Hawksnest Beach: Hawksnest is the first wide-open beach youll come to on the north shore and that convenience makes it popular. 
Besides beach bumming and making the rounds to the beach bars, snorkeling at Trunk Bay is my number one-dont miss on St. John. Snorkel above the rocky outcrops that run parallel to the shore, and around the rocks. This quiet and scenic place is part of the Virgin Islands National Park. Its more remote than other beaches but venturing here means youll be rewarded with lots of wildlife sightings and an amazing aquatic experience. The calm, clear waters of the bay make it easy to hang out in the water and watch for passing sea life such as turtles and rays. Its a beautiful wide-open beach but its pretty narrow and oftentimes crowded. Jumbie Beach: The next beach youll come to is Jumbie. Heres my two cents on snorkeling here: The markers were interesting to read but honestly the snorkeling didnt get good until after the trail was over. 
My post captions are full of travel tips and I have a ton of story highlights and videos with great info. Brewers Bay is a favorite for Green Sea Turtles and Hawksbill Turtles. 
And, last but definitely not least, is a St Thomas St John boat trip or snorkel tour. Read our Complete Guide to the Best Places to Stay in St. Thomas HERE, Find Condos at Sapphire Bay Beach Resort Here, Secret Harbor is a protected bay with calm water, Check out our Complete Guide to Secret Harbor Here, St Thomas has some wonderful snorkeling spots. Its seems to be a local favorite, and is not frequented by cruisers. To get there, you can book a boat charter or sign up for a kayak tour. Your mobile-friendly St John island guide to St John's beaches, snorkeling, maps and more. The smallest of them, St John is very popular with good reason. The seagrass as you enter the beach is a great place to spot turtles and rays. Have a great time snorkeling in St. Thomas. Henley Cay Salt Pond If you want to explore more than the mainland, you wont regret taking one of the St Thomas snorkeling excursions by boat. Entry:BeachAccess:Parking is $5, but very limited.Facilities:Snorkel Gear & Dive Rentals, Beach Bar, Restrooms, Beach Shop, Umbrella & Chair Rentals, Playground for kidsLook Out For:Cruise Ship Crowds-check the cruise schedule here. Updated information dedicated to Moving and Living in the Virgin Islands. Theres quite a bit of parking though so if you can find a spot its easy to stop, check it out, and see if you want to set up camp there for the day. and take a flat but long trail along the waters edge until you come to a tiny (and thin) stretch of sand. ABOUT Maho Bay There are signs of recovery and theres still plenty of fish, turtles, and sharks hanging around despite the upheaval caused by the hurricanes, but some reefs suffered serious damage. Looking for more information on snorkeling in the Virgin Islands? But the trip is well worth it. Its marked with a sign and has about four parking spots across the road. The beach area is mostly sand, but once in the water its quite rocky. So, even mid-day, the beach is usually sparsely crowded. The driest part of the year runs from February to March, making it an ideal period to visit if you want to be sure to avoid periods of rain that sometimes pass by the islands. Help stop the practice, just enjoy the fish in their natural environment and let them eat whats natural for them. Sea temperatures range from around 79F from January to April to around 84F from September to October. Yet another great Virgin Islands snorkeling spot for families and people of all abilities, Secret Harbor is a protected bay with calm water, quite a bit of underwater life, and is one of St. Thomass best snorkeling beaches. If you want to follow along on my travel adventures in real time, you can follow me on Instagram (@caitylincoln). One of the most popular vacation activities in the Virgin Islands is snorkeling. As you swim out a bit further, youll find a beautiful and long reef. An entry fee is charged. The largest section of Virgin Islands Books & Souvenirs. 
