The beach is narrow and lined with towering coconut palms and seagrape trees for shade. The US Virgin Islands national park is home to famous beaches like Cinnamon Bay, Trunk Bay, and Maho Bay. 5. 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. We just returned from there again in July of 2018. All Rights Reserved. Reply Subscribe . A few with the closest to shore are Hawksnest, Trunk (right side of the shore and around the cay) and Salt Pond. 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. The NPS actually has a great map showing where the reefs are along the beaches. Do not overestimate your swimming ability. Haulover is a narrow, flat strip of land separating Coral Bay on the south from Sir Francis Drake Channel on the north. , Palau is first country to ban reef toxic sun cream. BBC News, 1 January 2020, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-50963080. Many products featured on this site were editorially chosen. 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. Guests can enjoy white sand, towering palms, crystal clear water, the Underwater Snorkeling Trail, food, drink, showers/bathrooms and snorkel gear and chair rentals. .5 mi EW, or take a taxi to Caneel and ride the Honeymoon Beach Huts golf cart to Honeymoon Beach. Maho Bay Quarter, St John's best beach. Brewers Bay. 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. Because the island is surrounded by fragile coral reef, swimming too closely to it is not advised. We have all the details including the world famous north shore beaches- including maps! Trunk Bay Beach is worth it for the swimming but not the snorkeling! Cane Bay at sunrise, St. Croix. 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. It's about a mile long and perfect for families or those who are not strong swimmers. Caneel Bay beach Northwest of St John Island. The reefs are destroyed but there are plenty of fish and at Maho you can't snorkel without seeing a few turtles. The buoys are hard to miss. We saw several turtles in the seagrass beds. Parking is catch-as-catch-can along the left hand side. It all depends on the winds and current. Distance: 1.1 miles out and back; Approx. Best beach to snorkel on St John. We will be in St. Thomas and St. Maarten. Some of Our Top Picks For Snorkeling On St John, USVI. At the end of the road at the split, take a left. Snorkeling at Trunk Bay Beach in St John USVI. Located on the East End of St. Thomas, Secret Harbor Beach Resort offers prime snorkeling conditions right off of the hotel beach. Its an amazing spot with plenty of fish and corals many that arent common in other places around St John. This blog post contains affiliate links from Viator and TripAdvisor, which means we receive a small commission on any sales made via those links. MAHO BAY BEACH One of the top beaches in the Caribbean also has some great snorkeling! And theyre all located along St Johns North Shore! More info on Haulover North NOTE: Conditions at Haulover North depend on wind and waves. Trunk Bay is a long stretch of white sand with a rock island just off the shore. Put on your gear and enter the water from the sand on the southernend of the beach. The Top 8 Beaches in St. John 1. Head counter clockwise to use the current to round the Cay. Parking spots fill up quickly, so get there early! The bottom is cobblestone, and getting into thewater is almost as easy as from a sandy beach. With crystal clear water, beautiful white sand, and little islands scattered around, you'll want to explore them all. Drive past the parking lot for Salt Pond Bay Beach and take your second left. A good plan is to snorkel west (to the left) over the shallow portion of the reef first and then return along the deeper reef edge. 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. Please see the key below. Some of the most popular snorkeling spots include Hansen Bay Beach, Hawksnest Beach, Maho Bay Beach, and Salt Pond Beach. Trunk Bay Virgin Islands National Park snorkeling trail and a lifeguards. 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. Maho Bay also offers good reef snorkeling for those looking to explore the sea life on a coral reef. 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. You'll find underwater signage that helps you identify the common fish and coral in front of you. The water is shallow at first, and the bottom is made up of small rocks and coral rubble. Long Bay Beach Resort is a popular choice next to picturesque Long Bay Beach and Smugglers Cove. Honeymoon is one of the best beaches on St. John for day trippers from St. Thomas. These rocks are encrusted with mustard-yellowfire coral, which is very attractive but can give snorkelersa mild sting if touched. 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. Walk to the eastern end of the beach. Snorkeling is best on calm days when there is good visibility underwater. Virgin Islands Day Sailing: The best sailing/snorkeling trip ever! There are many deep water crevices and canyons to explore. 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. Maho Bay St. John Virgin Islands: The Best Snorkeling and Top Beaches Francis Bay morning shade St. John, US Virgin Islands. Antigua's Long Bay is a great spot for boaters and water sports enthusiasts, but it's also a snorkeling paradise. 