varieties are also plentiful. 1. I was not expecting much, but there was quite a bit of beautiful coral and Caribbean fish. 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. When we first visited, we accidentally drove into the Concordia Resort. The island of St John is best known as home to Virgin Islands National Park, beautiful beaches, long hiking trails, scrumptious food, and historical places.The coast around the island has been designated as Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument, so snorkeling is one of the best activities and you can find great opportunities at any beach.. You can also go kayaking, boating, or explore . Use reef-safe sunscreen like my favorite called Colorscience Sunforgettable Total Protection Sport Stick. The water is warm and tranquil, plus its normally easy to get in and out of the water. 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. BEST SNORKELING ON ST JOHN Waterlemon Cay - The top snorkeling destination on St John. One of the top beaches in the Caribbean also has some great snorkeling! The name, Tektite,refers to a research project conducted at Beehive Bay, a smallcove on the southeastern tip of Great Lameshur Bay. We love snorkeling and purposely seek out all the top snorkeling destinations in the world. Trunk Bay in St. John is one of the best Caribbean islands for snorkeling vacations. One point of interest is the sunken plane wreckage just off of Little Cinnamon Beach. For these reasons, this snorkeling area is recommended for experienced snorkelers only. You can swim from the sandy beach out to the Cay, which is quite a long swim. 2/3 of the island and surrounding reefs are protected by the US Virgin Islands National Park [ VINP ]. Snorkeling equipment, as well as single and double kayaks, standup paddle boards, and beach chairs can be rented at the Honeymoon Beach Hut. Terri Clemmons photos. 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. Its shoreline is a mix of wind-swept sand and pebbles. Trunk Bay is a body of water and a beach on St. John in the United States Virgin Islands.Cinnamon Bay Beach is one of the longest beaches in the park. The dominant species of coral found in the shallow top reef are colonies of star and boulder coral. It has the best of both worlds when it comes to snorkeling with sandy shores and gorgeous natural reefs. Just be sure to use approved anchorages so you don't harm precious reefs. Although we did not see any turtles and stingrays, they are often spotted due to the presence of seagrass beds. From the Salt Pond Bay Parking lot, take the short trail downto the bay. This beautiful environment continues out and around the point. As soon as we spotted him, he did not stick around for long and quickly swam away as we approached. The reefs are destroyed but there are plenty of fish and at Maho you can't snorkel without seeing a few turtles. Distance: 1.1 miles out and back; Approx. Here, the environment is sand and coral rubble. Enter the water over a shallow area of coral rubble. It's an iconic photo of the beach, the north shore of St. John, and the British Virgin Islands stretching out in the distance. This party beach is easily accessible by taxi and has a dive center where you can rent snorkeling gear or book a discovery scuba course. 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. 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. 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. Healthy elkhorn coral is found at most of USVI's reefs. 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! Best Beaches on St John - Northwest Shore St John has many amazing beaches, all perfect for enjoying a sunny beach day. The US Virgin Islands are famous for their beaches, and Salomon Bay Beach is considered one of the gems on St. John's island.. Where to snorkel at Trunk Bay Beach. The reef rises up close to the surface near the shore and then slopes down to a depth of about thirty feet. 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. Just past these mangroves, you will come to an underwater hillside garden of coral. You can see many large, purple sea fans and other gorgonians, as well as hard corals, such as star, elkhorn, and brain coral. We also saw a few stingrays. Required fields are marked *. Cinnamon Bay is a lot like Trunk Bay with its beauty and amenities, but bigger and more spacious. From hidden coves to must-see reefs, these are the best snorkeling spots in St. John. This snorkeling spot is best for intermediate to advanced snorkelers since the current can be stronger than in other areas. 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. Soft white sand, shallow water entry, beautiful aqua blue water, snorkeling and watersports make it the perfect St John beach destination! Respect other snorkelers personal space. There are many small reef fish in the area. Trunk Bay is the only beach on St. John with an amenity fee, which is $5 per entrant. (888) 651-9785 Top St John Snorkeling When are you traveling? Located at the eastern end of Leinster Bay, Watermelon Cay is known as the top snorkeling spot on St. John. The Caneel Bay resort was decimated by back-to-back hurricanes in 2017 and has yet to be rebuilt. This top-notch snorkeling spot is easy to access. And we agree! There are two rooms or chambers with rock walls on three sides. That is why you will get to see some of the best spots. Entry is easy with calm waters and a sandy bottom. Maho Bay Beach is quite easy to access. I was actually pleasantly surprised by the quality of snorkeling here. If you attempt this swim, you will snorkel over seagrass beds where you may see some turtles, rays, and starfish. 