Snorkeling out along the east side of the bay, you can reach the coral reefs that lie just north of Blue Cobblestone Beach. Cinnamon Bay 1,205 Beaches By ElizabethG393 The area often gets crowded and is known for being rowdy. Bay. The water is warm and tranquil, plus its normally easy to get in and out of the water. Maho Bay Quarter, St John's best beach. Snorkeling in the center of the bay can also be a worthwhile experience. There was plenty of parking when we went. Cinnamon Bay is known for its dramatic rock crevices that feature a wide variety of colorful corals. Right side of Cinnamon Bay Beach (this is the entry point to snorkeling out to the Cay). Snorkel out along the east coast toward the point. Also . A Bonnier LLC Company. Parking: Paid parking lot ($5) and roadside parking. The reefs are destroyed but there are plenty of fish and at Maho you can't snorkel without seeing a few turtles. The dominant species of coral found in the shallow top reef are colonies of star and boulder coral. 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. As you swim through the series of caves, youll see schools of colorful tropical fish, pelicans, gulls, ferns, orange cup coral, and red sponges. Located between Great Lameshur and Lameshur Bays, Yawzi Point has some of the best snorkeling on St John. Rebecca lives next to the Adriatic Sea in Croatia, where she guides kayaking, stand up paddleboarding, and snorkeling tours. Whether youre heading to St. Thomas, St. Croix, or Tortola, youre sure to find stunning places to enjoy this exciting underwater activity. The name says it all out of the way; but has a small water sports shack! Staff Pick for Best Snorkeling on St John! Cinnamon Bay is a lot like Trunk Bay with its beauty and amenities, but bigger and more spacious. The water is shallow at first, and the bottom is made up of small rocks and coral rubble. Looking forward to checking it out. 1. Youll also find bathrooms, RainTree Caf, watersports rentals and a souvenir shop. Distance: 1.1 miles out and back; Approx. Do You Have What It Takes to Become a Kittitian RumMaster? Answer 1 of 14: Which Caribbean resort has the best right-off-the-resort beach snorkeling? Snorkeling around these rocks is an excellent way for travelers to practice and gain confidence in a safe and shallow environment while still being able to observe colorful fish, corals, and sea creatures. Once youve crossed the Durloe Channel youll find a protected sandy cove on the western side of the cay. Porcupine fish at Little Lameshur Bay in St John USVI. Do not overestimate your swimming ability. Turtles, turtles, and more turtles! Private Full or Half Day Catamaran Snorkel, & Beach Experience; Private Luxury Catamaran Yacht. You'd do yourself well to visit this glorious white sand beach even if you don't snorkel. Please be careful as you navigate into the water. Also, expect much more snorkeling fins in your face because of the increased crowds. 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. The southern side of Haulover Bay, St John, lies just off the side of Route 10. Stay in areas protected by swim buoys to minimize danger from dinghy traffic in the area. At the end of the road at the split, take a left. In the British Virgin Islands, the island of Tortola makes a great base for snorkelers. We have all the details including the world famous north shore beaches- including maps! This hidden spot provides a relaxing atmosphere thats perfect for those seeking solitude. Snorkel around the point to Kiddel Bay but only if you are a confident swimmer. Be prepared for a bumpy ride to Grootpan! The protected bay has calm, clear waters with ample opportunities to view parrotfish, sea turtles, manta rays, angelfish, barracuda, and porcupine puffers. I wore my Cressi dive booties and then just slipped on my Cressi travel fins at the beach. 1. Be aware the far side of the Cay can have strong currents. Snorkel around the Cay thats just off the beach. And theyre all located along St Johns North Shore! Some of Our Top Picks For Snorkeling On St John, USVI. When we first visited, we accidentally drove into the Concordia Resort. Entry can be a little tricky due to the cobblestone beach, sargassum (seaweed), and sea urchins. This beautiful bay was featured in the movie Big Blue. 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. Entry is easy with calm waters and a sandy bottom. Commonly seen tropical fish on the reef are tang, snapper, grunts, parrotfish, and angelfish. Snorkeling at Honeymoon Beach is best on the eastern and western ends of the beach. 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. Discover hand-curated maps, along with reviews and photos from nature lovers like you. We saw patches of coral and beautiful tropical fish as we snorkeled on the right side of the bay. Access is easy due to the shallow entry and sandy bottom. 