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. 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. Ram Head Point protects the bayfrom winds and waves, leaving the reef in clear, calm water. BEST SNORKELING FOR CHILDREN Maho Bay Easy access, shallow water, shade and a good chance you'll see turtles, rays and lots of fish! These small silvery fish travel in close proximity to one another in large schools that look like moving underwater shadows. Trunk Bay Salt Pond/Drunk Bay. Guide to the Best St. John Snorkeling Spots - Snorkel and Hike Looking for the best St. John snorkeling spots?? It has the best of both worlds when it comes to snorkeling with sandy shores and gorgeous natural reefs. For a full appreciation of this area, one should also have the ability to free dive in order to investigate the environments under ledges, beneath coral heads, and within caves and tunnels. Maho Bay offers a wonderful seagrass environment with plenty of sea turtles. We snorkeled to the left (as you face the water) across the small bay to the larger patch reef. The rugged dirt road out to Lameshur will remind you of why you rented a jeep in the first place, but the beach is well worth it wide and sandy with plenty of shade. Cinnamon Bay 1,205 Beaches By ElizabethG393 Trunk Bay is popular with snorkelers due to the pretty beach and usually calm protected waters, and as a cruise ship tour stop. When we first visited, we accidentally drove into the Concordia Resort. From there youll follow a narrow path about 100 yrds heading North East. Like The Caves, The Indians are accessible only by boat. Be aware the far side of the Cay can have strong currents. The area can get crowded, so plan to arrive early for the best experience. The island boasts over 3 dozen beaches to choose from and discover. Brewers Bay is a favorite for Green Sea Turtles and Hawksbill Turtles. Private charters are a great way to see numerous islands and snorkel in diverse places in a single day. (J. Robert Oppenheimer, creator of the atomic bomb, once owned the land.) St. John's Trunk Bay is unquestionably one of the best snorkeling beaches in the world. Thomas certainly has good beaches for it, like Coki Point Beach, but we think the best are in St. John (probably because it's more secluded and less built-up). Trunk Bay has it all. A living aquarium waits just offshore, where vibrant coral reef swirls with a vivid palette of blue tang, damselfish, and sergeant majors. With arguably the best shallow water snorkeling in all of the Virgin Islands youre sure to have a great experience. Bring a few gallons of water for the ride, which work great for rinsing all the sand off after you snorkel. The Virgin Islands have some of the best snorkeling sites in the Caribbean. To the right facing the water, there is a formation of black rocks that separates Hawksnest Beach from Gibney Beach. The best snorkeling is on the western side of the bay (left side of the bay as you face the water). Ram Head hiking trail will lead to Blue Cobblestone Beach. The trip includes a short ride to/from the pier on a dinghy (must be . Always snorkel with a buddy and never exceed your physical ability or experience. This created an incredibly frustrating experience. Neltjeberg Bay lies on the far side of a thick tangle of bush - including wild-growing pineapple and guava - to the west of the more accessible Dorothea Beach. Your email address will not be published. To reach the northwestern section of Haulover Bay, take the trail on the other (north) side of the road. Pick sunny calm days to snorkel to really see the coral and fish. Not far from Norman Island lies a group of uninhabited rocky islets rising from the sea. Near the left side of the reef, you can find a vibrant pillar coral that always seems to be a big attraction for colorful little fish. Blue Cobblestone Beach offers the opportunity toexplore an underwater environment that usually occurs furtheroffshore and in deeper waters. It is located off of East End Road just past Haulover Bay on the right. 10. Just off the center of the beach is a good spot to see a sea turtle. Here, the environment is sand and coral rubble. Theres plenty of parking. Parking was plentiful, and we had no problem finding a space. St John is the smallest of the 3 US Virgin Islands located in the Caribbean. All rights reserved. You can see many large, purple sea fans and other gorgonians, as well as hard corals, such as star, elkhorn, and brain coral. Cinnamon Bay Beach is one of several gorgeous beaches located right off of North Shore Road. Easy access, shallow water, shade and a good chance youll see turtles, rays and lots of fish! STJ has amazing offshore snorkeling. Looking forward to checking it out. 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. Do not overestimate your swimming ability. This beautiful bay was featured in the movie Big Blue. The best snorkeling is along the beachs rocky coastline on the right side and on the left near the docks. Cinnamon Cay is located about 100 yards off the shore. Magen's Bay Beach (One Of The Most Beautiful) Another popular beach among tourists and locals is Magen's Bay Beach. I can now spend hours in the water following tropical fish and swimming alongside turtles. Maho Bay is on everybodys favorite beach list. The dominant species of coral found in the shallow top reef are colonies of star and boulder coral. The snorkeling in St John USVI surprised me. Overall, I would rate St John USVI as a whole as 4/5 snorkels. No need to hire a boat or join a tour! 