Check out my personal snorkeling gear picks below. It has the best of both worlds when it comes to snorkeling with sandy shores and gorgeous natural reefs. If you attempt this swim, you will snorkel over seagrass beds where you may see some turtles, rays, and starfish. Cinnamon Bay is a lot like Trunk Bay with its beauty and amenities, but bigger and more spacious. 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 St John Beaches are some of the best in the Caribbean. Those are just examples, nearly all of the beaches have close snorkeling. The best area for this is along the coast on the northern side of the bay and out to the big rocks at Maho Point. 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. Because it is off-the-beaten-path, this beach does not appear to get much use. This beautiful environment continues out and around the point. In fact, Hurricane Hole has been my favorite snorkel spot in the US Virgin Islands since moving here! Read on to find all the details of each snorkeling spot we visited. The first step is to get toGreat Lameshur Bay on St. Johns south coast. 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? Parrotfish and blue tang swim about grazing on algae. If you are in search of one of those beautiful secluded beaches with nice sand and pretty good snorkeling, then Little Lameshur Bay is a great choice. 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. There are bathrooms, grills and covered pavillion with picnic tables on the western end of the beach. Islands may receive financial compensation for products purchased through this site. Thanks so much for sharing! Youll also find plenty of reef fish, corals, sea fans, and sponges. We snorkeled on the right side of the bay as you face the water out towards Marys Point and saw beautiful coral outcroppings, schools of tropical fish, and even a lionfish. With crystal clear water, beautiful white sand, and little islands scattered around, you'll want to explore them all. Dont forget your waterproof snorkeling bag to keep your valuables safe. Sergeant major and school of French grunt fish at Cinnamon Bay in St John USVI. 99.9% of travelers come to St John by boat ! The highlight was seeing a lemon shark. Look under ledges and in holes to see lobsters, eels, and small fish seeking protection in their little hiding places. Snorkeling the western edge towards Peter Bay the corals and patch reef are thin. 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. I can now spend hours in the water following tropical fish and swimming alongside turtles. If youre lucky, you might also catch sight of some sea turtles. Back on Gibney Beach, the reef that neighbors Hawksnest Beach plays host to a variety of corals, lacey sea fans, and shy feather duster worms that close tightly at the slightest touch. 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. There are also many vendors where you can get food and drinks or rent beach chairs and umbrellas. With miles of natural coral reef, excellent visibility and a gentle coastline with access, the U.S. Virgin Island of St. John is a snorkelers paradise. I like to wear dive booties with my snorkeling fins to offer a little more protection. The coral reef here is in relatively good condition, and the reef community is colorful and diverse. The water is shallow and has a sandy bottom. No need to hire a boat or join a tour! Posts: 957 Likes: 0 This makes people coming from northern climates especially susceptible to the strong Caribbean sun. To reduce your risk of sunburn and damage from UV rays, wear a rash guard and other clothing with a UPF factor of at least 30 and use sunscreen on any exposed skin. The second room is the most interesting, although both are beautiful. Located on St Johns East End at the edge of the Virgin Islands National Park youll find this snorkelers bucket-list worthy location. She also provides chairs, portable bathrooms, kayaks, and paddleboards. Here are our family's votes for the best snorkeling beaches on St. John. 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. Keep an eye out for brain corals, seafans, gorgonians, Blue Bell Tunicate corals, and a large variety of tropical fish including French Angelfish, Yellowtail Snapper, Puddingwife Wrasse, Blueheaded Wrasse, Jeweled Damsels, Queen Triggerfish, Blue Runners and Beau Gregory Damsels. This is where youll likely see large orange and yellow cushion starfish. The Best of St. John Where to Stay Hale Lani: This four-bedroom villa in Maria Bluff has unobstructed sea views from every room. Most of the reef lies in calm shallow water, with some sections even rising above the surface at times of extreme low tides. Enter the water over a shallow area of coral rubble. *Links in this post contain Amazon and CJ affiliate links. 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. You move effortlessly, unencumbered by gravity, and experience the wonderful and colorful world of the coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangrove lagoons that surround the Virgin Islands National Park. Brain coral, soft coral, and sea fans at Little Lameshur Bay in St John USVI. It's an iconic photo of the beach, the north shore of St. John, and the British Virgin Islands stretching out in the distance. 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. I was thankful I wore my snorkel vest for this snorkeling adventure because it was choppy right at the point. Cinnamon Bay is also one of the few places to camp on St John. Once you arrive, proceed to the entrance and pay the nominal $5 fee per person. We have all the details including the world famous north shore beaches- including maps! Cane Bay is a popular snorkeling and scuba diving site on St. Croix's north shore. Depths around the formations range from around 10 to 50 feet.2. Waterlemon Bay and Waterlemon Cay This bay (and the small island that sits in it) is one of our favorite spots to snorkel around St. John. These factors make Maho Bay the perfect starting place for children and those just learning to snorkel. One of the highlights was seeing a shoal (family) of squid along the rocks on the right side. Soft white sand stretches in both directions while shallow waters provide newbie snorkelers the chance to get their sea legs. Here's our TOP PICKS for snorkeling on St John. 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 western side of the cay is better protected from waves and wind. In the midst of all this activity, large schools of French grunts, oblivious to the drama around them, hover, almost motionless, over and around colorful live coral. The beach is rocky and there are often spiny sea urchins lurking in the shallow water at the shore, so step carefully. Your mobile-friendly St John island guide to St John's beaches, snorkeling, maps and more. Located between Great Lameshur and Lameshur Bays, Yawzi Point has some of the best snorkeling on St John. Its possible to visit both sites in a single day. Its shallow over the top of the reef but deep enough for experienced and confident snorkelers to negotiate safely. 1. Using the offline map, you should be able to continue to navigate your way over to Grootpan. 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. The local government of St Vincent and Grenadines have declared that they should focus more on the culture and heritage of the land. 99.9% of travelers come to St John by boat ! We saw a few turtles in the middle of the bay where the seagrass beds are located. 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. Private NEW Luxury Power Catamaran. Haulover (North) - Some of the most dramatic underwater structure and corals on the island. 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. And you'll find wonderful snorkeling from most of the beaches! Turtles, turtles, and more turtles! Cinnamon Cay is located about 100 yards off the shore. Honeymoon Beach is an off-the-beaten-path destination offering excellent snorkeling and other watersports in a secluded area within Virgin Islands National Park. Last updated Jan 29, 2023 | Best Snorkeling Caribbean, St. John. I always wear a snorkel vest. You might also see Nurse sharks ( non threatening / shy ) and some gems like black and white geometric tunicates and blue encrusting coral. Getting to this remote beach requires a 20-minute walk (one way) along a flat, scenic trail. There are also many colorful spongesand various types of hard coral in this area. We snorkeled to the left (as you face the water) across the small bay to the larger patch reef. Large sea fans and gorgonians waving in the current surrounded by mustard corals and brain coral and fire corals. Follow East End Road beyond Coral Bay. To reach the northwestern section of Haulover Bay, take the trail on the other (north) side of the road. 10. Entry is rocky and snorkelers should be aware of urchins. 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