best snorkeling beaches st john
Start your snorkeling around the middle to left side of the beach. Do not overestimate your swimming ability. The island boasts over 3 dozen beaches to choose from and discover. 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. No need to hire a boat or join a tour! Trunk Bay Beach has a large parking lot right off North Shore Road, however, get there early because spaces fill up quickly! Activity itinerary. 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. Just like Trunk Bay, youll find a cay just off the beach. Honeymoon Beach (located next to Salomon Beach) is one of the most beautiful and popular beaches in Virgin Islands National Park on St. John. There are a lot of sea urchins! 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. Entry into the water is easy. Corals tend to be hard corals like maze brain corals, fire coral, mustard coral, staghorn coral and Pillar corals. Entry is rocky and snorkelers should be aware of urchins. Cane Bay (St. Croix): One of the island's best diving and snorkeling sites is off this breezy, north-shore beach. Even if you're seeking a beach day, this is a phenomenal choice. Getting to Grootpan Bay Beach is an adventure and can be confusing if you do not know where you are going ahead of time. The beach is rocky and there are often spiny sea urchins lurking in the shallow water at the shore, so step carefully. On the north side of the point, there is asmall cave with an exit to the surface. St. John Virgin Islands: The Best Snorkeling and Top Beaches Francis Bay morning shade St. John, US Virgin Islands. The area often gets crowded and is known for being rowdy. Henley Cay - Staff Pick for Best Snorkeling on St John - requires kayak or charter. You will have to walk over the pebbly beach and avoid the sporadic sea urchins as you launch off into the water. 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. She is passionate about outdoor activities and enjoys writing pieces that inspire others to get outside. In addition to snorkeling, swimming, and diving, visitors can hike along the islands scenic walking trails or relax on the gorgeous white sand beach. The second room is the most interesting, although both are beautiful. Although we did not see any turtles and stingrays, they are often spotted due to the presence of seagrass beds. This healthy reef community supports a diverse and tropical fish population,including grazing blue tang andfast swimming predators such as yellowtailsnapper, blue runners, barracuda, and tarpon. Looking forward to checking it out. 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. 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. Book St. John Snorkeling. Also . .5 mi EW, or take a taxi to Caneel and ride the Honeymoon Beach Huts golf cart to Honeymoon Beach. Ram Head Point protects the bayfrom winds and waves, leaving the reef in clear, calm water. Snorkeling is one of the most popular activities among visitors to the Virgin Islands. 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. Hawksnest Beach is the best snorkeling spot in the Virgin Islands National Park to observe beautiful elkhorn coral, which is still in fairly good condition. There is also great snorkeling along the first set of jagged rocks out in the middle. Virgin Islands Day Sailing: The best sailing/snorkeling trip ever! The reef extends out about 20 yards from shore. The best St John snorkeling places list must include Maho Bay. Be aware this area is subject to strong currents and winds, so use your judgment before proceeding into the water. Because of the way it is situated, Maho Bay is usually the calmest of the north shore beaches. 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. Best beach to snorkel on St John. Parking is plentiful by St John standards with marked parking areas by the pavillion and a larger lot at the eastern end of the beach. 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. Located at the eastern end of Leinster Bay, Watermelon Cay is known as the top snorkeling spot on St. John. These amenities include showers, foot rinses, food and beverage concessions, snorkel rentals, and more. 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. Sergeant major and school of French grunt fish at Cinnamon Bay in St John USVI. The eastern wall of the second room is encrusted with sponges and cup coral. The Caves are accessible only by boat, so youll need to book a private charter or guided tour or visit with your own vessel. Large sea fans and gorgonians waving in the current surrounded by mustard corals and brain coral and fire corals. Be prepared for a bumpy ride to Grootpan! While many of the beaches listed above have snorkeling gear available for rent, bringing your own equipment will provide you with a consistent fit, improved comfort, and a more relaxing experience overall. The Caneel Bay resort was decimated by back-to-back hurricanes in 2017 and has yet to be rebuilt. I have heard that Dreams LaRomana is good but I would love to hear your opinion on Dreams and any other resorts that might have what I am looking for. 5 Best Ways to Explore Hurricane Hole in Coral Bay, St. John. Trunk Bay is a long stretch of white sand with a rock island just off the shore. Always snorkel with a buddy and never exceed your physical ability or experience. A few with the closest to shore are Hawksnest, Trunk (right side of the shore and around the cay) and Salt Pond. Henley Cay There is a small fringe forest of mangroves along the coast. Lovango Resort & Beach Club: This newly opened. Snorkel along the western shore toward the point and around the offshore rocks called the blinders. The trip includes a short ride to/from the pier on a dinghy (must be . (888) 651-9785 Top St John Snorkeling When are you traveling? 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. Snorkeling at Honeymoon Beach is best on the eastern and western ends of the beach. Snorkeling is best on calm days when there is good visibility underwater. 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. Brown Bay. Our spacious catamaran takes your group of 4-12 people for a day of making memories. If you attempt this swim, you will snorkel over seagrass beds where you may see some turtles, rays, and starfish. 