Christmas Cove

Just off the eastern coast of St. Thomas sits Christmas Cove, a sheltered oasis on Great St. James Island. Sea turtles and other magnificent marine animals live abundantly in the surrounding waters. That, combined with the ocean clarity make for the most spectacular snorkeling experiences. 

Mooring

Anchoring is only allowed where seagrass and coral are not present. Moorings for a fee are plentiful, but get there early. You can find all the details on mooring and anchoring here: https://www.vinow.com/travel/marinas-anchorage-sites/ 

Things to do

Float atop the clear blue waves or dive below and swim with sea turtles, stingrays and other majestic marine life. Relax on the secluded shore or take the dinghy to Pizza Pi, a one-of-kind sailboat serving up some of the Caribbean’s best pizza. And if you stick around until sundown, nothing compares to basking in the orange glow of the horizon as the night sky sets in.

Facilities

Restaurants – Resorts

Yacht Haven Grande or Christmas Cove

For 6pm check-in- Overnight at Yacht Haven Grande- AM boat briefing. Unwind at Twistt, Enkai or Navy Beach on premise or head to French Town (5 minutes away by car) for dinner.

*OR* 12pm Check-in & provisioning before setting sail to Christmas Cove. Christmas Cove is a popular stop with a panoramic view of the surrounding island keys. Conveniently located between St. Thomas and St. John, it’s a great introduction to the surrounding areas. It’s also the home of our locally famous “Pizza Pi” boat!

Caneel Bay

Located in the Virgin Islands National Park, Caneel Bay is a sandy crescent shaped beach offering a relaxing ambience with upmarket amenities. It is one of the first beaches you come to as you drive up North Shore Road out of St. John’s main port, Cruz Bay.

Mooring

Anchoring is not allowed here.  Secure a NPS mooring ball (white ball w/ blue stripe) for $26 cash per night.There are 20 mooring balls available, so get there early if possible. Fee is paid at the floating fee station.

Things to do

Take the dinghy to over and explore Saloman Bay Beach, an excellent snorkeling spot. After a day relaxing, head to Zozo’s, where you can enjoy a luxury setting with restaurant and bar, booking is preferred but not essential.

Facilities

Bar, restaurant, laundry (at Caneel Bay resort) BAR AND LAUNDRY NOT OPEN TO PUBLIC- CANEEL GUESTS ONLY

Christmas Cove to Caneel Bay (Cruz Bay)

Head to Caneel Bay or Honeymoon beach. Honeymoon beach is right around the corner from Cruz Bay. Cruz Bay is the main town of St John and has a couple of supermarkets and everything you would need to stock up. Cruz Bay is also a great place to pick up anyone from the ferry from St Thomas to St John. Feel free to dinghy into Cruz Bay from Caneel Bay for restaurants, shops and bars, including the popular restaurant ZoZos – perfect for sundowner cocktails. There are national park mooring balls here as well.

Trunk Bay

Home to some of the bluest waters in the Caribbean, Trunk Bay is the crown jewel of the Virgin Islands National Park. Trunk Bay is a photogenic paradise that even features 650 feet of underwater trails with signs for the most remarkable swimming and snorkeling experiences. This heart-shaped bay is arguably one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

Within a protective cove, you will find Maho Bay. With long seagrass, Maho Bay is great for seeing turtles whilst snorkelling. North of Maho Bay and less popular (however just as beautiful) is Francis Bay. If you are looking for a more laid back atmosphere Francis Bay is the perfect spot with turquoise blue waters and the breathtaking mountainous backdrop of St John.

Cinnamon Bay Beach is ranked as one of the most beautiful, pristine beaches within the Virgin Islands National Park. Enjoy 1/2 mile long of white sand dotted with stunning coconut palm trees, and plently of cays to explore for snorkellers. You may even spot a turtle or stingray, as well as colourful fish.

Mooring

Anchoring is not allowed here.  NPS moorings ($26) are available but not plentiful, so get there early.

