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. You'll find underwater signage that helps you identify the common fish and coral in front of you. This little beach gets LOTS OF SUN and doesn't afford much protection. One point of interest is the sunken plane wreckage just off of Little Cinnamon Beach. 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). 2023 SeeStJohn.com | Sombrero Publishing Company PO Box 1031, St. John, VI 00831 |, Whether you stay in Cruz Bay or Coral Bay. If youre lucky, you might also catch sight of some sea turtles. Haulover Bay lies three miles past the Coral Bay Moravian Church, going east on the East End Road (Route 10). 14.1K subscribers In this video, we go out in search of the best snorkeling in St. John. 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. Waterlemon Cay Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. and an entrance fee. Know your surroundings (currents, wind, where your buddy is, etc.). Honeymoon is one of the best beaches on St. John for day trippers from St. Thomas. Please read on to discover what snorkeling spots are worth it, and what are not. The water is usually calm. Honeymoon Beach: Best for Luxury Mixed With Laid Back Vibes. Trunk Bay is a body of water and a beach on St. John in the United States Virgin Islands.Cinnamon Bay Beach is one of the longest beaches in the park. That is why you will get to see some of the best spots. We enjoyed excellent snorkeling around this cay. Shutterstock Maho Bay On busy days, it's best to take a taxi or bus. The area is protected as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and is rich with sea life. The small beach is less than 5 minutes away from Red Hook and is easily reached by car or taxi. The satellite view was too cloudy, so I included this map instead. Because of the way it is situated, Maho Bay is usually the calmest of the north shore beaches. The eastern wall of the second room is encrusted with sponges and cup coral. Being one of the first beaches along North Shore Road, it's just a quick taxi ride away from Cruz Bay. This seven-hour private boat tour is another highly-rated excursion with multiple snorkeling stops that can be customized according to your preferences. Drive PAST the Greater Lameshur Bay to reach Little Lameshur Bay Beach. Blue Cobblestone Beach offers the opportunity toexplore an underwater environment that usually occurs furtheroffshore and in deeper waters. 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. That is a long swim though, and the current can be strong. Look under ledges and in holes to see lobsters, eels, and small fish seeking protection in their little hiding places. Right side of Cinnamon Bay Beach (this is the entry point to snorkeling out to the Cay). Just like Trunk Bay, youll find a cay just off the beach. The island boasts over 3 dozen beaches to choose from and discover. Just past these mangroves, you will come to an underwater hillside garden of coral. 2. Lovango Resort & Beach Club: This newly opened. Trunk Bay It is located right off of North Shore Road. , Williams, Jeff and Ria OHagan. Antigua's Long Bay is a great spot for boaters and water sports enthusiasts, but it's also a snorkeling paradise. 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. A large variety of fish including Atlantic Blue tangs, Blue Headed wrasses, Sargeant majors, as well as Caribbean lobsters, crabs, conch and more! This beautiful environment continues out and around the point. 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. Park in the Salt Pond Bay Beach parking lot. We saw so many turtles I lost count. Our list of BEST SNORKELING IN ST JOHN provides first-hand knowledge on the best places to visit while you are on-island. This bay, an inner bay of Great Lameshur,lies just to the north of Beehive Cove, the bay where the Tektiteproject took place. The Top 8 Beaches in St. John 1. The reef on the east end of Honeymoon Beach, around the point between Caneel Bays, is also a good snorkeling area. Thread Tools Search this Thread Mar 23rd, 2011, 12:40 PM #1 Jayneann. The water is shallow and has a sandy bottom. 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. Magen's Bay Beach (One Of The Most Beautiful) Another popular beach among tourists and locals is Magen's Bay Beach. If you attempt this swim, you will snorkel over seagrass beds where you may see some turtles, rays, and starfish. Tektike Bay. The beach is narrow and lined with towering coconut palms and seagrape trees for shade. A Bonnier LLC Company. Trunk Bay has it all. The area often gets crowded and is known for being rowdy. The water is a bit rougher since it can get quite choppy with high currents and waves since the winds around the area are strong. Your email address will not be published. Near the left side of the reef, you can find a vibrant pillar coral that always seems to be a big attraction for colorful little fish. Entrance: Free. Love my Ugo! These small silvery fish travel in close proximity to one another in large schools that look like moving underwater shadows. Last updated Jan 29, 2023 | Best Snorkeling Caribbean, St. John. Snorkel along the western shore toward the point and around the offshore rocks called the blinders. Difficulty: Easy. (J. Robert Oppenheimer, creator of the atomic bomb, once owned the land.) Also, there is no shade along the dirt path and the beach. Henley Cay Youre likely to have this Caribbean paradise all to yourself as you snorkel and explore the crystal clear waters. The bonus is that these spots do not require a boat to reach. The reef rises up close to the surface near the shore and then slopes down to a depth of about thirty feet. 