The island measures just 9 mi X 3 mi ( 28 sq mi ). 99.9% of travelers come to St John by boat ! Haulover (North) St John has no airport. Heres a breakdown of St. Johns north shore beaches that included which ones I loved, which ones I didnt, which ones have the best snorkeling, and which ones require a decent little hike. Youre sure to see some colorful fish, nice brain coral, and possibly a ray or even a turtle. With little shade, the ability to rent an umbrella, beach chair, and have a waitress bring you a nice cold drink, to me is worth the trade off. The best St John snorkeling places list must include Maho Bay. Snorkel on the right side above and around the sea-grass. Copyright 2022 Lincoln Travel Co ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Copyright 1999 2022 VInow.com All rights reserved. Enter the water where its sandy and then have fun swimming and snorkeling. You will find some small fish and sea creatures among the rocks near the shore, but if you head out deeper theres some large beautiful coral and interesting marine life like lobster or squid. Once you swim out to them, you can spend hours exploring the colorful Caribbean marine life get up close with many colorful and curious sea-dwelling locals. The most popular ferries are out of Charlotte Amalie and Red Hook, St Thomas. Theres a short hike to the bottom where youll find a small beach thats a little rocky in places. Our list of BEST SNORKELING IN ST JOHN provides first-hand knowledge on the best places to visit while you are on-island. A beautiful beach with an underwater snorkeling trail! Im not going to lie to you and tell you its the best snorkeling in the Caribbean (its not), but the overlook and beach is GORGEOUS and the snorkeling is very accessible. If you want to experience superb snorkeling in Saint John, Salomon Bay has a lot to offer. Waterlemon Cay Six Tips for Snorkeling in the Virgin Islands, Alternatives to Snorkeling and Diving in St. Thomas, Essentials for First Time Snorkelers in the Virgin Islands, Shop for Snorkel Guidebooks and Fish ID Cards. Besides being a prime snorkeling spot, you can also rent kayaks or simply hang out on the sand. This beach can get quite busy, especially on days that cruise ships are in port. Make sure to heed any warnings about strong surf. She fell in love with the ocean when she put her head underwater in the Red Sea in 2008. Read More. CONTACT. 
Brewers Bay is a lovely beach with a sandy shore line, super clear water, few people, a view of the airport, and snorkeling with a high chance of seeing turtles. by Kristin Young | Updated On: January 31, 2022 | St. Thomas. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. 
Trunk can get crowded so go early in the morning or pick a day when theres no cruise ships docked in St. Thomas, as its a popular excursion. We considered: ease of snorkeling and included only easy and moderate locations, cool things to see like turtles, and availability of some amenities. Its much more of a locals beach with several food trucks and vendors selling food along the street. Easybreath type masks are extremely popular nowadays, authorities and also manufacturers started to investigate if using full face snorkel mask is dangerous or not? 
To reach Leinster, youll park at the Annaberg Ruins (ah-mazing!) Since hurricanes hit the Caribbean in 2017, its been a challenge for the reefs of the US Virgin Islands to bounce back. Always snorkel with a buddy and never exceed your physical ability or experience. Its therefore no surprise that at VInow.com we get asked what are the best beaches for snorkeling quite a lot. Wherever she goes, she takes her mask, fins and underwater camera with her. Snorkeling in 5 to 15 of water youll discover beautiful rocky patch reefs covered in corals. St Thomas has some wonderful snorkeling spots, but St John is known to have some of the best snorkeling in the US Virgin Islands. Henley Cay Therefore, we regularly share ocean facts including conservation topics and interesting things about sea creatures. Complete guide to go snorkeling in St John US Virgin Islands, Best spots for snorkeling in St John US Virgin Islands, Snorkeling in St John since Hurricane Irma and Maria, Complete guide to go snorkeling in St Thomas US Virgin Islands, Best 10 St Croix Snorkeling Beaches Guide, Harmful Ingredients In Sunscreen Ocean Safe Sun Care Products Guide, UV Protection