Things to do

Enjoy the underwater trails by swimming or snorkeling your way through the breathtaking blue water or bask in the Caribbean sun on the white sand beach.

Snorkelling, swimming ,kitesurfing, paddle boarding, windsurfing, hiking

Facilities

Restaurants – Retail shops – Picnic areas – Restrooms and showers – On-duty lifeguards – Snorkeling gear rentals -taxi

Trunk Bay; Maho Bay & Cinnamon Bay

Next stop the famous Trunk Bay! Trunk Bay has a bar, food truck, and music daily. The white powdery sand on Trunk Bay makes the shoreline top-tier. With a food truck, bar, rental shacks and restrooms available, Trunk Bay is equipped for a family day. With Trunk Cay just off of the beaches shore, the snorkeling experience here is breathtaking during peak seasons for marine life.

Experience the dense greenery of Cinnamon Bay. Known for its hiking trails and campgrounds, Cinnamon Bay provide all elements of what an island has to offer. While there, it’s very likely that you may encounter mongoose and deer that have taken up residence on the plush beach. You also have the option of renting water sports equipment and snorkel gear.
Head over to Maho/ Francis Bay where you can pick-up a national park mooring ball for the night. The popular Maho Bay has gained notoriety because of the pristine water. Depending on the season, sightings of ray, starfish and sea turtles are a must! You’re welcome to paddle board or swim to shore where you will find a bar, food truck, and gift shop. When taking your party to shore via dinghy, please use red and green channel markers & blue mooring balls. However, from the swim only zone, you are NOT allowed to dinghy into the beach. There are small blue shallow water mooring balls for dinghy use.

Leinster Bay

Snorkeling in the USVI is fairly exceptional overall, but rocky windswept Leinster Bay is the #1 snorkeling spot in St. John. TripAdvisor even named this area, in conjunction with Waterlemon Cay, the #1 St. John attraction for travelers because there’s a little something for everybody. 

Mooring

Anchoring is not allowed here.  NPS moorings ($26) are available but not plentiful, so get there early.

Things to do

The must-do activity in Leinster Bay is snorkeling because of the abundant marine life and fringing reefs. Sea turtles, rays, and colorful fish are spotted often along with bright and beautiful corals. On land, explore over 30 different trails along Leinster Bay Beach and see the historic Annaberg Sugar Plantation Ruins along the way.

Facilities

No facilities for yachts are available.

Leinster Bay

Feel free to check out Francis Bay (for less traffic and short hiking trail) &/or Whistling Cay (for advance snorkeling) on your way to Leinster Bay which would be our recommendation for an overnight stay. Leinster also has great snorkeling around Watermelon Cay and short hike to Annaberg Plantations ruins.

Saltpond Bay

When it’s time to eat, choose from a number of unique restaurants in Coral Bay such as The Danforth, Skinny Legs, Miss Lucy’s, Aqua Bistro, or the swimming taco bar Lime Out. You can even shop for groceries here if you wish.                                                                                                                                                                                                                In Saltpond you can snorkel with turles and the healthy reef in the center of the bay or hike ramshead trail for a beautiful scenic view. The 2 mile out and back trail is very exposed so be sure to bring water and sunscreen.

Mooring

Anchoring is not allowed here.  NPS moorings ($26) are available but not plentiful, so get there early. Anchoring is allowed in Coral Harbor.

Things to do

Swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, hiking, sunbathing

Facilities

Saltpond -No facilities                                                                                                                                            

Coral Bay: Restaurants – Bars – Grocery stores (three) – Shops – Watersports rental – Mall – Mail center-ATM-taxi

Lavango Cay

 

Great snorkeling on the north and south side of lovango. Day passes will give you access to the resort pool. 

Mooring

Moorings can be reserved from lovango bay resort. Anchoring inbetween lovango and congo is permitted in sandy areas only.

