99.9% of travelers come to St John by boat ! READ CURATED LIST OF BEST ST. JOHN VACATION RENTALS, READ 8 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO TO TRUNK BAY, READ MY PERSONAL TRAVEL SNORKELING GEAR PICKS. 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. Go for the beach and not the snorkeling. 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. We saw many schools of fish, numerous soft and hard coral outcroppings, a stingray, and gorgeous gigantic waving purple sea fans. Brewers Bay is a favorite for Green Sea Turtles and Hawksbill Turtles. 10. Its shoreline is a mix of wind-swept sand and pebbles. The St John Beaches are some of the best in the Caribbean. Honeymoon Beach is home to some of the last remaining leaning palms the island as once famous for prior to Hurricane Maria in 2017 along with crystal blue waters, white sands, along with a snack shack ( Reply Subscribe . This hidden spot provides a relaxing atmosphere thats perfect for those seeking solitude. When we first visited, we accidentally drove into the Concordia Resort. A short walk later, and you will be witness to one of the most beautiful island beaches in the world! Once in the water head straight for across the narrow channel. Park on the south side of the road alongside the small sand and coral rubble beach. Find the part where the sandy bottom meets the shore to allow for easier entry. Maho Bay Quarter, St John's best beach. Parking is catch-as-catch-can along the left hand side. The beach has a sandy bottom and an easy shallow entry. When (and if) you tire of lazing in the shade of the palms, snorkel the extensive reef between Salomon and Honeymoon Beach on the bays east end. Snorkelers can encounter intricate coral formations and lots of marine life, with different varieties arriving at different times of the day. Islands may receive financial compensation for products purchased through this site. 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. Caneel Bay beach Shallow entry, calm waters and plenty to see close to shore. The beach is rocky and there are often spiny sea urchins lurking in the shallow water at the shore, so step carefully. Entry is not easy. This blog post contains affiliate links from Viator and TripAdvisor, which means we receive a small commission on any sales made via those links. We also saw a moon jellyfish, but it was easy to navigate around. 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. I always wear a snorkel vest in case I get tired. We saw large schools of fish, beautiful hard and soft coral, and numerous colorful waving sea fans. 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. This beach was part of our hike to Ram Head. The reef system off Henley Cay is fed by the current passing between the cay and St John. Thank you for your support. 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. Parking spots fill up quickly, so get there early! 14.1K subscribers In this video, we go out in search of the best snorkeling in St. John. 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. 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. 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. Even if you're seeking a beach day, this is a phenomenal choice. Discover hand-curated maps, along with reviews and photos from nature lovers like you. 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. 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. Since the beach is rocky and there are many sea urchins, its a good idea to bring water shoes or snorkeling booties. Private NEW Luxury Power Catamaran. I would not attempt this road after a lot of rain. With its secluded location, Brown Bay is considered the hidden gem of St. John. 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). Trunk Bay in St. John is one of the best Caribbean islands for snorkeling vacations. Wear proper footwear. 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. A couple of beach shacks sell drinks and snacks and rent stand up paddleboards, beach chairs, umbrellas, and snorkel gear, but there are no restrooms or other amenities. It's about a mile long and perfect for families or those who are not strong swimmers. Staff Pick Some of the most dramatic underwater structure and corals on the island. 2022 2. Flamingo tongue snail at Little Lameshur Bay in St John USVI. As soon as we spotted him, he did not stick around for long and quickly swam away as we approached. The quiet lagoon is known for its calm, turquoise waters and is an excellent destination for snorkelers of all skill levels. You are exposed to the full sun. Snorkel along the western shore toward the point and around the offshore rocks called the blinders. 5 Best Ways to Explore Hurricane Hole in Coral Bay, St. John. Posts: 957 Likes: 0 Neltjeberg Bay lies on the far side of a thick tangle of bush - including wild-growing pineapple and guava - to the west of the more accessible Dorothea Beach. 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 US Virgin Islands are famous for their beaches, and Salomon Bay Beach is considered one of the gems on St. John's island.. Honeymoon Beach 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. Neltjeberg Bay. We would like to snorkel off the beach and not have to go out in a boat. Green turtles, stingrays, and conch can be seen over the grassy areas, which make up most of the central portion of the bay. With arguably the best shallow water snorkeling in all of the Virgin Islands youre sure to have a great experience. At the seaward edge of this reef is a channel of sandabout ten yards wide that separates the fringing reef from aneighboring patch reef farther offshore. Snorkeling at Trunk Bay Beach in St John USVI. 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. We saw patches of coral and beautiful tropical fish as we snorkeled on the right side of the bay. The bonus is that these spots do not require a boat to reach. Maho Bay offers a chance to swim with sea turtles. On busy days, it's best to take a taxi or bus. Trunk Bay Beach - One of the Globe's Best Description. Snorkel in the middle of the bay (but more towards the right) to see turtles and rays hanging out in the seagrass. From hidden coves to must-see reefs, these are the best snorkeling spots in St. John. Snorkeling off the eastern end of the beach and youll find a large table reef in 5 to 15 of water. A large variety of fish including Atlantic Blue tangs, Blue Headed wrasses, Sargeant majors, as well as Caribbean lobsters, crabs, conch and more! Head counter clockwise to use the current to round the Cay. Youll find directions to each location along with an informative snorkeling report, St John beach map and local tips so you can decide which spots are right for you; and where to stay on St John. 