Specials 
Reviews
Posted by: Luxury Travel Lady
Snorkeling in St. John
Perfect water conditions, a variety of coral reef and marine life, cays (pronounced "keys"), and bays make St. John a premier Caribbean snorkeling destination. St. John is accessible from St. Thomas via a 45 minute boat ride. If you're staying at the Ritz Carlton Club St. Thomas, you can charter their 53' catamaran, Lady Lynsey. If you do charter a boat to go to St. John, you might want to hang on to it for a while. Some of the best snorkeling is found by jumping from a boat in deeper waters off the coast, such as Flanagan's Cay off of Trunk Bay.
Leinster Bay & Waterlemon Cay
Location: North Shore, accessible via Leinster Bay Trail; small island off the shore of Waterlemon Bay
Snorkeling Conditions: clear waters; south and east sides* are bordered by shallow fringe reef, west and north sides have deeper water (20 feet) and different varieties of coral
Marine Life: starfish, sea fans, green turtles, sea cucumbers, blue tang, parrot fish
*south and east sides are perfect for beginners
Francis Bay
Location: North Shore
Snorkeling Conditions: one of the longest and most beautiful beaches on the island; rights side of the bay has the best snorkeling
Marine Life: sea turtles, blue angelfish, millions of fry fish, predators like jacks, yellowtal snapper, Spanish mackerel, barracuda, tarpon, pompano, French grunts, parrotfish, blue tang, damselfish, small eels
Cinnamon Bay
Location: North Shore; accessible vie Route 20
Snorkeling Conditions: eastern end has intricate rock and coral formations where many fish live; advanced snorkelers swim to Cinnamon Cay
Marine Life: Tropical fish live in the rock and coral formations off the shore of Cinnamon Bay, and off Cinnamon Cay where there is an old Cessna aircraft that sank long ago
Trunk Bay
Location: North Shore
Snorkeling Conditions: Trunk Bay is the most famous spot on St. John for snorkeling, and one of the world's most beautiful beaches. There is a 650 foot underwater snorkeling trail with signs to identify marine life. This is a very safe and easy snorkel, with calm waters and clear visibility. You can also take a boat out to Flanagan's Cay off the southeastern coast, which is one of the best snorkeling spots on the island.
Marine Life: hard and soft corals, sea fans, sponges, trumpet fish, parrot fish, stingrays, angel fish, blue tang, damsel fish, hawksbill turtles, spotted eagle rays, lobsters; 12 foot coral heads growing out of the water at Flanagan's Cay
Hawksnest Bay
Location: Northwest
Snorkeling Conditions: best on the eastern side of the cove near the point, Perkins Cay, Denis Bay
Marine Life: organ pipe cactus, brain coral, sponges, soldier fish, squirrel fish, trunk fish, trumpet fish, yellowtail snapper, blue runners
Salomon Bay
Location: Northwest; accessible via Leinster Bay Trail
Snorkeling Conditions: best spot is the coral reef found where Salomon and Honeymoon Bay are separated at the northeast corner of the beach; less crowded than Trunk Bay but just as beautiful
Marine Life: coral, sponges, angel fish, blue tang
Salt Pond Bay
Location: South Shore
Snorkeling Conditions: eastern coastline is best; at the end of the beach there are huge boulders colonized by marine life
Marine Life: sponges, elk horn coral, sea grasses and fans, starfish, sea cucumbers, sea horses, colorful fish
Related Posts:
Snorkeling in St. Thomas, USVI
The Baths of Virgin Gorda, BVI
Caribbean Beach Guide: USVI St. Thomas, St. John, St. Croix
The Ritz Carlton St. Thomas is the only 5-star resort in the St. Thomas Virgin Islands. Travel En Vogue offers individuals searching for luxury Caribbean vacation rentals the opportunity to stay at an exclusive Ritz Carlton St. Thomas Private Residence Club condo. The St. Thomas vacation rentals are two to four bedroom condos. These spacious Caribbean villas are the perfect setting for family vacations or winter vacations, and feature master bed and bathrooms, fully equipped gourmet kitchen, living room, dining room, balcony, washer and dryer, twice daily maid service, and 24 hour concierge. Guests of the Ritz Carlton St. Thomas vacation rentals are also granted full use of the St. Thomas resorts’ facilities, like 5-star dining, spa and fitness center, aquatic sports center, Tom Fazio golf course, and the Ritz Kids program.
Vail Vacation Rentals
2121 N. Frontage Rd. Ste 4
Vail, CO 81657
(800) 933-7704
