USVI-On-Line

I have been to STJ about seven times now and snorkel ALOT! This past January was the first that I have seen a spotted eagle ray - it was awesome.

I have read in many trip reports since that others have seen them too and at different snorkel spots.

Does anyone know if this a new phenomenon on STJ or if I have just missed seeing them and reading about them. Hope to see another in 29 DAYS!!

Tracy

They aren't new to STJ at all. I think we had gone to STJ for 2 or 3 year before we ever saw one but it seems that now we see at least one every time we go. They are really thrilling to see. When we go to Bonaire we can actually swim very close to them. They just fly through the water like a bird with a huge long tail.

This was our 4th trip and first time we saw one at Waterlemon Cay. It was HUGE!!

Two years ago, Pete found a HUGE one at Francis. Too cool. Not everyone got to see him (that was a trip with the four kids) but those of us who did will never forget. Who knows where you'll find what when snorkeling in STJ!

Marcia (Mrs. Pete)

I too have snorkeled all around St. John over the years and have only seen one. This one was at Little Lameshur a couple of years ago, way out on the right side almost at the end of the bay. He/she was big and beautiful, and swam with me for quite a while until I realized I was heading out to sea and needed to turn back. Quite a thrill.

Hubby and I saw one about 2 1/2 years ago while snorkeling with Capt. Phil on White Wing out of Coral Bay. We were in pretty deep water and I saw this mammoth creature rising from the bottom like a Phoenix out of the ashes. At first it scared the crap out of me and I waved to Phil and he came over with his dinghy. When I discribed to him what I saw he told me what it was and that it was harmless. I asked him to go back to the boat to get my camera, and he so kindly did, but the ray was long gone. It looked to be the size of my living room!! So beautiful and gracaeful. Now a SHARK?.......NO WAY!!

I actually think your question is a great one. I have been to STJ for many years and always seem to find one sea "animal" more prevalent on each trip but not necessarily the next. One year I will see turles everywhere I snorkel, but no rays. The next year there will be rays galore but then I can't find the turtles. It always had me wondering why. Hopefully there's some sea expert on here that can explain this to us!!

XOXO
Bug

It wasn't until our third trip that we saw a Spotted Eagle Ray (that was back in 2000). I can say that we have become more adventurous with each trip. The first trip was our very first snokeling experience and we were more cautious than we are now. Since then we have ventured into deeper water, snorkeled from boats, and tried more of the out-of-the-way spots. So maybe it's experience-related.

We must be lucky, as we've only been to STJ once, and saw several Eagle Rays, Stingrays, turtles, Nurse sharks, Lemon shark, Tarpon....And all the regulars. Can't wait to get back.....

ScottB, Sounds like you hit the jackpot! When's your next trip?

Tracy - Our first trip 5 years ago, I saw a huge one at Waterlemon in the deep part between the beach and the cay where it drops off and couldn't believe my eyes. It looked like it was flying but slowly. It was so beautiful. My SO was not close enough to get his attention before it was gone.

I haven't seen one since but have seen huge ass tarpon at Trunk, several stingrays and sharks (one of which was not a nurse shark), and squid. Am dying to see an octopus!

Good luck with future sightings!

nothintolose

I keep hearing about all thses shark sightings. It's bound to be my turn.

Cypress, don't worry about sharks. I have seen more sharks in the Fl Keys than anywhere and they leave you alone. We saw very a large nurse sharks and a tiger shark and they didn't scare me. Smaller deadly things scare me more like poisonous sea snakes, man of war and blue ring octopi. Sharks are cool.
I saw 2 giant Eagle rays in the Fl Keys that might have had an 8-10 foot "wing" span.

SEA SNAKES???????? Tell me there are no sea snakes in the VI's!! I thought they lived somewhere around Vietnam. I'd take a shark over a snake. I was working in my yard the other day and slithering right in front of me was a big, long, yellow and gray striped snake. Now I'm afraid to work in that area; like he's going to stay in that same spot.

I love the rays, and eels, and I have seen octipi (sp). Way cool.

"Sea snakes occur in the Pacific and Indian Oceans, especially along the coast of SE Asia, in the Malay Archipelago and the Persian Gulf. About 50 species exist, all toxic, of which seven may be fatal to humans. Most are 3-4 ft. (1-1.5 m) long. occasionally longer. No sea snakes live in the Atlantic or Caribbean".

Yes, Cypress, no sea snakes in the Caribbean, thank goodness! I heard there weren't any land snakes on St. John either. (I don't like snakes either).