One of the best experiences in Caribbean is to go snorkeling in Trunk Bay, St. John, in Virgin Islands National Park, which features the world’s first self-guided snorkeling tour, Coral Reef Underwater Park Trail.
Many marvel at the beauty that lay in front of their eyes upon taking the first step on the soil of the U.S. Virgin Islands. A mainstay of the best beaches and vacation spots lists across major publications, these islands offer stunning views of lush rainforests that cradle crystal clear waters. St. John, the smallest of three main islands, is home to Virgin Islands National Park. The park is famous for its hiking trails throughout the rainforest and underwater activities in the beaches, some of the best in the world.
Most notably, it has one of the best experiences not only in the USVI but perhaps all across the Caribbean, snorkeling in Trunk Bay through the Coral Reef Underwater Park Trail. There aren’t many underwater activities that will compare to what you will experience in Trunk Bay, it is simply that amazing.
Trunk Bay Snorkeling Profile
Closest Major Airports: Cyril E. King International Airport (St. Thomas, USVI) – 20 miles away, 30 minute drive + 30 minute ferry (approximately 1 hour total)
- There is no airport in the island of St. John. The major airport in the U.S. Virgin Islands is Cyrile E. King International Airport, which is in St. Thomas, the island west of St. John. It is one of the busiest airports in the Caribbean. To get to St. John, you need to traverse across the island to Redhook Bay, where you can take a ferry to Cruz Bay. The drive from the airport to Redhook Bay will take approximately thirty minutes and the ferry will take another thirty minutes.
Closest Major Metro Area: Cruz Bay, St. John
- Cruz Bay is the main town in St. John. With a population of just over 2,500, it’s a small town compared to others you will see in the Caribbean. But don’t discount this vibrant town so soon. Unless you are seeking a big city experience, there is plenty to do in Cruz Bay. The town is filled with bars, shops, and there is even a casino! You will get what you need in Cruz Bay during your visit to St. John.
Recommended Method of Transportation to Destination: Fly into Cyril E. King International Airport, Drive to Redhook Bay, and Take the Ferry to Cruz Bay.
- Given that the only route to St. John is via ferry, there are limited options here. The most cost-effective and efficient way is to fly into Cyril E. King and taking the ferry to Cruz Bay. Any other route does not make sense from a timing and cost perspective, unless this is a small part of your entire itinerary.
Introduction
The Virgin Islands were named by Christopher Columbus, who passed by the islands during his second voyage, after Saint Ursula and the 11,000 virgins. For most of its post European settlement history, the Virgin Islands were under the rule of the Danes. The Dane rule never went smoothly as settlement plans never went according to plan. The Danes encountered two slave rebellions over two centuries, eventually resulting in abolishment of slavery by mid-19th century. Without slavery, profits dropped, and with the Virgin Islands bleeding money, the Danes sold it to the United States, who wanted to turn it into a naval base.
The U.S. Virgin Islands consist of three islands: St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix. St. Thomas and St. John are in the north and next to each other. St. Croix, which is the biggest island, is approximately forty miles south of St. Thomas. Each island has its own flavor, which makes USVI island hopping amazing.
St. Croix is famous for its Danish architecture that accompanies the miles of coastline and boats that sail around. St. Thomas is the urban center of the islands and its main city, Charlotte Amalie, features plenty of good shopping and nightlife. Last but not least, St. John is the smallest of them all, but is home to miles of coastline with hidden coves and tranquility inside the Virgin Islands National Park. These beautiful coastlines lush with bays and coves provide fantastic environments for underwater adventures, with one of the best being snorkeling in Trunk Bay.
Where to Go Snorkeling in Trunk Bay, St. John, USVI
Frequently voted as one of the best beaches on Earth, Trunk Bay is the crown jewel of St. John. The beach is named after the leatherback turtles, also known as trunks, which are native to the Virgin Islands. The water in Trunk Bay is absolutely crystal clear, and you can watch the different shades of blue ripple across the bay. With amazing visibility throughout the entire beach, there is really no bad place to go snorkeling in Trunk Bay. But there is one place that stands out above all else, a perfect place especially for first time snorkelers.
Coral Reef Underwater Park Trail
The Coral Reef Underwater Park Trail, which brands itself as the first self-guided snorkeling trail ever, is simply an amazing course for anybody interested in snorkeling. It is especially fantastic for beginners. While the more experienced folks may see the course as too elementary, it is still worth a trip. Just off of the coast of Trunk Bay on the eastern shore is a tiny island called Trunk Cay, which is shown on the map above. That is where the adventure begins. Look for a sign that lays out the trail. It begins from the shore near the Trunk Cay and goes counter-clockwise.
As you go underwater to begin your journey on this 650 feet snorkeling trail, there will be plenty of signs to guide you through the course. In addition, there are informational signs that provide detailed information on the marine life and the ecosystem. The ecosystem in Trunk Bay is full of corals and all kinds of marine life, and in combination with clear visibility, is the perfect recipe for a great snorkeling adventure. Some of the key marine life you may see here are trunk fish, parrotfish, monkfish, spotted goatfish, and the Bermuda chub.
If you wish to explore on your own aside from the snorkeling trail, there are lots of coral reefs surrounding the Trunk Cay. So feel free to wander around to your content. Some travelers have mentioned that the corals are in poor shape after the 2017 Hurricane Irma devastated the area and currently in recovery mode. While true, there are still an amazing variety of coral reefs for you to marvel at while snorkeling in Trunk Bay. There are brain corals, staghorn corals, and the marvelous elkhorn corals that provide the foundation for the marine life in the area.
When is the Best Time to Go Snorkeling in Trunk Bay?
The water temperatures does not fluctuate much in St. John across the year, from high-70s during February to high 80s during the summer. So there wouldn’t be a wrong time to go snorkeling here. However, the region’s hurricane season is from July to October, and the peak season is December to March. So the best time to visit would be from March to May, when crowds are less but the temperatures are still just right.
Final Word:
Snorkeling in Trunk Bay at the Coral Reef Underwater Park Trail should be part of everyone’s itinerary to St. John. For those who have not snorkeled outside of continental United States, this will be a whole different level. One can easily spend a day at Trunk Bay, one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. The snorkeling trail will take about an hour or so, more if you want to experience the marine life. Therefore, it’s not a burdensome activity to do while you are relaxing on the beach. So be sure to allocate some time to snorkeling during your trip to Trunk Bay. A fantastic experience to take part in on a beach day.
I think other website proprietors should take this website as an model, very clean and fantastic user genial style and design, as well as the content. You’re an expert in this topic!
Spot on with this write-up, I really believe this sitye
needfs faar mlre attention. I’ll probably be returning tto
read more, thanjks ffor thee advice!