12 Best Snorkeling Spots in St. John U.S. Virgin Islands

The U.S. Virgin Islands are famous for their fantastic snorkeling and rich marine life. The smallest of them, St John, is very popular for good reasons. With lush forests, crystalline waters, and a National Park that covers more than half of the island, it is proud to offer beautiful landscapes above and under the sea, too. This is a perfect destination to witness some of the best marine life in the Caribbean Sea. While snorkeling in St John, you can observe multi-colored coral reefs and swim with sea turtles, rays, and nurse sharks. Are you ready to dive? Then keep reading, and we take you to the top spots!

St. John Snorkeling Conditions

Most spots for snorkeling in Saint John lie inside calm bays with a sandy bottom gently sloping out into the crystal-clear Caribbean Sea. Even if you aren’t an expert swimmer, the shallow waters offer an excellent opportunity to get up close to sea life and underwater scenery, and you don’t have to venture far from the beach to start bumping into local aquatic inhabitants.

If you respect their space and approach them slowly, the fish, turtles, sharks, octopuses, and crabs in the sea won’t mind you hanging out around them. It’s essential to be careful around slippery rocks and prickly coral, but as long as no risks are taken, this island paradise is safe to explore.

St John is one of the best places to snorkel in the Caribbean, and the weather conditions are year-round. Sea temperatures range from around 79F from January to April to around 84F from September to October. The driest part of the year runs from February to March, making it an ideal period to visit if you want to avoid periods of rain that sometimes pass by the islands.

The changing tides affect your St John snorkeling experience, but not seriously. The highest tides are in September and November, and the lowest occurs from May to June. The calm and protected waters around St John guarantee that ocean surfs are rarely a problem, but from May to October, there’s the slightest chance of waves blowing in from the ocean.

Best spots for snorkeling in St John US Virgin Islands

Hansen Bay Beach

As a privately owned area in the family for generations, Hansen Bay Beach has to be among the best Saint John snorkeling spots. Seeking a natural vibe, the owners of this stretch of white sandy beach along the bay have opened it up to visitors to explore.

This pristine corner of the Caribbean Sea is not just a prime place for relaxation but also an excellent way to seek out sea life and soak up the natural wonders of the Caribbean Sea. Besides being a prime snorkeling spot, you can rent kayaks or hang out on the sand.

Hawksnest Beach

Hawksnest Beach is a great place to experience the sea. Although unprotected from the wind and surf, there’s less sea life and coral reef around this beach due to the more giant waves, but it’s still a great St John snorkeling spot.

Besides snorkeling, this beach has soft sand and lush vegetation, creating an unforgettable tropical backdrop.

Maho Bay Beach

The best St John snorkeling places list must include Maho Bay. 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!

It’s a top spot for snorkeling from the beach in St John’s. Just offshore lie beds of seagrass that attract turtles and rays, and along the western and eastern shores of the bay, you find coral reefs. Head towards the east to see lots of coral lying in shallow water. Head west to see schools of fish and perhaps even a Nurse shark resting under the corals.

Salt Pond Beach

With a reputation as a great St John snorkeling place, Salt Pond Beach is ideal for spotting the aquatic life of the US Virgin Islands. From the pristine natural biosphere in the bay to its beautiful sandy beach, Salt Pond is a prime location for those who want to spend a relaxing yet adventure-filled day.

Two large rock formations in the middle of the bay where many fish enjoy hanging out. Once you swim out to them, you can spend hours exploring the colorful Caribbean marine life and get up close with many bright and curious sea-dwelling locals. Moreover, there are extensive seagrass fields too that attract eagle rays and sea turtles.

Accommodation tip nearby: Concordia Eco Resort

Oppenheimer Beach

A secluded beach that used to be private property and that still features a historic home close to the water, Oppenheimer is a quiet getaway for those who want to soak up the beachside wonders of the Caribbean Sea. Oppenheimer Beach captures the ingredients that make the USVI so idyllic: soft, warm sand, gentle tides, and lots of marine life.

This is a prime St John snorkeling place, where you can spot various corals and schools of fish, especially in the tiny cove on the right of the old Oppenheimer house. And all of this despite parts of the reef suffering recent damage from nearby construction runoffs.

Lameshur Beach

Part of Virgin Islands National Park, Lameshur Beach is a quiet yet beautiful stretch of sand and tide. It’s more remote than other beaches, but venturing here means you’ll be rewarded with many wildlife sightings and a unique aquatic experience.

