Snorkeling with schools of blue tang at Haulover Bay North in St John USVI, Beautiful coral at Haulover Bay North in St John USVI, Stingray at Haulover Bay North in St John USVI. Located at the southern end of the British Virgin Islands, Norman Island allegedly inspired Robert Louis Stevensons famous pirate novel Treasure Island. Keep in mind that land access to this remote location requires driving down a bumpy dirt road that may be challenging to navigate without a jeep, SUV, or off-road vehicle. Just off the center of the beach is a good spot to see a sea turtle. The first step is to get toGreat Lameshur Bay on St. Johns south coast. To reach Waterlemon Bay, which has two great snorkeling locations, take the Leinster Bay Trail, beginning at the parking area for the Annaberg Sugar Mill Ruins. Whether youre visiting the US Virgin Islands or the British Virgin Islands, there are plenty of spectacular snorkeling spots to choose from. More info on Henley Cay NOTE: There can be very strong currents on the outer edge of the Cay. The satellite view was too cloudy, so I included this map instead. A veritable octopuss garden dwells beneath the surface sheltering a parade of smiling, psychedelic parrotfish crunching away at the coral. 2/3 of the island and surrounding reefs are protected by the US Virgin Islands National Park [ VINP ]. We also saw a moon jellyfish, but it was easy to navigate around. The eastern wall of the second room is encrusted with sponges and cup coral. One of the best snorkeling spots on St John. Do You Have What It Takes to Become a Kittitian RumMaster? As many visitors can attest, the reputation is well deserved. Do not overestimate your swimming ability. Parking spots fill up quickly, so get there early! Entering is a bit rocky. Care should be taken not to kick the coral with your fins. I love to snorkel but. Blue Cobblestone Beach offers the opportunity toexplore an underwater environment that usually occurs furtheroffshore and in deeper waters. A beautiful beach with an underwater snorkeling trail! Lush v. Take Route 107 and go PAST Salt Pond Bay Beach. 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. 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. St John island is one of the top Caribbean destinations for snorkeling. Cinnamon Bay. If you are looking to piece together all that St John has to offer, check out my ultimate itinerary below. The seagrass beds that are about 30 yards off the beach are a great place to see sea turtles, rays, conch and tarpon. Because of its secluded location, Watermelon Cay rarely gets too crowded. 6) Trunk Bay - This is the most snorkeled beach on St. John for good reason - its shallow, underwater snorkel trail means it's an excellent option for all ages and experience levels. With its secluded location, Brown Bay is considered the hidden gem of St. John. The island boasts over 3 dozen beaches to choose from and discover. Avid snorkelers will want to head towards the eastern and western shorelines. On the Beehive Cove side of the point, the water gets deeper. Original Poster . Five miles east of Cruz Bay lies Mahos blissful sheltered bay. So when you see pictures of St. John, chances are you are going to see a photo of the famous Trunk Bay overlook. 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. Trunk Bay Discover hand-curated maps, along with reviews and photos from nature lovers like you. Required fields are marked *. I could spend hours swimming with these adorable guys. The trail eventually cuts inland over a few hills before it dumps you onto Blue Cobblestone Beach. Haulover is a narrow, flat strip of land separating Coral Bay on the south from Sir Francis Drake Channel on the north. Its a Must-See on many visitors STJ Bucket List. Find out where to go snorkeling on your Virgin Islands vacation. Parrotfish and blue tang swim about grazing on algae. Snorkelers can encounter intricate coral formations and lots of marine life, with different varieties arriving at different times of the day. Moreover, the water deepens gradually and stays relatively shallow as you wade out from the beach. The water is mild and currents or strong waves are rare. Since the beach is rocky and there are many sea urchins, its a good idea to bring water shoes or snorkeling booties. Entry is rocky and snorkelers should be aware of urchins. 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. Really good snorkeling is just off the start of the path to watermelon cave, just past the road. The best snorkeling is on the left side of Grootpan Bay as you face the water. Try to identify all the differentcolors of sponges found here. Thread Tools Search this Thread Mar 23rd, 2011, 12:40 PM #1 Jayneann. 