How to avoid sunburn while snorkeling, Best waterproof case for Samsung S22, S22Plus and S22Ultra Galaxy, Best iPhone 13 Mini/Pro/Pro Max Waterproof Cases, Best waterproof case for Samsung S21, S21Plus and S21Ultra Galaxy, Best waterproof case for Samsung S20, S20Plus and S20Ultra Galaxy, Full face snorkel mask dangerous? Plus Im a National Parks bucket-lister so I couldnt pass it up. If youre staying a week, you could hit up a different beach everyday and still not visit them all. You can snorkel on the left side along shallow rocky outcrops and coral, but only if conditions are very calm. Most spots for snorkeling in Saint John lie inside calm bays with a sandy bottom gently sloping out into the crystal-clear Caribbean Sea. Concerns, hazards and facts. Leinster Bay: Leinster Bay and Waterlemon Cay are pretty much the end of the road when it comes to north shore beaches. Easybreath full face mask review Is it good for snorkeling? It is also common for juvenile fish to hide in sea-grass, be patient and you might see them darting around. The name says it all out of the way; but has a small water sports shack! Entry:BeachAccess:$5 per adult; $2 per vehicle parkingFacilities:Picnic areas, Fantastic Restrooms and Showers, Lifeguard on DutyLook Out For: Rough waves at the reef on windy days. Sapphire beach snorkeling is one of our favorites because its a calm bay thats perfect for snorkelers of all levels. 
Follow the Leinster Bay Trail until it splits. Dumb. One of the best snorkeling spots on St John. Underwater plaques laid out along a 650-foot underwater pathway provide information about everything you might see along the way. but the real gem here you guys is the beach!! P.S. Home Blog Complete guide to go snorkeling in St John US Virgin Islands. If you stay in one of the Sapphire beach condos, youll have a perfect white sand beach, great snorkeling, and an incredible view, just steps from your door. While Leinster isnt the best beach on the north shore, the snorkeling is a favorite spot. Because of the hike, Salomon isnt usually very crowded. Entry: BeachAccess: Free Street ParkingFacilities: Restrooms, Outdoor Showers, Food TrucksLook Out For: Sea Turtles and Airplanes. Start planning today! Trunk Bay If you see turtles, keep your distance. Once youve crossed the Durloe Channel youll find a protected sandy cove on the western side of the cay. Resort, bar and restaurant on site, chair and snorkel gear rentals, a dive shop, bathroom, taxi stand and other amenities. The reef at Hull Bay runs from the right to the middle of the bay and is about 40 yards from shore. Honeymoon beach has good amenities and some boat excursions stop to snorkel the reef in front of Honeymoon beach so its often more crowded. Hansen Bay Maho Bay: This is my favorite beach on St. John. Click on the St. Thomas snorkeling map for more details. Entry:BoatAccess:Boat Tour or Boat CharterFacilities:Many tours offer rentals, snacks and drinksLook Out For: These can book up in advance, so make sure to plan ahead if this is on your bucket list! Snorkel everywhere at Secret Harbor. Youre likely to see plenty of colorful coral, lots of fish, maybe a turtle in the middle, and, if youre lucky, possibly even an octopus. If the crowds dont bother you, and youre looking for the best place to snorkel in St Thomas, make Coki Point your first stop. Check availability on either of our two favorite boat tour optionsHEREandHERE! It takes a hike to get to the palm-fringed, secluded beach, therefore usually Salomon Bay is quiet. While the interior side of the island is calm and sheltered, the backside is pretty windy and choppy (at least on the day I was there) and I think nervous swimmers might get kind of freaked out being so far away from the shore in such conditions (but check it out for yourself when youre there). A lot of people spend the week beach hopping (one beach in the morning and another one in the afternoon) so they can check all of them out and find their favorite. Read More, Coki Point Beach has anear shore rocky, reef area on the right side that offers good snorkeling. Parking is catch-as-catch-can along the left hand side. Sure, you can take boat trips to more secluded areas, but with all of the great spots to choose from on St. Thomas, you can fill your whole vacation with easy snorkeling right from the beach. If in St. Thomas during the winter months when the winds