St John island is a tiny island in the US Virgin Islands in the Caribbean Sea, with some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. With miles of natural coral reef, excellent visibility and a gentle coastline with access, the U.S. Virgin Island of St. John is a snorkelers paradise. Copyright 2023 Islands. Reply Subscribe . This makes people coming from northern climates especially susceptible to the strong Caribbean sun. This is another beach where you can spot sea turtles. You'd do yourself well to visit this glorious white sand beach even if you don't snorkel. 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. Haulover is a narrow, flat strip of land separating Coral Bay on the south from Sir Francis Drake Channel on the north. 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. #10 - Lovango Cay Virgin Islands . Soft white sand, shallow water entry, beautiful aqua blue water, snorkeling and watersports make it the perfect St John beach destination! We saw large schools of fish, beautiful hard and soft coral, and numerous colorful waving sea fans. Right side of Cinnamon Bay Beach (this is the entry point to snorkeling out to the Cay). While the name might imply that its only for lovers, Honeymoon Beach is a great beach for couples and families. Snorkeling is a can't miss activity when visiting the island. The island measures just 9 mi X 3 mi ( 28 sq mi ). We saw patches of coral here and there with sporadic Caribbean fish sightings. Trunk Bay is the most famous beach in Virgin Islands National Park, often listed among the most beautiful beaches in the world. BEST SNORKELING ON ST JOHN Waterlemon Cay - The top snorkeling destination on St John. Honeymoon Beach is an off-the-beaten-path destination offering excellent snorkeling and other watersports in a secluded area within Virgin Islands National Park. When I first started to snorkel almost a decade ago, I would rent basic gear from a local shop. Private NEW Luxury Power Catamaran. , Palau is first country to ban reef toxic sun cream. BBC News, 1 January 2020, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-50963080. You can see the beach right from the parking lot. We saw a lot of beautiful coral and sea fans, shoal of squid, two nurse sharks, and many beautiful tropical fish. Your mobile-friendly St John island guide to St John's beaches, snorkeling, maps and more. 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. Off-the-beaten-path location with a beautiful beach, food and some of the best snorkeling. Be prepared for a bumpy ride to Grootpan! There is a good deal of fire coral encrustation, but true hardcoral varieties are also plentiful. The reef rises up close to the surface near the shore and then slopes down to a depth of about thirty feet. There's a magical world waiting for you beneath the surface of the water on St. Thomas. The trip begins and ends at Honeymoon Beach, one of St. Johns best snorkeling spots. 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. The water is usually calm. The thin yellow tentacles protruding from the small bright orange cups make the corals look like flowers. Snorkeling at Honeymoon Beach is best on the eastern and western ends of the beach. 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. Most people love the magnificent north shore beaches like Trunk Bay, Maho Beach, Cinnamon Bay, and Honeymoon Beach, which are protected from the big surf and have long stretches of . Snorkel in the middle of the bay (but more towards the right) to see turtles and rays hanging out in the seagrass. However, if youre looking for a quiet getaway, Coki Beach is not it. Just like Trunk Bay, youll find a cay just off the beach. If you take a right, you will reach the Annaberg Sugar Mill Ruins and the entrance to the trailhead for Waterlemon Cay. Caneel Bay beach Cinnamon Bay is a lot like Trunk Bay with its beauty and amenities, but bigger and more spacious. Dont forget your waterproof snorkeling bag to keep your valuables safe. No need to hire a boat or join a tour! A large variety of fish including Atlantic Blue tangs, Blue Headed wrasses, Sargeant majors, as well as Caribbean lobsters, crabs, conch and more! If youre lucky, you might also catch sight of some sea turtles. There is a small fringe forest of mangroves along the coast. Alternatively, there is limited parking right along the road itself. 