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. Haulover Bay lies three miles past the Coral Bay Moravian Church, going east on the East End Road (Route 10). Salt Pond, located on the south eastern side of the island, is our next choice for snorkeling on St John. Honeymoon Beach: Best for Luxury Mixed With Laid Back Vibes. Answer 1 of 14: Which Caribbean resort has the best right-off-the-resort beach snorkeling? I would advise starting this adventure early in the morning. All rights reserved. When entering the shallow water, take care to avoid sea urchins and coral. Out from the center of the beach, large beds of sea grass shelter sea turtles who dont mind company are easy to spot. 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. There is also plenty of colorful coral. After a morning snorkel, visit Vies Snack Shack and pay the nominal fee she charges to access the sandy beach next to Hansen. The dominant species of coral found in the shallow top reef are colonies of star and boulder coral. Although we did not do it, you could technically swim all the way over back to Salt Pond Bay Beach. If you are looking to piece together all that St John has to offer, check out my ultimate itinerary below. We saw several turtles in the seagrass beds. Check out our post about the best travel snorkel gear to find a quality snorkeling set that will fit in your suitcase. Corals tend to be hard corals like maze brain corals, fire coral, mustard coral, staghorn coral and Pillar corals. Drive past the parking lot for Salt Pond Bay Beach and take your second left. Turtles, turtles, and more turtles! The latest articles, guides, and resources, sent to your inbox monthly. In some areas, exquisite corals and sponges of every color imaginable encrust the underwater rock faces. 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. It's on the smaller side and is found near Trunk Bay Beach, which takes most of the tourists away from it. 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. From there youll follow a narrow path about 100 yrds heading North East. 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. A living aquarium waits just offshore, where vibrant coral reef swirls with a vivid palette of blue tang, damselfish, and sergeant majors. For more advice about what to wear snorkeling, check out our article here. Some of the most popular snorkeling spots include Hansen Bay Beach, Hawksnest Beach, Maho Bay Beach, and Salt Pond Beach. As you face the water, snorkel to the left out to Yawzi Point. Because the island is surrounded by fragile coral reef, swimming too closely to it is not advised. The snorkeling in St John USVI surprised me. The name says it all out of the way; but has a small water sports shack! Try to identify all the differentcolors of sponges found here. Snorkeling at Trunk Bay is best just off the center of the beach around Trunk Cay. It's an iconic photo of the beach, the north shore of St. John, and the British Virgin Islands stretching out in the distance. 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. (888) 651-9785 Top St John Snorkeling When are you traveling? 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. While the name might imply that its only for lovers, Honeymoon Beach is a great beach for couples and families. If you are looking for a secluded place where you can lay on the sugary sand to tan, dip into the turquoise waters of the Caribbean, or just enjoy some reading, then Salomon Bay is the place to be. The farther you get out to the point, the more challenging it will become. Maho Bay Its an amazing spot with plenty of fish and corals many that arent common in other places around St John. Honeymoon Beach (located next to Salomon Beach) is one of the most beautiful and popular beaches in Virgin Islands National Park on St. John. Please read on to discover what snorkeling spots are worth it, and what are not. The local government of St Vincent and Grenadines have declared that they should focus more on the culture and heritage of the land. Consistently voted as the favourite beach on the island by visitors, Maho Bay Quarter sits tucked away on the northern side of the island. Zentacle has 12 dive sites, snorkel spots, beaches, and more. Salt Pond Snorkeling out along the east side of the bay, you can reach the coral reefs that lie just north of Blue Cobblestone Beach. And you'll find wonderful snorkeling from most of the beaches! I wore my Cressi dive booties and then just slipped on my Cressi travel fins at the 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. Make sure you do NOT end up in Kiddel Bay. . Honeymoon Beach is an off-the-beaten-path destination offering excellent snorkeling and other watersports in a secluded area within Virgin Islands National Park. The area often gets crowded and is known for being rowdy. Park near the big tamarindtree at the entrance to this large cobblestone beach. Cane Bay at sunrise, St. Croix. Soft white sand, shallow water entry, beautiful aqua blue water, snorkeling and watersports make it the perfect St John beach destination! Just off the center of the beach is a good spot to see a sea turtle. Along the way youll see beautiful hard and soft corals and a large variety of Caribbean tropical fish. This is a long-ish section due to big changes this year. Swim out just past where the motorboats are tied up to find rope sponges, vase sponges and eel grass. Distance: 1.1 miles out and back; Approx. Bring a dive light if you want to explore deeper into any of the caves, as it can get quite dark. At the end of the road at the split, take a left. It is also the best place on St. John for numerous water sport based St John activities such as windsurfing, kayak, sailboat, snorkel equipment, beach chair and umbrella rentals. But its a fun sight in 8 or less of shallow water. This bay, an inner bay of Great Lameshur,lies just to the north of Beehive Cove, the bay where the Tektiteproject took place. 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. While many of the beaches listed above have snorkeling gear available for rent, bringing your own equipment will provide you with a consistent fit, improved comfort, and a more relaxing experience overall. Cinnamon Bay Beach is one of several gorgeous beaches located right off of North Shore Road. Trunk Bay is a long stretch of white sand with a rock island just off the shore. Five miles east of Cruz Bay lies Mahos blissful sheltered bay. School of blue tang at Grootpan Bay in St John USVI, Gorgeous hard coral at Grootpan Bay in St John USVI. Your mobile-friendly St John island guide to St John's beaches, snorkeling, maps and more. Sea cucumbers are particularly plentiful here. Difficulty: Easy. Entry into the water is easy. Snorkeling at Honeymoon Beach is best on the eastern and western ends of the beach. We saw a lot of beautiful coral and sea fans, shoal of squid, two nurse sharks, and many beautiful tropical fish. Once you arrive, proceed to the entrance and pay the nominal $5 fee per person. I love to snorkel but. St John has no airport. Its possible to visit both sites in a single day. Thread Tools Search this Thread Mar 23rd, 2011, 12:40 PM #1 Jayneann. 1. 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. 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