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. Bear left and follow the trail along the shoreline until youre at a point closest to the Cay. We saw several turtles in the seagrass beds. On the outskirts of these living clouds, in slightly deeper water, lurk predators, such as jacks, yellowtail snapper, Spanish mackerel, and barracuda as well some respectfully-sized tarpon and pompano. Henley Cay MAHO BAY BEACH The Caves are accessible only by boat, so youll need to book a private charter or guided tour or visit with your own vessel. 99.9% of travelers come to St John by boat ! If you are looking for a secluded place where you can lay on the sugary sand to tan, dip into the turquoise waters of the Caribbean, or just enjoy some reading, then Salomon Bay is the place to be. Always snorkel with a buddy and never exceed your physical ability or experience. But the trip is well worth it. The western side of the cay is better protected from waves and wind. Salt Pond/Drunk Bay. Bring a hat, wear a sun shirt and sunscreen, and bring plenty of water. Ram Head Point protects the bayfrom winds and waves, leaving the reef in clear, calm water. The thin yellow tentacles protruding from the small bright orange cups make the corals look like flowers. Always snorkel with a buddy and never exceed your physical ability or experience. When we snorkeled to the left of Hansen Bay, there were plenty of tropical fish, coral outcroppings, and some larger Jacks. I went to the left and saw nice fans, fish. Park on your left at the bottom of the hill. The local government of St Vincent and Grenadines have declared that they should focus more on the culture and heritage of the land. Virgin Islands Day Sailing: The best sailing/snorkeling trip ever! BEST SNORKELING ON ST JOHN Waterlemon Cay - The top snorkeling destination on St John. Honeymoon Beach Along the way youll see beautiful hard and soft corals and a large variety of Caribbean tropical fish. Youre likely to have this Caribbean paradise all to yourself as you snorkel and explore the crystal clear waters. You can see up to 12 different species of sea turtles roaming the seagrass beds, as well as stingrays, spotted eagle rays, dolphins, sea fans, tropical fish, elkhorn coral, cuttlefish, blue tangs, and nurse sharks. Trunk Bay: St. John's most famous beach (most visited and most photographed) doesn't disappoint. Trunk Bay Beach. For more information about the benefits of wearing a snorkel vest and some recommended products, you can read our detailed snorkel vest article here. Really good snorkeling is just off the start of the path to watermelon cave, just past the road. A beautiful beach with an underwater snorkeling trail! Once you arrive, proceed to the entrance and pay the nominal $5 fee per person. There are many amenities, including a bar, restaurant, watersport rentals, dive shop, chairs, umbrellas, and more. As you continue north around the point, you will start to seeunderwater channels known as spur and groove systems, and thefringing reef along the rocky coast gets larger, deeper, and morecolorful. Guests can enjoy white sand, towering palms, crystal clear water, the Underwater Snorkeling Trail, food, drink, showers/bathrooms and snorkel gear and chair rentals. The St John Beaches are some of the best in the Caribbean. Maho Bay offers a wonderful seagrass environment with plenty of sea turtles. Maho Bay Trunk Bay is a long stretch of white sand with a rock island just off the shore. The name, Tektite,refers to a research project conducted at Beehive Bay, a smallcove on the southeastern tip of Great Lameshur Bay. Vibrant coral at Francis Bay in St John USVI, Snorkeling with turtles at Francis Bay in St John USVI. Known as The Indians, this area is a popular diving and snorkeling site with plentiful coral, fish, and other sea creatures. A short walk later, and you will be witness to one of the most beautiful island beaches in the world! Every now and then, one of these larger fish will enter to feed, moving quickly into the glittery mass. You can relax in a hammock on the white sand beach and snorkel close to shore or rent kayaks and stand up paddleboards and paddle to nearby Caneel Bay Beach, Henley Cay, or Hawksnest Beach. Whether you want to enjoy the North Shore's Trunk Bay, Cinnamon Bay, Maho Beach and Caneel Bay beaches or favor the solitude of a beach that's off the beaten path - like a "secret" beach, Lameshur, Haulover Bay and Salt Pond Bay - this guide has it all. The reef on the east end of Honeymoon Beach, around the point between Caneel Bays, is also a good snorkeling area. Located on St Johns East End at the edge of the Virgin Islands National Park youll find this snorkelers bucket-list worthy location. Those are without a doubt the most popular beaches. 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. You can find all kinds of entertainment while you're exploring Coki Beach. Soft white sand, shallow water entry, beautiful aqua blue water, snorkeling and watersports make it the perfect St John beach destination! After a morning snorkel, visit Vies Snack Shack and pay the nominal fee she charges to access the sandy beach next to Hansen. And we agree! 