Do You Have What It Takes to Become a Kittitian RumMaster? The currents can be strong. Families will love the convenience of unloading cooler, chairs, snorkel gear and kids floaties! Swim out just past where the motorboats are tied up to find rope sponges, vase sponges and eel grass. This top-notch snorkeling spot is easy to access. Trunk Bay Virgin Islands National Park snorkeling trail and a lifeguards. Once youve crossed the Durloe Channel youll find a protected sandy cove on the western side of the cay. Bring a few gallons of water for the ride, which work great for rinsing all the sand off after you snorkel. 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. Little Lameshur Bay. Not far from Norman Island lies a group of uninhabited rocky islets rising from the sea. These factors make Maho Bay the perfect starting place for children and those just learning to snorkel. No hike required. Being one of the first beaches along North Shore Road, it's just a quick taxi ride away from Cruz Bay. You are exposed to the full sun. Maho Bay Beach is quite easy to access. The beach at Haulover North is mostly coral rubble. One of the best snorkeling spots on St John. Snorkeling equipment, as well as single and double kayaks, standup paddle boards, and beach chairs can be rented at the Honeymoon Beach Hut. This is where youll likely see large orange and yellow cushion starfish. Reply Subscribe . 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. Just off the center of the beach is a good spot to see a sea turtle. Out from the center of the beach, large beds of sea grass shelter sea turtles who dont mind company are easy to spot. 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. TRUNK BAY BEACH Snorkeling at Honeymoon Beach is best on the eastern and western ends of the beach. Cane Bay is a popular snorkeling and scuba diving site on St. Croix's north shore. As you swim through the series of caves, youll see schools of colorful tropical fish, pelicans, gulls, ferns, orange cup coral, and red sponges. Once you arrive, proceed to the entrance and pay the nominal $5 fee per person. The Guide to Diving and Snorkeling in the British Virgin Islands. The local government of St Vincent and Grenadines have declared that they should focus more on the culture and heritage of the land. Parking was plentiful, and we had no problem finding a space. Some animal species you might see in the area are French angelfish, queen angel, and permits. One of the highlights was seeing a shoal (family) of squid along the rocks on the right side. Be prepared for a bumpy ride to Grootpan! Guests can enjoy recently upgraded eco-tents or cottage accommodations; and wake up to the beauty of Cinnamon Bay each day! Distance: 1.1 miles out and back; Approx. Thus, snorkelers should make an extra effort to avoid situations where the water is too shallow for them. The area can get crowded, so plan to arrive early for the best experience. 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. The Best of St. John Where to Stay Hale Lani: This four-bedroom villa in Maria Bluff has unobstructed sea views from every room. Among other cool stuff, Ive seen moray eels, turtles, nurse sharks, and squid. 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. Snorkeling at Trunk Bay Beach in St John USVI. where is the best snorkeling when cruising the eastern caribbean? Where to snorkel at Little Lameshur Bay Beach. A few with the closest to shore are Hawksnest, Trunk (right side of the shore and around the cay) and Salt Pond. Shallow entry, calm waters and plenty to see close to shore. Park on your left at the bottom of the hill. Park near the big tamarindtree at the entrance to this large cobblestone beach. 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 Entry is not easy. Henley Cay 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. In addition to snorkeling, swimming, and diving, visitors can hike along the islands scenic walking trails or relax on the gorgeous white sand beach. Start your snorkeling around the middle to left side of the beach. 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. Snorkeling at Maho Bay Beach is one of the reasons people love this locations. The name Haulover came about because it was often easier to just haul small boats over this stretch of land than to make the long sail around East End, notorious for strong currents, gusty winds, and rough seas. Snorkel vests are personal flotation devices that make it simple to float at the waters surface and view the marine life below. Coki Beach. Salt Pond/Drunk Bay. Maho is the best bay on St. John for observing the inhabitants of this important environment, including rays, conch, and starfish, in a calm environment. Easy access, shallow water, shade and a good chance youll see turtles, rays