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Francis Bay
Francis Bay
Two weeks to go and we're planning on hitting alot of beaches that we've never been to on this trip. Alot of you like Francis Bay and we haven't tried that one yet. The books aren't very specific on how to find it. I know you have to to take the road to Maho Campground, but is it marked where you turn off? (We've not explored down that road before.) Is there a parking area? How far is the hike to the water? Are there any sort of facilities there? Which side is best for snorkeling and what kinds of things will we see?
Thanks all!!
Thanks all!!
Go past the north shore beaches and keep heading towards Annaberg. When you get to the T-intersection take the left. There should be a sign for Francis and you go up a little dirt road. There is great snorkeling on either edge of the beach. To the left are large rocks and you can end up on Little Maho. To the right is more shallow and lots of fish. The only thing to watch for at Francis is the storms they had lately have made a big drop in the sand right when you get into the water. Otherwise it is a fabulous beach!!
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Tracy in WI
- Posts: 1624
- Joined: Tue Aug 08, 2006 8:39 am
- Location: Wisconsin
I just spent the day at Francis on Saturday and it was gorgeous. Ther road is a bit bumpy, but just continue to the end where there is a small parking lot. If there are no spaces, you can park along the road.
There is a porta potty in the parking area, but otherwise no other services. There are a few picnic tables on the beach and a grill or two.
We snorkeled along the right hand side and saw all kinds of fish and a stingray. Francis is usually pretty good for seeing turtles, but we kept seeing one (or more) pop up for air in the middle of the bay but could not find him/her when we snorkeled out there.
There is a pretty neat walking trail before you turn off to the road to the beach - there is a small parking area. It takes you past some ruins and has neat views of a salt pond. The trail ends up at the right end of the beach.
The bugs can get bad here later in the day, so once they start biting, we pack up and leave.
Enjoy!
There is a porta potty in the parking area, but otherwise no other services. There are a few picnic tables on the beach and a grill or two.
We snorkeled along the right hand side and saw all kinds of fish and a stingray. Francis is usually pretty good for seeing turtles, but we kept seeing one (or more) pop up for air in the middle of the bay but could not find him/her when we snorkeled out there.
There is a pretty neat walking trail before you turn off to the road to the beach - there is a small parking area. It takes you past some ruins and has neat views of a salt pond. The trail ends up at the right end of the beach.
The bugs can get bad here later in the day, so once they start biting, we pack up and leave.
Enjoy!
Tracy, Seaside Properties at Grande Bay
Francis is definitely one of my favorite snorkels. I don't like the left side, but the right side is amazing. John and I usually go all the way out to the tip of Mary Point and back. It takes about 3 hours to see everything. The nice thing is that the water is relatively shallow, so if you get tired you can swim away from the rocks over to the sandy areas and stand for a while--the water's about chest deep (waist deep on regular sized people! 
).
I think Francis is one of the most consistent places to find an octopus, as well as big turtles. There is really beautiful coral there also if you go out far enough.
).I think Francis is one of the most consistent places to find an octopus, as well as big turtles. There is really beautiful coral there also if you go out far enough.
It's like looking in your soup and finding a whole different alphabet.
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toes in the sand
- Posts: 994
- Joined: Mon Oct 08, 2007 2:21 pm
PSUW's directions are right on. I'll add that you will pass parking for the Francis Bay trail on your right just before you come to the Francis Bay beach access. It is a very short walk from the parking to the beach. (30ft?) We parked ourselves on the left side (facing the water). Great location near the rock wall but know that this is the "dinghy lane" and you may have to share your end of the beach with small boats. If you swim out around the rocks on the left you will find a small beach (between Maho and Francis) that is reachable only by water or a tricky rock scramble.
"got a drink in my hand and my toes in the sand"
I think everyone always remembers their 'first' (St. John beach, that is! 
), and Francis was mine. I love it for its sheer beauty, the shallow, calm waters, the peacefulness, the pelicans, and most of all, the great snorkeling -- ditto all of what Becky said.
We've seen a turtle (or four) every time, and we've been there a LOT. Your best bet is to swim around the grassy middle of the bay, looking for their little heads to pop up for air.
We also like to snorkel along the rocks way out on the right side, taking it easy -- there are one or two tiny sandy/rocky beaches out there that you can take a rest on.
), and Francis was mine. I love it for its sheer beauty, the shallow, calm waters, the peacefulness, the pelicans, and most of all, the great snorkeling -- ditto all of what Becky said. We've seen a turtle (or four) every time, and we've been there a LOT. Your best bet is to swim around the grassy middle of the bay, looking for their little heads to pop up for air.
We also like to snorkel along the rocks way out on the right side, taking it easy -- there are one or two tiny sandy/rocky beaches out there that you can take a rest on.
Love Francis. It used to be our favorite beach until we found out it could get quite buggy even during the day.
I second liamsaunt. We didn't care for the snorkeling on the left side. We always snorkel the right side towards Mary Point and see all sorts of sea life along the way, including octopuses and Scorpionfish. Swimming back to the shore from Mary Point is a pretty long swim (there are a couple of tiny sandy beaches if you want to rest) and usually against a mild current, so keep that in mind. I've met a few folks who were out of breath trying to swim back. We go slow snorkeling out and back - so, it takes about 3 hours for us, too.
I second liamsaunt. We didn't care for the snorkeling on the left side. We always snorkel the right side towards Mary Point and see all sorts of sea life along the way, including octopuses and Scorpionfish. Swimming back to the shore from Mary Point is a pretty long swim (there are a couple of tiny sandy beaches if you want to rest) and usually against a mild current, so keep that in mind. I've met a few folks who were out of breath trying to swim back. We go slow snorkeling out and back - so, it takes about 3 hours for us, too.
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BuffaloGal
- Posts: 307
- Joined: Wed Oct 14, 2009 10:48 pm
- Location: Buffalo, NY
Another great thing about Francis is it's one of the longest beaches on St. John. So you never feel like you're wedged in between a bunch of other people. There are lots of little nooks among the trees to set up your chair. Calm and lovely – it's a very peaceful spot. Agree on the bugs, though! This year we're bringing the deep woods wipes. Hopefully, that will help. They certainly won't keep us away.