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. Here's our TOP PICKS for snorkeling on St John. Park in the Salt Pond Bay Beach parking lot. Also, expect much more snorkeling fins in your face because of the increased crowds. You can choose from various beach, snorkeling, and diving packages or book accommodation only. Located on St. Thomass East End, Secret Harbor offers snorkeling conditions similar to those at Coki Beach but is quieter, less crowded, and more secluded. The worst is when a snorkelers fins hit you in the face because of their lack of awareness of what is around them. There are a lot of sea urchins! The Virgin Islands have some of the best snorkeling in the Caribbean. Beehive Cove lies on the other side of thesmall rocky point to the south. You'd do yourself well to visit this glorious white sand beach even if you don't snorkel. Virgin Islands Day Sailing: The best sailing/snorkeling trip ever! 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. Theres plenty of parking. It is located right off of North Shore Road. Smugglers Cove is located on the west end of Tortola, and you can get there by boat, taxi shuttle, or car. We have all the details including the world famous north shore beaches- including maps! The result is literal forests of gorgonians and sea fans, brain corals, fire coral and healthy populations of reef fish. 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. 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. Drive past the parking lot for Salt Pond Bay Beach and take your second left. Like The Caves, The Indians are accessible only by boat. Brain coral, soft coral, and sea fans at Little Lameshur Bay in St John USVI. Beginning in the parking area for Annaberg Plantation enjoy an almost 1.0 mi flat hike along Leinster Bay to reach Waterlemon Cay. Parking: Paid parking lot ($5) and roadside parking. I would highly advise wearing tennis shoes or water shoes since you are navigating over rocks and a dirt path. These amenities include showers, foot rinses, food and beverage concessions, snorkel rentals, and more. Its shallow over the top of the reef but deep enough for experienced and confident snorkelers to negotiate safely. There are boats that dock in the bay, so it can be dangerous if you try to navigate around them. We went around 9 am and had no problem. Entry is easy with calm waters and a sandy bottom. Like many areas in the Virgin Islands, Smugglers Cove is still recovering from hurricanes Maria and Irma. All rights reserved. For more information about the benefits of wearing a snorkel vest and some recommended products, you can read our detailed snorkel vest article here. With soft sand and a shallow entry, entry is easy and straight forward. 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. There's a magical world waiting for you beneath the surface of the water on St. Thomas. Its closer to the beach and smaller than the more extensive reef on the other side of the bay. A good plan is to snorkel west (to the left) over the shallow portion of the reef first and then return along the deeper reef edge. Just like Trunk Bay, youll find a cay just off the beach. Before our trip, I researched a ton trying to find all the top St John snorkeling spots. Looking for the best St. John snorkeling spots?? On your left, you will notice a path through the woods that will lead you to Haulover Bay North. Just past these mangroves, you will come to an underwater hillside garden of coral. Thalia, the owner of the land in front of the beach, very kindly upkeeps the beach through donations. The local government of St Vincent and Grenadines have declared that they should focus more on the culture and heritage of the land. Bring a few gallons of water for the ride, which work great for rinsing all the sand off after you snorkel. We snorkeled along the rocks on the right side of the beach as you face the water. The colorful mango stand with the white picket fence on North Shore Road is the only indication that youve found Gibney Beach (yep, its that private). Outdoor Activities Nature and Wildlife Tours On the Ground On the Water Boat Rentals Kayaking Tours Sailing Long Bay Beach Resort is a popular choice next to picturesque Long Bay Beach and Smugglers Cove. On the outskirts of these living clouds, in slightly deeper water, lurk predators, such as jacks, yellowtail snapper, Spanish mackerel, and barracuda as well some respectfully-sized tarpon and pompano. Because of the calm, shallow water, Smugglers Cove is a great snorkeling site for beginners. Youll also find bathrooms, RainTree Caf, watersports rentals and a souvenir shop. The Guide to Diving and Snorkeling in the British Virgin Islands. Its arguably the most beautiful beach on St John; if not all of the Caribbean! Large sea fans and gorgonians waving in the current surrounded by mustard corals and brain coral and fire corals. Some of Our Top Picks For Snorkeling On St John, USVI. 