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We're heading to St. Croix in a couple of weeks and would really like information on great snorkeling spots. If you have a favorite, could you please share?
We'll be checking out Cane Bay Beach on an intro to scuba trip. Have heard that the pier area that we read so much about is undergoing a dredging operation and is no longer a recommended trip. (Sad. . .we were going to try to check out the pier at night.) Other spots (even if remote) would be appreciated.
This will be our first trip to STX, fifth trip to USVI. All other trips were to STJ. We may or may not go out to Buck Island, which we've heard has good snorkeling. We looking for spots to snorkel from shore on STX.
Thank you for your suggestions!
Tamerind Reef is a little tricky to get into, but the snorkeling is good. I am assuming you ARE planning a Buck Island trip.
The tourist boats to Buck Island take you to snorkel on the east end of the island on a "snorkel trail". Unfortunately that portion of the reef is mostly dead and there isn't nearly as much to see as there is on the many live reefs around the island. From the west end of Buck Island, there is a barrier reef just off the northwest corner of the island that is still alive and well and full of all kinds of things to see. If you can manage to go out to Buck Island with a local on a private boat rather than the main public charters, you will get to see a lot more. There are other sections of live reef close to Buck Island, also. It's mostly the snorkel trail area that is dead after being overwhelmed by tourists for years.
Thanks for the tips.
Don't know if we'll get to Buck Island. Don't care to see a worn-out trail. Of numerous trip to STJ, we spent an hour on our third trip at Trunk Bay just to say we'd been there.
If we can find an affordable private-type charter, we may make it to Buck Island. We like off the beaten path and do not like going with the herds to the sacrifical tourist traps.
I've read previous STX snorkeling tips and Jack/Issacs Bay has been added to our list, planning to leave nothing of value in our vehicle.
Most likely we'll also go snorkeling during our stay off of the N2Blue dive boat. We're meeting up with them early in our stay to take their intro to scuba diving class.
We can snorkel 6-8 hours a day.
Who do you recommend as far as using a private boat? Any #'s that we could call? We also like to check out the spots that others don't frequent. As always, THANKS!! We're leaving Monday morning. Im trying to pack but this site always calls me....
We are coming to STJ on Wednesday from Mississippi.We are celebrating our 5 yr. anniversary- we came to STJ on our honeymoon. We were thinking of taking a ferry to Tortola for one day to check it out.How does it compare to STJ and would it be worth the trip?
I just spent 2 weeks there in May and my advise is don't waste a day of your trip going to Tortola. There is no comparison to STJ. The beaches on STJ are MUCH MUCH nicer that anything on Tortola (although Smuggler's Cove is a nice beach). If you want to visit the BVI do a day trip to snorkel the Indians, lunch at the Willy T, snorkel Green Cay then head to Jost Van Dyke for a painkiller (just so you can say you were there) then hit Henley Cay on the way back to snorkel there. That's my idea of a good day trip.
As far as Buck Island goes, I suggest you make the trip. The coral formations are impressive as are the variety of fish.
I agree, we've taken numerous visitors to Buck Island and everyone has loved it. Don't miss it.
