Best St. John Snorkeling Spots & Tours

Best St. John Snorkeling Spots

Trunk Bay Underwater Snorkel Trail

St. John’s many island trails include a submerged one, the Trunk Bay Underwater Snorkel Trail at the eastern shore of Instagram-worthy Trunk Bay Beach, dotted with swaying palms and white coral sands. Rent snorkel gear at the counter next to the beachfront gift shop, then step into the pristine water and scope out the trail that’s marked by floating buoys. After dipping below the surface, read illustrated markers along the route at depths of less than 20 feet — perfect for even novice snorkelers. Learn about the abundance of striped, spotted and neon-colored fish, types of coral and common predators. One of the messages you’ll read instructs “Drift slowly. Let the fish get used to your presence and more will appear.” Plan on spending 30 to 60 minutes snorkeling and swimming above the delicate reefs — please don’t damage the formations by touching or standing on them.

Pro tip: Before diving in, be sure to apply the right sunscreen. Help keep the waters healthy and protect the reefs and sea creatures that live in them by using a mineral sunscreen that’s free of harmful chemicals.

Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument

In addition to being the home of Virgin Islands National Park, St. John also claims another natural treasure — Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument, a 12,708-acre offshore marine habitat adjacent to the park’s boundaries. Boats of all sizes bob in the calm waters at popular mooring spots. One of its sites, known as Hurricane Hole, is a refuge for boaters during storms and is also a protected area for marine life, offering snorkelers amazing chances to meet sea turtles, humpback whales, reef fish and crustaceans. While exploring you’ll spy sea creatures living in mangrove forests, seagrass beds and coral reefs. Due to the abundance of thriving coral, this area is known as the “secret coral garden.”

Finding your way around: The National Park Service offers a helpful interactive map that reveals where to find the best snorkeling spots in St. John.

Maho Bay Beach

Swimming with friendly sea turtles will make your day at Maho Bay Beach. Visit one of the beach vendors to rent snorkeling gear and kayaks, too. As you walk out onto the sandy beach bottom, keep your eyes open to spot rays swimming close to the shore. As you wade deeper into the clear and calm waters, your snorkeling adventure begins. Swim with the turtles, which often hang out near the buoys, and glimpse starfish, squid, nurse sharks, barracudas and countless other fish. Afterward, buy tasty eats and drinks (the cocktails are especially good!) at one of the food trucks parked along the beach, then relax under a shady tree. Watch for shorebirds like white egrets and see iguanas sunning on the beach.

Fun water transport: Rent a dinghy from St. John Dinghy Rental in Cruz Bay, take it to Maho Bay Beach and hook up to one of the moorings about 20 yards from the shore.

Cinnamon Bay Beach

Virgin Islands National Park’s Cinnamon Bay Beach is St. John’s longest beach, with a half-mile of soft, white sand stretching along the island’s North Shore. Rent snorkel gear here, then enter the rock-free water at Cinnamon Cay near the east end of the beach. Prepare to be wowed by the amazingly clear views of coral and Caribbean fish, especially from the plateau some 40 feet offshore. Take a short hike to Little Cinnamon Beach to see more sea life swimming among the wreckage of a small aircraft resting in about eight feet of water. While the snorkeling is superb, be aware that sometimes the waves and currents can be too strong for novices. On those days, spend time in the Cinnamon Bay Beach & Campground General Store shopping for provisions and items like clothing and local Caribbean-made goods that you’ll want to take home. If you’re here on a Monday, Thursday or Friday evening, meet at the Rain Tree Cafe to hear park rangers talk about sea turtles, the birds of St. John and coral reef ecosystems.

Stay overnight steps from the beach: Spend even more time in nature by reserving one of the rustic eco-tents or comfortable cottages at Cinnamon Bay Beach & Campground.

St. John Snorkeling Excursions

Cruz Bay Watersports

Let an expert crew do the work while you spend an idyllic day in the waters around St. John. Hop on one of Cruz Bay Watersports’ catamarans for an unparalleled chance to slip into the water at an unspoiled cay, diverse reef or off-the-beaten-path snorkeling spot to see the variety of marine life living under the surface. Snorkeling experiences can be paired with a picnic lunch aboard the vessel, visits to the Pizza Pi or Lime Out floating restaurants, or relaxation time at the luxurious Lovango Resort & Beach Club. After your time in the water, enjoy sipping a drink aboard the boat as it sails back to dock at either the The Westin St. John Resort Villas or Cruz Bay.

Virgin Islands Ecotours

Would you rather paddle a kayak on a guided trip to Hurricane Hole, be a passenger aboard a yacht for a snorkeling and beach adventure, or rent an inflatable dinghy so you can explore St. John on your own? Those options and more are available with Virgin Islands Ecotours. Expect underwater sightings to include juvenile snappers, dolphins, stingrays, barracuda, starfish and amazing sea anemones. The popular Snorkel with Sea Turtles tour, departing from Cruz Bay, features three hours of snorkeling and swimming with gentle sea turtles in protected waters. Other half -and full-day snorkeling excursions are also available.

Ocean Surfari

Join an Ocean Surfari snorkeling excursion aboard the 47-foot Reef Surfari that takes guests for outings throughout Virgin Islands National Park, which is 40% underwater. Enjoy the boat trip out, then spend 1.5 hours snorkeling in clear waters and discovering an underwater world teeming with coral reefs and sea creatures like turtles and tropical fish. After snorkeling, listen to music and storytelling by the captain and first mate as you sip a beer, soda, rum punch or Painkiller on the way back to the dock in Cruz Bay. The boat is spacious, accommodating 49 passengers without feeling crowded, and offers plenty of shaded seats.

VI SNUBA Excursions

Look to VI SNUBA Excursions for exciting tours that are a cross between snorkeling and scuba diving around the reefs of Trunk Bay, one of St. John’s best spots to discover the island’s underwater wonders. You’ll receive training in water that’s a maximum of 20 feet deep. After you’ve mastered breathing and swimming, enjoy the sights while SNUBA staff members keep a watchful eye on your group. Follow turtles as they swim near the ocean floor, admire technicolor coral formations and watch a variety of fish darting about the tropical reefs. This is a great activity for children aged 8 and older.

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