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. Planning a trip to St John in the U.S. Virgin Islands? There's plenty to explore in the area, from the white sands to the clear blue snorkeling waters. Private charters are a great way to see numerous islands and snorkel in diverse places in a single day. Avid snorkelers will want to head towards the eastern and western shorelines. St John is the smallest of the 3 US Virgin Islands located in the Caribbean. Entry into the water is easy. Weve selected eight of the best snorkeling sites and have included some tips to help you plan your snorkeling adventure. Located just off Caneel Bay Resort youll see an 11 acre cay. Five miles east of Cruz Bay lies Mahos blissful sheltered bay. The water is sandy bottom and shallow making it a great spot for younger kids and parents with floats. Follow the Leinster Bay Trail until it splits. Check out my personal snorkeling gear picks below. The best St John snorkeling places list must include Maho Bay. 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 liveliest underwater activity happens to the east among the rocks on the way to Maho Point. A few with the closest to shore are Hawksnest, Trunk (right side of the shore and around the cay) and Salt Pond. St John has no airport. I like to wear dive booties with my snorkeling fins to offer a little more protection. Ram Head hiking trail will lead to Blue Cobblestone Beach. We saw a few turtles in the middle of the bay where the seagrass beds are located. 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. There are many small reef fish in the area. All rights reserved. The snorkeling, however, is dramatic, with ledges, walls, and nooks to explore. Trunk Bay Beach has a large parking lot right off North Shore Road, however, get there early because spaces fill up quickly! Waterlemon Bay and Waterlemon Cay This bay (and the small island that sits in it) is one of our favorite spots to snorkel around St. John. Please be careful as you navigate into the water. Salt Pond/Drunk Bay. I wore my Cressi dive booties and then just slipped on my Cressi travel fins at the beach. Snorkeling in 5 to 15 of water youll discover beautiful rocky patch reefs covered in corals. This created an incredibly frustrating experience. Private Full or Half Day Catamaran Snorkel, & Beach Experience; Private Luxury Catamaran Yacht. We were glad we decided to rent a Jeep! Snorkelers can encounter intricate coral formations and lots of marine life, with different varieties arriving at different times of the day. A short walk later, and you will be witness to one of the most beautiful island beaches in the world! Scrawled filefish can sometimes be seen making their way along the bottom hunting for food. The Best of St. John Where to Stay Hale Lani: This four-bedroom villa in Maria Bluff has unobstructed sea views from every room. Caneel Bay beach Shallow entry, calm waters and plenty to see close to shore. Looking for more snorkeling destinations? A few gallons of water work great for rinsing off all that sand. But the snorkeling is some of the best on the island. 2022 2. Thalia, the owner of the land in front of the beach, very kindly upkeeps the beach through donations. Beginning in the parking area for Annaberg Plantation enjoy an almost 1.0 mi flat hike along Leinster Bay to reach Waterlemon Cay. My husband is awesome at picking out the little creatures! The area can get crowded, so plan to arrive early for the best experience. Getting there is part of the fun. I always wear a snorkel vest. 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. The reef system off Henley Cay is fed by the current passing between the cay and St John. Love my Ugo! Soft white sand stretches in both directions while shallow waters provide newbie snorkelers the chance to get their sea legs. St. John Virgin Islands: The Best Snorkeling and Top Beaches Francis Bay morning shade St. John, US Virgin Islands. 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). Questions about the St John snorkeling sites we visited? There are many deep water crevices and canyons to explore. Among other cool stuff, Ive seen moray eels, turtles, nurse sharks, and squid. Be aware the water can get rough along the far side of the Cay due to exposure to the wind. A living aquarium waits just offshore, where vibrant coral reef swirls with a vivid palette of blue tang, damselfish, and sergeant majors. 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). 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. I went to the left and saw nice fans, fish. Access is easy due to the shallow entry and sandy bottom. I was thankful I wore my snorkel vest for this snorkeling adventure because it was choppy right at the point. This is a long-ish section due to big changes this year. Those are without a doubt the most popular beaches. Turtles, turtles, and more turtles! You can swim from the sandy beach out to the Cay, which is quite a long swim. Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, many people feel uneasy about sharing snorkeling equipment with others. 