The satellite view was too cloudy, so I included this map instead. 99.9% of travelers come to St John by boat ! Stay in areas protected by swim buoys to minimize danger from dinghy traffic in the area. Where to snorkel at Little Lameshur Bay Beach. There are two rooms or chambers with rock walls on three sides. Staff Pick Some of the most dramatic underwater structure and corals on the island. I would strongly consider wearing dive booties with your snorkeling fins. Find the part where the sandy bottom meets the shore to allow for easier entry. This bay, an inner bay of Great Lameshur,lies just to the north of Beehive Cove, the bay where the Tektiteproject took place. Be aware this area is subject to strong currents and winds, so use your judgment before proceeding into the water. 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. 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. Staff Pick for Best Snorkeling on St John! There was plenty of parking when we went. The fascinating rock formations are perfect for underwater exploration. Cinnamon Bay 1,205 Beaches By ElizabethG393 Snorkeling the western edge towards Peter Bay the corals and patch reef are thin. 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. A Boomer and Millennial Board a Virgin Voyages CruiseWill They Both Enjoy It? Try to identify all the differentcolors of sponges found here. 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. There is an underwater snorkeling trail along the Cay, which requires a short swim out from the beach. Henley Cay - Staff Pick for Best Snorkeling on St John - requires kayak or charter. 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. Honeymoon Beach is home to some of the last remaining leaning palms the island as once famous for prior to Hurricane Maria in 2017 along with crystal blue waters, white sands, along with a snack shack ( The most popular ferries are out of Charlotte Amalie and Red Hook, St Thomas. Care should be taken not to kick the coral with your fins. 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). 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. If you are coming from Coral Bay on Centerline Road, take a left on Route 107 and follow it down PAST Concordia. Walk to the eastern end of the beach. There are a lot of sea urchins! Enter the water at the north end of the beach near the largeblack rocks. The buoys are hard to miss. 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. 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. I always wear a snorkel vest. Maho Bay Beach is quite easy to access. Entry into the water is easy. St John is the smallest of the 3 US Virgin Islands located in the Caribbean. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Enriching Pursuits. You might also see Nurse sharks ( non threatening / shy ) and some gems like black and white geometric tunicates and blue encrusting coral. There are more fish and coral on the calmer western side of the Cay (which is the left side as you face the water). 1. And theyre all located along St Johns North Shore! Once in the water head straight for across the narrow channel. Food trucks are also parked all over the Beach. More info on Haulover North NOTE: Conditions at Haulover North depend on wind and waves. Ram Head hiking trail will lead to Blue Cobblestone Beach. 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. Thus, snorkelers should make an extra effort to avoid situations where the water is too shallow for them. In the British Virgin Islands, the island of Tortola makes a great base for snorkelers. The US Virgin Islands are famous for their beaches, and Salomon Bay Beach is considered one of the gems on St. John's island.. Bring a hat, wear a sun shirt and sunscreen, and bring plenty of water. Snorkeling at Cinnamon Bay has several options. Located on the East End of St. Thomas, Secret Harbor Beach Resort offers prime snorkeling conditions right off of the hotel beach. Here's our TOP PICKS for snorkeling on St John. Snorkeling the Mangroves. 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. Its perfect for beginner snorkelers and children. Although we did not do it, you could technically swim all the way over back to Salt Pond Bay Beach. 10. Honeymoon Beach Outdoor Activities Nature and Wildlife Tours On the Ground On the Water Boat Rentals Kayaking Tours Sailing There are also many colorful spongesand various types of hard coral in this area. Located 1.5 miles off the coast of St. Croix, the 880-acre Buck Island Reef National Monument has an impressive coral reef system that draws thousands of snorkelers and divers every year. Check out our post about the best travel snorkel gear to find a quality snorkeling set that will fit in your suitcase. 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. Hansen Bay Visitors will argue about which one is their favorite. The best snorkeling is on the left side of Grootpan Bay as you face the water. 2/3 of the island and surrounding reefs are protected by the US Virgin Islands National Park [ VINP ]. And along the western end towards Salomon Beach youll find a patch reef with hard and soft corals and colorful fish. Reply Subscribe . The liveliest underwater activity happens to the east among the rocks on the way to Maho Point. We saw many schools of fish, numerous soft and hard coral outcroppings, a stingray, and gorgeous gigantic waving purple sea fans. 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. Do not overestimate your swimming ability. Virgin Islands National Park snorkeling trail and a lifeguards. 