pick up, Hull Bay is a great spot to watch the local surfers catch a wave. Head towards the east if you want to see lots of coral lying in shallow water. Virgin Islands National Park snorkeling trail and a lifeguards. This page may contain compensated links. With beautiful sand, shade from the summer sun, and lots of nearby amenities and food, this beach is an obvious choice for snorkelers. After hiking through plantation ruins and along the beach, you encounter Waterlemon Cay a shallow bank covered in coral and full of shallow water sea life. This is definitely a beach to spend the day at. Trunk Bay It actually even has a campground. With limited crowds and plenty of grass to munch on, its a favorite spot for them and weve seen turtles every time weve been to Brewers Bay. Its the right thing to do to keep turtles safe in their environment, and its against the law to harass or touch sea turtles. Im not sure what most people do but I snorkeled all the way around the little island (National Coral Monument). Trunk Bay is a must-visit site for those who want a memorable snorkeling experience. Check out our Complete Guide to Sapphire Beach Here. We promote responsible snorkeling: leave the smallest impact on marine life. This pristine corner of the Caribbean Sea is not just a prime place for relaxation but also excellent seeking out sea life and soak up the natural wonders of the Caribbean Sea. There are numerous small fishing boats moored at this beach which adds to the view but can take away from swimming and snorkeling. Part of Virgin Islands National Park, Lameshur Beach is a quiet yet beautiful stretch of sand and tide. Sea-grass meadows are often overlooked in favor of the more colorful coral reef environment but keep an eye out, sea-grass is a favorite for turtles and stingrays. Easy access, shallow water, shade and a good chance youll see turtles, rays and lots of fish! Theres an underwater snorkel trail and youll see some incredible coral and fish. The best beaches in St Thomas for snorkeling are also some of the prettiest beaches on the island to relax for the day. This is what makes the snorkeling at Coki Beach super-duper easy. The snorkeling right from the beach on St. Thomas is great, but sometimes its fun to get out on the water and explore more remote places. Once in the water head straight for across the narrow channel. Of all the snorkeling beaches, this one has the most amenities, but is also the most popular and busiest. Located on St Johns East End at the edge of the Virgin Islands National Park youll find this snorkelers bucket-list worthy location. DISCLOSURE POLICY As you head down a steep hill youll see a sign notifying you youre leaving the VINP. Read More, Secret Harbor is a favorite St. Thomas beach; for residents, visitors, cruisers and marine life! 
It also faces a different direction than all of the other north shore beaches so it often has less wind. Shop for Snorkel Guidebooks and Fish ID Cards. Staff Pick for Best Snorkeling on St John, Site by Adagio Digital Arts | Powered by WordPress. If youre looking for an easier hike to Salomon, start in Cruz Bay behind the National Parks Visitors Center and youll be hiking a bit farther but parallel to the shore the whole time (this saves you the exhausting hike back up to get to your car). She is interested in sustainable traveling and marine conservation. Once you reach the end of the island, I would suggest turning back if youre not a confident swimmer. Apparently you must have a 6 ft distance between your stomach and the coral if snorkeling above it. A large variety of fish including Atlantic Blue tangs, Blue Headed wrasses, Sargeant majors, as well as Caribbean lobsters, crabs, conch and more! Bear left and follow the trail along the shoreline until youre at a point closest to the Cay. 
More info on Henley Cay NOTE: There can be very strong currents on the outer edge of the Cay. Most people visiting St. John will stay in a vacation rental and drive to different beaches everyday. 
If Id had fins on, I dont think it wouldve been a hard swim at all. Often overlooked by people wanting to snorkel St. Thomas, Hull Bay is another great spot to get away from the crowds at a more local beach. The snorkeling here is very easy for all ages and abilities; and particular for those with minimal swimming and snorkeling skills.
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