USVI-On-Line

When it is blowing 15-20mph out of the ENE, how does that affect snorkeling? Are there places to avoid in those conditions....if so, which ones? First trip is fast approaching and that is the weather report for our first couple days on island. Thanks.

correct to assume lack of responses is due to a dumb question? 15-20 knots in my neck of the woods = dangerous conditions....is that not the case on St John?

Not a dumb question at all! If anything, it's too smart -- my guess is that a lot of people (including me!) probably don't know what 15-20 knots equates to

I've been snorkeling in fairly windy conditions, and unless the wind is also kicking up lots of waves, it's usually okay, but I trust my gut and don't go too far out if the waves are up.

Another thing to keep in mind is that if snorkeling conditions are iffy on one side of the island, the opposite side is usually calmer, sometimes remarkably so (this doesn't count for large or dramatic weather systems, obviously).

When the easterly Trades veer to the north and strengthen for a sustained period like say a couple of days the wave action on some of the north shore beaches can increase so that snorkeling can be uncomfortable. Hawksnest in particular can get choppy. The same goes for the south shore beaches when the Trades veer to the south with Ram's Head somewhat protecting Salt Pond.

Because of Mary Point though, Maho and Francis can be the exception on the north shore when the winds are more northerly.

http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/station_page.php?station=41043

I have heard that if you see wave height here above 6 feet you will see it within 24 hours on the north shore if the wind is sustained from the ENE. I am never here long enough to test if it is true.

If it is blowing ENE then sometimes sand picks up in the wind from the Sahara Desert. When that happens, it creates a haze. It would not effect snorkeling too much but it might not be as clear.