USVI-On-Line

Okay, we are leaving tomorrow--Yippee! My 5 year old son "Spongebob" really wants to see his friend "Patrick". Where do sea stars like to hang out?

We saw a bunch at Leinster Bay last week, many of them were only about 10 feet from shore.

I have never seen more than at Waterlemon - although sometimes they are there and sometimes not... I think it has to do with the moon cycle or something. Maybe someone else with more knowledge can elaborate on that?

Hi P-600,

We have always had great luck on Waterlemon Cay. You will have to hike a little to get around to the point where you swim out to it, but it is well worth it!

Good Luck!

Lucky you to be leaving this cold, dreary weather.

Definitely Leinster Bay/Waterlemon Cay is the place; sometimes there are hundreds; our last trip we only saw 2

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I hope you find one! We've seen them at Waterlemon, Francis and Salt Pond.

Another option, a little different, is to look for them in the mangroves at Princess Bay. It is very shallow, and I've always found huge ones there. We don't go every trip, but it's fun every once in a while. Since the water is so shallow, you can really see the colors. Here is an example:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/738427951/" title="starfish--mangroves by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1244/738 ... b2b1ca.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="starfish--mangroves"></a>


One time we even found a sea star eating a sea cucumber!

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/738427881/" title="Princess Bay starfish and sea cucumber by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1185/738 ... 18f87c.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Princess Bay starfish and sea cucumber"></a>


There are lots of baby fish hanging out in the mangrove roots here too...it's a nursery for all kinds of fish, including tiny little barracuda! They are only about three inches long, but do their best to seem super fierce.

Thank you for posting pics. I showed him and he is SO excited! I bought him a disposable underwater camera so he can show his preschool class when he comes home

HAnds down I have never seen more in one place than at Waterlemon Cay. Just head stright for the Cay and look down when you get close. They are everywhere.

Bear in mind that Princess Bay is great but Mangrove snorkeling isn't for everyone. It's natures little nursery but at some times of year it can be a bit smelly and if there's cloud cover it can be a bit dark.

It's definitely worth a try tho!

liamsaunt wrote:... including tiny little barracuda! They are only about three inches long, but do their best to seem super fierce.

You mean that's where Tyra Banks hangs out?? She thinks she's pretty fierce (and I've heard she can be a real barracuda!)

betsyabel wrote:

I've never seen a 6-pointed sea star before! Is that common?

Are there any poisonous ones in the Caribbean? I've never thought of starfish being poisonous until I went to the French Polynesia islands. There are some there that are highly toxic. I watched them (very large red ones) devour colorful coral and made sure I didn't step near them in the lagoon. I don't think the ones around St. John are toxic, but can others elaborate?

Interesting question, I hope someone can answer. My niece (who stole my camera to take that shot) said it was for her Jewish friend lol.

California Girl wrote:

betsyabel wrote:

I've never seen a 6-pointed sea star before! Is that common?