Things to do

Bar, restaurant, snorkeling, pool and small gift shop

Facilities

Restaurant, Bar, pool

Lavango/Congo Island

Head to Lavango Cay, an 118 acre island where you can relax and bask in the sun on Crescent Beach, north of the cay. Congo cay is a smaller cay and only a hundred yards or so off the beach.

Lavango Cay is renowned for the beach club, where you can get day passes for a fee. The resort offers a restaurant, bars, cabanas and private beach access. 

Magens Bay

Located in the north shore of St Thomas, Magens Bay is about one mile long. As this beach is one of the most popular in St Thomas, it does get busy so the best times to visit are morning and late afternoon if you want to avoid the crowds.

If you woud like a break from the beach, you can hike a nature trail. Amongst the mangrove trees, you may spot exotic birds and flowers.

Mooring

Anchoring (left side outside of swim zone)

Things to do

Kayak around the bay, relax on the remote beachfront. For a more active Magens Bay experience, learn about the island’s history while taking in the tropical scenery during a guided walk along tjhe water or an eco tour. Or take a taxi to Estate St. Peter and get your thrills by zooming along the Tree Line Extreme zip line.

Facilities

Public restrooms & showers – Snack stands – Bars – Souvenir shops – Recreational rentals (paddleboards, kayaks, snorkeling gear, floats) – Beach rentals (towels, lounge chairs, lockers); taxi

Magens Bay

Magens Bay is a scenic haven of calm waters and secluded shoreline, perfect for getting in the swing of island time. Kayak around the bay or relax on the remote beachfront. Magens Bay is the most popular beach in St. Thomas and one of the top 10 beaches in the world as named by National Geographic. Featuring almost one mile of soft white sand for locals and visitors to enjoy year-round, Magen’s Bay is also home to some magnificent mountain views. This public beach offers calm waters perfect for swimming, as well as on-duty lifeguards, concessions, and paddleboard rentals. The waters are clear, but the sandy ocean bottom is not ideal for snorkeling. For a rejuvenating retreat, escape to the Discovery Nature Trail to explore the coconut grove, mangrove, and arboretum.

Great Harbour - Brewers Bay & Playground

Brewers Bay is not only the perfect place for discovering marine life, it is also a nice spot for bird watching such as pelicans. As it is one of the widest shores in St Thomas, there is ample space to play sports such as beach volleyball.

Brewers Bay

This hidden gem is a sun-drenched pristine beach with lush forested hills on the right and the University of the Virgin Islands campus on the left. This calm spot is great for snorkeling as green sea turtles and hawksbill turtles tend to reside around this area.

Stroll along the waters edge and discover beautiful sea glass, coral and shells washed up by the tide, or head for the shade under the palm trees and sea grape trees that line the beach for a picnic. Stay until sunset and experience the stunning view.

Druif Bay

Enjoy snorkeling with turtles, relaxing on the beach or grab some drinks and food at Dinghys beach bar. Golf carts are also available for rent to drive around the island. Be sure to eplore the historic fort and enjoy the scenic view.

Mooring

Anchoring is only allowed where seagrass and coral are not present. Moorings for a fee are available.Ask for mooring Ball info at check-in as all mooring balls are private.

Things to do

Select the perfect patch of white sand and temporarily settle into your very own sunbathing sanctuary. Go for a refreshing swim in the surf-free ocean or enjoy snorkeing your way through the clear blue water and colorful coral reefs. With the palm tree scenery and the sparse beach population, take advantage of this incredible photo opportunity.

Facilities

ATM; Restaurant & bars; taxi; Recreation rentals (kayaks,  stand-up paddleboards, beach chairs); Dingy’s -Dingy’s offers drinks and nice fresh food (tuna ceviche was a must!)

Druif Bay

Nestled between iconic palm trees and crystalline waters, and lined with quaint palm frond huts, this beach on Water Island just south of St. Thomas is arguably one the most peaceful places in the USVI. For a dose of local history, take the short trip south and visit Fort Segarra, a tunnel-filled underground fort built by the U.S. during World War II.