St. John’s crystal-clear waters are home to some of the best snorkeling you’ll find anywhere in the US, and I should know—I’ve explored nearly every spot on the island more than a few times!
As an experienced snorkeler and free diver, I’ve had countless unforgettable snorkel adventures, from vibrant coral gardens to close-ups with sea turtles. In this guide, I’m sharing my top five best places to snorkel in St. John and my favorite places I return to time and time again. Plus, I’ll pass along a few insider packing tips to ensure your experience is smooth, safe, and unforgettable. Ready to dive in to St. John’s underwater world? Let’s go!
Ultimate Packing List for Snorkeling in St. John:
Before diving into the list- and the water :), let’s quickly overview the most important gear you don’t want to forget for snorkeling on St. John. Remember to pack these items to ensure you’re prepared and don’t miss out on the best sights.
Here are the top six essentials for a snorkeling adventure in St. John:
(For a complete list of packing essentials and more details on my recommendations, check out my packing list in my article covering The Complete Guide to Dinghy Rentals in St. John.)
1. Sun Protection
The sun in St. John is no joke. Even as someone who lives in Hawaii and has an olive skin tone that rarely burns, I make sure to cover up when I’m snorkeling here. The sun’s reflection off the water is intense, and it’s better to protect yourself than regret it later.
Reef-safe sunscreen allows for decent protection but tends to wash off quickly when submerged in the water snorkeling, so my go-to for protecting my skin from St. John’s intense rays is physical sun protection.
My typical gear is either my Patagonia Spring Wetsuit or swim shorts and a rash guard from UV Skinz. Both options comfortable, lightweight, provide some warmth if you run cold in the water like me, and offer excellent UV protection. Trust me, even if you’re someone who never burns, you’ll thank yourself for suiting up here.
2. Dive Headband: Must-Have Ladies!!
Ladies! Make sure not to forget to pack a dive headband with you in your bag! This cheap, comfortable and simple solution keeps all your hair and fly-aways out of your snorkel mask to prevent any leaks. It’s honestly a game changer. You’re welcome.
3. GoPro or Underwater Camera
Don’t leave home without a way to capture the underwater magic like I have done wayyy too many times!
A GoPro or similar underwater camera such as this awesome newer brand is a definite must-pack! You’ll want to document the schools of colorful fish, coral gardens, and maybe even a turtle or two. Bonus: it makes for amazing vacation keepsakes and Instagram-worthy shots!
4. Dive Buoy
For safety, especially at offshore spots like Henley Cay and Waterlemon Cay, make sure to pack an inflatable dive buoy and flag combo. You can wear it on your wrist as you float through the water and it will follow you and alert nearby boaters of your location in the water to make sure they keep a safe distance away and everyone safe in the water.
5. Snorkel Mask and Fins
While you can rent gear on the island, I highly recommend investing in a personal travel snorkel set.
Having your own ensures a perfect fit, better comfort, and long-term savings if you snorkel often. Purchasing your own gear ahead of time ensures you will be prepared with a well-fitted mask, which can make or break your experience—leaky or uncomfortable goggles make snorkeling a lot less fun!
6. Anti-Fog Solution
Speaking of masks, don’t forget to throw anti-fog solution in your dive bag! Trust me I have forgotten it before and paid the foggy mask price! My favorite solution is actually this baby shampoo; it works amazingly, is very gentle on the skin and eyes, and is super cheap!
Now that you’re packed and prepped let’s get into the very best snorkeling spots on St. John.
The Top 5 Very Best Snorkel Spots in St. John:
1. Henley Cay
If I had to pick my absolute favorite snorkeling spot in St. John, it would undoubtedly be Henley Cay.
This secluded paradise feels like your own private escape, and it’s not hard to see why—since it’s only accessible by boat or dinghy, it’s rarely crowded, and on many occasions, I’ve had it all to myself. Henley Cay offers the kind of tranquility that’s hard to find elsewhere, ensuring that the waters remain undisturbed and perfect for snorkeling.
To reach Henley Cay, rent a private boat or dinghy from Cruz Bay and head northeast towards Turtle Bay Beach. Before reaching land, turn left and head north across the channel toward Lovango Cay. Henley Cay is the first small island you’ll spot in that direction. Look for mooring balls on the west side of the cay, about 100 feet out—these make it easy to tie up your dinghy and start your adventure.
Once you’re secured at the mooring ball, it’s time to dive in. The best way to explore is by circumnavigating the island, a snorkel route that takes about 45 minutes. Start your journey against the current, which usually means traveling clockwise around the island. This might seem like extra effort at first, but trust me, it makes the return swim back to your boat much smoother.
Prepare to be amazed by the vibrant sea life that awaits you here. The waters around Henley Cay are pristine, offering fantastic visibility and a chance to see a diverse array of marine life. Vibrant coral gardens are teeming with tropical fish, and you might even encounter a barracuda or two. Each time I snorkel here, there’s something new to discover—whether it’s a hidden reef or a visit from marine creature I haven’t seen here before. It’s an underwater treasure hunt that never disappoints.
