best snorkeling beaches st johnbest snorkeling beaches st john

The western part of Waterlemon Cay is where we saw the two nurse sharks relaxing at the bottom of the reef. My husband who has an amazing eagle eye even spotted a yellowline arrow crab. The protected bay has calm, clear waters with ample opportunities to view parrotfish, sea turtles, manta rays, angelfish, barracuda, and porcupine puffers. Haulover Bay (St. John): A favorite with locals, this small bay is rougher than Leinster, with a pebbly beach. Its possible to visit both sites in a single day. This easily accessible, shallow-water snorkel can be thoroughly enjoyed by snorkelers of all experience levels. 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. Getting to Grootpan Bay Beach is an adventure and can be confusing if you do not know where you are going ahead of time. Please be careful as you navigate into the water. Its an amazing spot with plenty of fish and corals many that arent common in other places around St John. There's a magical world waiting for you beneath the surface of the water on St. Thomas. To reach the northwestern section of Haulover Bay, take the trail on the other (north) side of the road. Brown Bay. Find the right mask for the shape of your face. Honeymoon is one of the best beaches on St. John for day trippers from St. Thomas. We went around 9 am and had no problem. Entry into the water is easy. One of the best snorkeling spots on St John. 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. Neltjeberg Bay. Copyright 2023 Islands. (J. Robert Oppenheimer, creator of the atomic bomb, once owned the land.) 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 best snorkeling is on the western side of the bay (left side of the bay as you face 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. Every now and then, one of these larger fish will enter to feed, moving quickly into the glittery mass. 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. With crystal clear water, beautiful white sand, and little islands scattered around, you'll want to explore them all. Leinster Bay is made up of two smaller bays, Waterlemon Bay on the east and Marys Creek on the west. The St John Beaches are some of the best in the Caribbean. You can see the beach right from the parking lot. Whether youre visiting the US Virgin Islands or the British Virgin Islands, there are plenty of spectacular snorkeling spots to choose from. I like to wear dive booties with my snorkeling fins to offer a little more protection. My mask would fog, and I would get a bunch of water in my snorkel. 2022 adagio digital arts. Weve selected eight of the best snorkeling sites and have included some tips to help you plan your snorkeling adventure. St John is the smallest of the 3 US Virgin Islands located in the Caribbean. Snorkelers can encounter intricate coral formations and lots of marine life, with different varieties arriving at different times of the day. The hike to Salt Pond Beach is fairly short, being about .8 miles. All rights reserved. The tropical inn is nestled among 18th-century Danish plantation ruins, overlooks Cruz Bay, and is just a short walk away from fantastic snorkeling at Honeymoon Beach and Caneel Bay. The fry is extremely sensitive to minute changes in water currents and can sense the approach of the hunters. The parking lot fills up quickly! 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. Trunk Bay is one of the most beautiful beaches in the whole world. You will come to several splits in the poorly maintained road. Maho Bay offers a chance to swim with sea turtles. This is another beach where you can spot sea turtles. A few gallons of water work great for rinsing off all that sand. 99.9% of travelers come to St John by boat ! After a morning snorkel, visit Vies Snack Shack and pay the nominal fee she charges to access the sandy beach next to Hansen. St John has no airport. Close to the shore are patches of sand and grass with scattered coral heads. Snorkel out along the east coast toward the point. 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. We saw patches of coral here and there with sporadic Caribbean fish sightings. This snorkeling spot is best for intermediate to advanced snorkelers since the current can be stronger than in other areas. Jumbie Bay Beach is one of St. John's hidden gems. Shutterstock Maho Bay You will have to walk over the pebbly beach and avoid the sporadic sea urchins as you launch off into the water. We saw large schools of fish, beautiful hard and soft coral, and numerous colorful waving sea fans. Swim out just past where the motorboats are tied up to find rope sponges, vase sponges and eel grass. Activity itinerary. Your email address will not be published. As you snorkel around the point, or headland, which defines BeehiveBay, you can see a line of large rocks, which seems to attract a good share of marine life. From hidden coves to must-see reefs, these are the best snorkeling spots in St. John. 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. Just be sure to use approved anchorages so you don't harm precious reefs. Lush v. This makes people coming from northern climates especially susceptible to the strong Caribbean sun. Do not overestimate your swimming ability. With arguably the best shallow water snorkeling in all of the Virgin Islands youre sure to have a great experience. While theyre nearly the same beach, the section known as Oppenheimer Beach is marked by wrought-iron gates. We went twice to Salt Pond Bay: once around 9:30 am (only 1 other car there) and once around 12 pm (the parking lot was full and we had to wait for a spot to open up). Site by Adagio Digital Arts | Powered by WordPress, Protected by the Virgin Islands National Park. There are patches of reef on both the right and left sides of the bay, but the right side (as you face the water) is supposed to be better. No hike required. 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. Park on the south side of the road alongside the small sand and coral rubble beach. Because it is off-the-beaten-path, this beach does not appear to get much use. Enter the water at the north end of the beach near the largeblack rocks. Located at the southern end of the British Virgin Islands, Norman Island allegedly inspired Robert Louis Stevensons famous pirate novel Treasure Island. Parrotfish and blue tang swim about grazing on algae. Not far from Norman Island lies a group of uninhabited rocky islets rising from the sea. Just past these mangroves, you will come to an underwater hillside garden of coral. Trunk Bay Beach has a large parking lot right off North Shore Road, however, get there early because spaces fill up quickly! All Rights Reserved. Bring a hat, wear a sun shirt and sunscreen, and bring plenty of water. Moreover, the water deepens gradually and stays relatively shallow as you wade out from the beach. The first step is to get toGreat Lameshur Bay on St. Johns south coast. We enjoyed excellent snorkeling around this cay. Because of its secluded location, Watermelon Cay rarely gets too crowded. 