Waterlemon is on STJ, so that's out for you. It is also probably the best snorkeling beach of those mentioned.

Secret Harbour and Sapphire are the best snorkeling beaches on STT and I don't know why you would have reservations otherwise about Sapphire as it's absolutely gorgeous. A little crowded on multiple cruise ship days but you could check the ship schedule and if there are only one or two ships in it won't be crowded at all.

Coki is way too crowded and filled with vendors for my liking but is lovely when no cruise ships are in.

There is shade at Sapphire, chair rentals and jet skiing. I believe that as of April 1st Secret Harbour will no longer be renting out beach chairs but the snorkeling there is very good and you can rent snorkel equipment from the Aqua Action Dive Shop right there. No jet skiing.

Minimal snorkeling at Lindbergh and Bluebeard's. No beaches here are private by law.

Hope that helps!

My husband and I have cruised numerous times and have been to STT/STJ half a dozen times or more (and to St. Martin 4 or 5 times).
We're here on this site now because as we were in the water at Magen's Bay a month ago we decided we're done with running back to the ship and are staying on STT next vacation (and thinking about buying there too.)
But all the day trips off the ship is what helped us discover the places we would like to make destination vacations.
The absolute best snorkeling experience I ever had was over on St. John at Trunk Bay. We got off the ship as soon as we could in the morning and took a taxi from Havensight to Red Hook. I think it was the 8:30 ferry over. Once at Cruz Bay we took a safari taxi to Trunk Bay.
First time was 2001 and last was 2004 so it's going back aways. We brought snorkel equipment first time (first cruise too- we've learned to leave more behind). We rented for us and older teen kids 2nd time. Getting there early you'll get a shady spot under a mangrove but don't remember there being chairs available. I do sympathize with needing the shade though.
We took careful note of the returning ferry times and we got there and back in plenty of time for all aboard. Arriving at 10 or so, we were ready to head back at 2 or 3 and it was well before our ship would sail.
It does matter which cruise line/ship and what time they dock and leave, of course.
But as brand new, 1st time cruisers we did it without ship excursions, with plenty of research ahead of time,and it was one of the most amazing experiences this former Boston city girl ever had both times! Consider doing STJ and Trunk if at all possible if snorkeling is the biggest consideration. Otherwise, all the very knowledgeable folks here will help you figure out the next best thing.
And like we have, you'll probably go back again and again and enjoy other spots as well even when you've only got that one day.

(When we're on St. Martin our favorite place is Club O but that's the nudist colony part of Orient Beach so not for everyone... and we never went there with our kids.)

Our cruise is in st thomas from 7am-4pm at crown bay (princess cruise) Do you think we will have time to go to trunk bay and get back by I am guessing 3 for our all aboard

sounds like you should def do secret harbour or sapphire

Yes I think you should. Emerald Princess, probably? That's the ship we were on in February when we were last down. First time on Princess (we usually were on Royal Carribean at Havensight) and first time docking there. We felt lazy that day and didn't choose to hustle out and over to STJ this time. Magen's Bay is generally our default plan when we stay on STT. It was beautiful that day, especially when home in Mass. was rainy cold and in the 20's.
Just read the ferry schedule in the local paper last night and see that they're hourly from 8 am on from RH to Cruz Bay. If you can get yourself over to Red Hook by 8:15 or 8:30 to get in line for the 9am trip, I think you'd find it worthwhile. You could be on the beach at Trunk Bay by 10 or so and spend the morning, have lunch if you want and head back for the return trip at 2PM or so to be comfortable.
(One note: my husband doesn't drink and I do very little and never in the middle of a hot day at the beach. So we have our wits about us maybe a little more than some do when they're on vacation. Stay well hydrated, check your schedules and plan carefully and you can do just fine. And then return to the ship and enjoy a mojito apres snorkeling!)

