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*I realy love to snorkel, but I don't like to look around and see alot of flailing from throngs of first timers. I'll be there for two weeks, one on St. Thomas - so my lovely wife can shop - and one on St. John - so that we can see the wonders of what we understand to be the pristiine environs. Where are the best snorkeling spots on both islands - naming one or two on each would be wildly appreciated.
Thanks so much!
Alex
I was on St. John about 5 years ago. I loved Waterlemon Cay for snorkeling. You have to hike about 15 minutes in so its not that crowded. It was amazing. I even saw an octopus.
St. John
While Trunk offers the 'Top 10' label for beauty and has an official snorkeling trail, it gets crowded early with cruise ship groups and you pay to enter. I prefer Hawksnest and Francis Bay for variety of snorkeling. Hawksnest has a reef close to shore and Francis is often visited by turtles, rays and larger fish.
Waterlemon is harder to get to but worth the effort. More starfish than you have ever seen. The Lameshur Bays offer similar experience to Francis but include more variety as you aproach open water along each shoreline (East/West).
I would suggest you consider a day sail with one of the local charters. They can take you to the of island locations with even more exciting views. We used Wayward Sailor out of Cruz Bay. Captain Phil took us to Lovongo Cay (just north of STJ) with tremendous numbers of fish.
Jumbie and Salt Pond. Quieter with an abundance of sea life and healthy coral.
Alex,
On STT I would try Coki or Secret Harbour for great snorkeling. Secondary choices (cloudy if the water is rough that day) would be Sapphire or Morningstar.
Schultz
