Dorsch Beach Snorkeling Guide [Rated + Reviewed]
Snorkeling is one of our favorite things to do in St. Croix! If you are a beginner snorkeler, Dorsch Beach in St. Croix is a fantastic choice. It’s located on the western end of the island, where the waters are usually calm. I’ll walk through how to get there, where to snorkel, and what cool sea life you might find.
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St. Croix Snorkeling Rating System
My husband and I love traveling the world, always on the search for the best snorkeling spots—and figuring out which ones are truly worth the hype.
I rate all of the snorkeling sites we visit. Please see the rating key below.
OVERALL SNORKEL RATING KEY
🤿 🤿 🤿 🤿 🤿 = World-class snorkeling and worth traveling just for the snorkeling alone!
🤿 🤿 🤿 🤿 = Incredible snorkeling and should be on your list of top things to do!
🤿 🤿 🤿 = Decent snorkeling and worth the effort!
🤿 🤿 = Worth consideration if you are running out of things to do!
🤿 = Not worth it!
If you want to discover all of my 5 FAVORITE St. Croix snorkeling sites in ONE comprehensive list, click on the link below!
Dorsch Beach Snorkeling
Red starfish at Dorsch Beach in St. Croix
Rating: 🤿 🤿 🤿
How to Get There
Located on the calmer western side of the island, Dorsch Beach is an easy snorkeling location to access.
Put the hotel called Sand Castle on the Beach in Google Maps. Sand Castle Beach is part of Dorsch Beach.
By the way, if you are looking for a boutique, adults-only hotel with direct access to snorkeling a few feet away, then the highly-rated Sand Castle on the Beach is your happy place.
It also has a Beach Side Cafe. Even if you are not staying at the hotel, you can still pop in for lunch or a drink after your snorkeling session.
Ok, back to how to get to this snorkeling site.
Drive just a few minutes north of the Sand Castle on the Beach as if you are going towards Frederiksted. See the snorkeling map below.
Frederiksted Pier is another fantastic snorkeling spot to check out. In fact, it’s our favorite site to snorkel in St. Croix!
You will find plenty of parking right on Dorsch Beach.
Dorsch Beach parking
Snorkeling Map
Snorkeling Map of Dorsch Beach in St. Croix USVI
Snorkel straight out from the beach and then to the right towards the abandoned stone shack.
Entry
Dorsch Beach offers a sandy bottom, so the entry is pretty easy.
If you love snorkeling, I strongly advise investing in good snorkeling gear to take when you travel.
My husband and I do quite a few “snorkations.” Here is the personal gear I bring anytime I’m in the water.
St. Croix Fish Sightings
When we first snorkeled straight out from the beach, we saw some beautiful starfish in several different colors.
As we snorkeled to the right towards the old abandoned stone shack, we saw plenty of barrel sponges.
In front of the shack, we came across some old machinery that was dumped years ago. It is now home to some beautiful coral and tropical fish including sergeant majors and French grunt.
Starfish at Dorsch Beach
Snorkeling with sergeant majors at Dorsch Beach
French grunt swimming around old machinery at Dorsch Beach in St. Croix
Final Thoughts
Dorsch Beach was worth popping in to check it out.
Some travelers have reported turtle and even octopus sightings, but we didn’t see any. We did spot juvenile turtles though at Cane Bay on the north shore. The highlight of this site was the starfish!
I’m Nichole, the author of all the blog posts on Enriching Pursuits. Think of me as your geeky discerning travel friend who dives deep (Google Page 20, forums, travel groups deep!) to uncover the best ways to enjoy exceptional outdoor adventures and foodie experiences.
My husband and I are experienced snorkelers, day hikers, and casual cyclists who also love delicious street food, an incredible glass of wine, and the occasional Michelin-starred meal.
Balancing full-time careers, we cherish every second of our vacation days and love sharing tips to help you do the same. If this sounds like your kind of travel, subscribe below or drop me a note with any questions. I’d love to hear from you!
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Questions about our Dorsch Beach snorkeling experience?
Let me know in the comments below!
Thanks for the info! Love to snorkel and headed to St. Croix with my wife!
Thank you so much for reaching out! St. Croix is beautiful and certainly has several good snorkeling sites. One of the most unique spots is Frederiksted Pier.
Safe travels and enjoy your trip! 😊