Jumbie Bay Beach is one of St. John's hidden gems. 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). The island measures just 9 mi X 3 mi ( 28 sq mi ). Beginning in the parking area for Annaberg Plantation enjoy an almost 1.0 mi flat hike along Leinster Bay to reach Waterlemon Cay. 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 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. From hidden coves to must-see reefs, these are the best snorkeling spots in St. John. The Guide to Diving and Snorkeling in the British Virgin Islands. Lenister Bay is the perfect spot: It's usually uncrowded, and its calm waters have colorful fish, sea cucumbers, starfish, and green turtles. My husband who has an amazing eagle eye even spotted a yellowline arrow crab. Snorkeling the waters of St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands, is one of the most rewarding and exciting things to do on St. John. St John island is one of the top Caribbean destinations for snorkeling. Magen's Bay Beach (One Of The Most Beautiful) Another popular beach among tourists and locals is Magen's Bay Beach. Trunk Bay Beach. A good family beach for snorkeling exists at Coki Point Beach on St. Thomas, while a more demanding site, requiring a 45min boat trip, can be located off the Cow and Calf Rocks. Guests can enjoy recently upgraded eco-tents or cottage accommodations; and wake up to the beauty of Cinnamon Bay each day! Its arguably the most beautiful beach on St John; if not all of the Caribbean! The marine life is incredible. You will have to walk over the pebbly beach and avoid the sporadic sea urchins as you launch off into the water. Caneel Bay beach Snorkeling is one of the most popular activities among visitors to the Virgin Islands. When I first started to snorkel almost a decade ago, I would rent basic gear from a local shop. Like many areas in the Virgin Islands, Smugglers Cove is still recovering from hurricanes Maria and Irma. Know your surroundings (currents, wind, where your buddy is, etc.). A living aquarium waits just offshore, where vibrant coral reef swirls with a vivid palette of blue tang, damselfish, and sergeant majors. 10. It was better than I was expecting. Guests can enjoy white sand, towering palms, crystal clear water, the Underwater Snorkeling Trail, food, drink, showers/bathrooms and snorkel gear and chair rentals. We saw many schools of fish, numerous soft and hard coral outcroppings, a stingray, and gorgeous gigantic waving purple sea fans. Honeymoon Beach: Best for Luxury Mixed With Laid Back Vibes. Please be careful as you navigate into the water. Sea cucumbers are particularly plentiful here. You will be snorkeling in a location that is somewhat far awayfrom a convenient place to get out of the water, and there maybe areas of rough seas. The Best Snorkeling Beaches In Antigua Galleon Beach - English Harbour On the Southernmost tip of the island Galleon beach is a location offering not just snorkeling, but walks and breathtaking views. 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. Known as The Indians, this area is a popular diving and snorkeling site with plentiful coral, fish, and other sea creatures. . Many products featured on this site were editorially chosen. There are some beautiful tropical fish and coral outcroppings; however, I would not consider this a top snorkeling spot. When we first visited, we accidentally drove into the Concordia Resort. The highlight was seeing a lemon shark. On the Beehive Cove side of the point, the water gets deeper. Its closer to the beach and smaller than the more extensive reef on the other side of the bay. Once you arrive, proceed to the entrance and pay the nominal $5 fee per person. Trunk Bay is the most famous beach in Virgin Islands National Park, often listed among the most beautiful beaches in the world. Cinnamon Bay 1,205 Beaches By ElizabethG393 1. The area often gets crowded and is known for being rowdy. 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. Scrawled filefish can sometimes be seen making their way along the bottom hunting for food. Located just off Caneel Bay Resort youll see an 11 acre cay. Little damselfish defend their self-proclaimed territories by darting menacingly at even large intruders. Its shallow over the top of the reef but deep enough for experienced and confident snorkelers to negotiate safely. Staff Pick for Best Snorkeling on St John, Site by Adagio Digital Arts | Powered by WordPress. Soft white sand stretches in both directions while shallow waters provide newbie snorkelers the chance to get their sea legs. According to local legends, pirates once used the Norman Island Caves to hide their treasure, earning this area the name Treasure Point. Healthy elkhorn coral is found at most of USVI's reefs. A veritable octopuss garden dwells beneath the surface sheltering a parade of smiling, psychedelic parrotfish crunching away at the coral. St Johns most popular, most photographed, and most visited beach is Trunk Bay. There is also great snorkeling along the first set of jagged rocks out in the middle. Bear left and follow the trail along the shoreline until youre at a point closest to the Cay. And we agree! 2/3 of the island and surrounding reefs are protected by the US Virgin Islands National Park [ VINP ]. The water is shallow at first, and the bottom is made up of small rocks and coral rubble. There is a small fringe forest of mangroves along the coast. All rights reserved. The best snorkeling in St John, USVI can be discovered at beautiful Trunk Bay, part of the Virgin Islands National Park. 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. 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. You'll find underwater signage that helps you identify the common fish and coral in front of you. Because the island is surrounded by fragile coral reef, swimming too closely to it is not advised. 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. Out from the center of the beach, large beds of sea grass shelter sea turtles who dont mind company are easy to spot. 