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. Brewers Bay. The walls and ceiling of the cave are covered with beautiful cup corals and sponges. Find the right mask for the shape of your face. Guide to the Best St. John Snorkeling Spots - Snorkel and Hike Looking for the best St. John snorkeling spots?? From there youll follow a narrow path about 100 yrds heading North East. Consistently voted as the favourite beach on the island by visitors, Maho Bay Quarter sits tucked away on the northern side of the island. 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. 01- Salt Pond Bay 02- Waterlemon Cay 03- Maho Bay Beach 04- Haulover Bay North 05- Hansen Bay Beach 06- Trunk Bay Beach 07- Cinnamon Bay Beach 08- Blue Cobblestone Beach 09- Little Lameshur Bay Beach 10- Grootpan Bay Beach 11- Francis Bay Beach Snorkeling gear Top snorkel tips Final thoughts St John Snorkeling Rating System A Boomer and Millennial Board a Virgin Voyages CruiseWill They Both Enjoy It? There are some beautiful tropical fish and coral outcroppings; however, I would not consider this a top snorkeling spot. Islands may receive financial compensation for products purchased through this site. Leinster Bay is made up of two smaller bays, Waterlemon Bay on the east and Marys Creek on the west. A few with the closest to shore are Hawksnest, Trunk (right side of the shore and around the cay) and Salt Pond. 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. Ivette - Jul 21, 2018 - St John July 2018 We were in St John back in July of 2016 and the beauty of the island and reefs was wonderful. Little damselfish defend their self-proclaimed territories by darting menacingly at even large intruders. 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. Questions about the St John snorkeling sites we visited? 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. If you want to try sailing or windsurfing, they even . Put on your gear and enter the water from the sand on the southernend of the beach. The most popular ferries are out of Charlotte Amalie and Red Hook, St Thomas. Its also the only St John beach with a lifeguard . Great Lameshur Baylies at the bottom of the hill. The water is sandy bottom and shallow making it a great spot for younger kids and parents with floats. Do not overestimate your swimming ability. Jumbie Bay Beach is one of St. John's hidden gems. Its a Must-See on many visitors STJ Bucket List. Park near the big tamarindtree at the entrance to this large cobblestone beach. Trunk Bay is the only beach on St. John with an amenity fee, which is $5 per entrant. The other option is to keep walking past the sandy beach to the far edge of the beach where the coastline becomes rocky again. This beach has many shaded areas and large areas of seagrass bed. The best area for this is along the coast on the northern side of the bay and out to the big rocks at Maho Point. Green turtles, stingrays, and conch can be seen over the grassy areas, which make up most of the central portion of the bay. Posts: 957 Likes: 0 A good family beach for snorkeling exists at Coki Point Beach on St. Thomas, while a more demanding site, requiring a 45min boat trip, can be located off the Cow and Calf Rocks. You can enter the water at the rock beach at the end of the trail. Healthy elkhorn coral is found at most of USVI's reefs. Check out my personal snorkeling gear picks below. 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. The reef rises up close to the surface near the shore and then slopes down to a depth of about thirty feet. Shutterstock Maho Bay A mile of easy hiking leads to a secluded beach graced with wind-blown palm trees, cerulean waters and views of lush green cays in the distance. Head counter clockwise to use the current to round the Cay. 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. Your mobile-friendly St John island guide to St John's beaches, snorkeling, maps and more. Entry is rocky and snorkelers should be aware of urchins. Best entry is in the center of the beach where the sandy bottom comes closest to the shoreline. Waterlemon Cay hike leads you through a short section of forest in the beginning, And then the trail dumps you on the rocky coastline for the remainder of the hike. . The buoys are hard to miss. This is the first and only sandy beach that you pass on the trail before arriving at the beautiful beach across from Waterlemon Cay. If you are planning a day at Trunk Bay, dont miss my article below! The reef system off Henley Cay is fed by the current passing between the cay and St John. The history of the land is rich and filled with unknown facts. The local museum brings the best elements that can show you the history of the place. There are more fish and coral on the calmer western side of the Cay (which is the left side as you face the water). Can get a bit crowded but offers some nice snorkeling especially center of the bay. The island boasts over 3 dozen beaches to choose from and discover. 