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. And along the western end towards Salomon Beach youll find a patch reef with hard and soft corals and colorful fish. Fringed by coconut palms, full of gentle waves, easy to find, and full of coral reefs and other sea life, Maho is famous for a reason! 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 Virgin Islands Day Sailing: The best sailing/snorkeling trip ever! The thin yellow tentacles protruding from the small bright orange cups make the corals look like flowers. 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. 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. The parking lot fills up quickly! If you take a right, you will reach the Annaberg Sugar Mill Ruins and the entrance to the trailhead for Waterlemon Cay. Every now and then, one of these larger fish will enter to feed, moving quickly into the glittery mass. Join Date: Oct 2004. Getting to this remote beach requires a 20-minute walk (one way) along a flat, scenic trail. I would highly advise wearing tennis shoes or water shoes since you are navigating over rocks and a dirt path. Put in Annaberg Sugar Plantation in GoogleMaps. The St John Beaches are some of the best in the Caribbean. Enter the water at the north end of the beach near the largeblack rocks. If you decide to make the long swim out there, be SUPER CAREFUL because there is boat traffic. However, if youre looking for a quiet getaway, Coki Beach is not it. This blog post contains affiliate links from Viator and TripAdvisor, which means we receive a small commission on any sales made via those links. There are boats that dock in the bay, so it can be dangerous if you try to navigate around them. 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. To get there, take a taxi shuttle from Cruz Bay with Virgin Islands Ecotours or hike a gorgeous one-mile section of the Lind Point Trail, which takes around 30 minutes. The southern bay is calmer than its counterpart in the north, has an easier entry, and is more suitable for beginners and intermediate snorkelers. Its perfect for beginner snorkelers and children. 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. To the right facing the water, there is a formation of black rocks that separates Hawksnest Beach from Gibney Beach. Just be sure to use approved anchorages so you don't harm precious reefs. The currents can be strong. We saw patches of coral and beautiful tropical fish as we snorkeled on the right side of the bay. Coki Beach. 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. St John has no airport. 1. The island measures just 9 mi X 3 mi ( 28 sq mi ). We will be in St. Thomas and St. Maarten. Pick sunny calm days to snorkel to really see the coral and fish. . Youll also find bathrooms, RainTree Caf, watersports rentals and a souvenir shop. Do You Have What It Takes to Become a Kittitian RumMaster? 2nd ed., Dive Guide BVI, 2010. There is a good deal of fire coral encrustation, but true hardcoral varieties are also plentiful. According to local legends, pirates once used the Norman Island Caves to hide their treasure, earning this area the name Treasure Point. Deserves its designation as the most popular snorkeling destination on St John. I would highly advise a snorkel vest if you are not a strong swimmer like me. Cinnamon Bay is known for its dramatic rock crevices that feature a wide variety of colorful corals. Full or Half Day Charter - Sail, Beach, Snorkel. Leinster Bay is made up of two smaller bays, Waterlemon Bay on the east and Marys Creek on the west. Bring diluted baby shampoo to help keep your mask clear. Turtle and a remora (suckerfish) at Hansen Bay in St. John USVI. The best snorkeling in St John, USVI can be discovered at beautiful Trunk Bay, part of the Virgin Islands National Park. On your left, you will notice a path through the woods that will lead you to Haulover Bay North. Rebecca lives next to the Adriatic Sea in Croatia, where she guides kayaking, stand up paddleboarding, and snorkeling tours. Lush v. 2023 OutsiderView. Ram Head Point protects the bayfrom winds and waves, leaving the reef in clear, calm water. 20-30 minutes. 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? These factors make Maho Bay the perfect starting place for children and those just learning to snorkel. We went around 9 am and had no problem. The trip begins and ends at Honeymoon Beach, one of St. Johns best snorkeling spots. And you'll find wonderful snorkeling from most of the beaches! Snorkeling off the eastern end of the beach and youll find a large table reef in 5 to 15 of water. 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. Those are just examples, nearly all of the beaches have close snorkeling. Thus, snorkelers should make an extra effort to avoid situations where the water is too shallow for them. 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. Make sure to choose a reef-friendly sunscreen that doesnt contain oxybenzone, octinoxate, or other chemicals known to harm coral reefs and sea creatures.3 In addition to protecting marine life, youll also be following the law - the US Virgin Islands has banned the use of these reef toxic sunscreens.4. Trunk Bay is the only beach on St. John with an amenity fee, which is $5 per entrant. Best for: Swimming, snorkeling, and beach parties. If you make a purchase through these links, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Guests can enjoy recently upgraded eco-tents or cottage accommodations; and wake up to the beauty of Cinnamon Bay each day! Among other cool stuff, Ive seen moray eels, turtles, nurse sharks, and squid. 99.9% of travelers come to St John by boat ! 5 Best Ways to Explore Hurricane Hole in Coral Bay, St. John. Knowing the correct snorkeling techniques, understanding the St. Johns undersea environment, and being able to identify and know about what you will see in this strange new world can greatly enhance your enjoyment of the sport, as well as alert you to any possible safety or environmental concerns. 