As you head down a steep hill youll see a sign notifying you youre leaving the VINP. The trail eventually cuts inland over a few hills before it dumps you onto Blue Cobblestone Beach. Hansen Bay There is an underwater snorkeling trail along the Cay, which requires a short swim out from the beach. And you'll find wonderful snorkeling from most of the beaches! 5 Best Ways to Explore Hurricane Hole in Coral Bay, St. John. 2/3 of the island and surrounding reefs are protected by the US Virgin Islands National Park [ VINP ]. Not far from Norman Island lies a group of uninhabited rocky islets rising from the sea. The Caneel Bay resort was decimated by back-to-back hurricanes in 2017 and has yet to be rebuilt. From hidden coves to must-see reefs, these are the best snorkeling spots in St. John. However, if youre looking for a quiet getaway, Coki Beach is not it. There are also many colorful spongesand various types of hard coral in this area. The area is protected as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and is rich with sea life. 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. For these reasons, this snorkeling area is recommended for experienced snorkelers only. As you face the water, snorkel to the left out to Yawzi Point. Haulover Bay (St. John): A favorite with locals, this small bay is rougher than Leinster, with a pebbly beach. If you are coming from Coral Bay on Centerline Road, take a left on Route 107 and follow it down PAST Concordia. 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. Take Salt PondRoad (Route 107) past Salt Pond Bay. .5 mi EW, or take a taxi to Caneel and ride the Honeymoon Beach Huts golf cart to Honeymoon Beach. 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. Shutterstock Maho Bay 1. Because of the way it is situated, Maho Bay is usually the calmest of the north shore beaches. 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. 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. Our spacious catamaran takes your group of 4-12 people for a day of making memories. Terri Clemmons photos. The most popular ferries are out of Charlotte Amalie and Red Hook, St Thomas. . For some reason, this beautiful beach always rewards me with something exciting. 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. Salt Pond A beautiful beach with an underwater snorkeling trail! Private NEW Luxury Power Catamaran. 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. We were glad we decided to rent a Jeep! This beautiful environment continues out and around the point. Whether youre heading to St. Thomas, St. Croix, or Tortola, youre sure to find stunning places to enjoy this exciting underwater activity. While Honeymoon Bay, Caneel Bay, Hawks Nest Bay, Peter Bay, and Cinnamon Bay all make for enjoyable beach visits when trying to figure out which U.S. Virgin Island has the best beaches, we would like to introduce you to our top 3 beaches on St. John: Maho Bay Beach The Top 8 Beaches in St. John 1. All rights reserved. Begin by snorkeling around the large rocks at the corner ofthe beach. 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. Always snorkel with a buddy and never exceed your physical ability or experience. Deserves its designation as the most popular snorkeling destination on St John. Both beaches can be reached via the Lind Point Trail or from the Caneel Bay Resort. The liveliest underwater activity happens to the east among the rocks on the way to Maho Point. Every list of the Best St John Beaches includes the beautiful North Shore beaches! 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. No hike required. Cinnamon Bay is the longest white sand beach on St John. 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. Parking is catch-as-catch-can along the left hand side. Cane Bay at sunrise, St. Croix. French Angelfish at Waterlemon Cay, St John USVI, Nurse shark at Waterlemon Cay in St John USVI, French grunt at Waterlemon Cay, St John USVI, Squid family at Waterlemon Cay, St John USVI. St. John is the most natural of the islands and has numerous easy access snorkeling spots. Answer 1 of 14: Which Caribbean resort has the best right-off-the-resort beach snorkeling? Your email address will not be published. Trunk Bay The latest articles, guides, and resources, sent to your inbox monthly. Snorkeling at Honeymoon Beach is best on the eastern and western ends of the beach. Entry is easy with calm waters and a sandy bottom. This beautiful bay was featured in the movie Big Blue. I would not attempt this road after a lot of rain. Review of the best snorkeling at Trunk Bay in St John. Out from the center of the beach, large beds of sea grass shelter sea turtles who dont mind company are easy to spot. The waves can be rough. *Links in this post contain Amazon and CJ affiliate links. Also, expect much more snorkeling fins in your face because of the increased crowds. Its possible to visit both sites in a single day. 