Hello Ryan,

Best beach accessiable snorkeling on St. Thomas; Coki Beach, Sapphire Beach, Secret Harbor, Hull Bay. On St. Croix; Cane Bay, Davis Bay... take a charter boat over to Buck Island.

--Islander

What about the snorkeling on St. John. How is the hiking in St John, any recommendations?

STT: Coki is nice, but small--can be very overcrowded when cruise ships are in town. Plenty of tropical fish to be seen, and you can also buy food to feed them..Secret Harbor probably best overall for snorkeling in terms of far less crowded than Coki and nice diversity of aquatic life--snorkel the rocks on the right end and left ends (as you face the water) of the beach. Sapphire arguably the most scenic, and has a large beachside
bar/grill that is very nice. Sometimes see turtles over grass beds--to the left as you face the water f rom the bar. Lots of iguanas to see in the open green where lodges are located. Magens Bay great for swimming/tanning/socializing, but not much for snorkeling. Its a long beautiful beach, and best of all , it's just down the road from Udder Delight!

STJ: Trunk Bay has informative signs placed on the bottom around the red, white and blue buoys describing the variety of aquatic flora/fauna to be seen there. Defnitely the best snorkeling of all those described here. Cinnamon Bay also very scenic, but did not dive there so cannot comment on snorkeling.

If you go to the National Park Service office on the dock by the car ferries in Cruz Bay they have many different maps and good info on hiking. The Ref Bay Trail is exceptional, and they even have a boat that will pick you up the bottom so you don't have to hike back up.

STJ
Trunk is nice but get there before the cruise crowds. Bumping into people tends to take away from my snorkeling experience. We liked Cinnamon, Francis, Waterlemon Cay and the Lameshurs. So many...so little time.
Our charter (Wayward Sailor) took us to Lovongo Cay just north of STJ and we were blown away. Definitely worth a day if you have it to spare.

Second that , Lovongo was awesome!!!!!!! Especially the story about how it got its name,hahahah!

Is Lovongo Cay part of the USVI, or is it BVI?

USVI

Hello Ryan,

Good hiking on St. John. You can find a list at:

https://www.vinow.com/stjohn/nationalpark/activities.php

For a nice, not so hard, hike with beach stops the Lind Point Trail from Cruz Bay to Caneel Bay is great.

For a harder hike (harder if you are hiking down and back up - LOL...) Reef Bay Trail is really a good choice.

Visit Annaberg and Cinnamon Bay Planation Ruins too.

--Islander

The National Park Service has the escorted Reef Bay hike with boat pick-up- you need to reserve a spot at 340-776-6201 and there is a cost. It is extremely worthwhile and educational!