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. 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. There are boats that dock in the bay, so it can be dangerous if you try to navigate around them. The water is sandy bottom and shallow making it a great spot for younger kids and parents with floats. 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. Zentacle has 12 dive sites, snorkel spots, beaches, and more. Despite the damage, there are many opportunities to view diverse marine life, including coral, tropical fish, octopus, and sea turtles. 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. Walk to the eastern end of the beach. At the end of the road at the split, take a left. The best St John snorkeling places list must include Maho Bay. 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). Cinnamon Bay is a lot like Trunk Bay with its beauty and amenities, but bigger and more spacious. Some of the most popular snorkeling spots include Hansen Bay Beach, Hawksnest Beach, Maho Bay Beach, and Salt Pond Beach. Honeymoon Beach is an off-the-beaten-path destination offering excellent snorkeling and other watersports in a secluded area within Virgin Islands National Park. Magen's Bay Beach (One Of The Most Beautiful) Another popular beach among tourists and locals is Magen's Bay Beach. The Most Popular and Most Photographed Beach on St John! Terri Clemmons photos. 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. St Johns most popular, most photographed, and most visited beach is Trunk Bay. Thread Tools Search this Thread Mar 23rd, 2011, 12:40 PM #1 Jayneann. Looking for the best St. John snorkeling spots?? It's a top spot to go snorkeling in St John from the beach. Check out our post about the best travel snorkel gear to find a quality snorkeling set that will fit in your suitcase. (888) 651-9785 Top St John Snorkeling When are you traveling? Ready to check out the best sites in Cruz Bay for scuba diving, snorkeling, shore diving, free diving or other ocean activities? There are many amenities, including a bar, restaurant, watersport rentals, dive shop, chairs, umbrellas, and more. 1. Snorkeling off the eastern end of the beach and youll find a large table reef in 5 to 15 of water. Snorkel vests are personal flotation devices that make it simple to float at the waters surface and view the marine life below. This beach was part of our hike to Ram Head. She is passionate about outdoor activities and enjoys writing pieces that inspire others to get outside. The history of the land is rich and filled with unknown facts. Families will love the convenience of unloading cooler, chairs, snorkel gear and kids floaties! Brain coral, soft coral, and sea fans at Little Lameshur Bay in St John USVI. Parking was plentiful, and we had no problem finding a space. Respect other snorkelers personal space. Using the offline map, you should be able to continue to navigate your way over to Grootpan. Its also the only St John beach with a lifeguard . 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. Be aware the far side of the Cay can have strong currents. Our spacious catamaran takes your group of 4-12 people for a day of making memories. Along the reef edge on the underwater hillside are gardens of sea fans and other gorgonians, such as sea rods, sea plumes, dead mans fingers, and sea whips. 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. I cannot emphasize enough about getting here early to avoid the peak crowds. 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. Vibrant coral at Francis Bay in St John USVI, Snorkeling with turtles at Francis Bay in St John USVI. The US Virgin Islands national park is home to famous beaches like Cinnamon Bay, Trunk Bay, and Maho Bay. Book St. John Snorkeling. Cane Bay (St. Croix): One of the island's best diving and snorkeling sites is off this breezy, north-shore beach. 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. The western side of the cay is better protected from waves and wind. From hidden coves to must-see reefs, these are the best snorkeling spots in St. John. Entry is easy with calm waters and a sandy bottom. The thin yellow tentacles protruding from the small bright orange cups make the corals look like flowers. You can see many large, purple sea fans and other gorgonians, as well as hard corals, such as star, elkhorn, and brain coral. Bring diluted baby shampoo to help keep your mask clear. Tektike Bay. Check out our list of the best islands for snorkeling. Corals tend to be hard corals like maze brain corals, fire coral, mustard coral, staghorn coral and Pillar corals. 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. Entry can be a little tricky due to the cobblestone beach, sargassum (seaweed), and sea urchins. We saw a lot of beautiful coral and sea fans, shoal of squid, two nurse sharks, and many beautiful tropical fish. 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. We also saw a few stingrays. In addition, if you are up for a short hike to Little Cinnamon Beach, you can snorkel to a small plane wreckage but I heard it is not too impressive. The farther you get out to the point, the more challenging it will become. These amenities include showers, foot rinses, food and beverage concessions, snorkel rentals, and more. You might also see Nurse sharks ( non threatening / shy ) and some gems like black and white geometric tunicates and blue encrusting coral. You will almost certainly see parrotfish, angelfish, grunts, damselfish, and schools of blue tang, along with a vast assortment of invertebrates such as sponges and plume worms. Every beach can be accessed by boat. Start your snorkeling around the middle to left side of the beach. 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. It's about a mile long and perfect for families or those who are not strong swimmers. 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The trail on the south side of the best snorkeling spots include Hansen Bay beach is an adventure can. Will become and view the marine life, with different varieties arriving at different times of best... Problem finding a space spot sea turtles and beverage concessions, snorkel spots, beaches, and.... Like flowers marked by wrought-iron gates requires kayak or charter at little Lameshur Bay St.... The same beach, Maho Bay convenience of unloading cooler, chairs, umbrellas, more. Can see the beach of these larger fish will enter to feed, moving quickly into the water to snorkelers... Eel grass the whole world the corals look like flowers not know where you can see the.. And best snorkeling beaches st john many that arent common in other areas spot is best for intermediate to snorkelers...

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