Is the water safe for snorkeling yet?

[mit43]

Is the water safe now or do we have to wait for tests to be done?

[bnsilly]

I don't have an answer for you but I am sure someone will chime in...
I just wanted to say I looked at the webcam today and it sure looked prtty there and made me want to be in the islands...

[SusanNJ]

I'm wondering the same thing!

[Randy in MD]

I went snorkeling in Francis Bay yesterday. The water was a bit cloudy, but other than that, it seemed beautifully normal. Haven't heard any official declarations about the water test results, but we'd been here three days without a snorkel and I figured the rum would kill anything we might catch...

[Rhonda]

I am hoping it is okay because we are ready for some snorkeling.

[mrscherry2000]

Last I saw was this http://www.dpnr.gov.vi/documents/releas ... ease_id=91 dated the 9th but not released on their site until the 12th.

There's a contact number on the release.

[BuffaloGal]

FYI... Just saw this on a Westin update. *(DPNR will determine whether or not the advisory will be lifted by this afternoon)

[dougtoni]

Hi
What do you mean is the water safe for snorkling? Safe from what?
Toni

[dougtoni]

Okay so I figured it out. So I am guessing the water will be fine in Dec/Jan when I hope to be there. Does anyone know of a great 8 sleeper rental near the beach .....for a week? Dec 26

[Randy in MD]

The water was fine again today... Snorkeled from Jumbie to Trunk and Jumbie to Dennis this afternoon... Drinking copious amounts of rum to kill any bacteria...

[mit43]

Thanks! We made it here tonight. Looking forward to hitting the water in the morning!

[stjohnjulie]

Yes, the water is safe on all of St. John. There are only two beaches in all of the USVI that aren't not clear yet, both on St. Croix, Princess Beach and Grapetree Bay. The beaches on St. John are less effected by heavy rains and tend to clear up quickly because there is so little development around them. This is a quote from an article on the St. John Source:

Since the most popular St. John beaches are in V.I. National Park, Miller will be glad to know that all the park’s beaches are safe for swimming, snorkeling and other marine pursuits.

Park Superintendent Mark Hardgrove said that since the area around the beaches is not developed like the rest of St. John, the issues are mainly pathogens from trees and plants.

“The organisms die off in a couple of hours from the salt water,” Hardgrove said.

[mit43]

Thanks Julie! Headed out now to get the Jeep and head for the beach!!!