Wow you guys are amazing! Thank you so much for all the info. Can I throw another question out there? They have a cruise excursion to Turtle Cove, but I really want to do STT on our own. Does anyone think Turtle Cove is an option? I am going to dwell more on the ferry ride to St. John; from what I have read it seems my "requirements" might be best met there. The only thing I have heard negative about Sapphire is the crowds, and for some reason on travel boards they did not think this was the best place for snorkeling. Bernadette - we are on the Oasis of the Seas, and I believe docking in Crown Bay - will this make a difference in getting a taxi to the ferry? Thank you all again! I will go dwell and ponder now. It's in my nature.

Turtle Cove isn't an option going it alone as it's on Buck Island off St Thomas and only accessible by boat. If you decide to go to Trunk Bay on St John, remember that this is a popular destination for cruise ship tours and gets very crowded on busy cruise ship days - and the coral and fish life are nowhere near as brilliant as they used to be!

I would also add that the crowds at Sapphire used to be much larger when the main restaurant and pool bar were both open. They've been closed for a couple of years now but there are two BBQ/sandwich/bar operations on the beach and also runners taking orders from the Grapevine Grille in Sapphire Village. Still not sure about the reviews you've been reading about the snorkeling not being good as this really is a far cry from the reality! Have fun pondering!

Okay guys, I have a few more questions now that I am whittling this down. St. Thomas, either Secret Harbor or Sapphire Beach; or more towards my leaning, St. John and Trunks Bay or Cinnamon Bay. So, my question is this, from what I have read, taxis from the ferry in St. John do not go directly to Cinnamon Bay, they only go to Cruz Bay, and you have to find another form of transportation to Cinnamon Bay. And, I have found out our ship docks at 9:00, so that means the earliest we could get the ferry would probably be 10:00, and we have to be back at the ship at 5:00. Will this give us enough time in St. John if we go there? Thank you!!

In my experience, you can get a taxi to any of the STJ beaches. We are longtime STJ lovers & visitors; we took a cruise in 08 with STT as one of the stops. We took the ferry over to get our STJ fix and grabbed a taxi over to Skinny Legs (Coral Bay side), so one of the taxi drivers would surely take you to Cinnamon (which is our reccommendation vs. Trunk for crowded cruise ship days.)

If your ship is coming into Crown Bay, you can walk across the street to Crown Bay Marina, catch the Water Island ferry to Water Island, and hang at Honeymoon Beach. It's great for novice snorklers, Heidi Honeymoon Grill serves excellent food and drinks from 11-3. There are coconut trees and palapas so that those who want to can "chase shade". Quick , easy, relaxing and low cost - at a beautiful beach.

waltfan wrote:
So, my question is this, from what I have read, taxis from the ferry in St. John do not go directly to Cinnamon Bay, they only go to Cruz Bay, and you have to find another form of transportation to Cinnamon Bay.

No, you've got that wrong. The ferry from STT goes into Cruz Bay where there are loads of taxis waiting which will take you anywhere you want!

waltfan wrote:
Wow you guys are amazing! Thank you so much for all the info. Can I throw another question out there? They have a cruise excursion to Turtle Cove, but I really want to do STT on our own. Does anyone think Turtle Cove is an option? I am going to dwell more on the ferry ride to St. John; from what I have read it seems my "requirements" might be best met there. The only thing I have heard negative about Sapphire is the crowds, and for some reason on travel boards they did not think this was the best place for snorkeling. Bernadette - we are on the Oasis of the Seas, and I believe docking in Crown Bay - will this make a difference in getting a taxi to the ferry? Thank you all again! I will go dwell and ponder now. It's in my nature.