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 Some of the finest snorkeling on the north shore area of the Virgin Islands National Park can be found on the reef between Salomon Bay and Honeymoon Beach. However, if youre looking for a quiet getaway, Coki Beach is not it. I would advise starting this adventure early in the morning. Cinnamon Bay. Snorkel along the western shore toward the point and around the offshore rocks called the blinders. 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. Do not overestimate your swimming ability. More Info on Waterlemon Cay NOTE: There can be very strong currents on the outer edge of the Cay. I went to the left and saw nice fans, fish. Park on the south side of the road alongside the small sand and coral rubble beach. The road heads west andgoes up and then down a steep hill. Parking spots fill up quickly, so get there early! Whether youre heading to St. Thomas, St. Croix, or Tortola, youre sure to find stunning places to enjoy this exciting underwater activity. 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. The island boasts over 3 dozen beaches to choose from and discover. Ram Head Point protects the bayfrom winds and waves, leaving the reef in clear, calm water. Haulover (North) Be aware the water can get rough along the far side of the Cay due to exposure to the wind. Thread Tools Search this Thread Mar 23rd, 2011, 12:40 PM #1 Jayneann. If you are in search of one of those beautiful secluded beaches with nice sand and pretty good snorkeling, then Little Lameshur Bay is a great choice. Guests can enjoy recently upgraded eco-tents or cottage accommodations; and wake up to the beauty of Cinnamon Bay each day! Snorkeling with schools of blue tang at Haulover Bay North in St John USVI, Beautiful coral at Haulover Bay North in St John USVI, Stingray at Haulover Bay North in St John USVI. The best snorkeling is on the right side along the rocks as you face the water. Coki Beach. Last updated Jan 29, 2023 | Best Snorkeling Caribbean, St. John. The best reef corals and fish as to the left as you face the water. We snorkeled on the right side of the bay as you face the water out towards Marys Point and saw beautiful coral outcroppings, schools of tropical fish, and even a lionfish. Turtle and a remora (suckerfish) at Hansen Bay in St. John USVI. We went around 9 am and had no problem. Caneel Bay beach Shallow entry, calm waters and plenty to see close to shore. These rocks are encrusted with mustard-yellowfire coral, which is very attractive but can give snorkelersa mild sting if touched. Start your snorkeling around the middle to left side of the beach. . At the end of the road at the split, take a left. You first need to hike to Salt Pond Beach, and then on to Drunk Bay. Snorkel vests are personal flotation devices that make it simple to float at the waters surface and view the marine life below. 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. Cane Bay at sunrise, St. Croix. The beach is narrow and lined with towering coconut palms and seagrape trees for shade. A large variety of fish including Atlantic Blue tangs, Blue Headed wrasses, Sargeant majors, as well as Caribbean lobsters, crabs, conch and more! Close up of sea turtle at Maho Bay in St John USVI, Yellowline arrow crab at Maho Bay in St John USVI, Beaugregory Damselfish at Maho Bay in St John looking right at me. Youll also find bathrooms, RainTree Caf, watersports rentals and a souvenir shop. You will have to walk over the pebbly beach and avoid the sporadic sea urchins as you launch off into the water. Getting to this remote beach requires a 20-minute walk (one way) along a flat, scenic trail. A few gallons of water work great for rinsing off all that sand. In the underwater grasslands just seaward of the reef, snorkelers are likely to come upon large green sea turtles, often accompanied by stuck-on remora or bar jacks that follow along just inches above the turtles back. Several varieties of hard coral, including star, brain, elkhorn, staghorn, and pillar coral, can be found here as well as gorgonians, such as sea fans, sea plumes, and dead mans fingers. Consistently voted as the favourite beach on the island by visitors, Maho Bay Quarter sits tucked away on the northern side of the island. One of the best snorkeling spots on St John. Take Route 107 and go PAST Salt Pond Bay Beach. 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. Large sea fans and gorgonians waving in the current surrounded by mustard corals and brain coral and fire corals. Trunk Bay: St. John's most famous beach (most visited and most photographed) doesn't disappoint. I always wear a snorkel vest in case I get tired. If you try to park there, you will be trespassing across private property to get to the 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. Take the North Shore Road towards Annaberg Sugar Plantation. Because of its secluded location, Watermelon Cay rarely gets too crowded. 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. St John island is one of the top Caribbean destinations for snorkeling. 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. Neltjeberg Bay. On the north side of the point, there is asmall cave with an exit to the surface. It is located off of East End Road just past Haulover Bay on the right. Looking forward to checking it out. 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. Snorkeling in the center of the bay can also be a worthwhile experience. Henley Cay Once I was properly fitted with the correct snorkeling gear that actually fit my face and feet, a whole new underwater world opened up to me. 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.
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