We saw bunches of them off STJ, between Maho and Cruz Bay but I don't remember which cove. I do remember that there were very, very chi-chi estates on the hills above the cove. We also have occasional sea turtle sitings in Buzzards Bay off the Massachusetts coast but you're probably not asking about there.

Which island?

If on STJ, I saw them at Salt Pond Bay....in the exact location that many on this board have reported seeing them.....straight out between the two buoys.I also saw rays swimming with them there.

Also Waterlemon Cay in St. John has a bunch of turtles.

On STJ I think I've seen turtles most frequently in Francis Bay---along the right side. You can sit on the beach for a while and keep scanning the water looking for a head to surface. We used to see them in Haulover, but haven't for quite a while.

As you see from the responses, people see them in different places. When we do see one, I always take it as a gift from the turtle. A turtle can avoid a human pretty easily if it chooses to. They permit me to see them, or they don't.

First, you ALWAYS can see them at Coral World, where they have several rescued turtles. 😉

Turtles love turtle grass, so bays that have grass in them are good places to look. I think people expect to see them right on shore, but they are more likely seen in the middle of a bay. I have frequently seen them at the entrance to Red Hook harbor, the middle of Cowpet Bay and Magens on St Thomas and on St John at Leinster and Hawksnest. You need to be patient and watch for them to stick their head up to gulp air before diving. Keep your eyes on the water- when it is calm, they are a bit easier to spot.

I agree with Nick, it is always a gift to see a turtle. (tu)

Our best luck was in Francis Bay and Lameshur Bays although the latter is more difficult to reach so I would try Francis. Wonders to see and swim with but whenever you do see them, resist the temptation to touch them as their shells do not take to our natural oils or suntan oils very well.

We saw a lot of them in the grass in Cinnamon Bay on St John just two weeks ago. We also rented a kayak and went out to Whistling Cay and saw several there.

Larry

awesome! I am a turtle fanatic! I'm so excited - Sept. 10th cant get here soon enough.

I'm back, we looked at a map last night and it was Hawksnest Bay where we saw a bunch of them last November but Francis Bay, as others say, is a guarentee!

On my trip in June, I saw the most sea turtles in the center of Maho Bay. Sitting on the beach, I saw a number of them periscoping to the surface for air. I hear that late afternoon is your best bet.

Saw several sea turtles at Waterlemon while snorkleling which was real cool! You could see them on the bottom of the sea and then swim up and surface. We watched them for about 15 or 20 minutes. Also saw a couple at Caneel Bay.

We swam with some at water lemon cay. We saw them on the east side of the cay.

Saw one while diving on the south side of Buck Island (the one right off Charlotte Amalie) and saw another in the deeper water off Coki Beach.

JohnTee

There is a sea grass bed in the water on the left as you are facing the Caneel Bay Resort... We saw three large sea turtles their together as well as 7 giant sting rays together at once with a turtle swimming with them... as we swam along following them they would come to the surface where we were to get air and then dive again. They did this several times while we were with them and it was AWESOME!!!