She also provides chairs, portable bathrooms, kayaks, and paddleboards. It is located on the eastern end of the island along East End Road right past a sign that states you are leaving the Virgin Islands National Park. Park near the big tamarindtree at the entrance to this large cobblestone beach. 5. Being one of the first beaches along North Shore Road, it's just a quick taxi ride away from Cruz Bay. Every list of the Best St John Beaches includes the beautiful North Shore beaches! Ram Head Point protects the bayfrom winds and waves, leaving the reef in clear, calm water. The beach has a sandy bottom and an easy shallow entry. Located on St Johns East End at the edge of the Virgin Islands National Park youll find this snorkelers bucket-list worthy location. To the right facing the water, there is a formation of black rocks that separates Hawksnest Beach from Gibney Beach. Review of the best snorkeling at Trunk Bay in St John. The U.S. Virgin Islands has some amazing beaches, and today we are headed into Virgin Islands National. Here youll find thin patch reefs that are home to a good selection of hard and soft corals and a dizzying collection of tropical fish species. Soft white sand, shallow water entry, beautiful aqua blue water, snorkeling and watersports make it the perfect St John beach destination! Snorkeling equipment, as well as single and double kayaks, standup paddle boards, and beach chairs can be rented at the Honeymoon Beach Hut. 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. Make sure to choose a reef-friendly sunscreen that doesnt contain oxybenzone, octinoxate, or other chemicals known to harm coral reefs and sea creatures.3 In addition to protecting marine life, youll also be following the law - the US Virgin Islands has banned the use of these reef toxic sunscreens.4. We saw patches of coral and beautiful tropical fish as we snorkeled on the right side of the bay. Check out my personal snorkeling gear picks below. Deserves its designation as the most popular snorkeling destination on St John. Trunk Bay is a long stretch of white sand with a rock island just off the shore. The local government of St Vincent and Grenadines have declared that they should focus more on the culture and heritage of the land. Every now and then, one of these larger fish will enter to feed, moving quickly into the glittery mass. Just off the center of the beach is a good spot to see a sea turtle. Trunk Bay Tektike Bay. 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. The hike to Salt Pond Beach is fairly short, being about .8 miles. You'd do yourself well to visit this glorious white sand beach even if you don't snorkel. I can now spend hours in the water following tropical fish and swimming alongside turtles. 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. Bay. The area often gets crowded and is known for being rowdy. As many visitors can attest, the reputation is well deserved. Our list of BEST SNORKELING IN ST JOHN provides first-hand knowledge on the best places to visit while you are on-island. The access to the water is not easy but not hard. The dominant species of coral found in the shallow top reef are colonies of star and boulder coral. Maho Bay is on everybodys favorite beach list. This is yet another very accessible St John USVI beach. 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. Shallow entry, calm waters and plenty to see close to shore. Located with the Caneel Bay Resort visitors can either hike the Lind Point Trail from Cruz Bay; park at Caneel Bay Resort and walk the approx. Its shallow over the top of the reef but deep enough for experienced and confident snorkelers to negotiate safely. Not far from Norman Island lies a group of uninhabited rocky islets rising from the sea. There are also many vendors where you can get food and drinks or rent beach chairs and umbrellas. 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. 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. And just like other St John beaches youll find white sand, palm trees, seagrapes for shade and some good shallow water snorkeling. Widely regarded as one of the finest beaches in the world, Trunk Bay Beach lies on St. John's northwestern coast within Virgin Islands National Park. Salt Pond When it comes to snorkeling in St. John, Salt Pond is #1 on our list. Families will love the convenience of unloading cooler, chairs, snorkel gear and kids floaties! Whether you stay in Cruz Bay or Coral Bay, you need to visit Maho Bay Beach. Always snorkel with a buddy and never exceed your physical ability or experience. 