Snorkeling in the Virgin Islands is a must for marine enthusiasts. From coral gardens to sea turtles gliding through crystal-clear waters, each spot offers its own unique charm. Here are our top 10 snorkeling destinations—five in the British Virgin Islands (BVI) and five in the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI).
Southwest of Tortola, these towering rock formations create a stunning underwater landscape. Explore depths of 5–40 feet to find colorful coral reefs, sea fans, and marine life like parrotfish, turtles, and even spotted eagle rays.
This iconic site features four dramatic rock formations rising above the water, creating a stunning backdrop and an underwater paradise.
As you snorkel around these pinnacles, you’ll be greeted by vibrant coral reefs teeming with marine life. Look for colorful blue fan coral, golden brain coral, and even patches of striking red fire coral. Schools of tropical fish dart between the rocks, making every turn a delightful surprise. On the shallower east side, soft corals and smaller fish abound, while the steeper wall plunging to 40 feet offers a chance to spot larger creatures like snappers, barracudas, or even moray eels. Take your time—it’s the tiny, hidden sea creatures that often steal the show here.
Calm waters south of Green Cay and Sandy Spit reveal vibrant hard corals, gorgonians, and schools of tropical fish. On the north side, dramatic boulders house sponges, fairy basslets, and the occasional reef squid.
The calm, sandy anchorages south of Green Cay and near Sandy Spit reveal a sea floor covered in vibrant hard corals and gorgonians, home to parrotfish, squirrelfish, and occasional reef squid. On the exposed north side, towering boulders and pinnacles burst with marine growth, including colorful sponges, branching hydroid fans, and coral formations. Hidden hollows shelter juvenile angelfish, fairy basslets, and glassy minnows, while turtles, barracudas, and schools of horse-eye jacks glide through the water. With good visibility and diverse marine life, this area is a snorkeler’s paradise.
Southwest of Norman Island, Angelfish Reef offers a stunning underwater landscape of canyons, ridges, and vibrant gorgonians. It's clear, shallow waters teem with marine life, from sea horses, spotted drums, and jack-knifes to turtles, eagle rays, stingrays, nurse sharks, and massive lobsters.
Tiny crabs, shrimp, and colorful anemones hide in crevices, while the sandy bottom reveals even more treasures. Ideal for all skill levels, this reef is a paradise for snorkelers and divers alike, offering endless opportunities to explore and capture its beauty.
Angelfish Reef is located off the southern coast of Norman Island in the British Virgin Islands (BVIs). It's a popular snorkeling and diving site known for its vibrant coral reefs and diverse marine life, including angelfish, groupers, and schools of tropical fish. The reef's relatively shallow depths and clear waters make it ideal for snorkelers and scuba divers alike. It's also near other famous spots like The Indians, making it a convenient stop on a yachting itinerary.
Located between Scrub Island and Great Camanoe, Diamond Reef is famous for its vibrant coral and diverse marine life. Glide over brain coral, elkhorn coral, and sea fans while spotting hawksbill turtles and damselfish.
Diamond Reef is renowned for its vibrant and thriving coral reefs, which are home to a kaleidoscope of marine life.
Snorkelers can expect to see healthy brain coral, elkhorn coral, and sea fans swaying with the currents. The area is teeming with tropical fish like butterflyfish, damselfish, parrotfish, and the occasional hawkfish. Lucky snorkelers may also spot hawksbill turtles gliding through the water or resting near the coral.
At the southern tip of Guana Island, this calm, protected spot is perfect for spotting tarpon, jackfish, turtles, and rays. Shallow waters (5–20 feet) make it ideal for easy exploration.
Monkey Point is a marine sanctuary teeming with life. The calm, crystal-clear waters make it an ideal spot for spotting diverse marine species, including tarpon, jackfish, turtles, and schools of tiny baitfish that shimmer like underwater clouds.