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. 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. Begin by snorkeling around the large rocks at the corner ofthe beach. This beach was part of our hike to Ram Head. Guide to the Best St. John Snorkeling Spots - Snorkel and Hike Looking for the best St. John snorkeling spots?? 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. Soft white sand, shallow water entry, beautiful aqua blue water, snorkeling and watersports make it the perfect St John beach destination! 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. Swim out just past where the motorboats are tied up to find rope sponges, vase sponges and eel grass. These factors make Maho Bay the perfect starting place for children and those just learning to snorkel. Honeymoon is one of the best beaches on St. John for day trippers from St. Thomas. If you want to try sailing or windsurfing, they even . The water is usually calm. From hidden coves to must-see reefs, these are the best snorkeling spots in St. John. Cane Bay is a popular snorkeling and scuba diving site on St. Croix's north shore. MAHO BAY BEACH In addition to swimming and snorkeling, visitors can explore the ruins of the 18th-century Annaberg Sugar Plantation nearby. Once youve crossed the Durloe Channel youll find a protected sandy cove on the western side of the cay. Along the way youll see beautiful hard and soft corals and a large variety of Caribbean tropical fish. We also saw a few stingrays. 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. I cannot stress this enough invest in good snorkeling gear! BEST SNORKELING ON ST JOHN Waterlemon Cay - The top snorkeling destination on St John. In some areas, exquisite corals and sponges of every color imaginable encrust the underwater rock faces. The snorkeling in St John USVI surprised me. 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. All rights reserved. Head counter clockwise to use the current to round the Cay. 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. We saw a lot of beautiful coral and sea fans, shoal of squid, two nurse sharks, and many beautiful tropical fish. St John island is a tiny island in the US Virgin Islands in the Caribbean Sea, with some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Henley Cay - Staff Pick for Best Snorkeling on St John - requires kayak or charter. Where to snorkel at Little Lameshur Bay Beach. St John has no airport. This is one of the best beaches on St. John for foraging along the shoreline and discovering what the tide washes up. 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. No need to hire a boat or join a tour! The most popular ferries are out of Charlotte Amalie and Red Hook, St Thomas. Respect other snorkelers personal space. Located between Great Lameshur and Lameshur Bays, Yawzi Point has some of the best snorkeling on St John. 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. There are busy ferry routes that connect St John to St Thomas, St Croix, Tortola and the BVIs. The fascinating rock formations are perfect for underwater exploration. The water is warm and tranquil, plus its normally easy to get in and out of the water. 2022 adagio digital arts. Maho Bay Beach is quite easy to access. Most people love the magnificent north shore beaches like Trunk Bay, Maho Beach, Cinnamon Bay, and Honeymoon Beach, which are protected from the big surf and have long stretches of . There are not many spots. Ram Head Point protects the bayfrom winds and waves, leaving the reef in clear, calm water. Flamingo tongue snail at Little Lameshur Bay in St John USVI. There was plenty of parking when we went. Ivette - Jul 21, 2018 - St John July 2018 We were in St John back in July of 2016 and the beauty of the island and reefs was wonderful. Trunk Bay has it all. Staff Pick for Best Snorkeling on St John! We've selected eight of the best snorkeling sites and have included some tips to help you plan your snorkeling adventure. 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. Check out my personal snorkeling gear picks below. Bring diluted baby shampoo to help keep your mask clear. The beach at Haulover North is mostly coral rubble. Snorkeling the western edge towards Peter Bay the corals and patch reef are thin. Its shoreline is a mix of wind-swept sand and pebbles. Book St. John Snorkeling. 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. 