East End Snorkel Spots

[nothintolose]

Made the same post about South Shore snorkel spots but was also wondering the same thing for those of you that have snorkeled the East End beaches.

Which ones have you done? Did you like what you saw? Where did you see it? Was it easy to get to?

We have snorkeled Vie's beach but want to try other East End snorkels.

Thanks.

[augie]

We went to Pelican Rock last year and loved it! Drove east until the road ended, parked next to the dumpster and walked close to a fence, probably through someone's property (couldn't find a path) to a rocky beach. No one else was in sight. We walked to the right to enter the water but next time we'll go in closer to where we parked - the bottom is sandy, not as many sea urchins, and there are some coral heads you will go by on your way to the reef - which you can't miss as the top of it is above water.

[nothintolose]

Augie - was it a difficult snorkel? Were the currents strong out there? Did you snorkel all the way around the rock?

[Sun4MySoul]

It is easy to snorkel all around Pelican Rock...smaller than Waterlemon Cay and really no current either time that I've been there.

[pjayer]

We snorkeled Long Bay last year and it was easy. We parked at the end of the road not too far from Sloop Jones. There is a house on the right, so we parked on the left and made sure we didn't block the drive. It's a short walk to the water. I don't remember much of a current, and we saw lots of fish. You do have to be careful, because there were a few urchins close to shore. We snorkeled to the left which is called Long Point I think. When we were at Sloop Jones's last month, Barbara told us the snorkeling was good around Pelican Rock too.

[RickG]

The right side of Vie's is great. There are rocks and a fringing reef there. It is even better if you swim West to the next fringing reef. Lots of big fans and other soft corals.

Are you trying to temp Jerry with some new activities? Those last minute villa specials for the first week of November should be up before soon! I see $689 airfare on AA and $658 on priceline.

Cheers, RickG

[jmq]

Pelican Rock is indeed an entertaining snorkel.

[pjayer]

jmq, beautiful pictures.

[hugo]

Don't forget all the Haulover options, too, definitely counting as East End. I especially like the long but rewarding trip east on the north side to Saba Bay-- too choppy with a north wind, but great most of the time. Second favorite is east on the south side to Limetree Cove.

[nothintolose]

Hugo - I have never heard of those places. How do you get to them?

[hugo]

Nothintolose--
Haulover is pretty hard to miss, and should be on most maps. The Round Bay side is easy to see as you drive out the road. If you park there and walk the two or three steps to the beach, you can swim to the left and be heading toward Limetree Cove, which is the next beach, before Vie's. You don't have to go all the way around to get to some beautiful rocks and great fish.
The other option is to walk the short trail (unmarked, this is actually private property and now part of the Dreekets subdivision) to the north side. (Trail is easy to find, about 1/3 of the way along the flat stretch where you park.) Head to the right in the water. You could just go around to the little sandy beach area at Dreekets, probably enough for most people, or keep going around the next point to Saba Bay. Lots of live coral, lots of fish, great however you do it, unless it's too choppy for comfort.

[Lex]

hugo--

Using this online map:

http://www.virgin.islands.national-park.com/map.htm

Limetree Cove is indicated. I'm guessing that Saba Bay is the second of the two coves going from Haulover toward Newfound Bay. Is that right? If that's it, could you take the trail to Newfound Bay, then go to the left around the point?

[RickG]

We swim from Vie's to Limetree Cove. Both fringing reefs on Limetree Cove are great.

Cheers, RickG

[nothintolose]

Lex - that is an AWESOME map - thank you so much!

[Roberto]

While the discussion is on the East End.....has anyone hiked to Newfound Bay to snorkel. I recently saw a You Tube video on someone who did it on trail that started near Vie's.