We've seen turtles in Francis Bay, next cove over from Maho Bay- fabulous!!!!!

Salt Pond Bay between the boat moorings.

I've seen them very often at Hawksnest. Snorkeling is very easy. (Floating with a little locomotion!) The key is to do it quietly, no splashing of fins, and breathe slowly. The salinity of the water makes floating very easy. Any place you see "turle" grass, (looks like Iceberg lettuce past its prime) Swim out on the ends (near the rocks) of any beach. This is where to most fish are, then swim toward the middle of whatever bay you are in, and then shoreward. I have seen more in the late afternoon than any other time. Needless to say don't touch! If you are quiet you can follow them for a long time.

I've seen them at Salt Pond....straight out in the middle between the boat moorings, as FV said. This seems to be a popular sighting spot for them, as we had heard that this was where we would surely find them....and there they were!

From the info I have gathered on STJ turtles, it seems that they are a little shy and timid of floating people. Is this correct?

I've only had one experience swimming with turtles and it was in Maui at a spot in the ocean called turtle town. We got there by catamaran (kinda like Stingray City in GC if anybody's been) and it was amazing. We had about 20 giant (3-4 across) sea turtles all around us and they were not afraid of humans. As a matter of fact, the big daddy started to surface right underneath me and it was like move it or lose it! They are also VERY protected there. You cannot touch them, even accidently. It was like a 20,000 fine! They told us to keep a respectable distance so I never got closer then about 5-10 feet but it was incredible!

Thank you for the advice so far! Can anyone tell me what depth water the Turtles are usually seen in?

THe turtles I sat at Salt Pond Bay were in about 15-18 feet of water - I guess. It's hard to measure water depth by memory. I just remember how they would drive down and we would dive with them, but we would have to return to the surface for air while they were still diving. Hey, now that you've got me thinking about it, there were stingrays on the bottom where the turtles fed....I think we saw 3 stingrays and 2 turtles....all in the same little area.

I didn't really like Salt Pond. There wasn't enough shade for me and the water felt extra salty - too salty. I guess it was probably a very therapeutic swim with all of that salt....but it wasn't the beautiful, blue, clear water I love and the water's entry was so rocky it hurt my feet. It's a rugged kind of beach....probably very enjoyable for naturists.

When we've seen them at Francis Bay, I think it was more like under 10 feet but don't quote me. They do seem shy and we made no effort to go near them and they kept their distance- we saw them each time from 20 feet away or more I think.

We just returned from STT/STJ on Sunday 🙁 We were at Waterlemon Cay on Wednesday and saw a few pretty big sea turtles (we saw them last year also). The turtles were pretty cool. We swam around with them for about 5 minutes or so and they didn't seem to mind a bit.

There are always sea turtles at Sapphire on St. John. Everytime we snorkled there we'd see one (last year also). I swam around with a baby sea turtle on Thursday at Sapphire and I even got to run my hand down the back of it's shell while it came up for air right beside me! It was not bothered that I was there at all, it seemed very comfortable. When I have time I'll post the photos that I have of me & the sea turtle.

Also at Sapphire on Thursday we saw a spotted sting ray that we followed out to 2 sea turtles.

If you really want to see a sea turtle I would suggest going to Sapphire and I'll almost guarantee that you'll see at least one. Just look for the boat that looks like it's sinking on the shore and swim out to the right of the boat around the sea grass area.

Good luck!

I've seen the turtles at Fancis the last 3 years when we were there. Hang a right once you reach the beach and go halfway between there and where the sandy beach ends, I swim out from there and seem to find them each year.

Hey everyone,
Last trip we saw them at Maho, one HUGE one, and two smaller ones, and they were in about 5-6 feet of water (my husband could stand on the sand) They were fabulous to look at 🙂

Where is Sapphire on STJ? I've been going there for years and have never heard of it.

I'm sure they meant STT, especially with the reference to the sinking ship - which is at Sapphire on STT. I've heard that the sunken yacht on STT (which has only been there a couple of years, right?) is now a good place for snorkeling.

One more question: what is the best time of day to see turtles? Is there a better chance to see them in the morning, mid-day, or evening? Thanks again for your help!!

In the morning about 9:00 and I've seen most of mine in the afternoon after 4:00

FRANCIS BAY!!!

LMarie: I almost always see turtles at Leinster and at Cowpet Bay on St Thomas and the last time we were at Cinnamon, we counted about 5 within viewing distance at once. As Wes said, look for turtle grass. They don't usually hang out near shore, but out in the middle of the bay. One good reason to go by boat! They seem to be more active early in the morning and later in the afternoon, although once on the night of a full

Thanks again for all the advice!!! This board is wonderful!

We always see them at Francis and Leinster... every single time!

Good luck!

Matt