We always cruised on the Voyager class or smaller ships and docked in Havensight. Last month with Princess we were in Crown Bay for the first time. The fact that you are on that behemoth Oasis may make a difference in how crowded things will be no matter where you end up going depending on how many other ships are in the same day. But I think you could still do the trip. Though we went to Magen's from Crown Bay, there were plenty of safari taxis around taking groups to all the spots they wanted to go. I just remember from my last trip, which my husband reminded me was a third STJ sans kids probably in 2005 or 2007, we arrived at Red Hook about 30-45 minutes early and waited in a line that grew long before the departure time. So leave plenty of time coming and going and you should be OK. Looking at a current copy of the USVI Marine Guide (thanks VI TRADERS!) right now: Ferry leave Cruz Bay on the hour 6am to 11pm. Get there on the 10 to Cruz Bay and back to Red Hook on the 3PM and you'd be safe. Even if you don't feel comfortable doing it, you'll find somewhere wonderful on STT to enjoy the day. And then you can always do like we are and book a week's stay there in the future.
Good luck. I know you'll have a fabulous time no matter what you decide.

Thank you Bernadette and all! Your name brings back great memories. We had the most wonderful waiter on our last cruise, Bernadette, who started off the conversation "call me Bernie, not Barney like the purple dinosaur, but Bernie". So, there you go, Bernadettes are wonderful, helpful people. Per the large male clan in our group of 5 (I have to count our female kitty to have someone on my side), they want to travel to St. John. I am nervous, but willing, and your advice and help with the ferry was terrific. Yes, I think our behemoth can count as two ships, but it looks like June is more on the light side of ships being in STT port, but due to this fact we are counting out Trunks Bay. I believe we are headed to Cinnamon Bay! Thank you again!!!!

waltfan, just to give you a heads up, note that the VI taxi rates are regulated and charge per person.

Taxi to Sapphire from Crown Bay, $11-12 pp X 5 = $55-60 X 2 = $110-120.

Taxi to Red Hook from Crown Bay, $11-12 pp X 5 = $110-120.
Ferry to St John $6.00 pp X 5 = $30 X 2 = $60
Taxi from Cruz Bay to Cinnamon $7.00 pp X 5 = $35.00 X 2 = $70.00

Ergo, to go to Sapphire for a great day of snorkeling and everything else that all in your group want to do as individuals will run you total in taxi fares of $110-120.

To go to St John with less time and not everything your group wants to do to hand will cost $240-$250.

May well be that price isn't an issue for you but you're only here for one day and, in my humble opinion as a 26 year resident, you'll have a far nicer time opting to stay on STT rather than trying to do everything.

Hopefully you'll be able to see enough of STT and vicariously read about STJ to want to return here for a longer visit and see St John but just wanted to give you a heads up on what to expect price-wise on such a very short stay here. Cheers!

at that point you are better off sending one of the group over to pick up a rental car for the day to drive out to sapphire or secret harbour!!

Waltfan, With light ship traffic in June I would go to Coki. The snorkeling is great, the dive shop is right there, the beach bar is a few steps away and there are a couple of food vendors (not snack stands but grilled island food) and some local favorite characters who may try to sell you something, braid your hair or just run you drinks. This is my wife's favorite beach because of all of these things. It is the last non-government run beach on STT with all of these amenities. You will not be rushing around trying to beat the clock or spending a bundle. You would have about 6 hours at the beach. Coral World is right next door if the kids get bored.

My suggestion for a cruise stop in STT if you want a beautiful beach with good snorkeling is this;
Take the ferry to StJ/Cruz Bay (take the downtown ferry if your schedule matches the ferry schedule. Take a taxi to the Redhook ferry if not).
Exit the ferry, walk to your left about three blocks and find the NPS visitor center on your left. (if you need lunch or drinks stop at the Grotto in Mongoose junction across the street.)
Find the sign for the Lind Point Trail and take it (about 1short mile on easy terrain) to the Salamon Beach spur. This spur is a short hike downhill.
Find a nice spot under one of the palm trees and spend your day on one of the most beautiful beaches you will find anywhere.
Snorkel the point to your right between Salamon and Honeymoon Beach.
Hike back and catch the ferry. (Catch the downtown ferry if the schedule works).
You will have walked a total of about three miles on mostly flat terrain and you will remember Salamon beach forever.
Walk the duty free shopping in Charlotte Amalie and then back to your ship.

I forgot to add: I guarantee that, like us, you will find your way back to St John when ever you can.