Off-shore snorkeling via sea kayak ??

mountaingoat · Post by **mountaingoat** » Thu Apr 09, 2009 7:57 pm

Has anyone snorkeled Eagle Shoals or Johnson's Reef? I was curious if these sites were reasonable to attempt via sea kayak?
In May of Last year; I did Yawzi, Saltpond, Waterlemon, Mary Point, Peter Bay to Trunk Cay, Brown Bay, & Leinster Point from shore (and kayaked to Whistiling Cay and snorkeled around the entire perimeter).
This year, I want to see new areas and was interested in maybe kayaking to Johnson's Reef & Eagle Shoals and using the mooring buoys to snorkel from the kayak. I've done an Arawak trip through the BVI a few years ago, but didn't have a sit-on-top. I've done a bit of sea-kayak snorkeling off of Jost Van Dyke & Tortola years ago, but nothing this ambitious.
We also want to try Tektite and White Cliffs and maybe Ditliff point from shore. Any input/suggestions/criticisms would be appreciated.
Thank you..

RickG · Post by **RickG** » Thu Apr 09, 2009 8:34 pm

We talked a bit about this over at http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... hp?t=10880

I'm intrigued and think it could go very nicely.

Cheers, RickG

Exit Zero · Post by **Exit Zero** » Thu Apr 09, 2009 8:40 pm

There are absolutely NO mooring buoys close to Johnson Reef - the yellow buoys are NPS marker buoys and definitely not available for tying a kayak off. The Green buoy is USCG and navigational.

hugo · Post by **hugo** » Thu Apr 09, 2009 9:50 pm

I don't believe Johnson's Reef would be that great a snorkel anyway. Eagle shoal could be great, but maybe a little deep without tanks, as I recall.
What about Carvel Rock, Congo, Lovango, Mingo? All pretty fabulous!

Joshie · Post by **Joshie** » Thu Apr 09, 2009 9:59 pm

hugo · Post by **hugo** » Thu Apr 09, 2009 10:14 pm

I believe that's one of the reasons the snorkeling is not so hot---all the large and small boats that ram that reef regularly. Some St. John surfers get towed out to ride the winter breakers, if they don't have time to get to Tortola.

hoosierdaddy · Post by **hoosierdaddy** » Fri Apr 10, 2009 2:05 am

We did Ditliff two weeks ago and it was one of the best snorkels of our week. We went out to the point first and then cut across the middle to the other side. If you are there one of the neat things is the sound the beach makes when the tide goes out. The entry point to the wateris all rocks and when the water goes out thousnads of rocks roll backwards and makes a noise unlike any I have ever heard.

psufan · Post by **psufan** » Fri Apr 10, 2009 7:10 am

Hoosierdaddy, we stayed in Orchid Villa a few years ago. Loved the sound of those rocks in the surf. We could hear it from the deck. Really cool sound when you are in the water.

I too am interested in good snorkeling from a kayak. We want to do some kayaking when we are there in May. Intend to do Whistling Cay but other sites might be interesting as well. We are realtive novices though.

We snorkeled Congo on a day sail a few years ago. Great snorkel but there is a good current. Our captain drifted with us so we did not have to try to swim back. If you aren't a strong swimmer it may be a challenge to get back to your kayak if it is moored. If you are a confident swimmer it shouldn't be a problem.

mountaingoat · Post by **mountaingoat** » Sat Apr 11, 2009 11:54 am

Thanks everyone for your replies. We are trying to come up with a plan before we head down there. Hoosierdaddy, how did you access Ditliff? By boat or foot?
Thanks again..

Exit Zero · Post by **Exit Zero** » Sat Apr 11, 2009 12:44 pm

There is a fair amount of info: - map - pics showing reefs - directions, etc. on www.ditleffpoint.com

DaveS007 · Post by **DaveS007** » Sat Apr 11, 2009 1:13 pm

Joshie wrote:Someday, I'm going to do Johnson's Reef...

Maybe I'll get a friend to dinghy me in.

I've always been fascinated by that reef.

Almost hit it with my boat several years back (it's not hard to do).

-j

Your parents bought you a boat ?? Sweet.

mountaingoat · Post by **mountaingoat** » Sat Apr 11, 2009 2:13 pm

There is a fair amount of info: - map - pics showing reefs - directions, etc. on www.ditleffpoint.com

I had read that there was a subdivision in the works and that access via the road was going to be closed. However, I also read that there was foot access by walking along the shoreline from Klein bay to the beaches along the west end of Ditliff Point. the website seems to imply that those beaches are "private". I'm not sure, at this point, what to believe.

RickG · Post by **RickG** » Sat Apr 11, 2009 2:56 pm

Ditleff has a beach access easement for public access. The CZM is requiring these for all new construction. Maybe islandstyle can give us the scoop on this?

Cheers, RickG

mountaingoat · Post by **mountaingoat** » Wed Apr 15, 2009 11:54 pm

Thanks for the replies. I guess we will take our chances when we get down there. Less than a month to go !!!!!

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Off-shore snorkeling via sea kayak ??

Off-shore snorkeling via sea kayak ??