USVI-On-Line

It kinda creeps me out. We saw the mangroves last year but was not sure where to enter. Any tips or things that would be helpful knowing?

we were on the East end last year and wanted to do the same thing, but we couldn't find any place to enter the water. I hear it is pretty neat, but it kind of creeps me out too, but I am willing to try. I've heard on this forum that it's like a fish nursery!

We tried this a few years ago - it was pretty cool; you don't have to go very deep or far from shore. We followed the recommendation of FF&4WD - the East End's Princess Bay. As I recall, entry was along the roadside and there was enough room to pull over and park there.

There is a spot that has easy access to the Princess Bay mangroves. Right near it there is an area where you can park. The entry looks like this:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/4854872101/" title="princess entry by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4123/4854 ... 5ebde6.jpg" width="500" height="379" alt="princess entry"></a>

It is a very interesting area to explore, lots of baby fish, oysters, corals, etc. In the deeper areas we have found cushion sea stars and rays.

Just remember not to wear fins: they will stir up sediment and you won't be able to see anything.

Yeah, my wife and I did this last January. She was very creeped out, but I really enjoyed it. I agree with the nursery comment, there were lot's of baby versions of the bigger fish. It did have a very weird feel to it though, with the mangrove roots reaching down from the top to bottom, and spikes of sunlight penetrating the shadows between each root. Here is a photo I took at the mangroves that kind of gives you a flavor:

<a href="http://s127.photobucket.com/albums/p158 ... -11043.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p158 ... -11043.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

We snorkeled the mangroves for the first time when we went on a day trip with Long Distance charter boat. Robin guided us through the mangrove area and it was awesome. You see lots of little fish and various sea critters. Definitely don't use fins, as noted by others. I highly recommend it, as its a fascinating part of the undersea world.

A fantastic day can be had by renting a dinghy from Crabby's in Coral Bay and cruising Hurricane Hole. You can snorkel some incredible spots from the dinghy including the mangroves. Makes for a super cool morning excursion. Highly recommend.

Thanks everyone for the tips. I did not know not to wear fins. Love the pictures. Hope I can get up courage to try.

To get to Princess Bay by car: If you are coming from the west, take the Centerline Road (route 10). You will pass the right turn to Coral Bay (route 107). From here it is about two miles. Look for a low white sign on the right saying "Estate Zootenvaal" and then in about 500 yards a similar sign saying the same thing. At this point you go up and then down a pretty good hill and you will see the bay only about 5 yards on your right. Pull off to the right at any of several entry points.
The world of the mangroves is small any you will be most rewarded by hanging nearly motionless until your eyes can pick out the details -- then move slowly. The best time is a sunny day before about 2 pm.
Hint: the shore rocks are rather sharp, wear your flip-flops to the water and hang them on a branch when you enter