and lots of fish! Walk to the eastern end of the beach. Its an amazing spot with plenty of fish and corals many that arent common in other places around St John. Whether youre visiting the US Virgin Islands or the British Virgin Islands, there are plenty of spectacular snorkeling spots to choose from. Always snorkel with a buddy and never exceed your physical ability or experience. Its an easy path about 100 yards long that goes over flat terrain, passing by a small salt pond about halfway along the trail. A small island can be seen in the middle of the water near Trunk Bay Beach. To the right facing the water, there is a formation of black rocks that separates Hawksnest Beach from Gibney Beach. The Most Popular and Most Photographed Beach on St John! Some of the most popular snorkeling spots include Hansen Bay Beach, Hawksnest Beach, Maho Bay Beach, and Salt Pond Beach. St John is the smallest of the 3 US Virgin Islands located in the Caribbean. Maho Bay offers a wonderful seagrass environment with plenty of sea turtles. 1. This healthy reef community supports a diverse and tropical fish population,including grazing blue tang andfast swimming predators such as yellowtailsnapper, blue runners, barracuda, and tarpon. This is yet another very accessible St John USVI beach. Trunk Bay is one of the most beautiful beaches in the whole world. Jumbie Bay Beach. 5. . 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. In the underwater grasslands just seaward of the reef, snorkelers are likely to come upon large green sea turtles, often accompanied by stuck-on remora or bar jacks that follow along just inches above the turtles back. Although we did not see any turtles and stingrays, they are often spotted due to the presence of seagrass beds. Snorkeling at Trunk Bay is best just off the center of the beach around Trunk Cay. Alternatively, there is limited parking right along the road itself. The second room is the most interesting, although both are beautiful. 14.1K subscribers In this video, we go out in search of the best snorkeling in St. John. Our spacious catamaran takes your group of 4-12 people for a day of making memories. The fascinating rock formations are perfect for underwater exploration. 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. I could spend hours swimming with these adorable guys. The beach is narrow and lined with towering coconut palms and seagrape trees for shade. , Palau is first country to ban reef toxic sun cream. BBC News, 1 January 2020, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-50963080. 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. Its shoreline is a mix of wind-swept sand and pebbles. Follow the Leinster Bay Trail until it splits. The history of the land is rich and filled with unknown facts. The marine life is incredible. 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. There's a $5 entrance fee but this beach has all of the amenities you could need including showers, restrooms, a snack bar, and gear rentals (snorkels and chairs). Trunk Bay 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. Haulover (North) - Some of the most dramatic underwater structure and corals on the island. 2022 adagio digital arts. After you park, walk a few minutes along a path right to the beach. 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. Smugglers Cove is located on the west end of Tortola, and you can get there by boat, taxi shuttle, or car. We also saw a moon jellyfish, but it was easy to navigate around. More info on Haulover North NOTE: Conditions at Haulover North depend on wind and waves. Also, there is no shade along the dirt path and the beach. Start your adventures snorkeling the large reef on the left with its plentiful sea life, intriguing corals, and small shipwreck. Snorkeling the Mangroves. . For these reasons, this snorkeling area is recommended for experienced snorkelers only. Planning a trip to St John in the U.S. Virgin Islands? 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. Lush v. Entrance: Free. We arrived around 10 am, and there were only a handful of parking spaces left. Best entry is in the center of the beach where the sandy bottom comes closest to the shoreline. We saw so many turtles I lost count. With soft sand and a shallow entry, entry is easy and straight forward. I wore my Cressi dive booties and then just slipped on my Cressi travel fins at the beach. Turtles, turtles, and more turtles! But its a fun sight in 8 or less of shallow water. Blue Cobblestone Beach offers the opportunity toexplore an underwater environment that usually occurs furtheroffshore and in deeper waters. Virgin Islands National Park snorkeling trail and a lifeguards. 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. There are many small reef fish in the area. Access is easy due to the shallow entry and sandy bottom. 