Isaac Bay Hiking + Snorkeling Guide [Rated + Reviewed]

Snorkeling is our thing. My husband and I travel around the world, finding and comparing the most amazing spots including Isaac Bay. Please see our rating key below.

The symbol used to represent the overall snorkeling experience: 🤿

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!

We’re big on snorkeling, so we made it a priority to track down the best spots around St. Croix.

After exploring the island, these 5 locations stood out and should be on your list.

Isaac Bay isn’t the easiest spot to get to, but that’s what makes it feel like an adventure, and it’s 100% worth it.

The bay itself is protected by The Nature Conservancy, so it’s absolutely pristine. To get there, you’ll want to park in the small strip of spaces on the right-hand side just before Point Udall.

Get there early. Those spots fill up fast.

And since you’re already at Point Udall, take a minute to check it out. It’s not only the easternmost point of St. Croix (and the entire U.S.!), but it’s also marked by the Millennium Monument. A giant sundial that’s pretty cool to see in person.

The first beach you’ll come across is East End Bay.

It’s worth pausing to admire the coastline, but don’t stop just yet. You’re not at the main event.

As you round the bend, you’ll notice low shrubs and plenty of cacti along the trail, and then Isaac Bay finally comes into view in the distance.

Keep going a little farther and you’ll hit a wooden platform with stairs that drop you right onto Isaac Bay beach.

And wow, this place is stunning. Soft white sand, turquoise water… it practically pulls you in.

For us, the hike took about 20 minutes start to finish.

Just a heads up though: there’s almost zero shade on the trail and it gets hot. Definitely wear decent shoes (tennis shoes worked fine for us), throw on a wide-brimmed hat, and bring more water than you think you’ll need.

At the end of the stairs, we turned left and found a little cove to put our stuff in while we snorkeled.

I strongly recommend bringing your own snorkeling gear if you are vacationing in St. Croix.

My hubby and I are avid snorkelers. Here’s my personal gear I bring on all of our “snorkations.”

After your snorkeling adventure, you can choose to hang out at the beach or push on to check out the second neighboring location, Jack Bay.

See the map below for orientation.

Although we did not see any, Isaac and Jack Bay are home to nesting sea turtles during certain times of the year (normally July- October).

After we finished up in Isaac Bay, we followed the trail signs and hiked another 20 minutes to Jack Bay.

We started our hike at 11 am.

Do not be like us. Start early! It was so hot.

There was one part that got a little confusing on the way to Jack Bay.

When you reach this signpost (see below), follow the sign to Horseshoe Bay which will take you to Jack Bay.

Walk along the sandy path under some shrub cover for a short period of time before popping out on the other side to the beautiful Jack Bay!

As tempting as the water looked for one more round of snorkeling, we were just too wiped out to go for it.

For what it’s worth, snorkeling at Isaac Bay is supposed to be even better than over at Jack Bay.

But with the sun beating down on us, we decided to call it and make the trek back.

Hiking Stats: 

• Hiking time: 2 hours (1.5 hours for the roundtrip hike + 20-30 minutes for snorkeling)
• Difficulty: Easy to moderate

If the current is rough, do NOT snorkel at Isaac Bay. Do not overestimate your swimming ability.

I wore a snorkel vest because the wind had picked up, which made snorkeling tough on the day we went.

We snorkeled starting on the left, and the current pushed us to the right. Not the most ideal conditions, but we were still able to see some beautiful tropical fish and a lobster!

Isaac Bay has a sandy bottom, so getting in the water is pretty easy. When we went, the wind was kicking up, which made snorkeling a bit tougher than usual.

If you really want the best experience, go on a calm day and make sure you’re confident in the water.

This spot isn’t great for beginners. If you’re just starting out with snorkeling, Dorsch Beach is a much better choice.

While it wasn’t the most mind-blowing snorkeling we’ve ever done, we still spotted some gorgeous soft and hard corals, sea fans, a few tropical fish here and there, and the highlight … a lobster!

The reef here is pretty patchy, so you’ll find yourself swimming from one cluster to the next.

Overall, the snorkeling felt a bit underwhelming, but the hike itself is beautiful and totally worth it on its own.

If you’re up for it (and staying hydrated), you can push on another 20 minutes to Jack Bay. Snorkeling is possible there too, but we only hiked out to check it out before turning back. We were just too wiped out to get back in the water. 

The Jack & Isaac Bay hike + snorkel is one of those perfect St. Croix combos. Gorgeous coastline on land, and fun things to see once you get in the water.

The trail itself is pretty easy, but go early if you can. Parking is limited, and trust me, you don’t want to be out there in the full midday sun.

And pro tip: swing by Ziggy’s Island Market afterward. Grab a roti or their Famous Cubano. It’s a total local favorite.

Don’t be thrown off when you realize it’s inside a gas station, lol. Easily one of the best foodie stops on the island.

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Questions about the Isaac Bay hike or snorkel?

Let me know in the comments below!