My Favorite Places to Snorkel in St. John
There are some places you love so much you return again and again. For us, St. John is one of those places.
The beaches are beautiful. The water is impossibly blue. The views are everything you hope a Caribbean island will be.
But what keeps bringing us back is the feeling of the island.
Have you ever heard the saying “on island time”? That’s St. John in a nutshell. The pace is slower. Afternoons don’t require a schedule. And the most pressing decision you have to make is where you’re going to have dinner that night.
Mostly, it’s about being outside- surrounded by white sand, turquoise water, and a nice ocean breeze. Even better, bring a mask and snorkel and explore a little.
Snorkeling is something our family loves to do, and I don’t think we’ve had a trip to St. John where we didn’t snorkel at least once a day. Much of the island is protected as part of the Virgin Islands National Park, which means there are plenty of beautiful beaches and marine life to enjoy.
If you’re planning a trip to St. John, these are the snorkeling spots I’d tell a friend not to miss- the beaches we return to, the places that surprised us, and a few adventures worth making time for.
My Favorite Beaches for Shore Snorkeling
One of the things I love most about St. John is that you don’t need a fancy excursion to experience incredible snorkeling. There are lots of beaches with great snorkeling right off of the shore, making it very convenient.
Maho Bay
If I could only recommend one beach for snorkeling, Maho Bay would probably be it. Full disclosure: it’s one of our favorite beaches. I love the convenience- the beach, the tiki bar across the street, and the fact that you can walk right in from shore and see sea turtles.
That’s right- Maho is a great place for spotting turtles. Once you reach the seagrass, start looking. You can also snorkel around the rocky point on the eastern side (to your right if you’re facing the ocean), where you’ll see a variety of fish.
My suggestion? Arrive early if you can. Parking is limited, and the quieter morning hours are some of the best. We prefer sitting toward the eastern end of the beach, which gives us easy access to the turtles and the rocky area for snorkeling.
Trunk Bay
There’s a reason Trunk Bay is one of the most photographed beaches in the Caribbean.
It really is that beautiful.
The soft white sand, clear water, and famous underwater snorkeling trail make it a wonderful first stop for many visitors.
The underwater trail is especially fun because it adds a little story to your snorkeling. Follow the markers while learning more about the reef and marine life around you.
Because it’s one of St. John’s most popular beaches, it will be busy. If you want to enjoy it without quite as many people, I’d make this a morning stop.
Hawksnest Beach
Hawksnest doesn’t always get the attention of Trunk Bay, but it’s a beautiful beach with shore snorkeling that’s closer to town.
There’s a reef just offshore- look for the waves breaking over it. When conditions are calm, the snorkeling can be great. You can also snorkel along the rocks on the eastern side (to your right if you’re facing the ocean).
And even if the snorkeling isn’t ideal that day, Hawksnest is still a lovely place to spend a few hours. There are plenty of shade trees and tucked-away spots to settle in and enjoy a relaxing afternoon.
Haulover South
Haulover South feels like one of St. John’s hidden gems. It’s on the Coral Bay side of the island, which is more remote and much quieter than lively Cruz Bay.
The beach itself is different from the classic sandy coves of the North Shore. The shoreline is rocky, but that’s part of what makes the snorkeling so interesting.
For the best chance of spotting sea life, stick to the rocks on either side of the beach. We’ve seen rays, turtles, squid, and plenty of colorful fish while snorkeling here.
Salt Pond Bay
Salt Pond Bay is one of those places that rewards a little extra effort.
It’s on the Coral Bay side of the island, and you have a short hike to get to the beach. It’s an easy downhill walk on the way in, but you’ll have an uphill walk on the way out, so I’d suggest packing light.
Once you arrive, you’re treated to a beautiful bay. The grassy area in the middle is a great place to spot turtles, rays, and starfish, while the rocky edges are home to a variety of fish.
It also tends to feel a little more peaceful than some of the island’s more popular beaches, which is part of its charm.