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. French Angelfish at Waterlemon Cay, St John USVI, Nurse shark at Waterlemon Cay in St John USVI, French grunt at Waterlemon Cay, St John USVI, Squid family at Waterlemon Cay, St John USVI. Most of the reef lies in calm shallow water, with some sections even rising above the surface at times of extreme low tides. Trunk Bay: St. John's most famous beach (most visited and most photographed) doesn't disappoint. Youll find directions to each location along with an informative snorkeling report, St John beach map and local tips so you can decide which spots are right for you; and where to stay on St John. The small beach is less than 5 minutes away from Red Hook and is easily reached by car or taxi. Also . Sea cucumbers are particularly plentiful here. 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. Start your adventures snorkeling the large reef on the left with its plentiful sea life, intriguing corals, and small shipwreck. Check out my personal snorkeling gear picks below. In fact, its so beautiful that cruise ship visitors to St Thomas will make the trek by taxi and ferry and taxi to spend a few hours enjoying everything that makes Trunk Bay famous! Parrotfish and blue tang swim about grazing on algae. 2. 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. Among other cool stuff, Ive seen moray eels, turtles, nurse sharks, and squid. Follow the Leinster Bay Trail until it splits. Shallow entry, calm waters and plenty to see close to shore. Enter the water at the north end of the beach near the largeblack rocks. Salt Pond and Drunk Bay are actually two hikes on the south shore of St John. Always snorkel with a buddy and never exceed your physical ability or experience. Whether youre visiting the US Virgin Islands or the British Virgin Islands, there are plenty of spectacular snorkeling spots to choose from. If you want to try sailing or windsurfing, they even . Lush v. 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. 4. Brown Bay. 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. The snorkeling is great along the reef on the left side (as you face the water). Entry is not easy. The seagrass beds that are about 30 yards off the beach are a great place to see sea turtles, rays, conch and tarpon. The water is warm and tranquil, plus its normally easy to get in and out of the water. You might also see Nurse sharks ( non threatening / shy ) and some gems like black and white geometric tunicates and blue encrusting coral. St. John's longest beach also makes it to the list of the best snorkeling destinations. This bay, an inner bay of Great Lameshur,lies just to the north of Beehive Cove, the bay where the Tektiteproject took place. 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. Located at the eastern end of Leinster Bay, Watermelon Cay is known as the top snorkeling spot on St. John. There are boats that dock in the bay, so it can be dangerous if you try to navigate around them. Entry into the water is easy. Coki Beach is one of the most popular snorkeling spots in St. Thomas. In some areas, exquisite corals and sponges of every color imaginable encrust the underwater rock faces. The result is literal forests of gorgonians and sea fans, brain corals, fire coral and healthy populations of reef fish. 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. So when you see pictures of St. John, chances are you are going to see a photo of the famous Trunk Bay overlook. Snorkel around the Cay thats just off the beach. We saw many schools of fish, numerous soft and hard coral outcroppings, a stingray, and gorgeous gigantic waving purple sea fans. Buck Island Reef Natural Features and Ecosystems. National Park Service, https://www.nps.gov/buis/learn/nature/naturalfeaturesandecosystems.htm. Several varieties of hard coral, including star, brain, elkhorn, staghorn, and pillar coral, can be found here as well as gorgonians, such as sea fans, sea plumes, and dead mans fingers. There was plenty of parking when we went. Great to know. I love to snorkel but. We have all the details including the world famous north shore beaches- including maps! Known as The Indians, this area is a popular diving and snorkeling site with plentiful coral, fish, and other sea creatures. To get there, take a taxi shuttle from Cruz Bay with Virgin Islands Ecotours or hike a gorgeous one-mile section of the Lind Point Trail, which takes around 30 minutes. Respect other snorkelers personal space. Both beaches can be reached via the Lind Point Trail or from the Caneel Bay Resort. Five miles east of Cruz Bay lies Mahos blissful sheltered bay. The best reef corals and fish as to the left as you face the water. Be prepared for a more difficult return to the beach, as you will be going against the chop and the current. No hike required. Honeymoon Beach (located next to Salomon Beach) is one of the most beautiful and popular beaches in Virgin Islands National Park on St. John. Salt Pond, located on the south eastern side of the island, is our next choice for snorkeling on St John. Close up of sea turtle at Maho Bay in St John USVI, Yellowline arrow crab at Maho Bay in St John USVI, Beaugregory Damselfish at Maho Bay in St John looking right at me. Smugglers Cove is located on the west end of Tortola, and you can get there by boat, taxi shuttle, or car. One of the best snorkeling spots on St John. Begin by snorkeling around the large rocks at the corner ofthe beach. St John has no airport. For some reason, this beautiful beach always rewards me with something exciting. Snorkeling is a can't miss activity when visiting the island. 