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. Review of the best snorkeling at Trunk Bay in St John. 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. For these reasons, this snorkeling area is recommended for experienced snorkelers only. 4. Jumbie Bay Beach. The best snorkeling in St John, USVI can be discovered at beautiful Trunk Bay, part of the Virgin Islands National Park. Go for the beach and not the snorkeling. It's about a mile long and perfect for families or those who are not strong swimmers. Moreover, the water deepens gradually and stays relatively shallow as you wade out from the beach. Although we did not do it, you could technically swim all the way over back to Salt Pond Bay Beach. There's an underwater snorkel trail and you'll see some incredible coral and fish. There is also great snorkeling along the first set of jagged rocks out in the middle. The snorkeling, however, is dramatic, with ledges, walls, and nooks to explore. After you park, walk a few minutes along a path right to the beach. This is where youll likely see large orange and yellow cushion starfish. Most of the reef lies in calm shallow water, with some sections even rising above the surface at times of extreme low tides. This snorkeling spot is best for intermediate to advanced snorkelers since the current can be stronger than in other areas. We enjoyed excellent snorkeling around this cay. Take the North Shore Road towards Annaberg Sugar Plantation. Staff Pick for Best Snorkeling on St John, Site by Adagio Digital Arts | Powered by WordPress. This is the closest entry point to get to Waterlemon Cay, which is the route we chose. These small silvery fish travel in close proximity to one another in large schools that look like moving underwater shadows. Located just off Caneel Bay Resort youll see an 11 acre cay. The Guide to Diving and Snorkeling in the British Virgin Islands. There are also many colorful spongesand various types of hard coral in this area. I like to wear dive booties with my snorkeling fins to offer a little more protection. My mask would fog, and I would get a bunch of water in my snorkel. Trunk Bay has it all. There is also supposed to be excellent snorkeling on the eastern (right) side of the beach as you face the water, but we did not have time to snorkel there. It's a top spot to go snorkeling in St John from the beach. 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. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. 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. The name Haulover came about because it was often easier to just haul small boats over this stretch of land than to make the long sail around East End, notorious for strong currents, gusty winds, and rough seas. I can now spend hours in the water following tropical fish and swimming alongside turtles. We saw large schools of fish, beautiful hard and soft coral, and numerous colorful waving sea fans. The elkhorn coral barrier reef surrounds two-thirds of the island, creating a rich marine ecosystem home to many threatened and endangered plant and animal species. Full or Half Day Charter - Sail, Beach, Snorkel. You can swim from the sandy beach out to the Cay, which is quite a long swim. Planning a trip to St John in the U.S. Virgin Islands? Activity itinerary. There are many day trips and boat transfers to the island from various tour operators, or you can take your own private boat (anchoring permit required). You might also see Nurse sharks ( non threatening / shy ) and some gems like black and white geometric tunicates and blue encrusting coral. The waves can be rough. . Take Route 107 and go PAST Salt Pond Bay Beach. Weve selected eight of the best snorkeling sites and have included some tips to help you plan your snorkeling adventure. 5. If you are coming from Coral Bay on Centerline Road, take a left on Route 107 and follow it down PAST Concordia. Beehive Cove lies on the other side of thesmall rocky point to the south. Virgin Islands National Park snorkeling trail and a lifeguards. Cane Bay (St. Croix): One of the island's best diving and snorkeling sites is off this breezy, north-shore beach. Families will love the convenience of unloading cooler, chairs, snorkel gear and kids floaties! Depths around the formations range from around 10 to 50 feet.2. Find out where to go snorkeling on your Virgin Islands vacation. Read on to find all the details of each snorkeling spot we visited. The best snorkeling is on the left side of Grootpan Bay as you face the water. Be prepared for a more difficult return to the beach, as you will be going against the chop and the current. 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). The entry point to snorkel over to Waterlemon Cay requires an easy 20-minute hike on the Leinster Bay Trail through some trees and then along the rocky coastline. Beginning in the parking area for Annaberg Plantation enjoy an almost 1.0 mi flat hike along Leinster Bay to reach Waterlemon Cay.
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