Snorkeling around St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands, is renowned for its accessibility and vibrant marine life.  Many of the best snorkeling spots are easily accessible from the beach, making it convenient for all skill levels. The underwater sea life of tropical fish and live coral reefs are truly captivating and give you the “wow factor” which you will definitely take home with you, never to forget your day of snorkeling in the bays or neighboring islands only accessible by boat.  You can expect to see colorful coral reefs, a variety of fish like parrotfish and angelfish, sergeant majors, sea turtles, and eagle rays.  Whether you are renting your own snorkel gear, taking a guided snorkel tour, land tour that includes snorkeling, or spending the day on a Boat Charter, you will surely enjoy world class snorkeling!  Please remember, some of the Coral Reefs are experiencing bleaching/algae overgrowth and still recovering from the 2017 Hurricanes.  Never snorkel alone!

NEGATIVE IMPACTS:  St. John is a mecca drawing people from all around the world to experience the natural wonders surrounding the island. Snorkeling is the #1 activity enjoyed by Visitors although there can be negative impacts to the coral reefs and sea life. We offer you some advice while snorkeling in order to protect our coral reefs, grass beds, and sea life around St. John.

Do Not Pollute – Pack in, pack out at the beach. Be aware of plastics in the water and discard in the trash if you find any. Chemicals from lotions, spray sunscreens, fuel, and other contaminants have a detrimental effect on sea life.
Reef Safe Sunscreen – It’s the law since 2020 in the U.S. Virgin Islands requiring everyone to use Reef-Safe Sunscreen in USVI waters. More info here.
Shells, Coral & Hermit Crabs – Please do not take home with you. They are vital to our ecosystem and coral reefs.
Feeding the Fish – This is prohibited as it disrupts their natural feeding habits. This could also cause injury due to feeding can cause the fish to be aggressive.
Sea Turtles – One of the most incredible sea creatures to witness while snorkeling around St. John. You can watch them feed on the sea grass beds and come up for air. So captivating, you’ll be mesmerized for quite a while. Do not touch or hold onto them. Please make sure not to damage the sea grass beds as they are home to fish, conch, sea turtles and more.
Coral Reefs – Please do not touch the Coral Reefs by either standing, kicking or touching. Please find a sandy spot to adjust your snorkel gear if need be. If you have any concerns of possibly touching the coral reef, please wear a snorkel belt, life jacket, or some type of flotation device.
Dangerous Coral – Please check out our Coral Reefs page for more information.

POPULAR SNORKELING BEACHES:

Cinnamon Bay:  The small cay off the beach is a great spot for snorkeling, with crevices and lots of tropical fish.
Maho Bay:  Known for calm, shallow waters and frequent sea turtle and sting ray sightings.
Hansen Bay:  This private access to the beach is located on the east end of St. John.  Great rocky outcropping teeming with lots of tropical fish.
Honeymoon Beach:  Ideal for a relaxing day of swimming, snorkeling, and enjoying water sports.  Accessible by short hike, boat, or taxi at Caneel Bay entrance.
Trunk Bay:  Features an Underwater Snorkel Trail including information plaques to read along the way, perfect for beginners and those wanting to learn about marine life.  A great family fun snorkel!
Waterlemon Cay (Leinster Bay):  Requires a moderate swim, kayak or charter to get to the Cay from Leinster Bay.  Offers dramatic underwater structures and abundant sea life.

HONEYMOON BEACH

Boat Charters love this stop as it is only accessible by boat or hiking on land. There is a nice shallow reef on the south side of the bay towards the point between Honeymoon Bay and Salomon Bay. The house on the point belongs to the National Park. Sealife commonly seen are sea turtles, stingrays, trunkfish, schools of surgeon fish, parrotfish, puddingwife, angelfish, squirrelfish, french grunt, squid, sea urchin, filefish and more.

JUMBIE BAY

Right next to Trunk Bay, this off-the-beaten path little gem is very secluded and the snorkelers just love it.  The current can be rough sometimes.  This is surely a private oasis when it comes to snorkeling as you will see Triggerfish, Angelfish, as well as hard and soft coral in the deeper waters around the point.

