Top 3 Snorkel Spots

[Pickle]

Unless octopuses are up and about, out of their dens, you don't see them often. You have to "find" them by looking through holes and crevices among rocks and corals (they do prefer rocks). As Steve said, it requires patience. I've had good luck at the right side of Francis - I have seen active and hidden ones more often out there than anywhere else around St. John.

My top 3 of all time (though it changes trip to trip depending on the conditions of the water):

Haulover North
Blue Cobblestone
Waterlemon Cay - especially the backside

[polly]

Don't think you have to hike to the ends of the island to have good snorkeling. Try these spots:

Maho - in the center area there are often turtles, a couple weeks ago we saw a beautiful spotted ray. Then head to the right side around the point to little Maho. Always a sure place to see Queen Angelfish. Also- a huge tarpon or two.

Francis - to the right and over the grass- turtle heaven. Frequently see 4-6 to swim with! Keep going right along the shore - there is a lovely spot quite aways out.

Cinnamon - Walk as far right as you can! Swim around the point - lots of rocks for all sorts of things to hide in and under. If it is wavy - head somewhere else.

As for seeing an octopus - here are the places I have spied them: Maho, Francis, Cinnamon, Salt Pond, Waterlemon, and Lameshur.

Seems as that folk want to be able to brag about the long trek to the perfect snorkel spot. You don't have to go far to see a lot, just have to know where to look, take your time and enjoy! I have snorkeled near people who later would say they didn't see much. I couldn't help but wonder how we could be swimming in the same general area and yet see two totally different worlds! Take your time and enjoy the view!

[sherban]

Bringing this post back to life to see if anyone has more inputs?

[Coconuts]

I would vote for the point between Scott Bay and Turtle Bay, which has a very nice assortment of both hard and soft corals. The currents there can be a bit strong at times, though. If you have more ambition than free cash, you can snorkel there from Caneel Bay, either snorkeling across Scott Bay, or coming ashore and walking along the length of Scott Beach. If you bring a dry pouch with sandals, you could walk along the very nice Turtle Point Trail, which starts just off the north (Turtle Point end) of Turtle Beach. I once walked that trail barefoot, but wouldn't advise that anyone else try it.

On the general snorkeling points theme, I recently scanned and OCR'ed the NPS snorkeling brochure, which I had been unable to find in an electronic format. Postings do not, for whatever reason, allow PDF's as attachments, so here it is as four JPG's:

All the best,

Kevin

Page 1

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Page 4

[bigyellowtuna]

By far, Haulover North was the best snorkeling on my trip if you are looking for water clarity, coral / fish abundance. Others I snorkeled and compared it to are Haulover S, Hawksnest, Salt Pond, Leinster / Waterlemon, Salt Pond, Maho, Cinnamon Bay, Trunk Bay, and the public beach next to Vie's.

[54b]

My Top 3 After 5 Trips To the Rock:

1) Haulover North - Enter water near the middle of the beach, go left
2) Waterlemon Cay - Never disappoints
3) Whistling Cay - Side of the cay that faces Francis/Maho - There's some good stuff across the channel around Mary Point and then Francis itself is always good for Turtle and Ray spotting.

Other Favorites: Tektite, Cobblestone back to Salt Pond, and Denis; also some easier access ones: the reef located about 30 to 40 yards off Jumbie beach and that point between Solamon and Honeymoon Beaches

For upcoming trip this June, we are going to take kayaks from Cinnamon out to Johnson's Reef...apparently you can tether the kayaks to your ankle while you snorkel the reef. So hopefully we can get calm seas for that one.

I'd also like to find this sweet spot at Leinster that I keep hearing about...apparently there is a really good snorkel spot right off the trail somewhere between the trailhead at Annaberg and the Leinster beach. If anyone has the 411 on that, please let me know.

[liamsaunt]

I'd also like to find this sweet spot at Leinster that I keep hearing about...apparently there is a really good snorkel spot right off the trail somewhere between the trailhead at Annaberg and the Leinster beach. If anyone has the 411 on that, please let me know.

It is located off the rocky beach about halfway out to the sandy beach. Look for three mooring balls offshore. That's where you want to put in. Start on the right side and drift over the reef parallel to the shore as far as the point on the left, then push out into deeper water and swim back along the ridge line. It's a great snorkel--lots of coral and fish. I've seen sharks, hawksbill turtles, and eagle rays here too. Just be careful on the drift part as it is a little shallow and if you kick your fins you could hit the coral. You really don't need to kick at all when you are going over the shallow stuff, just let the current float you along and use your arms to push around. (You'll want your fins on for the swim back along the ridge though as you'll be going against the current).

[54b]

Thanks, liamsaunt...good direction.

[mnfun2bme]

First of all, thanks for all who have posted and to Kevin for the files.
My favorites have changed from year to year and depend greatly upon water clarity. There is nothing better than a snorkel with great visibility. We had Salt Pond in 2012 that was great water clarity and incredible snorkeling.... but in 2011, Solomon/Honeymoon was my favorite.
I'm hoping for great water clarity this December!

[Pulley]

Only three? That is hard but...
1 - Haulover - depending on where you are staying it can be long drive but easy walk and access.
2 - Kiddle - This one is hard to get to but is worth the effort.
3 - Caneel Bay - to the right around toward Scott Beach a very easy snorkel.

How you can you leave off Maho, Cinnamon, Denis Bay, Perkins Cay, Waterlemon, Blue Cobblestone, Lameshur, Reef Bay, Salt Pond, Hansen, Chocolate Hole (to east), Ditliff Point, Gibney, Oppenhiemer, etc. Each trip produces a new perspective. The clarity of the water and the calmness may leap frog spot over another for that trip.

[zamboni27]

Saw my first octopus yesterday at Gibney - right side out past small sandy beach. Instantly moves to the top of my snorkel list!

[Chet]

Put in at Jumbie. Take yor time on the left side coral wall as it goes out. In deeper water you can head around the point, stopping to look in the rock canyons. You'll get rimrocked If you stay along the wall as you approach Denis. Swim out and around the coral and haul up on Denis. Be respectful of the folks in the beach house and stay on the water's edge.