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. Looking forward to checking it out. Follow the Leinster Bay Trail until it splits. Five miles east of Cruz Bay lies Mahos blissful sheltered bay. You can see many large, purple sea fans and other gorgonians, as well as hard corals, such as star, elkhorn, and brain coral. The white sand is super soft, and the waters are a mesmerizing aquamarine color. More info on Henley Cay NOTE: There can be very strong currents on the outer edge of the Cay. Virgin Islands Ecotours: IT WAS THE BESSSSSTTTT BUY THIS PACKAGE DEF WORTH IT - See 2,510 traveler reviews, 519 candid photos, and great deals for St. Thomas, at Tripadvisor. You are exposed to the full sun. 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. The other option is to keep walking past the sandy beach to the far edge of the beach where the coastline becomes rocky again. The grass environment attracts rays, green turtles, starfish, and conch. Check out my personal snorkeling gear picks below. The best snorkeling in St John, USVI can be discovered at beautiful Trunk Bay, part of the Virgin Islands National Park. We have all the details including the world famous north shore beaches- including maps! Snorkeling out along the east side of the bay, you can reach the coral reefs that lie just north of Blue Cobblestone Beach. Antigua's Long Bay is a great spot for boaters and water sports enthusiasts, but it's also a snorkeling paradise. Entry can be a little tricky due to the cobblestone beach, sargassum (seaweed), and sea urchins. With arguably the best shallow water snorkeling in all of the Virgin Islands youre sure to have a great experience. Questions about the St John snorkeling sites we visited? Best Beaches on St John - Northwest Shore St John has many amazing beaches, all perfect for enjoying a sunny beach day. . Check out our list of the best islands for snorkeling. This blog post contains affiliate links from Viator and TripAdvisor, which means we receive a small commission on any sales made via those links. Snorkeling the western edge towards Peter Bay the corals and patch reef are thin. Brightly-colored coral at Salt Pond Bay in St John USVI. A short walk later, and you will be witness to one of the most beautiful island beaches in the world! All rights reserved. On the Beehive Cove side of the point, the water gets deeper. Where to snorkel at Trunk Bay Beach. If you are still in the planning phase and want to know what are the best places to stay near some of these top snorkeling spots, do not miss my article below! Find the part where the sandy bottom meets the shore to allow for easier entry. 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. Food trucks are also parked all over the Beach. 2nd ed., Dive Guide BVI, 2010. Its closer to the beach and smaller than the more extensive reef on the other side of the bay. We saw several turtles in the seagrass beds. Known as The Indians, this area is a popular diving and snorkeling site with plentiful coral, fish, and other sea creatures. You will have to walk over the pebbly beach and avoid the sporadic sea urchins as you launch off into the water. Trunk Bay in St. John is one of the best Caribbean islands for snorkeling vacations. 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. Cinnamon Cay is located about 100 yards off the shore. The NPS actually has a great map showing where the reefs are along the beaches. 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. Snorkeling at Trunk Bay Beach in St John USVI. Can get a bit crowded but offers some nice snorkeling especially center of the bay. The southern side of Haulover Bay, St John, lies just off the side of Route 10. A quarter-mile hike androck scramble along the western shore of Cabritte Horn Pointwill take you to a remote and isolated coral rubble and sandbeach called Donkey Bight. As you continue north around the point, you will start to seeunderwater channels known as spur and groove systems, and thefringing reef along the rocky coast gets larger, deeper, and morecolorful. Whether you stay in Cruz Bay or Coral Bay, you need to visit Maho Bay Beach. 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. 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. Honeymoon Beach 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. One of the top beaches in the Caribbean also has some great snorkeling! The dominant species of coral found in the shallow top reef are colonies of star and boulder coral. From the Salt Pond Bay Parking lot, take the short trail downto the bay. Snorkeling at Trunk Bay is best just off the center of the beach around Trunk Cay. Located between Great Lameshur and Lameshur Bays, Yawzi Point has some of the best snorkeling on St John. The local museum brings the best elements that can show you the history of the place. Salt Pond/Drunk Bay. #10 - Lovango Cay Virgin Islands . Snorkeling at Maho Bay Beach is one of the reasons people love this locations. The coral reef here is in relatively good condition, and the reef community is colorful and diverse. Located at the eastern end of Leinster Bay, Watermelon Cay is known as the top snorkeling spot on St. John. 