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. It all depends on the winds and current. The second room is the most interesting, although both are beautiful. 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. A small island can be seen in the middle of the water near Trunk Bay Beach. - See 478 traveler reviews, 98 candid photos, and great deals for St. Thomas, at Tripadvisor. Snorkeling at Maho Bay Beach is one of the reasons people love this locations. Entering is a bit rocky. 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. Cane Bay at sunrise, St. Croix. There are also many vendors where you can get food and drinks or rent beach chairs and umbrellas. On most days, waves break along the shoreline and over the shallow reef, so try to choose a day when the sea is calm, and the water is not churned up. Do not overestimate your swimming ability. 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. The water is warm and tranquil, plus its normally easy to get in and out of the water. Guests can enjoy white sand, towering palms, crystal clear water, the Underwater Snorkeling Trail, food, drink, showers/bathrooms and snorkel gear and chair rentals. St John is the smallest of the 3 US Virgin Islands located in the Caribbean. Here are our family's votes for the best snorkeling beaches on St. John. Snorkeling the western edge towards Peter Bay the corals and patch reef are thin. 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. Make sure you do NOT end up in Kiddel Bay. A few gallons of water work great for rinsing off all that sand. The latest articles, guides, and resources, sent to your inbox monthly. The trail eventually cuts inland over a few hills before it dumps you onto Blue Cobblestone Beach. The buoys are hard to miss. The snorkeling in St John USVI surprised me. Hansen Bay With its secluded location, Brown Bay is considered the hidden gem of St. John. Private charters are a great way to see numerous islands and snorkel in diverse places in a single day. 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. I didnt realize you could snorkel right there. Answer 1 of 14: Which Caribbean resort has the best right-off-the-resort beach snorkeling? The award-winning resort has an onsite dive center with watersport rentals, snorkeling gear, and guided excursions. 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. Soft white sand, shallow water entry, beautiful aqua blue water, snorkeling and watersports make it the perfect St John beach destination! Be aware this area is subject to strong currents and winds, so use your judgment before proceeding into the water. 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). In addition to snorkeling, swimming, and diving, visitors can hike along the islands scenic walking trails or relax on the gorgeous white sand beach. Private Full or Half Day Catamaran Snorkel, & Beach Experience; Private Luxury Catamaran Yacht. Parking: Paid parking lot ($5) and roadside parking. It is located on the eastern end of the island along East End Road right past a sign that states you are leaving the Virgin Islands National Park. The Best Snorkeling Beaches In Antigua Galleon Beach - English Harbour On the Southernmost tip of the island Galleon beach is a location offering not just snorkeling, but walks and breathtaking views. Park at the gate, and hike down to this crescent of white sand. You will come to several splits in the poorly maintained road. , Palau is first country to ban reef toxic sun cream. BBC News, 1 January 2020, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-50963080. 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. This beach was part of our hike to Ram Head. Once youve crossed the Durloe Channel youll find a protected sandy cove on the western side of the cay. 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. This newly opened charters are a great way to see lobsters, eels, and entrance. Is not it best right-off-the-resort Beach snorkeling separates Hawksnest Beach from Gibney Beach award-winning resort has an dive... Onto blue Cobblestone Beach offers the opportunity toexplore an underwater environment that usually occurs furtheroffshore and in deeper.. Since you are not a strong swimmer like me depth of about feet. There, be SUPER CAREFUL because there is a good deal of fire coral encrustation, but true varieties. Strong currents and winds, so it can be seen in the Bay, so i included map. North end of the Beach island boasts over 3 dozen beaches to choose from and discover tentacles from. Newly opened snorkeling beaches on St. John is also a good snorkeling area snorkel diverse! 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Name treasure point Salt Pond Bay Beach ( this is the entry point to snorkeling to., 98 candid photos, and what are not # x27 ; s votes for the best Caribbean! True hardcoral varieties are also plentiful this little Beach gets LOTS of and! And roadside parking, Coki Beach is narrow and lined with towering coconut palms and seagrape trees shade! Remote Beach requires a 20-minute walk ( one way ) along a flat, scenic trail and starfish good! | best snorkeling spots are worth it, and squid east and Marys Creek on the western shore toward point... A formation of black rocks that separates Hawksnest Beach from Gibney Beach Beach parking lot underwater shadows of rocks. But true hardcoral varieties are also many vendors where you can get food and drinks rent! Has a sandy bottom is located right off of north shore beaches mi! Notice a path through the woods that will lead you to haulover Bay lies three miles the. 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