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Can anyone tell me an easy to get to beach that we could snorkel for the day on St John? We want to take a ferry over and then take a taxi to a great beach with good snorkeling. We have been to Trunk Bay-beautiful, but got very crowded. Is Cinnamon Bay a good option?? Or could you recommend another beach? We are experienced snorkelers, and good swimmers so water depth is not a concern-just looking for good access from beach with some great snorkeling-would love to see some turtles! Also, in February is there just a 9am and 11am ferry from Charlotte Amalie? Is there a 10am? Or do we have to travel to Red Hook to get on an hourly ferry over? We are in port on the Carnival Liberty from 9-6pm so we are trying to figure out how to get to STJ as quickly as possible and want to spend much of our day there. Any suggestions would be appreciated. We were in STT this past August and spent our day at Sapphire Beach-snorkeling was very good,and we had a great time. This time we wanted to go back to ST John for the day. Thanks in advance for your help!
If you can do without any amenities -- Francis Bay -- great beach - turtles - long snorkel out to Mary Point - generally flat water.
We just got back from STT & STJ last night...had an amazing time. If you can fit it into your schedule...I would figure out a way to take the first ferry over in the morning and then as soon as you get off the ferry....go to your right on the beach and you can rent dingy's there. You can take these all along the shoreline and go to whatever beach you want. You can reserve one ahead of time too. The place we rented from was called Noah's Ark something ???? Anyway, they rent 2 different size dingy's for 1/2 or full day. Depending on how many people are in your group you can split the cost but I think it is SOOO worth the money. The best snorkeling we found and was recommended to was was Waterlemon Bay (right at or around Leinster Bay) there is an island that you can swim out to from the beach. It is a LONG swim, but everyone does it. But when we saw everyone driving up in their dingy's, we wished we had done that...so we did that the next day we went to STJ. Cause they have buoy's you can tie up to right out by the island to eliminate the swim and you can focus on the snorkel. We saw turtles, stingrays, and tons of fish. The great thing about the dingy is you dont waste precious time in the car and you get a much better view of the beaches and quick, easy access to snorkeling! HIGHLY recommend this!!
Waterlemon cay @ Leinster Bay is a good suggestion if you are only looking for snorkeling. There is not much beach at Leinster. You would also have to arrange with a taxi driver when to pick you up. Some drivers will give you their cell# and you can call. Remember it is island time though.;) Be aware that Waterlemon is affected by north and east winds. If the wind is up, the snorkeling is more difficult. I don't know if I could make a whole day out of Leinster. You could also hike from there to Francis Bay.
Highly recommend going to Cinammon Bay and snorkeling the left side over to Little Cinnamon. We've been to Cinnamon a half-dozen times before and only snorkeled the Cay out front. This last time, we went over to Little Cinnamon and it was really awesome! Get out of the water on that small beach and the entire area looks so much different (and still beautiful).
See if you can find the Cessna Engine out in front of Little Cinnamon beach - we did find it!
I recommend Cinnamon not only for the snorkeling, but to make a day of it, they also have food, drinks, and restrooms.
Good Luck! Have Fun!
Hi Carribeancruzer,
Cinnamon Bay is a good choice for a nice snorkeling beach, with amenities, and on a cruise ship schedule. It is a short taxi ride, around a 12 minute drive, from Cruz Bay where the ferry dock is located.
Waterlemon is a beautiful spot to snorkel. You will spend more time getting there by taxi from Cruz Bay (about 22 minutes) plus you have to hike the Leinster Bay trail (maybe 20 minutes). And you will need to arrange for the taxi to return for you at a set time as there usually aren't taxis waiting around in that area or if they are in the area they are heading to/from Annaberg Plantation - usually as part of a tour. If you go the dinghy route then you skip the taxi and hike.
The Charlotte Amalie ferry doesn't have a 10am... its 9am and then 11am. The Red Hook ferry is hourly. You can find full information on the Ferry Schedule page of this site.
Which ever ferry you take, Charlotte Amalie or Red Hook, you will need to get there from the cruise ship dock. Carnival ships are usually docked at the WICO Cruise Ship Dock in Havensight. Then its a ferry ride over to Cruz Bay. Right off the ferry dock there is a taxi stand so taxis are readily available to take you to your destination. If that happens to be Cinnamon Bay there is also a taxi stand there so you shouldn't have any trouble finding a taxi when you are ready to leave. Do keep in mind that sometimes the drivers will wait a little bit to see if any other beach-goers need a taxi, they do this to fill up their vehicle before heading off. If you are aiming for a particular ferry departure and are concerned with time then let the driver know which ferry you are trying to catch.
--Islander
There is no CA ferry at present. The only ferries running from STT to STJ are from Red Hook right now.
Thanks so much Islander for the great information. Another quick question about Cinnamon Bay. We are set to be on our cruise in February, and I heard this beach is good for windsurfers. Does that mean that it will be choppy and may be difficult to snorkel in the winter months? Also, is it easy to snorkel to Little Cinnamon Bay from Cinnamon Bay? Does this require walking (to the left) and then the beach becomes Little Cinnamon? Just not sure about another comment on the message boards. We wanted to be sure we understood where to go for the best snorkeling. Thanks so much!
Hi VI Lover,
Can you tell me exactly how to get to Little Cinnamon? Do we just walk down to the left when on Cinnamon Bay Beach? Is this easy to walk to? Also, how far is the Cessa aircraft from the beach? Is the water usually calm and clear in February? Thanks so much, we are looking forward to visiting Cinnamon Bay and having a great day of snorkeling. Is there a restaurant on Cinnamon Bay? Thanks so much for your help.
Here is a link that gives you info on the plane and how to get to Little Cinnamon.
Great link you provided, Toes!
We actually snorkeled all the way over to the beach. It depends on your snorkeling/swimming ability as it's a fairly long snorkel. As the link says, you can walk there as well.
My best advice is once you get around the coral area - TAKE YOUR TIME. Just float and watch all the fish. I know I sometimes get in such a hurry to see more that I miss what's just below me!
Either way you get there, you'll really enjoy Cinammon. Yes - they have a restaurant up by the entrance to the area. They also have a snack shop, rent beach chairs, and non-motorized watersport devices (boats, boards). It really is an awesome day.
Good Luck! Have Fun!!
definitely waterlemon cay!!
