Snorkeling at Maho Bay Beach is one of the reasons people love this locations. On your left, you will notice a path through the woods that will lead you to Haulover Bay North. Once you pass Concordia, the road will turn sharply right and the dirt parking lot will be on the left. 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. As many visitors can attest, the reputation is well deserved. Getting to this remote beach requires a 20-minute walk (one way) along a flat, scenic trail. 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. 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. Youll also find bathrooms, RainTree Caf, watersports rentals and a souvenir shop. Parking was plentiful, and we had no problem finding a space. 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. 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. She is passionate about outdoor activities and enjoys writing pieces that inspire others to get outside. Questions about the St John snorkeling sites we visited? Those are without a doubt the most popular beaches. While the name might imply that its only for lovers, Honeymoon Beach is a great beach for couples and families. Required fields are marked *. Download an offline St. John USVI map on Google Maps ahead of time. Snorkeling around these rocks is an excellent way for travelers to practice and gain confidence in a safe and shallow environment while still being able to observe colorful fish, corals, and sea creatures. Do not overestimate your swimming ability. 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 There's plenty to explore in the area, from the white sands to the clear blue snorkeling waters. The eastern wall of the second room is encrusted with sponges and cup coral. Please see the key below. 14.1K subscribers In this video, we go out in search of the best snorkeling in St. John. To reach the northwestern section of Haulover Bay, take the trail on the other (north) side of the road. There is a good deal of fire coral encrustation, but true hardcoral varieties are also plentiful. The Top 8 Beaches in St. John 1. . The island measures just 9 mi X 3 mi ( 28 sq mi ). 01- Salt Pond Bay 02- Waterlemon Cay 03- Maho Bay Beach 04- Haulover Bay North 05- Hansen Bay Beach 06- Trunk Bay Beach 07- Cinnamon Bay Beach 08- Blue Cobblestone Beach 09- Little Lameshur Bay Beach 10- Grootpan Bay Beach 11- Francis Bay Beach Snorkeling gear Top snorkel tips Final thoughts St John Snorkeling Rating System Youll also find plenty of reef fish, corals, sea fans, and sponges. 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. Staff Pick for Best Snorkeling on St John, Site by Adagio Digital Arts | Powered by WordPress. Henley Cay Entrance: Free. When youve had your fill of music, stuffed French toast, and spicy Bloody Marys, head to Lameshur Beach. If you attempt this swim, you will snorkel over seagrass beds where you may see some turtles, rays, and starfish. Waterlemon Cay hike leads you through a short section of forest in the beginning, And then the trail dumps you on the rocky coastline for the remainder of the hike. Guests can enjoy white sand, towering palms, crystal clear water, the Underwater Snorkeling Trail, food, drink, showers/bathrooms and snorkel gear and chair rentals. Both beaches can be reached via the Lind Point Trail or from the Caneel Bay Resort. There is also great snorkeling along the first set of jagged rocks out in the middle. You'll find underwater signage that helps you identify the common fish and coral in front of you. Where to snorkel at Trunk Bay Beach. Review of the best snorkeling at Trunk Bay in St John. The snorkeling is great along the reef on the left side (as you face the water). Snorkeling with the island's wildlife is sure to be the highlight of your vacation! Haulover Bay (St. John): A favorite with locals, this small bay is rougher than Leinster, with a pebbly beach. Snorkeling in Hurricane Hole is a MUST do on any trip to St. John. 5. There are more fish and coral on the calmer western side of the Cay (which is the left side as you face the water). The parking lot fills up quickly! My mask would fog, and I would get a bunch of water in my snorkel. Considered to have some of the best snorkeling on St. Thomas, Coki Beach is known for its calm waters, white sands, and abundant marine life. Known as The Indians, this area is a popular diving and snorkeling site with plentiful coral, fish, and other sea creatures. Private Full or Half Day Catamaran Snorkel, & Beach Experience; Private Luxury Catamaran Yacht. The marine life is incredible. The southern side of Haulover Bay, St John, lies just off the side of Route 10. Using the offline map, you should be able to continue to navigate your way over to Grootpan. Snorkeling in 5 to 15 of water youll discover beautiful rocky patch reefs covered in corals. The most popular ferries are out of Charlotte Amalie and Red Hook, St Thomas. If youre new to snorkeling, visiting an area prone to stronger currents, or snorkeling at a more remote site, wearing a snorkel vest will make your outing safer and more comfortable. Salt Pond/Drunk Bay. 