Must do beaches & great snorkeling!

[Backtotheislands]

My husband has created a monster! It took 25 years of different "snorkel" experiences and after a couple of trips to SJ and HA, I wear him out! Anyway, LOVE the beach and snorkeling at Maho, LOVE snorkeling at Waterlemon, enjoyed Jumbie and Trunk. Hawksnest was pretty, but not a great snorkel when we went. I haven't seen what excites everyone about Salt Pond, Francis, or Little Lameshur. Maybe I didn't do it right. Anyway, what are we missing that we really need to do on our next trip? I tried to get my hubby to hike out to Solomon or Honeymoon, but he wasn't up for it. I know we are heading back to Waterlemon and Maho, but other places to revisit or visit for the first time with tips would be appreciated! ThankS! Oh, and someone message me about the "secret" beach everyone loves! With directions, please!!

[mlr214]

My husband and I just returned from our first trip to STJ and I'm interested to see the response to this post. We had so much fun and loved every beach we went to.

I would say that the trip to Honeymoon is well worth it. We parked at Caneel and walked (~10-15 walk). We snorkeled to the left of Honeymoon and around to Salomon. It was one of our top snorkel's until the tour boats from STT showed up. If you go, go early, we got there at 8:30 and were the first on the beach. Tour boats showed up around 10ish.
We didn't go to Waterlemon b/c we thought it was to long a hike to get there but then we heard it was only about 20min, what was it like for you guys?

[Backtotheislands]

We hiked all the way out to the point the first day and it might've taken 30 minutes (?). We were carrying our chairs and cooler, of course! Either I'm a stronger swimmer than I thought or something because we swam all the way around the cay and back to the beach and back to the point. So the next day we just stopped at the beach and swam out to and around the cay. I'd rather swim than hike! Awesome snorkel! We saw baby to probably 4ft. barracudas, a school of squid, a huge Nassau Grouper hiding down below us, swam with turtles, rays, spotted and green eels, tons of all kinds and sizes of fish, and beautiful coral! The green eel came fully out and swam between rocks a couple of times. I just hovered over him. It was the best snorkeling I've ever done. The water was clear. Oh, and starfish! Next time you must go!!

[Backtotheislands]

Oh the rocky beach is just about 15 or maybe 20 minutes and it's flat.

[54b]

Snorkel faves...prefaced with the caveat that most of these suggestions require you to be in decent shape and a strong swimmer, never do them alone, and never if the water conditions are rough.

1) Haulover North (East end) - When you hit the rock beach from the path, turn right looking for a tree on the beach with a piece of cut wood under it that resembles a bench...drop stuff there as you'll see one of the few entry points into the water where it's mostly grass and sand. Once in the water, head to your left. Tons of great coral for a good half mile or so (needs to be fairly calm water conditions)

2) Francis - Go to very right side of the beach (facing water) and snorkel out as far as you can along the coast to the point...or go get Kayaks from Maho, go out to Whistling Cay and snorkel the bay said of the cay

3) Hike to Cobblestone from Salt Pond Bay...snorkel back along coast towards Salt Pond Beach...about halfway back, look to your left, you'll see some rocks sticking up out in the middle of the bay, go over there (need to be a decent swimmer)

4) Yawzi Point...this is the peninsula between Great Lameshur and Little Lameshur...you can walk out the peninsula and find a little tiny cover that's a good entry point, or just swim it from either beach...as long as water conditions are fairly calm, you can go around the point

5) Tektite - Also starts at Great Lameshur, you Rock scramble out the left side until you get to the first inner bay...get in, swim across the and keep following the coast line like you're going out to see...the point between the two inner bays on the left side of Great Lameshur is the spot (deep water)

6) Waterlemon - Always a quality stop.

7) Pretty sure your secret beach starts with a D and you're welcome to PM if you'd like info on it. It does have decent snorkeling as the coral shelf runs alon most of the beach. I think it's silly that people treat it with secrecy when the main reason for coming to this forum is to find out insider type info you wouldn't find in normal info channels.

Anyway, those are my faves...oh and wear a rash guard if you don't already. You'll be in the water a long time on all of these.

[mlr214]

Great info on Waterlemon, thanks so much.
I was worried about the distance of the swim to the cay. I think we're average swimmers. No trouble going all the way out to the end of the cay at Trunk. I think this will defiantly be on our list for next year. enjoy your upcoming trip.

Question about getting to Haulouver north, we went looking of this but didn't see how to get there. Ended up at Hansens beach and had snack at Vie's.

[54b]

Question about getting to Haulouver north, we went looking of this but didn't see how to get there. Ended up at Hansens beach and had snack at Vie's.

