Complete guide to go snorkeling in St Thomas US Virgin Islands

Despite being only 31 square miles, St. Thomas boasts an impressive range of exciting attractions and two cities with old-world charm and nightlife. This US Virgin Islands pearl also offers beautiful locations for people who wish to experience the underwater beauty of the Caribbean Sea while snorkeling in St Thomas. Now, we feature the best ten spots that are especially worth visiting for the turquoise waters and abundant sub-marine life.

St Thomas snorkeling conditions

The best feature of St. Thomas snorkeling beaches is that the reefs are easily accessible from the shore, so there is no need to pay for expensive boat trips.

The US Virgin Islands’ climate makes it a year-round destination. Snorkeling is possible at any time of the year with air temperatures in the 80s during the day and in the 70s at night and sea temperatures between 26 and 29 C (79-84F).

However, winds become more extreme in the winter, increasing wave sizes and reducing water visibility compared to the rest of the year, and hurricane season is from July to October.

For the best clarity and snorkeling experience, visitors generally choose to come to enjoy their Saint Thomas snorkeling vacation in the late spring or early summer months.

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10 Best Spots to Go Snorkeling in St Thomas US Virgin Islands

Magen’s Bay Beach

Magen’s Bay enjoys the reputation as the most popular beach in St. Thomas. The beautiful public park stretches for a mile and has generally calm waters. Waves and currents are both mild here, making it ideal for families with small children.

This is not the best beach for snorkeling on the island if you want to see coral, but one of the best St Thomas snorkel spots to swim with turtles who regularly hang around in this protected bay.

There are also many other water sports available at this beach, including kayaking and paddle boarding. The concession offers snorkeling equipment to rent, but it is always better to bring your own snorkel set. A restaurant and bar provide refreshments such as pizza and burgers.

Tip: should you look for a nice place to stay nearby, check out Flamboyan on the Bay Resort. It offers not only great views but Magens Beach can be reached in 10 minutes on foot!

Coki Beach

Coki Beach is not only one of the prettiest places on the island, with its soft sand and crystal waters, but it is also considered the best beach for snorkeling in Saint Thomas by many. This also means it is busier when the cruise ships call in the port, so arrive early to avoid the crowds.

The two best areas for snorkeling are the rocky places on the left or right side close to Coral World Ocean Park. Here, visitors will find many stunning tropical fish, along with rays and crabs.

This St Thomas snorkeling hotspot also benefits from having the most amenities of the various snorkel beaches. There are snorkel gear and dive gear rentals, a beach shop, a bar, chair, umbrella rentals, and even a kids’ playground.

Tip: the closest resort to Coki is the fantastic Margaritaville Vacation Club by Wyndham

Lindquist Beach

If you want to know where to snorkel in St. Thomas, which is far less crowded, look no further than Lindquist Beach, which is part of the 21-acre protected area of Smith Bay Park. The locals consider it one of their favorite spots because the cruise ship crowds do not frequent it. Therefore, it is an excellent place to play beach games or just chill out and enjoy the view of neighboring St. John.

Entering the water from the beach, snorkelers find sea grass, which makes it a great spot for snorkeling with turtles in Saint Thomas. Sometimes, rays can also be spotted feeding or resting on the sandy bottom. Farther off the beach is the extensive and beautiful reef.

Note: There is a small entry fee (5 USD for non-residents) except for parking.

Sapphire Beach

Sapphire Beach is among those spots to go snorkeling in St. Thomas USVI on the island’s eastern side, which offers ideal conditions for any level of snorkel enthusiast. The incredible view is accented by the stunning white sand beach. Because this beach is maintained by the Sapphire Beach Resort, you can use the facilities including the restroom and chairs.

The reef runs along the left side of the beach. You can count on enjoying brain coral, colorful tropical fish, and sometimes a turtle or ray here since this beach and its coral are well protected by local authorities. The Snorkel Police watch to see anyone who gets too close to the coral. They will blow their whistle and order you to swim away from the reef if you go directly over it.

Secret Harbor Beach

Secret Harbor on the south side of the island turns out to be a great St Thomas snorkeling place. It is enjoyable for underwater enthusiasts of every level and highly recommended for beginners. Its calm waters are protected and feature many sub-aquatic sea life.