The rocky shoreline is home to colorful coral formations, sea fans, and sponges, creating a picturesque underwater landscape. Nearby seagrass beds attract graceful stingrays and foraging turtles, offering snorkelers the chance for close encounters.
Unique Features: The real magic of Monkey Point lies in its protected environment and variety of underwater habitats. From shallow areas perfect for beginners to deeper spots for more experienced snorkelers, it caters to all skill levels. The schools of baitfish often attract larger predators, such as barracudas, adding excitement to the snorkeling experience. The rocky outcroppings and submerged boulders also create plenty of hiding spots for juvenile reef fish like angelfish and damselfish.
Snorkel near the rocky northern and southern sides of this iconic bay to find coral formations and plenty of reef fish; parrot fish, blue tangs, and wrasses. Baby sharks can often be seen near the shoreline, while the sandy center hosts turtles and rays.
While the central bay is known for its calm, sandy bottom, the rocky northern and southern edges are where snorkeling comes alive. These areas are home to small coral formations, colorful sponges, and a variety of reef fish such as parrotfish, blue tangs, and wrasses. Near the shoreline, you might spot baby sharks, while the seagrass beds in the middle often attract sea turtles and rays gliding gracefully beneath the surface.
Christmas Cove is located off the east end of St. Thomas near Great St. James Island in the USVI. The cove features clear, calm waters with depths ranging from 5 to 20 feet, ideal for snorkeling.
Explore vibrant coral formations like brain coral and sea fans, while spotting marine life such as parrotfish, angelfish, blue tang, sergeant majors, sea turtles, and the occasional spotted eagle ray. The protected location ensures excellent visibility and easy conditions for all skill levels.
Waterlemon Cay is home to starfish, conch, barracudas, and sea turtles. Shallow waters around the cay (5–18 feet) are filled with thriving coral and marine life.
Waterlemon Cay boasts an abundance of thriving marine life. The shallow waters around the cay are dotted with starfish, conch, and vibrant coral formations.
You’ll also encounter barracudas, rays, and schools of tropical fish, while sea turtles and nurse sharks make occasional appearances.
Depth: Ranging from 5–18 feet, the shallow areas around the cay are perfect for leisurely snorkeling, with deeper spots offering exciting exploration opportunities.
Why It Stands Out: Waterlemon Cay is a hidden gem, offering a tranquil and uncrowded snorkeling experience with diverse marine life. Its location within a protected national park ensures the underwater environment remains pristine.
This protected reef system features an underwater trail showcasing elkhorn and brain coral. Explore depths of 5–25 feet to find green sea turtles, blue tang, and other vibrant reef fish.
Buck Island’s underwater trail is a highlight, guiding snorkelers through vibrant coral reefs featuring elkhorn coral, brain coral, and other hard corals. The reef is bustling with marine life, including schools of blue tang, sergeant majors, and green sea turtles.
Depth: Snorkeling ranges from 5–25 feet, with the trail primarily in shallower waters, making it accessible to snorkelers of all skill levels.
Why It Stands Out: Buck Island’s pristine reefs are among the best-preserved in the Caribbean, and the underwater trail adds an educational element that enhances the experience. It’s a world-class snorkeling destination for marine enthusiasts.
Perfect for beginners, the calm waters at Honeymoon Beach are teeming with eagle rays, sea turtles, and colorful reef fish. Shallow depths (5–15 feet) make it a relaxed and picturesque snorkeling spot.
What to See: The calm, clear waters of Honeymoon Beach are home to a variety of marine life, including sea turtles, eagle rays, and colorful reef fish like damselfish and wrasses.
The sandy bottom is perfect for beginners, while small coral formations and sponges near the edges of the beach provide additional points of interest.
Depth: With depths ranging from 5–15 feet, it’s ideal for novice snorkelers and those seeking a tranquil experience.
Why It Stands Out: Honeymoon Beach is known for its laid-back vibe and pristine waters, making it a great place to unwind and snorkel at your own pace. The nearby amenities, including beach bars and shaded seating, add to its charm.