You passed Haulover South and the path to Haulover North on your way to Vie's...they're about a half mile from Vie's/Hansen. If you're driving toward's Vie's, Haulover South is a small bay just off the right side of the road. The path to Haulover North starts on the left side of the road right across the street from Haulover South...sorry, only way I know to describe it.

I don't recall seeing a sign and if there was one, it wasn't very big.

[Backtotheislands]

So many beaches, so little time! I will put these on my list! I don't consider myself a "strong" swimmer or (ahem) in decent shape anymore. However, in the summer I do swim pretty much every day in my pool and I think I could tread forever. I was rarin' to go some more after swimming out around Waterlemon and to the beach and back. Hubby wasn't! So, 54B, how would you compare these other snorkel sites to Waterlemon? Thanks for all the good info. and I hope to find all these good snorkel spots!
I thought the "secret" beach might've started with a D. I just need to figure out how to get there! I do have Fins, Feet, and Four Wheel Drive, as well as Beaches of St. John with all the pretty pics! Maybe I need to refer to them!

[surfnh]

54B nailed it......and honestly, if you can handle Waterlemon, the others are no problem, Waterlemon probably has the worst currents. A couple points, to do Tektite you need to do the rock scramble along the shore, so you need to be careful there......and the best part of salt pond is the reef out in the center of the bay. it looks far but it's not a bad swim.

In general, the best snorkels are the hardest to get to.

[mindehankins]

I don't think there's a sign for haulover north, but we were told to walk across the street from haulover south and look for a logical place to enter, and it was there and obvious.
Caution on Waterlemon: I recently read a scary story about a pretty experienced snorkeler getting into trouble trying to get around the Cay on a day with more current. He'd done it before and didn't expect this time to be any different than the last, but it was. Look on Tripadvisor for his story.
Also, We had one great day at Whistling Cay, and this year we went to repeat, and the conditions were pretty awful for snorkeling. We decided that from now on, we'd ASK the very knowledgeable guy at the Maho rental place for his OPINION on whether it's likely to be a good snorkel. I have a feeling he can just look out at the water, and see something that's totally obvious to him to help him decide. It's a fantastic snorkel on a good day. Do the full day trip. We stashed our lunch around Mary's Point,snorkeled and explored, went over to Whistling Cay and did the same, then went back to Mary's Point and ate lunch. Then we took a LOOOONNNGGG slow pass through Francis (looking for the manta) then over to Little Maho.
Judging by the shells and shelter, I think Vie's would be a prime spot to find an octopus, but I haven't found one there yet.
I've read alot about Pelican Rock being a good snorkel, too.
Last trip, Capt. Phil of Wayward Sailor took us out to a couple of really spectacular spots on the sailboat.

[surfnh]

Captain Phil is just awesome......

[54b]

Pound for pound (boxing term), it's hard to beat Waterlemon. It's kind of the perfect combination or risk, sweat and reward. You have to walk a mile at the least to get to the entry point, yet it's a beautiful walk with a few donkey friends and ruins to boot. You have to swim about half a mile round trip, yet most of it is so pretty you don't remember you're swimming....likelihood of seeing starfish, rays, turtles and a crappie load of of other fish are always high. Add in a little current, some barracuda and the occasional jack arse dinghy captain who runs right up in the channel like the Saratoga and you got yourself a good little adventure every time.

In fact, the only other snorkel spot in the VI that can top Waterlemon IMO is the Indians over near Norman island.

That said, from an underwater scenery perspective, Haulover North (to the left) and the bay side of Whistling Cay stack up. Cobblestone and Tektite are not as vibrant coral wise, but they are deep water snorkels and offer neat relief and usually some big fishies. Francis and Yawzi are just good fun...as is the one Minde mentioned - Pelican Rock near Vie's beach. But it's no Waterlemon.

As for secret beach...go to Peace Hill, about 20 yards up the path to the windmill, you'll see a small path entrance to the right. Follow it down for about 5 minutes and you'll be there. There's a small cay and a ton of coral right along the beach for a good ways...stay on the sand and don't go too far down the beach (near the pier stumps sticking out of the water) where the private property is and you'll be fine...look for the sandy entrance...just watch out because that's where the dinghies come into the beach.

[Backtotheislands]

Thanks, guys! Minde, the first time we went to St. John and maybe our first day we snorkled on the left side at Maho and saw an octopus. We have never seen one since and didn't realize how "rare" it is. Everything else I've seen multiple times. Maybe this year!

[Chet]

Go early to Jumbie. Snorkel the left side, out and around the point. Drift and watch - there's a ton of things to see. Work your way to Denis, haul out, and lay in the sun like a lizard. Then snorkel back.