10 Reasons Why Saba Should Top Your Caribbean Travel List this Year, History is in the Making at the Iconic Grand Wailea Maui, Its the Dawn of a New Day at Aurora Anguilla Golf Resort and Spa. 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. 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. There are many small reef fish in the area. These small silvery fish travel in close proximity to one another in large schools that look like moving underwater shadows. Every beach can be accessed by boat. Please read on to discover what snorkeling spots are worth it, and what are not. With crystal clear water, beautiful white sand, and little islands scattered around, you'll want to explore them all. Shutterstock This white sand beach, home to Pineapple Beach Club resort, has some of the best snorkeling on the east side of Antigua. The latest articles, guides, and resources, sent to your inbox monthly. Sea cucumbers are particularly plentiful here. 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. That aforementioned place is also one of the best spots for buying souvenirs because of the beach shop there. where is the best snorkeling when cruising the eastern caribbean? 1. Discover hand-curated maps, along with reviews and photos from nature lovers like you. Protected under Virgin Islands National Coral Reef Monument, the underwater landscape . The snorkeling in St John USVI surprised me. Honeymoon Beach (located next to Salomon Beach) is one of the most beautiful and popular beaches in Virgin Islands National Park on St. John. In addition to snorkeling, swimming, and diving, visitors can hike along the islands scenic walking trails or relax on the gorgeous white sand beach. 2nd ed., Dive Guide BVI, 2010. 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. This is another beach where you can spot sea turtles. Do You Have What It Takes to Become a Kittitian RumMaster? Maho Bay Located at the southern end of the British Virgin Islands, Norman Island allegedly inspired Robert Louis Stevensons famous pirate novel Treasure Island. There's an underwater snorkel trail and you'll see some incredible coral and fish. 1. Just off the center of the beach is a good spot to see a sea turtle. Beehive Cove lies on the other side of thesmall rocky point to the south. Full or Half Day Charter - Sail, Beach, Snorkel. Green turtles, stingrays, and conch can be seen over the grassy areas, which make up most of the central portion of the bay. Private Full or Half Day Catamaran Snorkel, & Beach Experience; Private Luxury Catamaran Yacht. MAHO BAY BEACH This is where youll likely see large orange and yellow cushion starfish. If you want to try sailing or windsurfing, they even . The trail eventually cuts inland over a few hills before it dumps you onto Blue Cobblestone Beach. I would strongly consider wearing dive booties with your snorkeling fins. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Your email address will not be published. And we agree! Once you arrive, proceed to the entrance and pay the nominal $5 fee per person. Entry into the water is easy. Snorkel around the point to Kiddel Bay but only if you are a confident swimmer. Put on your gear and enter the water from the sand on the southernend of the beach. Private charters are a great way to see numerous islands and snorkel in diverse places in a single day. Use reef-safe sunscreen like my favorite called Colorscience Sunforgettable Total Protection Sport Stick. Not far from Norman Island lies a group of uninhabited rocky islets rising from the sea. Once in the water head straight for across the narrow channel. STJ has amazing offshore snorkeling. 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). Love my Ugo! Rebecca lives next to the Adriatic Sea in Croatia, where she guides kayaking, stand up paddleboarding, and snorkeling tours. 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. There are also some patches of reef on both sides of the bay, but the right side of the beach (as you face the water) is supposed to be slightly better and better suited for advanced snorkelers. The beach has a sandy bottom and an easy shallow entry. Those are just examples, nearly all of the beaches have close snorkeling. Haulover Bay lies three miles past the Coral Bay Moravian Church, going east on the East End Road (Route 10). We snorkeled to the left (as you face the water) across the small bay to the larger patch reef. Lovango Resort & Beach Club: This newly opened. Book St. John Snorkeling. Bring diluted baby shampoo to help keep your mask clear. Also, expect much more snorkeling fins in your face because of the increased crowds. A closer look will reveal all sorts of beautiful and mysterious sea creatures that live in Francis Bay Beach, like small eels, feather dusters and Christmas tree worms, brightly colored sponges, and gracefully swaying gorgonians such as the colorful sea fan. Its an easy path about 100 yards long that goes over flat terrain, passing by a small salt pond about halfway along the trail. Deserves its designation as the most popular snorkeling destination on St John. 2022 adagio digital arts. Scrawled filefish can sometimes be seen making their way along the bottom hunting for food. Reply Subscribe . 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. Great to know. Park at the gate, and hike down to this crescent of white sand. Take Salt PondRoad (Route 107) past Salt Pond Bay. From the beach, you can see huge rock structures in the middle of the bay. More info on Henley Cay NOTE: There can be very strong currents on the outer edge of the Cay. Go for the beach and not the snorkeling. 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. There is also plenty of colorful coral. 