Hi Folks
We're planning our second trip to BVI and my wife thought it would be nice to check into customs at Cruz Bay and then explore the north coast while working our way back to BVI customs.

Is the snorkeling worth it? I've only seen a couple web reports about Waterlemon bay being good snorkeling.

Are the Annaberg plantation ruins worth the hike?

(there sure aren't many "snorkeling" search hits on TTOL)

Cheers2u
Eddie

Check out Gerald Singer's seestjohn.com. Singer wrote "St. John Off the Beaten Path," my favorite guide to STJ. There is good snorkeling right at the Caneel Bay anchorage between Salomon and Honeymoon beaches - you'll see a National Park VIP house right there above the rocks.

Working your way around clockwise around the island, also the way Singer has his snorkel page organized, you'll find a lot of great options on the 17 spots between Cruz Bay and Leinster that Singer points out.

I'll be honest, after 40+ trips to the Virgins, the last five sailing, my favorite island is still St. John. It doesn't have the White Bay/Norman Island/Cooper Island action with a beach bar at every beach. But it does have white beaches, no development on the NPS beaches, $15 well maintained moorings (dive them, we have found cut painters) and trash drop off at the end of most dinghy channels (check your cruising guide).

Have fun!

Cheers, RickG

St John has great snorkeling. I have not found anywhere else that compares. Yes, get to Waterlemon. The hike is worth it.

on the south side Salt Pond is hard to beat, IMHO the best snorkeling in St.John. The tip of Maho has some really nice snorkeling as well.

If you are staying on the N. shore I suggest picking up a mooring ball at Whistling Cay for excellent snorkeling then moving over to the Mary Point mooring for even more beautiful coral.
If the seas are calm enough the moorings at Carvel Rock provide a great underwater scene and some serious fish spotting.

I agree - St John is worth the time

Well this stinks. I got this from the charter company "Once you leave the USVI you must again clear out of customs in
St. John and back into the BVI in Sopers Hole once again"

Its a pain to have to back-track to Cruz to clear out of St Johns customs.

Thanks to everyone's feedback. The seestjohn.com is excellent and I've noted all the snorkeling spots you guys/gals have mentioned. Many thanks again and I'll post an update if we visit (the returning to clear out of customs complicates things a bit)

First of all it's St.John. You only clear into USVI, no need to clear out. The forms are on the Charter Boat reviews forum, fill them out in advance clearing takes maybe 5 minutes. Clearing back to BVI is very easy. you will use the same form you cleared out with, pay the 75 cents and leave. It's not at all complicated and St.John is worth a visit.

Sailing Dreams....how did it go?

Any hope for BVI electronic forms? I just try and keep extras on the boat. Filling these out ahead of time really makes things go faster.

Cheers, RickG