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. Snorkel out along the east coast toward the point. Off-the-beaten-path location with a beautiful beach, food and some of the best snorkeling. There are not many spots. Once youve crossed the Durloe Channel youll find a protected sandy cove on the western side of the cay. Youre likely to have this Caribbean paradise all to yourself as you snorkel and explore the crystal clear waters. We were glad we decided to rent a Jeep! The farther you get out to the point, the more challenging it will become. 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. Haulover Bay (St. John): A favorite with locals, this small bay is rougher than Leinster, with a pebbly beach. Tektike Bay. Right side of Cinnamon Bay Beach (this is the entry point to snorkeling out to the Cay). 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. Little Lameshur Bay. 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. I could spend hours swimming with these adorable guys. Snorkeling in 5 to 15 of water youll discover beautiful rocky patch reefs covered in corals. Food trucks are also parked all over the Beach. This beautiful environment continues out and around the point. For more information about the benefits of wearing a snorkel vest and some recommended products, you can read our detailed snorkel vest article here. Its shallow over the top of the reef but deep enough for experienced and confident snorkelers to negotiate safely. Here is a map of all 11 snorkeling sites we discovered during our 1-week exploration of St John USVI. And just like other St John beaches youll find white sand, palm trees, seagrapes for shade and some good shallow water snorkeling. The southern bay is calmer than its counterpart in the north, has an easier entry, and is more suitable for beginners and intermediate snorkelers. Beginning in the parking area for Annaberg Plantation enjoy an almost 1.0 mi flat hike along Leinster Bay to reach Waterlemon Cay. 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. Go for the beach and not the snorkeling. Continue driving on the bumpy, gravely, potholed road to reach the two Lameshur Bays. Blue tang at Blue Cobblestone in St John USVI. Answer 1 of 14: Which Caribbean resort has the best right-off-the-resort beach snorkeling? There is also more current, so you need to be a strong swimmer. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Enriching Pursuits. 2022 adagio digital arts. 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. Just be sure to use approved anchorages so you don't harm precious reefs. Some animal species you might see in the area are French angelfish, queen angel, and permits. This is one of the best beaches on St. John for foraging along the shoreline and discovering what the tide washes up. It is advised to swim counter-clockwise around the Cay, but we swam clockwise without a problem. This is yet another very accessible St John USVI beach. 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. St John is the smallest of the 3 US Virgin Islands located in the Caribbean. 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. Snorkel gear and watersports equipment are available to rent at Honeymoon Beach, and there are various facilities, including a beach bar and grill. The Tektite snorkel is one of the absolute best snorkeling spotson St. John, and contrary to popular belief, itcan be accessed by land with relative ease. 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. Using the offline map, you should be able to continue to navigate your way over to Grootpan. The western part of Waterlemon Cay is where we saw the two nurse sharks relaxing at the bottom of the reef. The Tektite snorkel is one of the absolute best snorkeling spots on St. John, and contrary to popular belief, it can be accessed by land with relative ease. Parking: Paid parking lot ($5) and roadside parking. All recommendations are on items I love and feel will deliver value to you! You can relax in a hammock on the white sand beach and snorkel close to shore or rent kayaks and stand up paddleboards and paddle to nearby Caneel Bay Beach, Henley Cay, or Hawksnest Beach. After a morning snorkel, visit Vies Snack Shack and pay the nominal fee she charges to access the sandy beach next to Hansen. You can park in the large lot located directly across from the eastern side of the beach. Sergeant major and school of French grunt fish at Cinnamon Bay in St John USVI. - See 478 traveler reviews, 98 candid photos, and great deals for St. Thomas, at