Corals can be found on either side of the bay (but be careful on the left because the current can be stronger there), and there is a reef in the middle, too. Moreover, there are seagrass meadows that attract turtles and rays. Besides the colorful coral and fish, octopuses and squids can sometimes be seen here.

The Secret Harbor Resort features an on-site restaurant; you can use the restrooms there. These features make this beach a very convenient one with all the facilities easily reachable you need for a relaxing day.

Brewers Bay Beach

One of the top places to snorkeling in St Thomas near the cruise port is Brewers Bay, a top spot to swim with green sea turtles! This beach has a unique location on the island’s west side, directly next to the airport runway and just 4 miles away from the ship terminal.

Brewers Bay has a lot of seagrass that attracts dozens of sea turtles! The best part is that you don’t need to swim far out; they usually hang around in waist-deep water.

There may not be a coral reef or too many fish to admire, but the turtles grazing on the sea grass more than make up for it. It is also a great spot to escape from the crowds of cruise ships on busy tourist days. The only weak point is that there is little shade, so bring a sun tent or umbrella!

Hull Bay Beach

Hull Bay is among locals’ favorite St. Tomas snorkeling beaches, and for a good reason. It is a secret spot without the crowds.

The beach is primarily sandy with occasional rocks. Out in the water, snorkelers will enjoy sea life and small fish close to the shore. Venturing out a little farther will reward the effort with squid and lobster sightings.

The reef extends from mid-bay to the right and starts approximately 40 yards/meters off the shore. The largest coral heads are approximately 100 yards out, where you find the best fish, including big schools of tangs and angelfish. Around the buoys, sea turtles can be seen, too.

Hull Bay doesn’t have facilities but there is also a beach bar and restaurant on-site to refresh you after when your underwater adventure ends.

Mermaid’s Chair

If you are looking for a unique place to go snorkeling in St Thomas, then consider the Mermaid’s Chair. This exciting spot lies on the most western point of St. Thomas within the Preserve at Botany Bay. The trip requires you to approach the location on foot. Your reward for this challenge is where the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea come together.

The beach features gorgeous rocks and pristine waters for both snorkeling and swimming. This is the place to come for watching the waves from the Atlantic crashing ashore as they meet the calmer ones from the Caribbean, but make sure to bring beach and water shoes as there are many shells, coral, and sea glass pieces washed onto the shore

Buck Island

If you are considering booking a St Thomas snorkel tour while on the island, we highly recommend visiting Buck Island.

It is a premier place to enjoy unspoiled snorkeling in the US Virgin Islands, thanks to the protected wildlife refugee status that the entire island enjoys. You will find many coves here with colorful reefs, but the most popular ones are Turtle Cove and Shipwreck Cove.

Turtle Cove, as its name suggests, is a place where you can likely see several sea turtles. In Shipwreck Cove, you can observe a 190-foot freighter Cartanza Senora wreck that functions as an artificial reef and is regularly visited by stingrays and turtles. The wreck rests in about 40 feet of deep water, but thanks to the superb water clarity, it is clearly visible for snorkelers, too.

Buck Island boat tours typically include snacks and rum punch on the return trip, so going for such a trip is a fun day of spending the day. Although it might not be the best snorkeling in Saint Thomas in terms of marine life, but seeing the shipwreck is certainly a cool experience.

Christmas Cove

Last but not least we mention Christmas Cove which is another popular St. Thomas snorkeling destination you can visit by signing up for a bout tour. It lies a short distance from the mainland but rewards visitors with a calm bay that provides many sea turtle sightings.

Besides swimming with sea turtles, the main attraction here is the unique eating offered by Pizza Pi Boat. This one-of-a-kind restaurant serves pizzas at lunchtime right aboard the boat. It enjoys a reputation as among the best pizza places on the island. I’m sure you’ll be hungry after your snorkeling session, so don’t miss out on this experience while in St Thomas!

Conclusion

In conclusion, St. Thomas may be small, but it offers many snorkeling opportunities that cater to all levels of experience. From the bustling Coki Beach to the tranquil waters of Lindquist Beach, each spot provides a unique glimpse into the vibrant marine life that thrives just offshore. Whether you’re swimming with turtles at Magen’s Bay or exploring the hidden treasures of Hull Bay, these snorkeling locations promise unforgettable experiences in the stunning Caribbean waters. So grab your gear, dive in, and discover the underwater wonders that make St. Thomas a true gem of the U.S. Virgin Islands.

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