USVI-On-Line

Hi all - On our last visit with our family we visited many of the beaches but there still was not time enought to do all we wanted. Our beached we did get to included Trunk, Maho, Francis, Cinnamon, Jumbie, Salt Pond and Vie's - I think that is it. What are your favorites for snorkeling. This summer our kids will be 16-yikes in July and 12. The kids loved snorkeling and can't wait to try some new beaches. What are your favorites?

for snorkeling....Waterlemon Cay....we took noodles just in case the current was strong but we had no problems going counterclockwise...best snorkeling of our trip...

out of the beaches you did not visit: Lameshur....decent snorkeling, and nice pictures at the ruins just past the beach...

also liked Jumbie.....

All the ones already mentioned.
To snorkel Haulover and Pelican Rock
Hike and snorkel Brown Bay
Hawknest beach and snorkel
Salamon hike and snorkel
Favorite to hang out Gibney and the kids would like the tire swing there

I love Francis for it's calmness. For more "exciting" snorkeling Waterlemon is by far the best. I guess it depends on your snorkeling experience and the what's happening in the water the day you go.

Francis, Salamon/Honeymoon, Miss Vie's. Would love to do Waterlemon but would want to be with a group, cause I'm not sure my hubby alone or my daughter alone could save me if I had a problem. And I don't think I alone could save one of them, either.

Hooneymoon...Hawksnest...Henly Cay

no trip is complete without a visit to Maho...

Favorite all around beach for liming, pretty good snorkeling, and ease of getting to it is Maho. My favorite snorkeling beach is Waterlemon. I'd never been to Honeymoon and Salomon until this last visit and I love it, too for it's beauty and decent snorkeling. I have enjoyed all that I've been to (Francis, Lameshur, Hawksnest, Trunk, Cinnamon (not for snorkeling, though), Pelican Rock, Salt Pond, Jumbie, Vie's). I have been to Francis three times and haven't gotten the "love" that it gets compared to many of the others. It has been cloudy each time I've been there. Maybe next time!

lameshur! little and big and haulover on a good day (north)
but the snorkel around yawzi point is great (and out to the tektite site in great lameshur) .
if you walk part way down the yawzi point trail off to the left is a little path to a little cove area and you can get in there and snorkel all the way around the point and into little lameshur.-- it is a long snorkel though...

Can't wait to try some of the new beaches mentioned. Francis was one of our favorites. It was just so peaceful and the snorkeling was great. My husband is not a great swimmer so he was alway behind us but because he was slower he did see an octopus - lucky him Thanks again for all your suggestions. Oh, has anyone snorkeled klein bay beach (I think)? One of our sons friends on his baseball team - his parents own Villa Anansi so they told us Klein Bay was good for spotted eagle ray - would love to see that? We never did get over that way on our first trip as we stayed on Bordeaux Mountain area.

Cinnamon is a great combo of a large, beautiful beach and also good snorkeling. I always see great stuff swimming around the caye at Cinnamon.

Hawaii, I have snorkeled at Klein Bay a few times. It is a rocky entry, so wear water shoes if you have them. There's no real coral to speak of, but it is a good spot for seeing creatures such as hawksbill turtles and rays. On our first visit to Klein Bay John and I found a pair of eagle rays swimming together. That was the only time I have seen an eagle ray there, but there always seems to be something interesting to watch. One time I saw a huge southern stingray with three baby sting rays following behind it formation style! I saw a large-ish nurse shark there once also.

I'll have to add Klein back on to the list for next trip, it's been a couple of years since I have snorkeled there.

Right now Francis is my favorite beach overall. It's always changing though.

How do you get to Francis? We have driven and parked at Maho. I know its right around the corner from there. Do you stay on the main road and make a turn somewhere? is there a particular sign to look for?

After Maho, stay on the North Shore Rd and it'll become one way. There will be a T and you turn left. You'll pass the entry to Maho Bay Campground and then will come to a dirt parking lot with a porta potty. If the parking lot is full, you can park on the road (pull way off) to the parking lot.
There's also parking and a trail to Francis that is labelled with a sign. I think it says simply "Francis Bay walking trail." That is on the right, a bit before you come to the parking lot, near ruins.
Hope that's all correct. I think it is!
Have a great time!

Okay - It seems pretty easy. Thank you!