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. The island measures just 9 mi X 3 mi ( 28 sq mi ). We snorkeled to the left (as you face the water) across the small bay to the larger patch reef. 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. 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. Brightly-colored coral at Salt Pond Bay in St John USVI. Coki Beach, or Coki Point, is one of the most popular beaches on the island thanks to its calm waters, convenient amenities, and classic Caribbean views. Located on the East End of St. Thomas, Secret Harbor Beach Resort offers prime snorkeling conditions right off of the hotel beach. We have seen everything from squid to barracuda to stingrays to various small tropical fish in this bay. Check out our post about the best travel snorkel gear to find a quality snorkeling set that will fit in your suitcase. Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, many people feel uneasy about sharing snorkeling equipment with others. Snorkeling out along the east side of the bay, you can reach the coral reefs that lie just north of Blue Cobblestone Beach. 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. 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. 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. A few gallons of water work great for rinsing off all that sand. Cinnamon Cay is located about 100 yards off the shore. Its also the only St John beach with a lifeguard . 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. 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. 2022 adagio digital arts. 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. Great Lameshur Baylies at the bottom of the hill. 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. One of the highlights was seeing a shoal (family) of squid along the rocks on the right side. Sea cucumbers are particularly plentiful here. Start your adventures snorkeling the large reef on the left with its plentiful sea life, intriguing corals, and small shipwreck. The trailhead to Waterlemon Cay is at the coastline right near the parking lot. Best entry is in the center of the beach where the sandy bottom comes closest to the shoreline. Trunk Bay: St. John's most famous beach (most visited and most photographed) doesn't disappoint. Your email address will not be published. Trunk Bay is a body of water and a beach on St. John in the United States Virgin Islands.Cinnamon Bay Beach is one of the longest beaches in the park. Its shallow over the top of the reef but deep enough for experienced and confident snorkelers to negotiate safely. The road heads west andgoes up and then down a steep hill. 2022 adagio digital arts. Its a Must-See on many visitors STJ Bucket List. Getting there is part of the fun. 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. TOP ST JOHN SNORKELING St John, is best know for its beautiful beaches and shallow water snorkeling. 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. 4. Salt Pond, located on the south eastern side of the island, is our next choice for snorkeling on St John. The history of the land is rich and filled with unknown facts. Blue tang at Blue Cobblestone in St John USVI. Find out where to go snorkeling on your Virgin Islands vacation. Snorkeling at Honeymoon Beach is best on the eastern and western ends of the beach. There are a lot of rocks to navigate over and sea urchins to avoid. We saw patches of coral here and there with sporadic Caribbean fish sightings. Best beach to snorkel on St John. Take Route 107 and go PAST Salt Pond Bay Beach. 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. Maho Bay also offers good reef snorkeling for those looking to explore the sea life on a coral reef. 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. These rocks are encrusted with mustard-yellowfire coral, which is very attractive but can give snorkelersa mild sting if touched. The most popular ferries are out of Charlotte Amalie and Red Hook, St Thomas. The rocky north coast on the right-hand side of the beach offers excellent snorkeling, especially during the summer months when large schools of fry congregate close to shore. The access to the water is not easy but not hard. Snorkel around the Cay thats just off the beach. Here are our family's votes for the best snorkeling beaches on St. John. We arrived around 10 am, and there were only a handful of parking spaces left. This top-notch snorkeling spot is easy to access. Snorkeling at Cinnamon Bay has several options. 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. If you are still in the planning phase and want to know what are the best places to stay near some of these top snorkeling spots, do not miss my article below! 1. 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. There are busy ferry routes that connect St John to St Thomas, St Croix, Tortola and the BVIs. Maho Bay Beach 2,799 Beaches By Flahe Beautiful beach Good service is delicious Drinks are also available Taxis are plentiful as are gift shops 2022 3. Shallow entry, calm waters and plenty to see close to shore. After you park, walk down a dirt uneven path for about 7 minutes until you reach a beautiful crescent-shaped beach with gorgeous clear water. 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