Grootpan Bay in St. John US Virgin Islands

Grootpan Bay Snorkeling Guide [Rated + Reviewed]

by Nichole | Last updated Jul 25, 2025 | St. John, Best Snorkeling Caribbean

As experienced snorkelers who have explored remote and breathtaking underwater destinations like Rangiroa, the Maldives, Moorea, Indonesia, and Belize, my husband and I are always on the lookout for exceptional snorkeling spots.

One of the reasons we love staying in Coral Bay is the easy access to some of the best snorkeling on St. John’s southern coast including Grootpan Bay, which became one of our favorite finds.

Getting there is part of the adventure, so be sure to rent a Jeep from our favorite car rental company to handle the rugged roads. In this guide, I’ll share how we got there, where to snorkel, and the kinds of marine life you might encounter based on our personal experience.

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Table of Contents

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St. John Snorkeling Rating System

My husband and I are always on the move, exploring new places to snorkel and rating them (like Grootpan Bay!) to help others find the truly spectacular ones.

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!

Don’t leave St. John without exploring these snorkeling gems.

Here are my 11 personal favorites, all mapped out for you.

Snorkeling map of top St. John USVI Snorkeling Sites

Grootpan Bay Snorkeling

Snorkeling at Grootpan Bay in St. John USVI

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Rating: 🤿 🤿 🤿 🤿

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How to Get There

Download an offline St. John USVI map on Google Maps ahead of time.

Getting to Grootpan Bay Beach is an adventure and can be confusing if you do not know where you are going ahead of time.

Drive past the parking lot for Salt Pond Bay Beach (another fantastic snorkeling site!)and take your second left. You will come to several splits in the poorly maintained road.

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Road to Grootpan Bay

Using the offline map, you should be able to continue to navigate your way over to Grootpan.

Make sure you do NOT end up in Kiddel Bay. If you try to park there, you will be trespassing across private property to get to the beach.

Grootpan Bay beach parking lot in St. John USVI

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Snorkeling Map

Map of where to snorkel at Grootpan Bay in St. John US Virgin Islands

The best snorkeling is on the left side of Grootpan Bay as you face the water.

Snorkel around the point to Kiddel Bay but only if you are a confident swimmer. The waves can be rough.

I always wear a snorkel vest.

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Entry

Access to the water is not easy but not hard. You will have to walk over the pebbly beach and avoid the sporadic sea urchins as you launch off into the water.

Wear dive booties with your favorite snorkeling fins.

My husband and I invested in high-quality snorkeling gear years ago since we go on so many snorkel-focused trips. After lots of trial and error, this is my trusted snorkeling gear I always pack for our underwater adventures.

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St. John Fish Sightings

The marine life is incredible. We saw large schools of fish like blue tang, beautiful hard and soft coral, and numerous colorful waving sea fans.

School of blue tang at Grootpan in St. John USVI

School of blue tang at Grootpan Bay in St. John USVI

Gorgeous hard coral at Grootpan in St. John USVI

Gorgeous hard coral at Grootpan Bay

Final Thoughts

If you’re passionate about snorkeling, Grootpan Bay is a spot you won’t want to miss. It takes a bit of effort to reach, but once you’re in the water, you’ll see it was well worth it.

While you’re exploring the southern coast of St. John, be sure to check out other incredible snorkeling sites nearby, like Little Lameshur Bay and Salt Pond Bay. They’re just as rewarding.

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!