Caution: Make sure to bring your dive buoy and flag with you when snorkeling Henley Cay as you are in close proximity to a popular channel and boating waterway.
2. Waterlemon Cay
Waterlemon Cay is another fantastic spot for a full circumnavigation snorkel, that has abundant vibrant marine life and beautifully colored corals.
To get to Waterlemon Cay, I prefer arriving by boat, which I arrange through boat rentals in Cruz Bay. This allows me to tie up at the mooring balls right off the cay and quickly dive into the water surrounded by marine life.
Alternatively, you can also reach the cay on foot. To do this, park at the Annaberg Trail, hike about a mile along the path, and then make your way across the sand to the eastern-most part of the beach to enter the water here. Once you’re off the beach, it’s just a short swim out to the cay.
The snorkel around Waterlemon Cay is always an exciting adventure. Each time I visit, there’s something exciting to see among the coral— sometimes even a fun surprise encounter with a shark or a ray! The waters here really have a ton of sea life, and the scenery never gets old.
Because Waterlemon Cay is a pretty popular and more accessible spot than some others on the island, you might find a few fellow snorkelers in the water with you at this spot, especially during peak season. But if you time it right, you could luck out and have the place to yourself—like the last time I visited, when we were the only boat there and one of just four people in the water. It was a real treat to have such a fantastic spot all to ourselves!
3. Maho Bay
Maho Bay Beach defintiely makes my list as one of the best places to snorkel on St. John for a few important reasons!
While it’s definitely more crowded than some of the other, more secluded spots on this list, its central location and convenience make it a great option, especially if you’re looking for a more casual snorkel. And as a great vacation bonus, after your underwater adventure, you can head across the street to grab a post-snorkel cocktail or a snack—also perfect if you’re traveling with people who might prefer sunbathing or enjoying drinks in the sand.
What also makes Maho Bay unique is its abundance of sea grasses instead of coral reefs. While sea grasses might not be as colorful or dramatic as coral, they serve as a vital habitat for marine life. This makes it an excellent spot for spotting tons of sea turtles and even the occasional ray. It’s a different kind of beauty, one that offers plenty of surprises beneath the surface.
Maho Bay is also great for beginners, as the waters are shallow with an average depth of only 6-10 feet. You can easily enter the water right from the shore and start snorkeling without having to venture far out.
Maho Bay is also incredibly accessible and can be reached by car or boat. If you’re coming by dinghy, there’s even a beach access channel where you can pull right onto the sand—making it one of the most convenient and enjoyable snorkeling spots on St. John.
4. Hurricane Hole
Hurricane Hole is one of the most unique snorkeling experiences on St. John, and it’s quickly become one of my absolute favorites. If you’ve never snorkeled in mangroves, or if you already know you love them, this hidden gem should be at the top of your list. Hurricane Hole offers a rare opportunity to witness juvenile fish using the mangroves as a nursery, a perspective you won’t find at many other spots.
To get to Hurricane Hole, you can either rent a dinghy from Dockside Dinghy in Coral Bay or hire a Coral Bay boat tour to take you there. Once you’re in the water, you’ll be treated to an unforgettable experience as you float through crystal-clear waters, surrounded by a mix of young fish, baby barracuda (don’t worry—they’re harmless if you give them some space), and other fascinating sea creatures. Keep an eye out for unique grasses, corals, and the occasional turtle or starfish in the deeper waters.
What makes Hurricane Hole especially special to me is its privacy. It’s not a spot where you’ll be battling crowds. More often than not, you’ll have the place all to yourself, with maybe one other dinghy in sight. It’s the perfect location for a peaceful, private snorkel adventure, and the calm waters make for a relaxing and rewarding experience.
5. Pelican Rock
Pelican Rock is one of my favorite snorkeling spots on the Coral Bay side of St. John, offering a very impressive and tranquil underwater experience. Just a 10-minute boat ride from Hurricane Hole, this location is a quick trip by boat and easy to recognize by the dramatic Pelican Rock formation rising from the water.
Pelican Rock’s crystal-clear, calm waters provide the perfect setting to explore vibrant reefs brimming with tropical fish. As an added bonus, the shallow depths and calm conditions due to protection by the bay, make it especially inviting for beginners and cautious swimmers (though snorkelers of all levels will find plenty to enjoy here!)
One of the other things I love most about Pelican Rock is how secluded it feels. Most of the time, you’ll have the area to yourself—unless a tour boat happens to pass by. The combination of tranquility and stunning marine life makes it one of my go-to spots for a relaxing snorkeling adventure.
To get to Pelican Rock, I prefer hiring a boat from Coral Bay. It’s the easiest way to cruise right up to the rock and jump in. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also drive to the east side of St. John and park near Vie’s Beach to swim out from shore. However, this swim is on the longer side and isn’t ideal for beginners or younger swimmers. For a hassle-free experience, especially if you’re traveling with a group, I highly recommend renting a boat or booking a tour out of Coral Bay.
