St. John
Day 1: Arrive in St. Thomas and then promptly take the ferry to the stunning island of St. John. For the best natural experience, head for Cinnamon Bay Campground where some stay in the small cottages, but you can also rent a tent or bring your own. The campground has showers, a restaurant, general store, and beach shop so that you can stock up on any necessities you may have forgotten to bring.
Day 2: Explore and snorkel around Cinnamon Bay including the old plantation ruins, which make for a nice nature walk. A short walk through the coconut groves from the campground leads to one of the longest beaches on the island, and despite the proximity to the campground, it rarely feels crowded. While you can relax on the golden sand or swim in the fabulously clear water, it would be a real shame not to don a mask and snorkel and see what lies beneath the waves. Amazing shore snorkeling is what sets St. John apart from many other islands. While some islands are ringed with great beaches and others have superb snorkeling, St. John is magnificently blessed with both. Day 3: Spend the day at nearby Trunk Bay to see some of the most pristine water in the Virgin Islands. Just a mile from the campground, Trunk Bay is the only beach on the island where a fee is charged, but you won’t complain as it is truly one of the loveliest beaches to be found anywhere. Like Cinnamon Bay, there is a small cay (island) close to shore, which contributes to the calm water and is also where visitors can follow an underwater snorkeling trail that uses plaques on the ocean floor to describe the wonderfully abundant marine life. As you glide effortlessly through the water, life from the reef surrounds you as sea fans sway with the current, parrot fish munch on coral, and shy trunk fish putter about. Day 4: On the south side of the island, visit Salt Pond, Lameshur and Little Lameshur Bay. Some say Salt Pond Bay has the best snorkeling on the island and while getting to the reef requires a bit a swim— and the beach doesn’t have much shade, it is definitely worth the trip. Lameshur and its smaller sibling—Little Lameshur, don't have great snorkeling, but both are secluded with ample shade cover. Day 5: Head over to Maho Bay, which is an ideal swimming beach. The beach doesn’t have much coral but instead offers a shallow sandy bottom and sea grass beds further out, which turtles are known to frequent. Then explore and snorkel Hawksnest Bay. Hawksnest is known for its beautiful staghorn coral that lies very close to the surface. Day 6: The perfect way to end your trip to St. John is by taking the one mile trail to Waterlemon Bay. At the end of the trail, swim out into the channel a few hundred yards to the nearby island. It is a bit of a swim, but the snorkeling is truly some of the best on the island. Afterwards, return to the trail head and walk around the Annaberg Sugar Mill ruins. On select days, the rangers give tours of both and Annaberg and around Leinster Bay. Day 7: Return to St. Thomas via ferry and return home. |