The indians are between St. John, and the BVI.

You have to take a day excursion that includes the Indians as a destination, or rent a boat yourself.

The boat "Breakaway" on St Thomas stops there.

In my opinion the spot is completely over rated. I was really dissapointed with the snorkelling there.

JET

: )

Although it's one of the better of the "known" areas you will read about in travel articles and such I don't consider it one of the better snorkelling location.

I prefer shallower water for snorkelling. The Indians are in about 30 feet of water on the west side, and 15 to 20 feet on the shallower east side.

Being such a popular spot has taken it's toll on the location. Anchoring has destroyed much of the coral. Moorings are installed, but the damage was already done. Too little too late.

I still say the best bang for your buck is the shallow inshore locations off the beaches. You can snorkel in about 3-6 feet of water and be as close to the marine life as is possible. Coki Point, and Lundqvist beach are my favorites on St Thomas. In about 15 minutes at Lundqvist I saw a spotted eagle ray, a brilliant cuttle fish, a morray eel, and the usual reef dwellers.

All the coral is pretty much dead throughout the USVI, and BVI. The best reefs accesible for snorkelers are only apporx 20-30% living coral.

My advice... keep it shallow.... If you want brilliant, healthy reefs, go to the Bahamas.

JET

We've snorkeled the Indians and I agree about it being overrated and overused , but it was a good experience all the same.

JetPilot: A bit off-topic, but your comment interested me. Where, specifically, in the Bahamas are brilliant, healthy reefs?

Regards,
N.

The Indians is one of my favorite places to Snorkel around the USVI. The water is clear with a large amount of sea life, the coral has suffered from frequent tours and charters stopping there. I have been going to the Indians for a long time and never been disappointed, but I live here so not read the articles or descriptions you guys are talking about to say whether they are accurate descriptions or not. It is a frequently visited spot though. I have snorkeled and dived in Hawaii, Belize and several Caribbean islands and the Indians are still one of my favorites. Granted I have seen more healthy snorkeling areas in Belize (was in a marine sanctuary); I have also seen snorkel areas that are not as nice as the Indians. A couple years ago I took my folks out to the Indians and they are still talking about it today (not to experienced in snorkeling themselves). I think depending on your snorkel experiences your opinion of a spot will be different, if you are used to seeing lots and lots of fish then you might be disappointed by a snorkel area that doesn't have as many where as someone who is not used to snorkeling at all might find the same spot great. Overall I think the Indians is still a great spot to snorkel, Trunk Bay is as well, Cinnamon Bay, Brewers Bay, Lynquist, Secret Harbor, Lameshur, Hull Bay. I think the USVI offers lots of great dive and snorkel opportunities. Waterlemon Cay is another of my favs. for snorkeling. Anyone else have suggestions for favorite snorkel spots in the VI?

just wanted to thank everyone for your help regarding the indians....we have decided to pretty much stay with our "secret " snorkling spot on st john. we are going to try waterlemon and lamesure. while i'm at it, what is the best way to get to waterlemon, and is there a current we should be aware of?.thanks again, marina

Marina,

You have to drive to Leinster Bay, below Annaberg Plantation Ruins.... you can park on the side of the road there but don't block the dirt path area - as some people with jeeps drive down it and you might block them in - saw that happen a couple weeks ago. Then you have to walk along the path which is relatively path and runs along the coast line and the beach to the end basically - where you are closest to the cay and then you get in the water and swim accross a short channel to the cay. The walk there unfortunately I have never timed, but I suppose is about 20 minutes. The swim accross to the cay is fairly deep... saw some turtles, rays, starfish there... and then around the cay you see fish ect. on the left side of the cay it is easier to swim when you start getting to the back of the cay the currect gets much stronger in my opinion. You can swim up to the shore on the cay as well if you need to break. The swim back to the shore is tougher then getting out to the cay. Lameshur, didn't see lots of big fish, but lots of small ones - really neat and rays. But a nice beach overall for a picnic and day at the beach - far out from everything else - good for folks staying on island, a bit far to get to for cruise ship folks.

Have a great time. Secret spot..... hummmmmm. 🙂

--Islander