Haulover Bay North Snorkeling Guide [Rated + Reviewed]
As experienced snorkelers who have explored incredible underwater spots around the world from remote Rangiroa to the Maldives, Moorea, Bora Bora, and Belize, my husband and I truly appreciate easy access to great snorkeling.
That’s one of the reasons we love staying in Coral Bay on St. John. It puts us close to several top snorkeling spots, including Haulover Bay North, which quickly became one of our favorites!
This spot can be a little tricky to find if you’re not familiar with the area, but it’s absolutely worth the effort. In this guide, I’ll share exactly how to get there, where to snorkel once you reach the beach, and what kinds of marine life you might spot beneath the surface.
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St. John Snorkeling Rating System
Exploring the world for the best snorkeling spots is our passion, and I rate every site (like Haulover Bay North!) to guide others to the ones that are worth visiting.
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!
Whether you’re new to snorkeling or a seasoned pro, this list of 11 favorite St. John snorkel sites has something for everyone.
Snorkeling map of top St. John USVI Snorkeling Sites
Haulover Bay North Snorkeling
Snorkeling with schools of blue tang at Haulover Bay North in St. John USVI
Rating: 🤿 🤿 🤿 🤿
How to Get There
This top-notch snorkeling spot is easy to access. It is located on the eastern end of the island along East End Road right past a sign that states you are leaving the Virgin Islands National Park.
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Haulover Bay North sign
Park on your left at the bottom of the hill. There are not many spots. I would advise starting this adventure early in the morning.
We went around 9 am and had no problem.
Haulover Bay North parking in St. John USVI
On your left, you will notice a path through the woods that will lead you to Haulover Bay North.
A quick 5-minute walk and you are there!
Haulover Bay North entrance to trail
Haulover Bay North trail
Snorkeling Map
Map of where to snorkel at the Haulover Bay North
The best snorkeling is on the western side of the bay (left side of the bay as you face the water).
Be aware this area is subject to strong currents and winds, so use your judgment before proceeding into the water.
I wear a snorkel vest, which gives you a little added buoyancy if you get tired.
Entry
Entry can be a little tricky due to the cobblestone beach, sargassum (seaweed), and sea urchins.
I would strongly advise wearing dive booties with your snorkeling fins. Here are my favorite fins I use for travel.
Find the part where the sandy bottom meets the shore to allow for easier entry.
St. John Fish Sightings
We saw many schools of fish, numerous soft and hard coral outcroppings, a stingray, and gorgeous gigantic waving purple sea fans.
Stingray at Haulover Bay North in St. John USVI
Schools of blue tang at Haulover Bay North
Beautiful coral at Haulover Bay North
Final Thoughts
Haulover Bay North was easily one of the top snorkeling sites we explored on St. John. In fact, it had some of the best coral we saw anywhere on the island.
The visibility was incredible during our visit, and snorkeling alongside large schools of blue tang in such clear water felt absolutely magical.
If you go, make sure to check the ocean conditions first and snorkel only when the water is calm. This site is best enjoyed on a clear, still day.
I always recommend bringing your own snorkeling gear for the best fit and comfort. I’ve written a detailed post on all of my favorite gear after years of testing if you’re looking for recommendations.
I also never snorkel without my favorite underwater camera. Best way to capture those unforgettable moments beneath the surface!
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 Haulover Bay North snorkeling experience?
Let me know in the comments below!
Hi! I just joined your website. My wife and I are currently staying at Dove Cottage right above North Haulover Bay–our third time staying here. We love it! But this year especially, we see that the corals have taken a hit. It’s troubling.
So I was intrigued by your reports of Bonaire for off shore snorkeling. We love St John because of the snorkeling, but also the beaches and the island itself are beautiful. But the fish do not seem as plentiful as years past, nor as plentiful as you describe on Bonaire. And so I’m wondering–is Bonaire itself an enjoyable place? And how different is what you see in the water there compared to St John?
Thanks for your reports. Tom
Thanks so much for reaching out Tom!
Unfortunately, there’s so much coral bleaching especially in the Caribbean. Besides maybe Indonesia (Raja Ampat is still on my bucket list!), I can’t think of one place we snorkeled that hasn’t shown some evidence of it.
Bonaire and St. John have excellent snorkeling, but I think Bonaire is better. Bonaire has been affected by Stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD), but you can still see large schools of fish like blue tang (at Karpata), bait balls (Bari Reef), tarpons (Salt Pier), turtles (Salt Pier and 1000 Steps), eagle rays (Angel City), massive parrotfish (Boca Slagbaai), eels (lots of sites), etc. We love the big marine life though.
Although Bonaire has better snorkeling, St. John wins hands down for being way more beautiful. St. John has better beaches, hikes, and has killer views from a lot of the vacation rentals since it’s mountainous.
Bonaire is flat and has a few nice beaches but most are pebbly. It’s great if your primary focus is snorkeling or diving. They also have a surprisingly great culinary scene (Kite City, Lekker Thuis, CHEFS, etc).
However, if you are looking at the whole package, St. John is the clear winner.
Hope this perspective helps. Happy to answer any other questions. 😊