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. Full or Half Day Charter - Sail, Beach, Snorkel. 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. Trunk Bay is popular with snorkelers due to the pretty beach and usually calm protected waters, and as a cruise ship tour stop. Shallow entry, calm waters and plenty to see close to shore. Theres a beautiful reef located just about in the center of Salt Pond Bay, where two sets of rocks rise above the surface of the water. Snorkeling the western edge towards Peter Bay the corals and patch reef are thin. The name says it all out of the way; but has a small water sports shack! From the beach, you can see huge rock structures in the middle of the bay. The best snorkeling is on the right side along the rocks as you face the water. Answer 1 of 14: Which Caribbean resort has the best right-off-the-resort beach snorkeling? Be aware this area is subject to strong currents and winds, so use your judgment before proceeding into the water. The area often gets crowded and is known for being rowdy. The coral reef here is in relatively good condition, and the reef community is colorful and diverse. Turtle and a remora (suckerfish) at Hansen Bay in St. John USVI. Magen's Bay Beach (One Of The Most Beautiful) Another popular beach among tourists and locals is Magen's Bay Beach. Where to snorkel at Trunk Bay Beach. And theyre all located along St Johns North Shore! When we first visited, we accidentally drove into the Concordia Resort. Thanks so much for sharing! The western part of Waterlemon Cay is where we saw the two nurse sharks relaxing at the bottom of the reef. Both beaches can be reached via the Lind Point Trail or from the Caneel Bay Resort. This beautiful bay was featured in the movie Big Blue. Its an amazing spot with plenty of fish and corals many that arent common in other places around St John. At the end of the road at the split, take a left. Coki Beach is one of the most popular snorkeling spots in St. Thomas. Always snorkel with a buddy and never exceed your physical ability or experience. This makes people coming from northern climates especially susceptible to the strong Caribbean sun. Hawksnest Beach is the best snorkeling spot in the Virgin Islands National Park to observe beautiful elkhorn coral, which is still in fairly good condition. Your email address will not be published. The seagrass beds that are about 30 yards off the beach are a great place to see sea turtles, rays, conch and tarpon. In addition to swimming and snorkeling, visitors can explore the ruins of the 18th-century Annaberg Sugar Plantation nearby. Cinnamon Bay 1,205 Beaches By ElizabethG393 This beach was part of our hike to Ram Head. Drive past the parking lot for Salt Pond Bay Beach and take your second left. Caneel Bay beach Weve selected eight of the best snorkeling sites and have included some tips to help you plan your snorkeling adventure. Right side of Cinnamon Bay Beach (this is the entry point to snorkeling out to the Cay). There are bathrooms, grills and covered pavillion with picnic tables on the western end of the beach. Guide to the Best St. John Snorkeling Spots - Snorkel and Hike Looking for the best St. John snorkeling spots?? A small island can be seen in the middle of the water near Trunk Bay Beach. I was thankful I wore my snorkel vest for this snorkeling adventure because it was choppy right at the point. Follow the Leinster Bay Trail until it splits. The island measures just 9 mi X 3 mi ( 28 sq mi ). Original Poster . Sergeant major and school of French grunt fish at Cinnamon Bay in St John USVI. You can enter the water at the rock beach at the end of the trail. Maho Bay There's a magical world waiting for you beneath the surface of the water on St. Thomas. Just be sure to use approved anchorages so you don't harm precious reefs. St John island is one of the top Caribbean destinations for snorkeling. All rights reserved. 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. Its shallow over the top of the reef but deep enough for experienced and confident snorkelers to negotiate safely. 1. Every beach can be accessed by boat. There are also many colorful spongesand various types of hard coral in this area. Out from the center of the beach, large beds of sea grass shelter sea turtles who dont mind company are easy to spot. , Williams, Jeff and Ria OHagan. The trailhead to Waterlemon Cay is at the coastline right near the parking lot. We saw so many turtles I lost count. The snorkeling in St John USVI surprised me. I was not expecting much, but there was quite a bit of beautiful coral and Caribbean fish. Snorkeling out along the east side of the bay, you can reach the coral reefs that lie just north of Blue Cobblestone Beach. We have all the details including the world famous north shore beaches- including maps! 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. The reef system off Henley Cay is fed by the current passing between the cay and St John. I have never seen one puff out but these cute little fish can take in water to make their bodies (and long spines) puff out if they feel threatened. The water is shallow at first, and the bottom is made up of small rocks and coral rubble. 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. School of blue tang at Grootpan Bay in St John USVI, Gorgeous hard coral at Grootpan Bay in St John USVI. While theyre nearly the same beach, the section known as Oppenheimer Beach is marked by wrought-iron gates. . Beaches By Harlaxton7 Great snorkeling with lobster, tarpon, squid, sea turtles and a beautiful beach, great place at sunset. More info on Haulover North NOTE: Conditions at Haulover North depend on wind and waves. 2nd ed., Dive Guide BVI, 2010. 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. The U.S. Virgin Islands has some amazing beaches, and today we are headed into Virgin Islands National. Cinnamon Bay. As you face the water, snorkel to the left out to Yawzi Point. There are a lot of sea urchins! I would not attempt this road after a lot of rain. Trunk Bay Beach is worth it for the swimming but not the snorkeling! This beach has many shaded areas and large areas of seagrass bed. The Most Popular and Most Photographed Beach on St John! The trip includes a short ride to/from the pier on a dinghy (must be . 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. Salt Pond and Drunk Bay are actually two hikes on the south shore of St John. 