Waterlemon Cay
For a little more adventure, Waterlemon Cay is worth adding to your list. There is a reason it is listed last on my list of favorite shore snorkeling spots. It takes some effort to get there… and the snorkeling itself- let’s just say it’s not for the faint of heart.
It’s a mile plus walk along the rocky shoreline of Leinster Bay, but in part I guess that’s what makes it an adventure.
Snorkeling Waterlemon Cay is really for intermediate or advanced snorkelers (which I’d say we are), so I wouldn’t consider it easy. The currents can be strong, and conditions can change quickly. We were told to snorkel counterclockwise because the current was supposed to be better that way, but both times we went, we found it strong in that direction, too.
One thing I always tell friends: pay attention to the water and check conditions before you just hop in.
Funny story: the first time we hiked in, Shawn spotted a nurse shark in the bay along the way. (He has a special talent for spotting things like that.) Before I could even process what was happening, he and Haley had their fins and snorkels on and were in the water.
Sharks aren’t really my thing- not even the peaceful ones like nurse sharks, so if they’re not yours either, no worries. You can still see plenty at Waterlemon, including colorful fish, rays, sea turtles, and beautiful reef.
Some snorkel charters will take you to Waterlemon Cay when the water and weather conditions are favorable, so you can skip the hike. But however you get there, be smart, be safe, and as we used to tell our kids growing up, “make good choices.”
Boat Adventures Worth Adding
As much as I love snorkeling from shore, spending a day on the water gives you a completely different view of St. John.
If your schedule allows, I’d definitely consider adding a boat day. You have plenty of options. Rent a boat in St. John and explore the North Shore, rent a dinghy in Coral Bay to explore the mangroves and beaches (and maybe pop over to Lime Out for a bite to eat), or choose from one of the many charters and let someone else be the captain.
Mangrove Snorkeling
One of the biggest surprises of our St. John trips has been snorkeling through the mangroves near Coral Bay.
From the boat, it doesn’t look like much. Honestly, it looked a little terrifying. Was I really about to jump into shark-infested waters? The thought definitely crossed my mind.
But once you get in the water, it’s an entirely different world. And if you’re wondering- yes, you can see. And yes, we did see a shark.
The tangled roots of the mangroves along the shoreline create a protected underwater nursery filled with marine life. And it was surprisingly colorful. We spotted fish, squid, turtles, barracuda, a giant barracuda (which was a little terrifying and, we were told, unusual), and even a nurse shark.
It ended up being one of the most unique snorkeling experiences we’ve had anywhere- and one I’d absolutely recommend trying at least once.
Henley Cay
Henley Cay is another unforgettable snorkeling experience- for intermediate or advanced snorkelers.
The coral and marine life can be incredible. In fact, I think the reef here is one of the most colorful and thriving we’ve seen on St. John. But conditions matter. A lot.
Henley Cay is an offshore island you have to reach by boat, and the current in the channel can be very strong. If you’re renting a boat and heading out on your own, talk to your boat operator first. They’ll know what conditions are like and can help you decide if it’s a good day to go. I also don’t think there’s any harm in bringing a flotation device for this one.
And yes, this was another one of those moments when Shawn spotted a shark and Haley jumped off the boat to see it for herself. Are you sensing a theme here?
All jokes aside, when conditions are right, you’ll find beautiful coral, colorful fish, and a completely different kind of underwater adventure- and the occasional shark or two.
A Few Things I‘d Tell A Friend Before They Go
A few things we’ve learned along the way:
- Bring your own snorkel gear. It doesn’t have to be expensive, and trust me… get the fins. A basic mask, snorkel and fins can cost less than renting for the week.
- Beaches get more crowded as the day goes on, so the earlier you can get out, the better.
- Please, please, please wear reef-safe sunscreen. It matters.
- Never touch (or stand) on the coral, and never chase marine life.
- If you want to rent a boat or book a charter, plan ahead.
And then there’s the real reason we keep coming back.
The beautiful beaches. Snorkeling with turtles at Maho. Finding another quiet corner of the island. A cold, frosty Painkiller. And, more than anything, slowing down enough to embrace a little bit of island time.
Sometimes you find a place you just love.
That’s St. John for us.