HAWKSNEST BAY

Hawksnest Beach is one of the first beaches located in the National Park on the North Shore Road leaving from Cruz Bay.  The coral reef takes up the majority of the bay and is easy access from the beach.  With a plethora of underwater sea life, this is a great snorkeling location because you don’t have to snorkel very far to be inundated with live coral and tropical fish including parrotfish, reef squid, angelfish, sergeant majors, eagle rays, reef squid and more.  Bring your snorkel gear with you as there are no rentals located at this beach.

CINNAMON BAY

This very popular beach offers all types of amenities along with snorkel gear rentals.   The beach has a slight slant entering the water.  If you are adventurous, you can snorkel to Cinnamon Bay Cay where history abounds along with a sunken plane from the 1940’s.  It may take a while to discover them though and you may want to research before attempting this snorkel.  You must be careful snorkeling in this bay as the current can be rough especially around the point.  Never snorkel alone.

TRUNK CAY

Trunk Cay is a small island located inside Trunk Bay and adored by all Visitors and locals as it is a snorkeler’s delight!  Swim out from the beach to the Cay at your own leisure.   Swimming over to the Cay is a fun adventure!  Located on the west side of the Cay, be sure to snorkel the Underwater Snorkeling Path that follows along the Cay.  With depths of 8 to 15 feet, the 225 yard long underwater path and is full of coral and tropical fish with informational plaques along the way making it an educational and enjoyable experience for all skill levels.

MAHO BAY

It’s all about the Sea Turtles. This popular Bay is filled with sea grass and attracts the Sea Turtles and Sting Rays like no other Bay around St. John.  The Sea Turtles hang out mainly on the right side of the Bay looking out from the beach.  As well as on the right side of the Bay, you’ll find tropical fish and live coral, although be careful of the sea urchins.  There has even been an octopus spotted in the area.  Please be careful never to touch the sea turtles.  As well, there are protective sea turtle areas on the beach.

SALT POND BAY

Salt Pond is one of the hottest places to snorkel on Saint John.  Remotely located on the South Shore, Salt Pond delivers when it comes to an amazing snorkeling experience.  There are large rocks in the middle of the bay surrounded by the most beautiful tropical fish in the world.  The Sea Turtles and Stingrays love this bay and regular sightings happen everyday.

LITTLE LAMESHUR & GREAT LAMESHUR BAY

With a beautiful view of Bordeaux Mountain, Lameshur Bay has some of the most unspoiled reefs to be explored around Saint John. This secluded beach is very popular for boat charters as the Snorkeling is great on both sides, and especially nice toward Yawzi Point between Little and Great Lameshur.

WATERLEMON CAY

Snorkelers flock to Waterlemon Cay as it is known for some of the best snorkeling just off the North Shore and located in Leinster Bay.  It takes approximately 10 minutes to snorkel to Waterlemon Cay.  Boat Charters also flock to this great snorkeling destination.  The reef is very healthy as you will experience a beautiful variety of sea turtles, stingrays, sea fans, tropical fish, and even small nurse sharks.  The current can be strong at times and it is recommended to snorkel counterclockwise around the Cay.  Never snorkel alone.

HENLEY CAY

This uninhabited Cay can be seen from Caneel Beach on the North Shore and most often accessed by kayak or boat charter.  Guests love to snorkel the north side of the Cay although there can be a strong current at times.  Enjoy incredible marine life such as eagle rays, sea turtles, a plethora of tropical fish and live coral.  This is one of the most popular snorkeling spots around Saint John.

LOVANGO CAY

This private island is located north of Cruz Bay and offers clear water and diverse sea life. The island is only accessible by boat and Crescent Beach on the north side is a very popular snorkeling destination.  Or enjoy the beach resort with some great snorkeling right in the Bay on the southern side of the Cay.

CONGO CAY

Congo Cay is located approximately 100 yards from Crescent Beach on the north side of Lovango Cay.  Great Snorkel spot teaming with fish. Guests have seen Octopus, squid, turtles and rays in this location.