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. Snorkeling in the center of the bay can also be a worthwhile experience. The Top 8 Beaches in St. John 1. Blue tang at Blue Cobblestone in St John USVI. We've selected eight of the best snorkeling sites and have included some tips to help you plan your snorkeling adventure. 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. Along the shoreline that connects to Caneel Bay you'll find huge schools of Sergeant Major Damsels, wrasse, French Angelfish, sea turtles, rays and a wide variety of hard and soft corals. Rebecca lives next to the Adriatic Sea in Croatia, where she guides kayaking, stand up paddleboarding, and snorkeling tours. The parking lot fills up quickly! Honeymoon Beach Make sure you do NOT end up in Kiddel Bay. Cinnamon Bay is known for its dramatic rock crevices that feature a wide variety of colorful corals. The oceanfront boutique resort provides a luxurious yet laid-back experience with access to a wide range of outdoor activities, including snorkeling, sailing, surfing, and paddle boarding. You'd do yourself well to visit this glorious white sand beach even if you don't snorkel. St John has no airport. Outdoor Activities Nature and Wildlife Tours On the Ground On the Water Boat Rentals Kayaking Tours Sailing 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. Cinnamon Bay. These rocks are encrusted with mustard-yellowfire coral, which is very attractive but can give snorkelersa mild sting if touched. This blog post contains affiliate links from Viator and TripAdvisor, which means we receive a small commission on any sales made via those links. Snorkeling is best on calm days when there is good visibility underwater. Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, many people feel uneasy about sharing snorkeling equipment with others. Because of the way it is situated, Maho Bay is usually the calmest of the north shore beaches. Soft starfish, red sea urchins, and bristle worms can be seen under the rocks in shallow areas. And its should be Its convenient sitting right along North Shore Road. Some of the finest snorkeling on the north shore area of the Virgin Islands National Park can be found on the reef between Salomon Bay and Honeymoon Beach. There is a large parking lot, but it fills up quickly. The Caneel Bay resort was decimated by back-to-back hurricanes in 2017 and has yet to be rebuilt. Weve selected eight of the best snorkeling sites and have included some tips to help you plan your snorkeling adventure. 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. This section of the reef tends to attract larger predators such as blue runners, mutton snapper, and yellowtail snapper. Just past these mangroves, you will come to an underwater hillside garden of coral. Brain coral, soft coral, and sea fans at Little Lameshur Bay in St John USVI. Snorkeling the western edge towards Peter Bay the corals and patch reef are thin. A beautiful beach with an underwater snorkeling trail! Cinnamon Bay is the longest white sand beach on St John. We saw many schools of fish, numerous soft and hard coral outcroppings, a stingray, and gorgeous gigantic waving purple sea fans. Do not overestimate your swimming ability. TOP ST JOHN SNORKELING St John, is best know for its beautiful beaches and shallow water snorkeling. St. John's Trunk Bay is unquestionably one of the best snorkeling beaches in the world. Along the way youll see beautiful hard and soft corals and a large variety of Caribbean tropical fish. Love my Ugo! Staff Pick Some of the most dramatic underwater structure and corals on the island. The Virgin Islands have some of the best snorkeling in the Caribbean. If youre lucky, you might also catch sight of some sea turtles. Here is a map of all 11 snorkeling sites we discovered during our 1-week exploration of St John USVI. Drive PAST the Greater Lameshur Bay to reach Little Lameshur Bay Beach. However, if youre looking for a quiet getaway, Coki Beach is not it. Because of its secluded location, Watermelon Cay rarely gets too crowded. You can see many large, purple sea fans and other gorgonians, as well as hard corals, such as star, elkhorn, and brain coral. Virgin Islands Ecotours: IT WAS THE BESSSSSTTTT BUY THIS PACKAGE DEF WORTH IT - See 2,510 traveler reviews, 519 candid photos, and great deals for St. Thomas, at Tripadvisor. No need to hire a boat or join a tour! 10. Your best picks for snorkeling lie just beyond the shoreline to the right of the old Oppenheimer house a tiny cove is hidden around the bend. 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. , Coki Beach is not it calmest of the land love the convenience of unloading cooler,,. 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