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. With arguably the best shallow water snorkeling in all of the Virgin Islands youre sure to have a great experience. Maho Bay St. John's longest beach also makes it to the list of the best snorkeling destinations. If you are looking to piece together all that St John has to offer, check out my ultimate itinerary below. Best St. John beaches to visit Best Beaches in St. John Salomon Bay. 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. Private Full or Half Day Catamaran Snorkel, & Beach Experience; Private Luxury Catamaran Yacht. Both beaches can be reached via the Lind Point Trail or from the Caneel Bay Resort. Park at the gate, and hike down to this crescent of white sand. Swim out just past where the motorboats are tied up to find rope sponges, vase sponges and eel grass. Find out where to go snorkeling on your Virgin Islands vacation. THE TOP 10 St John Snorkeling (w/Prices) Home Things to do in US Virgin Islands Things to do in St John St John Tours Outdoor Activities On the Water Snorkeling Questions? Every beach can be accessed by boat. There is a good deal of fire coral encrustation, but true hardcoral varieties are also plentiful. Lovango Resort & Beach Club: This newly opened. The trail eventually cuts inland over a few hills before it dumps you onto Blue Cobblestone Beach. 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. Wear proper footwear. Answer 1 of 14: Which Caribbean resort has the best right-off-the-resort beach snorkeling? Getting to this remote beach requires a 20-minute walk (one way) along a flat, scenic trail. The trip includes a short ride to/from the pier on a dinghy (must be . Look under ledges and in holes to see lobsters, eels, and small fish seeking protection in their little hiding places. 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. For some reason, this beautiful beach always rewards me with something exciting. Bring a hat, wear a sun shirt and sunscreen, and bring plenty of water. The island boasts over 3 dozen beaches to choose from and discover. I love to snorkel but. 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. 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. With its secluded location, Brown Bay is considered the hidden gem of St. John. Brewers Bay. I would highly advise a snorkel vest if you are not a strong swimmer like me. Bring a dive light if you want to explore deeper into any of the caves, as it can get quite dark. Looking for more snorkeling destinations? From there youll follow a narrow path about 100 yrds heading North East. There are many amenities, including a bar, restaurant, watersport rentals, dive shop, chairs, umbrellas, and more. The worst is when a snorkelers fins hit you in the face because of their lack of awareness of what is around them. Just like Trunk Bay, youll find a cay just off the beach. Lush v. In addition to swimming and snorkeling, visitors can explore the ruins of the 18th-century Annaberg Sugar Plantation nearby. Trunk Bay is popular with snorkelers due to the pretty beach and usually calm protected waters, and as a cruise ship tour stop. Trunk Bay Virgin Islands National Park snorkeling trail and a lifeguards. Despite the fact that Salomon is the closest north shore beach to Cruz Bay, it remains a private island paradise, as its accessible only by trail. The hills and holes on the sea floor are formed by eels, worms, shrimp, clams, and crabs that make their homes on this underwater beach. 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. 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 latest articles, guides, and resources, sent to your inbox monthly. Ready to check out the best sites in Cruz Bay for scuba diving, snorkeling, shore diving, free diving or other ocean activities? We saw patches of coral here and there with sporadic Caribbean fish sightings. Despite damage from the 2017 hurricanes, Buck Islands coral reef continues to be one of the best in the Caribbean, with elkhorn coral reaching heights of up to 30 feet.1. And you'll find wonderful snorkeling from most of the beaches! Parking is catch-as-catch-can along the left hand side. One of the best snorkeling spots on St John. Some of the best snorkeling on the island can be found along the rocky outcroppings on both sides of the bay, especially to the left, where angelfish, tang, parrotfish, and the occasional barracuda swim through the corals. The waves can be rough. The island of St John is best known as home to Virgin Islands National Park, beautiful beaches, long hiking trails, scrumptious food, and historical places.The coast around the island has been designated as Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument, so snorkeling is one of the best activities and you can find great opportunities at any beach.. You can also go kayaking, boating, or explore . Shutterstock This white sand beach, home to Pineapple Beach Club resort, has some of the best snorkeling on the east side of Antigua. This private speedboat charter from St. Thomas is a top pick that will take you snorkeling at the prime spots in the USVI and BVI. This is the first and only sandy beach that you pass on the trail before arriving at the beautiful beach across from Waterlemon Cay. I could spend hours swimming with these adorable guys. Theres a beautiful reef located just about in the center of Salt Pond Bay, where two sets of rocks rise above the surface of the water. And just like other St John beaches youll find white sand, palm trees, seagrapes for shade and some good shallow water snorkeling. The liveliest underwater activity happens to the east among the rocks on the way to Maho Point. A Bonnier LLC Company. Respect other snorkelers personal space. Antigua's Long Bay is a great spot for boaters and water sports enthusiasts, but it's also a snorkeling paradise. We would like to snorkel off the beach and not have to go out in a boat. 99.9% of travelers come to St John by boat ! 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