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. It all depends on the winds and current. Cane Bay (St. Croix): One of the island's best diving and snorkeling sites is off this breezy, north-shore beach. Because there is low light within the room, some of the coral animals may have their tentacles extended as if it were night on the reef. Shutterstock This white sand beach, home to Pineapple Beach Club resort, has some of the best snorkeling on the east side of Antigua. Love my. Watermelon Cay occasionally has strong currents, making this option best for more experienced snorkelers and confident swimmers. Little Lameshur Bay. Corals tend to be hard corals like maze brain corals, fire coral, mustard coral, staghorn coral and Pillar corals. The southern bay is calmer than its counterpart in the north, has an easier entry, and is more suitable for beginners and intermediate snorkelers. This is one of the best beaches on St. John for foraging along the shoreline and discovering what the tide washes up. Located at the eastern end of Leinster Bay, Watermelon Cay is known as the top snorkeling spot on St. John. Waterlemon Cay There are also many colorful spongesand various types of hard coral in this area. - See 478 traveler reviews, 98 candid photos, and great deals for St. Thomas, at Tripadvisor. It was rated #15 of the Best Island Beaches in the World 2020 by readers of Conde Nast Traveler. Cinnamon Bay. For some reason, this beautiful beach always rewards me with something exciting. 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. Snorkeling is a can't miss activity when visiting the island. I like to wear dive booties with my snorkeling fins to offer a little more protection. 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. Thread Tools Search this Thread Mar 23rd, 2011, 12:40 PM #1 Jayneann. In the British Virgin Islands, the island of Tortola makes a great base for snorkelers. Staff Pick Some of the most dramatic underwater structure and corals on the island. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Enriching Pursuits. Smugglers Cove is located on the west end of Tortola, and you can get there by boat, taxi shuttle, or car. The fascinating rock formations are perfect for underwater exploration. Also, there is no shade along the dirt path and the beach. Eventually, you reach a sign that states no outlet. This is the end of the paved road. The Guide to Diving and Snorkeling in the British Virgin Islands. 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. Right side of Cinnamon Bay Beach (this is the entry point to snorkeling out to the Cay). Maho Bay also offers good reef snorkeling for those looking to explore the sea life on a coral reef. There are a lot of sea urchins! We arrived around 10 am, and there were only a handful of parking spaces left. The grass environment attracts rays, green turtles, starfish, and conch. You can enter the water at the rock beach at the end of the trail. Snorkeling the western edge towards Peter Bay the corals and patch reef are thin. Because of the way it is situated, Maho Bay is usually the calmest of the north shore beaches. Large sea fans and gorgonians waving in the current surrounded by mustard corals and brain coral and fire corals. This is the first and only sandy beach that you pass on the trail before arriving at the beautiful beach across from Waterlemon Cay. While the name might imply that its only for lovers, Honeymoon Beach is a great beach for couples and families. Try to identify all the differentcolors of sponges found here. As you head down a steep hill youll see a sign notifying you youre leaving the VINP. The island boasts over 3 dozen beaches to choose from and discover. 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. Your mobile-friendly St John island guide to St John's beaches, snorkeling, maps and more. Since the beach is rocky and there are many sea urchins, its a good idea to bring water shoes or snorkeling booties. Because it is off-the-beaten-path, this beach does not appear to get much use. The best snorkeling area can be found as you approach Beehive Cove, as everything becomes more colorful. Wear proper footwear. Questions about the St John snorkeling sites we visited? One of the highlights was seeing a shoal (family) of squid along the rocks on the right side. Staff Pick for Best Snorkeling on St John! Snorkeling set that will fit in your suitcase and discover you pass on the right of. Large sea fans and gorgonians waving in the shallow top reef are colonies of star and coral! Being rowdy handful of parking spaces left way it is situated, Maho Bay is a great beach couples... East end at the rock beach at the beautiful North shore beaches is off-the-beaten-path this! North shore beaches, the reputation is well deserved staff Pick some of the best places to visit Maho also... 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