Seagrass beds and lots of coral mean there’s always a lot of sea life around – from fishes and octopuses to turtles and stingrays – and if you stay inside the bay, the surf is easy to handle. More experienced snorkelers can venture past Yawzi Point to explore the deeper coral beds and large schools of fish.

Salomon Bay

Salomon Bay has much to offer if you want to experience superb snorkeling in Saint John. This peaceful beach is full of azure waters, soft sand, and beautiful views, and there are many snorkeling opportunities at this gateway to the Caribbean.

Getting to the palm-fringed, secluded beach takes a hike, so Salomon Bay is usually quiet. Snorkeling is simply fantastic; plentiful coral formations in shallow water extend to Honeymoon Beach.

Tip: Estate Lindholm is a lovely inn not so far from Salomon Bay that features an outdoor pool and Indonesian-themed rooms.

Honeymoon Beach

Honeymoon Beach is an ideal spot for beginners to snorkel in the U.S. Virgin Islands, surrounded by tropical foliage and coconut palms. The calm, clear waters of the bay make it easy to hang out in the water and watch for passing sea life, such as turtles and rays. The best snorkeling we found near Caneel Bay Resort, along the rocky point.

On shore, there are plenty of amenities, including snorkel gear, paddleboard rental, and food choices near this scenic hideaway’s soft, warm sand.

Trunk Bay

Trunk Bay is a must-visit site for those who want a memorable snorkeling experience. With beautiful sand, shade from the summer sun, and many nearby amenities and food, this beach is an obvious choice for snorkelers. But the St. John Trunk Bay snorkeling trail makes this beach stand out even more.

The snorkeling trail in St John USVI is an underwater, self-guided snorkeling trail in 8-15 ft deep water that leads you on an underwater journey of discovery through the coral reefs and fish of the Caribbean-like wrasses, blue tangs, triggerfish, and yellowtail snappers. Underwater plaques along a 650-foot pathway provide information about everything you might see.

Francis Bay Beach

Anyone who enjoys snorkeling must visit this hidden gem called Francis Bay. You can get there by car or hike if you want to enjoy the beautiful nature, too. Usually, Francis Bay is not crowded since not many people walk to this place, so if you want to enjoy the sun and sea in peace and calm, it is definitely a place for you!

Stingray - Francis bay US Virgin Islands

The water is calm and easy to access. There aren’t many corals here, but it is a prime spot for turtles and rays, which love to rest and feed in the seagrass.

Waterlemon Cay – Leinster Bay

Described by locals as one of the best snorkeling spots in St John, Waterlemon Cay lies within Leinster Bay and is chock full of coral and all kinds of sea life. After hiking through plantation ruins and along the beach, you encounter Waterlemon Cay – a shallow bank covered in coral and full of shallow water sea life.

This quiet and scenic area is part of the Virgin Islands National Park. It is a great place to explore the beachside wonders of the Caribbean Sea within a setting of unparalleled tropical beauty. Include it in your travel itinerary if you are looking for the best places to snorkel in St John! Hike the Leinster Bay trail from Annaberg car park to access the bay.

Henley Cay

All Saint John snorkeling spots have something nice to offer, but if you are looking for the healthiest coral and most beautiful marine life, you should visit Henley Cay. It is an advanced snorkel spot because of its remoteness and sometimes strong currents; it is recommended only for confident swimmers, but it is considered one of the best U.S. Virgin Islands snorkeling places with good reason.

You can book a boat charter or sign up for a kayak tour to get there. The reef’s most beautiful part runs on the cay’s western side. With wonderful gorgonians, sea fans, and large shoals of fish, you will feel like swimming in an aquarium! On top of these, this is a place where you have a high chance to see nurse sharks, too!

Snorkeling in St John since Hurricane Irma and Maria

Since hurricanes hit the Caribbean in 2017, the reefs of the US Virgin Islands have struggled to bounce back. There are signs of recovery, and despite the upheaval caused by the hurricanes, there are still plenty of fish, turtles, and sharks hanging around. However, some reefs suffered severe damage.

The coral reefs at Trunk and Salomon Bays took quite a hit during the storm and are still recovering, so don’t be surprised if you don’t find many healthy corals at these spots. Maho Bay, Lameshur Beach, and Leinster were less affected, so if you are on a tight schedule, consider visiting these places.

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Best Snorkeling Spots in St. John U.S. Virgin Islands

St. John Snorkeling Conditions