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. Although we did not do it, you could technically swim all the way over back to Salt Pond Bay Beach. Activity itinerary. You will be snorkeling in a location that is somewhat far awayfrom a convenient place to get out of the water, and there maybe areas of rough seas. A mile of easy hiking leads to a secluded beach graced with wind-blown palm trees, cerulean waters and views of lush green cays in the distance. Snorkeling out along the east side of the bay, you can reach the coral reefs that lie just north of Blue Cobblestone Beach. However, if youre looking for a quiet getaway, Coki Beach is not it. If you are coming from Coral Bay on Centerline Road, take a left on Route 107 and follow it down PAST Concordia. Although we did not see any turtles and stingrays, they are often spotted due to the presence of seagrass beds. Best St. John beaches to visit Best Beaches in St. John Salomon Bay. 5 Best Ways to Explore Hurricane Hole in Coral Bay, St. John. Rebecca lives next to the Adriatic Sea in Croatia, where she guides kayaking, stand up paddleboarding, and snorkeling tours. She is passionate about outdoor activities and enjoys writing pieces that inspire others to get outside. Youll also find plenty of reef fish, corals, sea fans, and sponges. 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. These are some of the best places to snorkel in St. John, USVI. 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. The entry point to snorkel over to Waterlemon Cay requires an easy 20-minute hike on the Leinster Bay Trail through some trees and then along the rocky coastline. A short walk later, and you will be witness to one of the most beautiful island beaches in the world! Among other cool stuff, Ive seen moray eels, turtles, nurse sharks, and squid. For some reason, this beautiful beach always rewards me with something exciting. Go for the beach and not the snorkeling. Once you pass Concordia, the road will turn sharply right and the dirt parking lot will be on the left. Snorkeling the waters of St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands, is one of the most rewarding and exciting things to do on St. John. Food trucks are also parked all over the Beach. Answer 1 of 14: Which Caribbean resort has the best right-off-the-resort beach snorkeling? When we first visited, we accidentally drove into the Concordia Resort. You can see the beach right from the parking lot. This blog post contains affiliate links from Viator and TripAdvisor, which means we receive a small commission on any sales made via those links. If you decide to make the long swim out there, be SUPER CAREFUL because there is boat traffic. My husband who has an amazing eagle eye even spotted a yellowline arrow crab. Coki Beach. Although reputable rental companies and tour operators clean and sanitize gear between uses, bringing your own allows you to snorkel without worrying about the equipments cleanliness. The Most Popular and Most Photographed Beach on St John! Eventually, you reach a sign that states no outlet. This is the end of the paved road. The NPS actually has a great map showing where the reefs are along the beaches. To the right facing the water, there is a formation of black rocks that separates Hawksnest Beach from Gibney Beach. One of the highlights was seeing a shoal (family) of squid along the rocks on the right side. She also provides chairs, portable bathrooms, kayaks, and paddleboards. 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. There is a little bit of a pebbly transition right at the shoreline. We enjoyed excellent snorkeling around this cay. Youll discover a wide variety of fish species including large Permit and Jacks, Queen Angelfish, French Angelfish, Blueheaded Wrasse, Pork Fish, French Grunts and more. Sunday is the ideal day to drive out to the south shore of St. John to partake in the waterfront jazz brunch at Miss Lucys Restaurant. Private NEW Luxury Power Catamaran. Overall, I would rate St John USVI as a whole as 4/5 snorkels. There are patches of seagrass when you enter, so you may see some turtles and rays although we did not see any when we went. Haulover (North) When youve had your fill of music, stuffed French toast, and spicy Bloody Marys, head to Lameshur Beach. After you park, walk a few minutes along a path right to the beach. The white sand is super soft, and the waters are a mesmerizing aquamarine color. Leinster Bay is made up of two smaller bays, Waterlemon Bay on the east and Marys Creek on the west. 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). In this area, one may also see southern stingrays, conch, trunkfish, and others. Always snorkel with a buddy and never exceed your physical ability or experience. 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. Park on the south side of the road alongside the small sand and coral rubble beach. Do not overestimate your swimming ability. This is where youll likely see large orange and yellow cushion starfish. Your mobile-friendly St John island guide to St John's beaches, snorkeling, maps and more. Here is a map of all 11 snorkeling sites we discovered during our 1-week exploration of St John USVI. 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