The Best Snorkeling on St. John US Virgin Islands

Snorkeling the Indians at Norman Island, British Virgins Islands with St. John Boat Charter, Island Roots.

There are so many great snorkeling spots around St. John in the US Virgin Islands that it’s hard to choose where to go first! Mangrove shorelines, seagrass beds, and fringing reefs offer an ample and diverse array of snorkeling opportunities.

What’s the best snorkeling on St. John?

Defining what snorkeling is the “best” is highly subjective, based on many factors such as individual abilities, what you’re interested in seeing and wind and water conditions that day.

Some of the fan favorites are: Waterlemon Cay where you can often spot starfish, Trunk Bay with its guided snorkeling trail right off the beach, Maho Bay where you’re pretty much guaranteed to see a sea turtle and Honeymoon Beach for those who like to enjoy cocktails and lounge chairs after a snorkel.

But how you’re really going to find the “best” snorkeling in the US Virgin Islands is always going to depend on the sea conditions of the day! Some days when there’s no North swell it might be best to snorkel the fringing reef at Hawksnest but other days when winds are out of the South the conditions at Haulover North would be excellent. Paying attention to wind direction, ocean current and swells in the area will always be the best way to pick a snorkeling destination that is safe and easy to navigate with good visibility.

What is the best snorkeling for beginners on St. John?

If you are new to snorkeling we would recommend starting at Trunk Bay. Not only is the Trunk Bay beach spectacular, there’s a guided snorkel trail you can access right off the beach. The Virgin Island’s National Park installed underwater informational placards for you to follow and learn about the different kinds of coral. The trail starts off the beach and follows the western side of Trunk Cay. Snorkel gear is available to rent at the water sports shop for the day. If you are looking to rent snorkel gear for an extended period of time check out the snorkel shops we recommend in Cruz Bay and Coral Bay.

Where can I snorkel with turtles on St. John?

Snorkeling with sea turtles is usually high on the list for those traveling to the US Virgin Islands. Because it’s so popular we wrote a separate blog post that talks about the go-to snorkeling spot to swim with the sea turtles! Please remember to look but don’t touch!

What are some off the beaten path snorkeling spots?

Some of the more popular snorkeling spots, especially those you access right from the beach can get busy. If you are looking for some unique, off the beaten path snorkeling we highly recommend researching some St. John boat charters. Seeing the island by boat is beautiful, plus it gives you access to TONS of snorkeling destinations you can’t reach by car or foot. When looking for a St. John boat rental to take you snorkeling be sure they have experienced captains that understand how important sea conditions are when picking the best snorkeling spots!

Island Roots Charters offers full day snorkeling charters with experienced captains to both the US Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands, as well as afternoon snorkel and sunset trips.