where to snorkel on st john

Snorkeling St John

The best way to find good snorkeling on St John is to be adventurous and willing to explore off the beaten path. Here are some of the best places to snorkel, all of them right off St John.

Each location is different and the fish, coral and sponges you see depends on your own ability to tune in and relax in the underwater environment.

There are two schools of thought when it comes to snorkeling. You can snorkel large distances and scan the underwater horizon in search of the next big fish. Or you can pick a healthy patch of coral reef and stay put, waiting for the fish to come to you. Both have their advantages.

To see our three species of sea turtles, Hawksbill, Green and Leather Back you will want to snorkel far and wide and scan the horizon.

Snorkeling at Water lemon Cay

Water Lemon is a great place to explore because of the little cay itself with its sandy beach and the incredible marine life found there. Look for sea cucumbers and sea stars - commonly known as star fish.

You can drive to Annaberg and take a short walk out to Leinster Bay where Water lemon Cay is just a short snorkel away. You can rest on the cay before your snorkel back to the beach.

If you are more adventurous try snorkeling around the cay. Watch for currents in the Sir Francis Drake Channel on the backside of the cay.

Snorkeling at Cinnamon Bay

Cinnamon bay is patch reef and colonized hard pavement. If you snorkel out to Cinnamon Cay you will find boulders colonized by a variety of coral and sponges.

Expect to see colorful reef fish here, especially parrot fish. The stop light parrot fish male is large and very colorful while the female is camouflaged.

Snorkeling at Salt Pond Bay

Salt Pond has some great snorkeling. If you brave the ride, past Coral Bay, try snorkeling the left and right sides of the bay or the rock island far off the beach.

For a truly unique and solitary experience hike the trail from Salt Pond toward Ram Head Point. The next beach you come to is a cobble beach covered in blue rocks from an ancient geological formation.

Snorkel off the right (S.E.) end of the beach to see massive boulders colonized by sponges and elk horn coral.

snorkeling at Trunk Bay

...Setting off to snorkel Trunk Cay from Trunk Bay Beach.

Snorkeling at Trunk Bay is ideal because there is a life guard on duty, the water is generally calm and the coral reef has underwater signs to help you identify what you see.

It is not the best snorkeling and can be crowded but it is a great way learn about the reef.

You can also sign up for a snorkeling tour with a professional guide to the islands off St John.

kayaking in the Park

Sailing to wild islands

Snorkeling from the catamaran "Fly Girl"