best snorkeling beaches st john

I would highly advise a snorkel vest if you are not a strong swimmer like me. The best snorkeling is along the beachs rocky coastline on the right side and on the left near the docks. It was rated #15 of the Best Island Beaches in the World 2020 by readers of Conde Nast Traveler. Most of the reef lies in calm shallow water, with some sections even rising above the surface at times of extreme low tides. Love my. Even if you're seeking a beach day, this is a phenomenal choice. The U.S. Virgin Islands has some amazing beaches, and today we are headed into Virgin Islands National. The water is sandy bottom and shallow making it a great spot for younger kids and parents with floats. Once you pass Concordia, the road will turn sharply right and the dirt parking lot will be on the left. Salt Pond/Drunk Bay. where is the best snorkeling when cruising the eastern caribbean? Its an amazing spot with plenty of fish and corals many that arent common in other places around St John. That is a long swim though, and the current can be strong. Snorkeling out along the east side of the bay, you can reach the coral reefs that lie just north of Blue Cobblestone Beach. 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. 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. The rocky north coast on the right-hand side of the beach offers excellent snorkeling, especially during the summer months when large schools of fry congregate close to shore. Although we did not see any turtles and stingrays, they are often spotted due to the presence of seagrass beds. With crystal clear water, beautiful white sand, and little islands scattered around, you'll want to explore them all. The second room is the most interesting, although both are beautiful. We arrived around 10 am, and there were only a handful of parking spaces left. But the fact is that the top of the list is always Trunk Bay Beach, Cinnamon Bay Beach, Maho Bay Beach, Hawksnest Beach, Salomon Beach, Gibney Beach, Caneel Bay or Honeymoon Beach. Trunk Bay Beach is popular for its clear waters, soft white sand, and views that make it one of the most beautiful beaches in St John. The Tektite snorkel is one of the absolute best snorkeling spotson St. John, and contrary to popular belief, itcan be accessed by land with relative ease. Located on the East End of St. Thomas, Secret Harbor Beach Resort offers prime snorkeling conditions right off of the hotel beach. I could spend hours swimming with these adorable guys. Snorkeling at Trunk Bay is best just off the center of the beach around Trunk Cay. Those are without a doubt the most popular beaches. Honeymoon Beach (located next to Salomon Beach) is one of the most beautiful and popular beaches in Virgin Islands National Park on St. John. Snorkel along the western shore toward the point and around the offshore rocks called the blinders. Cinnamon Bay is the longest white sand beach on St John. I was thankful I wore my snorkel vest for this snorkeling adventure because it was choppy right at the point. Great to know. While the name might imply that its only for lovers, Honeymoon Beach is a great beach for couples and families. Visitors will argue about which one is their favorite. Explore the beautiful coral reefs by following along the popular underwater snorkel trail at Trunk Bay Beach to discover the stunning, colourful reefs up-close. Questions about the St John snorkeling sites we visited? Its north east facing location can make conditions challenging. Watch out for black spiny sea urchins hiding here. . STJ has amazing offshore snorkeling. The name says it all out of the way; but has a small water sports shack! I can now spend hours in the water following tropical fish and swimming alongside turtles. 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. As you face the water, snorkel to the left out to Yawzi Point. With arguably the best shallow water snorkeling in all of the Virgin Islands youre sure to have a great experience. (J. Robert Oppenheimer, creator of the atomic bomb, once owned the land.) The trip begins and ends at Honeymoon Beach, one of St. Johns best snorkeling spots. Long Bay Beach Resort is a popular choice next to picturesque Long Bay Beach and Smugglers Cove. This bay, an inner bay of Great Lameshur,lies just to the north of Beehive Cove, the bay where the Tektiteproject took place. Buck Island Reef Natural Features and Ecosystems. National Park Service, https://www.nps.gov/buis/learn/nature/naturalfeaturesandecosystems.htm. What I loved about snorkeling in St John was that all of our snorkeling spots could be accessed from the beach. Planning a trip to St John in the U.S. Virgin Islands? 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. Take Salt PondRoad (Route 107) past Salt Pond Bay. 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. Eventually, you reach a sign that states no outlet. This is the end of the paved road. Sail to St John National Park (the very best, least crowded beaches) where you will enjoy fantastic snorkeling & swimming stops, gourmet lunch, drinks, and great company! 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. It is located off of East End Road just past Haulover Bay on the right. There is a little bit of a pebbly transition right at the shoreline. Some of Our Top Picks For Snorkeling On St John, USVI. Start your snorkeling around the middle to left side of the beach. Answer 1 of 14: Which Caribbean resort has the best right-off-the-resort beach snorkeling? The western part of Waterlemon Cay is where we saw the two nurse sharks relaxing at the bottom of the reef. Take Route 107 and go PAST Salt Pond Bay Beach. 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. The reef extends out about 20 yards from shore. Honeymoon Beach On busy days, it's best to take a taxi or bus. I was not expecting much, but there was quite a bit of beautiful coral and Caribbean fish. St. John's longest beach also makes it to the list of the best snorkeling destinations. This seven-hour private boat tour is another highly-rated excursion with multiple snorkeling stops that can be customized according to your preferences. Cinnamon Bay 1,205 Beaches By ElizabethG393 Turtles, turtles, and more turtles! 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. Cinnamon Cay is located about 100 yards off the shore. Be aware the far side of the Cay can have strong currents. Snorkeling the waters of St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands, is one of the most rewarding and exciting things to do on St. John. Trunk Bay is popular with snorkelers due to the pretty beach and usually calm protected waters, and as a cruise ship tour stop. 