What You’ll See Snorkeling in the U.S. Virgin Islands
As you can imagine, there is a lot of sea life to see in the ocean. And one of the best ways to get an up-close look at a variety of life in the U.S. Virgin Islands is going snorkeling! The St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix areas are some of the best places to go snorkeling and experience the ocean.
If you’re planning a tropical getaway, there’s no better place to visit than the U.S. Virgin Islands, and there’s no better way to explore the area than with a sailing charter! Sail VI offers sailboat and catamaran day rentals so you can get to know the area and snorkel in pristine waters. Our captain and crew have lived all over the eastern seaboard and Caribbean, and love spending their time on the water. If you want to get away from all of the chaos and drama of the past year and need a vacation like no other, let us help!
Here Are Some of the Best Places to Snorkel in the U.S. Virgin Islands
- Salomon/Honeymoon Bay
- Hawksnest Bay
- Leinster Bay
- Waterlemon Bay
- Trunk Pay
- Cinnamon Bay
- Maho Bay
- Francis Bay
- Leinster Bay
- Brown Bay
The best part about renting the sailboat Liberty or the catamaran Justice is that you don’t have to spend hours researching where the best snorkeling spots are or finding out how to get there – we’ll do that for you! The only thing you need to worry about is keeping your eyes open for the variety of sea life that you’ll see.
What You’ll See When Snorkeling in the U.S. Virgin Islands
Coral Reefs
Sure, you have probably seen pictures of coral reefs, but seeing them in person is a whole new experience. The warm shallow seas of the St. John or St. Thomas areas are a perfect habitat for the coral reefs. The reefs are formed by the calcium that is secreted by coral polyps. These organisms are actually quite small, about the size of a match head, and feed on plankton with tentacle arms around their mouths. When you’re snorkeling on your day sailing trip, be careful not to get too close to the coral reefs as any contact or impact could hurt them and yourself.
Starfish
Ever comb a sandy beach looking for starfish? Everyone may be familiar with what a starfish looks like, but they are, as the name suggests, star-shaped invertebrates with five points off of the main body. Two of the best places to find Starfish are Leinster Bay or Waterlemon Cay, both in St. John. Just cross your fingers, they’re not always there.
Turtles
Some of the most amazing sea life to see in the U.S. Virgin Islands are turtles. While you’re sailing around, you may see leatherback turtles, which are the largest marine turtle, and loggerhead turtles. Leatherback turtles spend most of their lives in the water, but come onto shore to lay their eggs. For leatherbacks, this is in the fall and winter. During this time, the beaches are closed to protect the eggs and allow the small turtles to hatch and grow safely.
Whales
There are several types of whales swimming around the U.S. Virgin Islands, including sperm whales, dolphins, porpoises, and grey whales. A popular time for whale watching is during the winter months. Keep your eyes peeled, though, as they only come up for air and can stay below water for hours! Dolphins, however, usually come up for air every four or five minutes.
Explore the U.S. Virgin Islands With Sail VI
Our team offers day sails and sunset cruises in St. Thomas and the greater U.S. Virgin Islands. Learn more about the charter boat rentals for Liberty and Justice, and contact us if you have any questions or are ready to book your trip! We can’t wait to show you around and point out all of the wildlife that you’ll see.