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. Snorkel around the Cay thats just off the beach. You first need to hike to Salt Pond Beach, and then on to Drunk Bay. Watch out for black spiny sea urchins hiding here. We have all the details including the world famous north shore beaches- including maps! A Boomer and Millennial Board a Virgin Voyages CruiseWill They Both Enjoy It? You can park in the large lot located directly across from the eastern side of the beach. The best reef corals and fish as to the left as you face the water. Park on your left at the bottom of the hill. Love my. Moreover, the water deepens gradually and stays relatively shallow as you wade out from the beach. With soft sand and a shallow entry, entry is easy and straight forward. 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! Posts: 957 Likes: 0 Cane Bay at sunrise, St. Croix. 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. Looking for the best St. John snorkeling spots?? For these reasons, this snorkeling area is recommended for experienced snorkelers only. Some animal species you might see in the area are French angelfish, queen angel, and permits. https://www.nps.gov/buis/learn/nature/naturalfeaturesandecosystems.htm, https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/news/sunscreen-corals.html, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-50963080, Tips for snorkeling in the Virgin Islands. 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. Parking: Paid parking lot ($5) and roadside parking. There's a magical world waiting for you beneath the surface of the water on St. Thomas. Here youll find thin patch reefs that are home to a good selection of hard and soft corals and a dizzying collection of tropical fish species. This created an incredibly frustrating experience. With arguably the best shallow water snorkeling in all of the Virgin Islands youre sure to have a great experience. 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. This hidden spot provides a relaxing atmosphere thats perfect for those seeking solitude. I cannot stress this enough invest in good snorkeling gear! The Virgin Islands have some of the best snorkeling sites in the Caribbean. Follow East End Road beyond Coral Bay. Trunk Bay has it all. There are bathrooms, grills and covered pavillion with picnic tables on the western end of the beach. Be prepared for a more difficult return to the beach, as you will be going against the chop and the current. 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. Among other cool stuff, Ive seen moray eels, turtles, nurse sharks, and squid. The worst is when a snorkelers fins hit you in the face because of their lack of awareness of what is around them. Once you pass Concordia, the road will turn sharply right and the dirt parking lot will be on the left. Vibrant coral at Francis Bay in St John USVI, Snorkeling with turtles at Francis Bay in St John USVI. Maho Bay offers a chance to swim with sea turtles. After a morning snorkel, visit Vies Snack Shack and pay the nominal fee she charges to access the sandy beach next to Hansen. This party beach is easily accessible by taxi and has a dive center where you can rent snorkeling gear or book a discovery scuba course. 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. 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. 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. St. John's Trunk Bay is unquestionably one of the best snorkeling beaches in the world. Thalia, the owner of the land in front of the beach, very kindly upkeeps the beach through donations. The island measures just 9 mi X 3 mi ( 28 sq mi ). The Guide to Diving and Snorkeling in the British Virgin Islands. This section of the reef tends to attract larger predators such as blue runners, mutton snapper, and yellowtail snapper. The U.S. Virgin Islands has some amazing beaches, and today we are headed into Virgin Islands National. Its north east facing location can make conditions challenging. There are two rooms or chambers with rock walls on three sides. If you are looking to piece together all that St John has to offer, check out my ultimate itinerary below. The Virgin Islands have some of the best snorkeling in the Caribbean. That is a long swim though, and the current can be strong. Out from the center of the beach, large beds of sea grass shelter sea turtles who dont mind company are easy to spot. There's plenty to explore in the area, from the white sands to the clear blue snorkeling waters. St Johns most popular, most photographed, and most visited beach is Trunk Bay. Turtle and a remora (suckerfish) at Hansen Bay in St. John USVI. Be aware the water can get rough along the far side of the Cay due to exposure to the wind. School of blue tang at Grootpan Bay in St John USVI, Gorgeous hard coral at Grootpan Bay in St John USVI. Visitors will argue about which one is their favorite. The farther you get out to the point, the more challenging it will become. Check out our list of the best islands for snorkeling. We saw so many turtles I lost count. The NPS actually has a great map showing where the reefs are along the beaches. Access is easy with a shallow sandy entry. Close to the shore are patches of sand and grass with scattered coral heads. The buoys are hard to miss. There are many amenities, including a bar, restaurant, watersport rentals, dive shop, chairs, umbrellas, and more. Cane Bay is a popular snorkeling and scuba diving site on St. Croix's north shore. Entry can be a little tricky due to the cobblestone beach, sargassum (seaweed), and sea urchins. Pick sunny calm days to snorkel to really see the coral and fish. While the name might imply that its only for lovers, Honeymoon Beach is a great beach for couples and families. 14 Best St. John Beaches. Little Lameshur Bay. Salt Pond - Can get a bit crowded but offers . We saw patches of coral here and there with sporadic Caribbean fish sightings. #10 - Lovango Cay Virgin Islands . Best St. John beaches to visit Best Beaches in St. John Salomon Bay. Trunk Bay Honeymoon Beach Best entry is in the center of the beach where the sandy bottom comes closest to the shoreline. Access is easy due to the sandy bottom and shallow, calm entry. 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. Care should be taken not to kick the coral with your fins. Maho Bay Beach 2,799 Beaches By Flahe Beautiful beach Good service is delicious Drinks are also available Taxis are plentiful as are gift shops 2022 3.
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