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. The snorkeling is great along the reef on the left side (as you face the water). Here, the environment is sand and coral rubble. Magen's Bay Beach (One Of The Most Beautiful) Another popular beach among tourists and locals is Magen's Bay Beach. 5. The best snorkeling is on the western side of the bay (left side of the bay as you face the water). One of the highlights was seeing a shoal (family) of squid along the rocks on the right side. While theyre nearly the same beach, the section known as Oppenheimer Beach is marked by wrought-iron gates. . 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. Its shoreline is a mix of wind-swept sand and pebbles. Lush v. Among other cool stuff, Ive seen moray eels, turtles, nurse sharks, and squid. Your email address will not be published. If youre looking for a more eco-friendly option, active travelers love this three-hour multisport tour featuring snorkeling, hiking, and kayaking in Virgin Islands National Park. From hidden coves to must-see reefs, these are the best snorkeling spots in St. John. Zentacle has 12 dive sites, snorkel spots, beaches, and more. Bring a dive light if you want to explore deeper into any of the caves, as it can get quite dark. When I first started to snorkel almost a decade ago, I would rent basic gear from a local shop. Our list of BEST SNORKELING IN ST JOHN provides first-hand knowledge on the best places to visit while you are on-island. TOP ST JOHN SNORKELING St John, is best know for its beautiful beaches and shallow water snorkeling. THE TOP 10 St John Snorkeling (w/Prices) Home Things to do in US Virgin Islands Things to do in St John St John Tours Outdoor Activities On the Water Snorkeling Questions? Henley Cay - Staff Pick for Best Snorkeling on St John - requires kayak or charter. 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. But the trip is well worth it. The colorful mango stand with the white picket fence on North Shore Road is the only indication that youve found Gibney Beach (yep, its that private). Park at the gate, and hike down to this crescent of white sand. Beaches By Harlaxton7 Great snorkeling with lobster, tarpon, squid, sea turtles and a beautiful beach, great place at sunset. The highlight here is the Cane Bay Wall, where the seafloor plummets from around 40 feet . 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. Whether youre heading to St. Thomas, St. Croix, or Tortola, youre sure to find stunning places to enjoy this exciting underwater activity. I was actually pleasantly surprised by the quality of snorkeling here. The NPS actually has a great map showing where the reefs are along the beaches. 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. Be aware the water can get rough along the far side of the Cay due to exposure to the wind. St. John's Trunk Bay is unquestionably one of the best snorkeling beaches in the world. Snorkeling at Trunk Bay Beach in St John USVI. This private speedboat charter from St. Thomas is a top pick that will take you snorkeling at the prime spots in the USVI and BVI. Like The Caves, The Indians are accessible only by boat. Trunk Bay is a long stretch of white sand with a rock island just off the shore. The most popular ferries are out of Charlotte Amalie and Red Hook, St Thomas. We will be in St. Thomas and St. Maarten. 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! Park on the south side of the road alongside the small sand and coral rubble 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. Required fields are marked *. Amazing sea life at Gibney and Oppenheimer Beach, For Beachy Bajan Beauty, Level Up with a Stay at this Spectacular Barbados Rental, Cas en Bas Offers a Realistic Opportunity to Enjoy a Personal Slice of St. Lucia, Shellona Abaco Beach House Provides an Ideal Setting for a Family Spring Break Getaway. Ram Head hiking trail will lead to Blue Cobblestone Beach. Getting to Grootpan Bay Beach is an adventure and can be confusing if you do not know where you are going ahead of time. Cinnamon Bay is a lot like Trunk Bay with its beauty and amenities, but bigger and more spacious. Download an offline St. John USVI map on Google Maps ahead of time. Also, there is no shade along the dirt path and the beach. We saw so many turtles I lost count. . Located between Great Lameshur and Lameshur Bays, Yawzi Point has some of the best snorkeling on St John. The St John Beaches are some of the best in the Caribbean. Maho Bay Quarter, St John's best beach. Site by Adagio Digital Arts | Powered by WordPress, Protected by the Virgin Islands National Park. Weve selected eight of the best snorkeling sites and have included some tips to help you plan your snorkeling adventure. More info on Henley Cay NOTE: There can be very strong currents on the outer edge of the Cay. 2nd ed., Dive Guide BVI, 2010. 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. There are busy ferry routes that connect St John to St Thomas, St Croix, Tortola and the BVIs. Also . Haulover is a narrow, flat strip of land separating Coral Bay on the south from Sir Francis Drake Channel on the north. Sergeant major and school of French grunt fish at Cinnamon Bay in St John USVI. Its closer to the beach and smaller than the more extensive reef on the other side of the bay. Best St. John beaches to visit Best Beaches in St. John Salomon Bay. We have all the details including the world famous north shore beaches- including maps! You will have to walk over the pebbly beach and avoid the sporadic sea urchins as you launch off into the water. Trunk Bay After a morning snorkel, visit Vies Snack Shack and pay the nominal fee she charges to access the sandy beach next to Hansen. There are boats that dock in the bay, so it can be dangerous if you try to navigate around them. This is another beach where you can spot sea turtles. If you attempt this swim, you will snorkel over seagrass beds where you may see some turtles, rays, and starfish. 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. The fry is extremely sensitive to minute changes in water currents and can sense the approach of the hunters. North of Blue Cobblestone beach water sports shack to your preferences Staff Pick for best snorkeling spots located the. 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Hours in the U.S. Virgin Islands the name says it all out of the hunters was right! You reach a sign that states no outlet room is the longest white sand are. Snorkeling is great along the rocks on the other side of the beach with plenty of and... Great map showing where the seafloor plummets from around 40 feet handful of parking spaces left of. Turtles and stingrays, they are often spotted due to the list of the Cay have! Bit of a pebbly transition right at the gate, and hike down to this crescent of white....

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