Tripadvisor. Check out our post about the best travel snorkel gear to find a quality snorkeling set that will fit in your suitcase. Salt Pond When it comes to snorkeling in St. John, Salt Pond is #1 on our list. Park near the big tamarindtree at the entrance to this large cobblestone beach. Bring a hat, wear a sun shirt and sunscreen, and bring plenty of water. The water is sandy bottom and shallow making it a great spot for younger kids and parents with floats. In the British Virgin Islands, the island of Tortola makes a great base for snorkelers. We've selected eight of the best snorkeling sites and have included some tips to help you plan your snorkeling adventure. Coki Beach. This hidden spot provides a relaxing atmosphere thats perfect for those seeking solitude. Love my Ugo! 2/3 of the island and surrounding reefs are protected by the US Virgin Islands National Park [ VINP ]. If you try to park there, you will be trespassing across private property to get to the beach. The water is shallow and has a sandy bottom. Alternatively, there is limited parking right along the road itself. There are a lot of sea urchins! In the midst of all this activity, large schools of French grunts, oblivious to the drama around them, hover, almost motionless, over and around colorful live coral. Maho Bay offers a chance to swim with sea turtles. A large variety of fish including Atlantic Blue tangs, Blue Headed wrasses, Sargeant majors, as well as Caribbean lobsters, crabs, conch and more! Here are our family's votes for the best snorkeling beaches on St. John. The hike to Salt Pond Beach is fairly short, being about .8 miles. Avid snorkelers will want to head towards the eastern and western shorelines. Private Full or Half Day Catamaran Snorkel, & Beach Experience; Private Luxury Catamaran Yacht. The water is mild and currents or strong waves are rare. Bear left and follow the trail along the shoreline until youre at a point closest to the Cay. There were plenty of beautiful tropical fish including some adorable balloonfish (aka pufferfish or porcupine fish) with their wide-spread big eyes and half-smiling mouths. You can enter the water at the rock beach at the end of the trail. These are some of the best places to snorkel in St. John, USVI. There's a magical world waiting for you beneath the surface of the water on St. Thomas. #10 - Lovango Cay Virgin Islands . It was rated #15 of the Best Island Beaches in the World 2020 by readers of Conde Nast Traveler. Rebecca lives next to the Adriatic Sea in Croatia, where she guides kayaking, stand up paddleboarding, and snorkeling tours. Fringed by coconut palms, full of gentle waves, easy to find, and full of coral reefs and other sea life, Maho is famous for a reason! Hawksnest Beach is the best snorkeling spot in the Virgin Islands National Park to observe beautiful elkhorn coral, which is still in fairly good condition. 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. She is passionate about outdoor activities and enjoys writing pieces that inspire others to get outside. Before our trip, I researched a ton trying to find all the top St John snorkeling spots. Here's our TOP PICKS for snorkeling on St John. Consistently voted as the favourite beach on the island by visitors, Maho Bay Quarter sits tucked away on the northern side of the island. Trunk Bay The eastern wall of the second room is encrusted with sponges and cup coral. The fascinating rock formations are perfect for underwater exploration. I always wear a snorkel vest in case I get tired. For more advice about what to wear snorkeling, check out our article here. Large sea fans and gorgonians waving in the current surrounded by mustard corals and brain coral and fire corals. There is a good deal of fire coral encrustation, but true hardcoral varieties are also plentiful. 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. You'd do yourself well to visit this glorious white sand beach even if you don't snorkel. Staff Pick Some of the most dramatic underwater structure and corals on the island. I can now spend hours in the water at the bottom of the Bay ( St. John, Salt is! Vies Snack Shack and pay the nominal fee she charges to access the sandy beach find underwater signage that you! 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Beach Resort is a favorite for Green sea turtles try to park there, you will in!, fish, numerous soft and hard coral outcroppings, a stingray, and permits at! The west end of the water is sandy bottom for those looking to.. Waves are rare, Trunk Bay is a narrow, flat strip of separating... Sand, palm trees, seagrapes for shade and a good spot to see close to shore candid,! Vest in case I get tired a problem sites in the Caribbean also some! Swimming with these adorable guys in diverse places in a single day snorkeling tours entry point to out... Angel, and snorkeling site with plentiful coral, which work great for rinsing all the top beaches Bay. To yourself as you face the water at the eastern side of the trail creator. From Sir Francis Drake Channel on the south eastern side of the best snorkeling beaches St.. Your second left world waiting for you beneath the surface at times of extreme tides. 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