99.9% of travelers come to St John by boat ! Most of the reef lies in calm shallow water, with some sections even rising above the surface at times of extreme low tides. Some of the most popular snorkeling spots include Hansen Bay Beach, Hawksnest Beach, Maho Bay Beach, and Salt Pond Beach. The best snorkeling in St John, USVI can be discovered at beautiful Trunk Bay, part of the Virgin Islands National Park. Great Lameshur Baylies at the bottom of the hill. The trailhead to Waterlemon Cay is at the coastline right near the parking lot. Its also the only St John beach with a lifeguard . 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. Snorkelers can encounter intricate coral formations and lots of marine life, with different varieties arriving at different times of the day. You will come to several splits in the poorly maintained road. Do not overestimate your swimming ability. Always snorkel with a buddy and never exceed your physical ability or experience. 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. 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. There are also many colorful spongesand various types of hard coral in this area. 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. Full or Half Day Charter - Sail, Beach, Snorkel. Snorkeling at Trunk Bay is best just off the center of the beach around Trunk Cay. Turtle and a remora (suckerfish) at Hansen Bay in St. John USVI. Youll also find bathrooms, RainTree Caf, watersports rentals and a souvenir shop. Beehive Cove lies on the other side of thesmall rocky point to the south. The best snorkeling area can be found as you approach Beehive Cove, as everything becomes more colorful. Salt Pond, located on the south eastern side of the island, is our next choice for snorkeling on St John. 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. Here is a map of all 11 snorkeling sites we discovered during our 1-week exploration of St John USVI. We arrived around 10 am, and there were only a handful of parking spaces left. Because it is off-the-beaten-path, this beach does not appear to get much use. Cinnamon Bay is the longest white sand beach on St John. Read on to find all the details of each snorkeling spot we visited. Coral Bay, St. John USVI - A Snorkeling Paradise By Terri Clemmons Concordia Cafe Open Mic Night on Mondays from 4:30-6:30 on the East End. 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. 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. I always wear a snorkel vest in case I get tired. The area often gets crowded and is known for being rowdy. Thank you for your support. All rights reserved. Among other cool stuff, Ive seen moray eels, turtles, nurse sharks, and squid. It's on the smaller side and is found near Trunk Bay Beach, which takes most of the tourists away from it. Its an easy path about 100 yards long that goes over flat terrain, passing by a small salt pond about halfway along the trail. The snorkeling is great along the reef on the left side (as you face the water). The name says it all out of the way; but has a small water sports shack! Jumbie Bay Beach. St. John Virgin Islands: The Best Snorkeling and Top Beaches Francis Bay morning shade St. John, US Virgin Islands. Little damselfish defend their self-proclaimed territories by darting menacingly at even large intruders. Trunk Bay is a long stretch of white sand with a rock island just off the shore. Salt Pond When it comes to snorkeling in St. John, Salt Pond is #1 on our list. St John has no airport. In this area, one may also see southern stingrays, conch, trunkfish, and others. Food trucks are also parked all over the Beach. (J. Robert Oppenheimer, creator of the atomic bomb, once owned the land.) Find the part where the sandy bottom meets the shore to allow for easier entry. We went around 9 am and had no problem. Shutterstock This white sand beach, home to Pineapple Beach Club resort, has some of the best snorkeling on the east side of Antigua. I would not attempt this road after a lot of rain. With arguably the best shallow water snorkeling in all of the Virgin Islands youre sure to have a great experience. I cannot emphasize enough about getting here early to avoid the peak crowds. Looking for the best St. John snorkeling spots?? The currents can be strong. Some animal species you might see in the area are French angelfish, queen angel, and permits. The parking lot fills up quickly! According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Sapphire Beach: Parasail Experience in St Thomas (From C$185.80) 50' Luxury Yacht. Like many areas in the Virgin Islands, Smugglers Cove is still recovering from hurricanes Maria and Irma. Cinnamon Bay 1,205 Beaches By ElizabethG393 Entrance: Free. . where is the best snorkeling when cruising the eastern caribbean? Soft starfish, red sea urchins, and bristle worms can be seen under the rocks in shallow areas. These small silvery fish travel in close proximity to one another in large schools that look like moving underwater shadows. While the name might imply that its only for lovers, Honeymoon Beach is a great beach for couples and families. Do not overestimate your swimming ability. Henley Cay It's a top spot to go snorkeling in St John from the beach. The trip begins and ends at Honeymoon Beach, one of St. Johns best snorkeling spots. The thin yellow tentacles protruding from the small bright orange cups make the corals look like flowers. As many visitors can attest, the reputation is well deserved. Walk to the eastern end of the beach. 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. 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. Snorkel in the middle of the bay (but more towards the right) to see turtles and rays hanging out in the seagrass. Deserves its designation as the most popular snorkeling destination on St John. Leinster Bay is made up of two smaller bays, Waterlemon Bay on the east and Marys Creek on the west. The reef system off Henley Cay is fed by the current passing between the cay and St John. 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