20-30 minutes. Rebecca lives next to the Adriatic Sea in Croatia, where she guides kayaking, stand up paddleboarding, and snorkeling tours. There are a lot of rocks to navigate over and sea urchins to avoid. 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. A veritable octopuss garden dwells beneath the surface sheltering a parade of smiling, psychedelic parrotfish crunching away at the coral. 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. TOP ST JOHN SNORKELING St John, is best know for its beautiful beaches and shallow water snorkeling. 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. And just like other St John beaches youll find white sand, palm trees, seagrapes for shade and some good shallow water snorkeling. The oceanfront boutique resort provides a luxurious yet laid-back experience with access to a wide range of outdoor activities, including snorkeling, sailing, surfing, and paddle boarding. Green turtles, stingrays, and conch can be seen over the grassy areas, which make up most of the central portion of the bay. After you park, walk a few minutes along a path right to the beach. Parking: Paid parking lot ($5) and roadside parking. No hike required. Love my. We saw so many turtles I lost count. A Boomer and Millennial Board a Virgin Voyages CruiseWill They Both Enjoy It? Go for the beach and not the snorkeling. Entrance: Free. Youll also find plenty of reef fish, corals, sea fans, and sponges. 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. There are not many spots. The first step is to get toGreat Lameshur Bay on St. Johns south coast. Cinnamon Bay is known for its dramatic rock crevices that feature a wide variety of colorful corals. As you head down a steep hill youll see a sign notifying you youre leaving the VINP. 2023 OutsiderView. Salt Pond - Can get a bit crowded but offers . A Bonnier LLC Company. The second room is the most interesting, although both are beautiful. Little damselfish defend their self-proclaimed territories by darting menacingly at even large intruders. 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. Flamingo tongue snail at Little Lameshur Bay in St John USVI. 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. The small beach is less than 5 minutes away from Red Hook and is easily reached by car or taxi. Just be sure to use approved anchorages so you don't harm precious reefs. About halfway (0.4 miles) down the Leinster Bay Trail lies a small sand and coral rubble beach, which provides excellent snorkeling for intermediate and advanced snorkelers. The bottom is cobblestone, and getting into thewater is almost as easy as from a sandy beach. This section of the reef tends to attract larger predators such as blue runners, mutton snapper, and yellowtail snapper. From hidden coves to must-see reefs, these are the best snorkeling spots in St. John. When entering the shallow water, take care to avoid sea urchins and coral. Drive past the parking lot for Salt Pond Bay Beach and take your second left. . The local museum brings the best elements that can show you the history of the place. Visitors will argue about which one is their favorite. The Virgin Islands have some of the best snorkeling sites in the Caribbean. Protected under Virgin Islands National Coral Reef Monument, the underwater landscape . And you'll find wonderful snorkeling from most of the beaches! 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. More info on Henley Cay NOTE: There can be very strong currents on the outer edge of the Cay. Vibrant coral at Francis Bay in St John USVI, Snorkeling with turtles at Francis Bay in St John USVI. Because there is low light within the room, some of the coral animals may have their tentacles extended as if it were night on the reef. Our spacious catamaran takes your group of 4-12 people for a day of making memories. Cinnamon Bay Beach is one of several gorgeous beaches located right off of North Shore Road. We went around 9 am and had no problem. Northwest of St John Island. Terri Clemmons photos. That is why you will get to see some of the best spots. 2. 2nd ed., Dive Guide BVI, 2010. The road heads west andgoes up and then down a steep hill. Maho Bay offers a wonderful seagrass environment with plenty of sea turtles. These amenities include showers, foot rinses, food and beverage concessions, snorkel rentals, and more. Here, the environment is sand and coral rubble. . Haulover Bay (St. John): A favorite with locals, this small bay is rougher than Leinster, with a pebbly beach. 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. St Johns most popular, most photographed, and most visited beach is Trunk Bay. Its perfect for beginner snorkelers and children. 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