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. Maho Bay also offers good reef snorkeling for those looking to explore the sea life on a coral reef. and an entrance fee. I was not expecting much, but there was quite a bit of beautiful coral and Caribbean fish. Beehive Cove lies on the other side of thesmall rocky point to the south. The reef extends out about 20 yards from shore. Always snorkel with a buddy and never exceed your physical ability or experience. Best entry is in the center of the beach where the sandy bottom comes closest to the shoreline. Brewers Bay. The bottom is cobblestone, and getting into thewater is almost as easy as from a sandy beach. July 25, 2019 With miles of natural coral reef, excellent visibility and a gentle coastline with access, the U.S. Virgin Island of St. John is a snorkeler's paradise. We saw a lot of beautiful coral and sea fans, shoal of squid, two nurse sharks, and many beautiful tropical fish. Maho Bay Beach is quite easy to access. Because it is off-the-beaten-path, this beach does not appear to get much use. We just returned from there again in July of 2018. The best snorkeling is along the beachs rocky coastline on the right side and on the left near the docks. Snorkeling in Hurricane Hole is a MUST do on any trip to St. John. The US Virgin Islands are famous for their beaches, and Salomon Bay Beach is considered one of the gems on St. John's island.. 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 That aforementioned place is also one of the best spots for buying souvenirs because of the beach shop there. I went to the left and saw nice fans, fish. Where to snorkel at Little Lameshur Bay Beach. The US Virgin Islands national park is home to famous beaches like Cinnamon Bay, Trunk Bay, and Maho Bay. Outdoor Activities Nature and Wildlife Tours On the Ground On the Water Boat Rentals Kayaking Tours Sailing Caneel Bay beach Snorkel in the middle of the bay (but more towards the right) to see turtles and rays hanging out in the seagrass. All recommendations are on items I love and feel will deliver value to you! Cinnamon Bay is known for its dramatic rock crevices that feature a wide variety of colorful corals. Weve selected eight of the best snorkeling sites and have included some tips to help you plan your snorkeling adventure. Lush v. In fact, Maho is our #1 recommendation for anybody that wants a chance to swim with a sea turtle on St John. 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. A quick 5-minute walk and you are there! Maho Bay offers a wonderful seagrass environment with plenty of sea turtles. Flamingo tongue snail at Little Lameshur Bay in St John USVI. The Best of St. John Where to Stay Hale Lani: This four-bedroom villa in Maria Bluff has unobstructed sea views from every room. A veritable octopuss garden dwells beneath the surface sheltering a parade of smiling, psychedelic parrotfish crunching away at the coral. Some of the best snorkeling on the island can be found along the rocky outcroppings on both sides of the bay, especially to the left, where angelfish, tang, parrotfish, and the occasional barracuda swim through the corals. This is a long-ish section due to big changes this year. Avid snorkelers will want to head towards the eastern and western shorelines. There's plenty to explore in the area, from the white sands to the clear blue snorkeling waters. I was actually pleasantly surprised by the quality of snorkeling here. Guide to the Best St. John Snorkeling Spots - Snorkel and Hike Looking for the best St. John snorkeling spots?? Some of the most popular snorkeling spots include Hansen Bay Beach, Hawksnest Beach, Maho Bay Beach, and Salt Pond Beach. Thread Tools Search this Thread Mar 23rd, 2011, 12:40 PM #1 Jayneann. . You can see up to 12 different species of sea turtles roaming the seagrass beds, as well as stingrays, spotted eagle rays, dolphins, sea fans, tropical fish, elkhorn coral, cuttlefish, blue tangs, and nurse sharks. There are busy ferry routes that connect St John to St Thomas, St Croix, Tortola and the BVIs. If you decide to make the long swim out there, be SUPER CAREFUL because there is boat traffic. It is located off of East End Road just past Haulover Bay on the right. On your left, you will notice a path through the woods that will lead you to Haulover Bay North. A Boomer and Millennial Board a Virgin Voyages CruiseWill They Both Enjoy It? Maho is the best bay on St. John for observing the inhabitants of this important environment, including rays, conch, and starfish, in a calm environment. Blue Cobblestone Beach offers the opportunity toexplore an underwater environment that usually occurs furtheroffshore and in deeper waters. 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