U. S. Virgin Islands Sports & Outdoors

 
by Alfine5
 
  •   Sports & Outdoors
    by Alfine5
  •   Sports & Outdoors
    by Alfine5
  •   Sports & Outdoors
    by Alfine5
  • Other snorkelers and fish
      Other snorkelers and fish
    by grandmaR
  • Tour group people getting pictures
      Tour group people getting pictures
    by grandmaR
 
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Kayaking at Cinnamon Bay

by Alfine5

On our last trip to St. John, we rented kayaks from Cinnamon Bay and spent the afternoon kayaking to Maho Bay and then around Mary Point to Whistling Cay. While the kayaking took a lot out of us, it was a lot of fun. I plan to do this again on my next trip to St. John but I plan to come prepared. Last time, we brought barely any food and drinks with us. By the time we reached Maho Bay, we were extremely hungry and thirsty. I would recommend to anyone planning this excursion to bring enough food and water. Also, bring along some snorkeling gear since there is some good snorkeling around Whistling Cay. Kayak - Available to rentSnorkeling gear - Available to rentFood and drinks - Available at on-site store

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Coki Beach

by TwoCoconuts

Small beach with a somewhat hectic feel due to numerous little shops and merchants along its edges. Also difficult to park. The swells ruined visibility the day we went there, so can't comment on the supposedly good snorkeling. The aquarium next door was a fun spot for a few hours diversion (price was ~$15/person).

Secret Harbour

by TwoCoconuts

Good snorkeling on St. Thomas, which doesn't get all that much mention. It's the publicly-accessible beach of the Secret Harbour resort on the south-west St. Thomas coastline. A manicured, resort beach feel, but nice snorkeling all over the bay with scattered coral heads and many fish.

Salt Pond Bay

by TwoCoconuts

Salt Pond is a change of pace from the north shore beaches - it has negligable current but the beach is apparently left to nature, burrs that irritate your bare feet and all. There are only a scant few shaded spots on the beach, so arrive early if you want one. It's way down on the southeast corner of the island, ~45 minutes beyond the north shore beaches. The vegitation is actually desert-like, a real change of pace! Snorkeling is OK on the south (left) side of the beach, starting about 1/2 way out - it's excellent a hunded yards or so striaght out from the beach, where part of the reef can be seen breaking the surface. It's got a single port-a-potty and there's ~1/4 mile walk down/up a hill (without shade) between the parking area and beach.

Caneel Bay

by TwoCoconuts

Public-accessible beach in front of the main building of the Caneel Bay resort. It's has a more manicured, less quintissential Carribean beach feel than the National Park north shore standouts (Cinnamon, Trunk, Hawksnest), but this is really splitting hairs. Snorkeling is good off to the north (right) side of the bay as you get about 1/2 way out. Huge black sea urchins, but at a reasonable depth so they can be admired and not feared. We swam around the grassy area in the middle of the bay near the end of the day and spotted a couple of sea turtles, including one we swam beside for ~5 minutes before it headed out to deeper water.

Hawksnest Bay

by TwoCoconuts

Hawksnest seemed like the quietest of the big 3 north coast beaches (along with Cinnamon and Trunk) - but like the others had great sand, scenery, and shaded spots to occupy for the day. The reef was closer to the surface here than the other two in spots, limiting just how much can be explored without risking damaging the reef by kicking it. The are a couple of ellipsoidal reefs (long axis perpendicular to the shore) which start just yards off the shore - reef life is pretty good as you circle around them. Off to the east, there is a smaller beach sharing the bay (Oppenheimer?) - snorkeling is OK off to the far east side of the bay, near this beach. The beach has a bathroom.

Trunk Bay

by TwoCoconuts

Trunk Bay pretty much lives up to all the hoopla surrounding it. Just like Cinnamon with great sand, great spots to occupy for the day, beautiful surroundings, and good snorkeling. A more traditional linear beach than Cinnamon (which juts out here and there). The snorkeling was good on the west side of the cay (including and beyond the famous underwater trail) and along a reef you can follow to the west to another beach (Jumbie?) - though it was hard to figure how to get through the reef and onto that other beach. A hoard of cruise-shippers descended on the beach for a few hours and spoiled the tranquility, but they headed back off soon enough. Surprising how the sea life still gets by on the underwater trail despite the abuse of heavy, novice snorkeler traffic. Beach has restrooms and a snack bar.

Cinnamon Bay

by TwoCoconuts

Our choice of best beach in St. John. Great sand, great shaded spots to spend the day on the beach. Great snorkeling all the way around the cay (little island in the bay) - which is only 100 yards or so from the beach. Sheltered from waves (non-swell days). Restrooms available and a snack bar - is the beach for a campground, but open to the public.

Magens Bay

by TwoCoconuts

Very long beach on the north shore of St. Thomas - beautiful setting, calm waters, but not much sea life for snorkeling interest. It has restrooms and charges a small enterance fee.

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Reviews and photos of U. S. Virgin Islands attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for U. S. Virgin Islands sightseeing.

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Sports & Outdoors: Cities in U. S. Virgin Islands
  1. Saint Croix Sports & Outdoors
  2. Virgin Islands National Park Sports & Outdoors

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Popular Regions in U. S. Virgin Islands

St. Thomas Sports & Outdoors  St. Croix Sports & Outdoors  St. John Sports & Outdoors 

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Questions and Answers

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Q:  Hello all, We are a couple in the mid 20's and are on vacation next week. We found a pretty sweet airline promotion that brings... 

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A: long question short answer, USVI includes St Thomas, St John, and St Croix. all beautiful, with a more commercial front in St Thomas main street. once there why not try... 

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