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. The bonus is that these spots do not require a boat to reach. Trunk Bay is one of the most beautiful beaches in the whole world. Close to the shore are patches of sand and grass with scattered coral heads. There was plenty of parking when we went. The best snorkeling is on the right side along the rocks as you face the water. There's plenty to explore in the area, from the white sands to the clear blue snorkeling waters. I was not expecting much, but there was quite a bit of beautiful coral and Caribbean fish. It's on the smaller side and is found near Trunk Bay Beach, which takes most of the tourists away from it. Healthy elkhorn coral is found at most of USVI's reefs. For some reason, this beautiful beach always rewards me with something exciting. Another one of the best spots for snorkeling in St. John is Salomon Bay. I was thankful I wore my snorkel vest for this snorkeling adventure because it was choppy right at the point. St John has no airport. Maho Bay Beach is quite easy to access. Moreover, the water deepens gradually and stays relatively shallow as you wade out from the beach. There are busy ferry routes that connect St John to St Thomas, St Croix, Tortola and the BVIs. #10 - Lovango Cay Virgin Islands . The grass environment attracts rays, green turtles, starfish, and conch. I have never seen one puff out but these cute little fish can take in water to make their bodies (and long spines) puff out if they feel threatened. Lush v. Review of the best snorkeling at Trunk Bay in St John. Park in the Salt Pond Bay Beach parking lot. Download an offline St. John USVI map on Google Maps ahead of time. The first step is to get toGreat Lameshur Bay on St. Johns south coast. . This section of the reef tends to attract larger predators such as blue runners, mutton snapper, and yellowtail snapper. Coral Bay, St. John USVI - A Snorkeling Paradise By Terri Clemmons Concordia Cafe Open Mic Night on Mondays from 4:30-6:30 on the East End. You'll find underwater signage that helps you identify the common fish and coral in front of you. You will have to walk over the pebbly beach and avoid the sporadic sea urchins as you launch off into the water. (888) 651-9785 Top St John Snorkeling When are you traveling? The water is a bit rougher since it can get quite choppy with high currents and waves since the winds around the area are strong. Pick sunny calm days to snorkel to really see the coral and fish. It's an iconic photo of the beach, the north shore of St. John, and the British Virgin Islands stretching out in the distance. 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. To reach the northwestern section of Haulover Bay, take the trail on the other (north) side of the road. Jumbie Bay Beach. The fry is extremely sensitive to minute changes in water currents and can sense the approach of the hunters. 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. It is advised to swim counter-clockwise around the Cay, but we swam clockwise without a problem. You first need to hike to Salt Pond Beach, and then on to Drunk Bay. While the name might imply that its only for lovers, Honeymoon Beach is a great beach for couples and families. There are more fish and coral on the calmer western side of the Cay (which is the left side as you face the water). St. John Virgin Islands: The Best Snorkeling and Top Beaches Francis Bay morning shade St. John, US Virgin Islands. 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. The road heads west andgoes up and then down a steep hill. 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. Start your snorkeling around the middle to left side of the beach. Just off the center of the beach is a good spot to see a sea turtle. Since the beach is rocky and there are many sea urchins, its a good idea to bring water shoes or snorkeling booties. All rights reserved. The western side of the cay is better protected from waves and wind. 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. Maho Bay offers a chance to swim with sea turtles. 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 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. Known as The Indians, this area is a popular diving and snorkeling site with plentiful coral, fish, and other sea creatures. Cinnamon Cay is located about 100 yards off the shore. With its secluded location, Brown Bay is considered the hidden gem of 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. There are many deep water crevices and canyons to explore. The best snorkeling is along the beachs rocky coastline on the right side and on the left near the docks. Its closer to the beach and smaller than the more extensive reef on the other side of the bay. Just past these mangroves, you will come to an underwater hillside garden of coral. When youve had your fill of music, stuffed French toast, and spicy Bloody Marys, head to Lameshur Beach. Jumbie Bay Beach is one of St. John's hidden gems. I went to the left and saw nice fans, fish. Before our trip, I researched a ton trying to find all the top St John snorkeling spots. Snorkel along the western shore toward the point and around the offshore rocks called the blinders. St John is the smallest of the 3 US Virgin Islands located in the Caribbean. Alternatively, there is limited parking right along the road itself. Where to snorkel at Little Lameshur Bay Beach. It has the best of both worlds when it comes to snorkeling with sandy shores and gorgeous natural reefs. Haulover Bay (St. John): A favorite with locals, this small bay is rougher than Leinster, with a pebbly beach. Can get a bit crowded but offers some nice snorkeling especially center of the bay. All rights reserved. Virgin Islands Day Sailing: The best sailing/snorkeling trip ever! An afternoon lounging here, with a lunch of Vies famous garlic chicken and a couple icy bottles of Caribe, is the ultimate in Caribbean relaxation. 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. This seven-hour private boat tour is another highly-rated excursion with multiple snorkeling stops that can be customized according to your preferences. 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. Cinnamon Bay. Tektike Bay. Its possible to visit both sites in a single day. The satellite view was too cloudy, so I included this map instead. The area boasts an incredible diversity of marine life, with plenty of opportunities to view conch, starfish, sea turtles, sea fans, blue tangs, bluehead wrasses, parrotfish, and more. The trip includes a short ride to/from the pier on a dinghy (must be . Snorkeling in the center of the bay can also be a worthwhile experience. Trunk Bay Virgin Islands National Park snorkeling trail and a lifeguards. My mask would fog, and I would get a bunch of water in my snorkel. Please be careful as you navigate into the water. Be prepared for a more difficult return to the beach, as you will be going against the chop and the current. Some of Our Top Picks For Snorkeling On St John, USVI. After you hike the dirt path to Salt Pond Bay Beach, walk all the way to the far left of Salt Pond Bay Beach and follow the trail along the shoreline. Do not overestimate your swimming ability. The local museum brings the best elements that can show you the history of the 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. Private charters are a great beach for couples and families worlds when it comes to snorkeling with sandy shores gorgeous! 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