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. Soft white sand stretches in both directions while shallow waters provide newbie snorkelers the chance to get their sea legs. We have seen everything from squid to barracuda to stingrays to various small tropical fish in this bay. It is also the best place on St. John for numerous water sport based St John activities such as windsurfing, kayak, sailboat, snorkel equipment, beach chair and umbrella rentals. (J. Robert Oppenheimer, creator of the atomic bomb, once owned the land.) I always wear a snorkel vest in case I get tired. As you swim through the series of caves, youll see schools of colorful tropical fish, pelicans, gulls, ferns, orange cup coral, and red sponges. There are also many vendors where you can get food and drinks or rent beach chairs and umbrellas. Cane Bay at sunrise, St. Croix. The other option is to keep walking past the sandy beach to the far edge of the beach where the coastline becomes rocky again. Trunk Bay Beach has a large parking lot right off North Shore Road, however, get there early because spaces fill up quickly! Large sea fans and gorgonians waving in the current surrounded by mustard corals and brain coral and fire corals. 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. Thread Tools Search this Thread Mar 23rd, 2011, 12:40 PM #1 Jayneann. 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. . Located at the southern end of the British Virgin Islands, Norman Island allegedly inspired Robert Louis Stevensons famous pirate novel Treasure Island. Snorkel around the point to Kiddel Bay but only if you are a confident swimmer. When I first started to snorkel almost a decade ago, I would rent basic gear from a local shop. 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. This beautiful environment continues out and around the point. As you head down a steep hill youll see a sign notifying you youre leaving the VINP. Start your adventures snorkeling the large reef on the left with its plentiful sea life, intriguing corals, and small shipwreck. And we agree! 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. Zentacle has 12 dive sites, snorkel spots, beaches, and more. Snorkeling at Trunk Bay Beach in St John USVI. You will almost certainly see parrotfish, angelfish, grunts, damselfish, and schools of blue tang, along with a vast assortment of invertebrates such as sponges and plume worms. 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. It's an iconic photo of the beach, the north shore of St. John, and the British Virgin Islands stretching out in the distance. Youll discover a wide variety of fish species including large Permit and Jacks, Queen Angelfish, French Angelfish, Blueheaded Wrasse, Pork Fish, French Grunts and more. Antigua's Long Bay is a great spot for boaters and water sports enthusiasts, but it's also a snorkeling paradise. The western side of the cay is better protected from waves and wind. Trunk Bay in St. John is one of the best Caribbean islands for snorkeling vacations. When youve had your fill of music, stuffed French toast, and spicy Bloody Marys, head to Lameshur Beach. Activity itinerary. 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. 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. Jumbie Bay Beach. Take the North Shore Road towards Annaberg Sugar Plantation. 2022 adagio digital arts. The satellite view was too cloudy, so I included this map instead. Do not overestimate your swimming ability. - See 478 traveler reviews, 98 candid photos, and great deals for St. Thomas, at Tripadvisor. 20-30 minutes. Add snorkeling to the mix, and you've got the perfect day! Check out my personal snorkeling gear picks below. Beehive Cove lies on the other side of thesmall rocky point to the south. Avid snorkelers will want to head towards the eastern and western shorelines. Snorkel along the western shore toward the point and around the offshore rocks called the blinders. Beginning in the parking area for Annaberg Plantation enjoy an almost 1.0 mi flat hike along Leinster Bay to reach Waterlemon Cay. I would strongly consider wearing dive booties with your snorkeling fins. Brown Bay. Salt Pond This is one of the best beaches on St. John for foraging along the shoreline and discovering what the tide washes up. Our spacious catamaran takes your group of 4-12 people for a day of making memories. Bring diluted baby shampoo to help keep your mask clear. Close to the shore are patches of sand and grass with scattered coral heads. This is the first and only sandy beach that you pass on the trail before arriving at the beautiful beach across from Waterlemon Cay. Snorkeling is best on calm days when there is good visibility underwater. You'll find underwater signage that helps you identify the common fish and coral in front of you. 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. The farther you get out to the point, the more challenging it will become. The beach has a sandy bottom and an easy shallow entry. Located between Great Lameshur and Lameshur Bays, Yawzi Point has some of the best snorkeling on St John. We saw many schools of fish, numerous soft and hard coral outcroppings, a stingray, and gorgeous gigantic waving purple sea fans. and an entrance fee. We enjoyed excellent snorkeling around this cay. The reef rises up close to the surface near the shore and then slopes down to a depth of about thirty feet. For more information about the benefits of wearing a snorkel vest and some recommended products, you can read our detailed snorkel vest article here. 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. Try to identify all the differentcolors of sponges found here. My husband who has an amazing eagle eye even spotted a yellowline arrow crab. More info on Henley Cay NOTE: There can be very strong currents on the outer edge of the Cay. Henley Cay Widely regarded as one of the finest beaches in the world, Trunk Bay Beach lies on St. John's northwestern coast within Virgin Islands National Park. 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. Also, expect much more snorkeling fins in your face because of the increased crowds. We saw large schools of fish, beautiful hard and soft coral, and numerous colorful waving sea fans. The grass environment attracts rays, green turtles, starfish, and conch. 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! Youll also find bathrooms, RainTree Caf, watersports rentals and a souvenir shop. The southern side of Haulover Bay, St John, lies just off the side of Route 10. I cannot stress this enough invest in good snorkeling gear! 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