Maho Bay Beach Snorkeling Guide [Rated + Reviewed]
As experienced snorkelers who have explored some of the most amazing places around the world, including remote spots like Rangiroa, the Maldives, Moorea, Indonesia, and Belize, my husband and I set out to snorkel all over St. John to find the island’s best sites during our 9-day adventure.
One of our top recommendations for beginner snorkelers is Maho Bay Beach. The calm waters make it easy to explore, and it’s especially well known for its turtles.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to get there, where to snorkel, and what kind of marine life you might see while swimming in the bay.
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St. John Snorkeling Rating System
My husband and I love to travel, discovering and rating snorkeling destinations to spotlight the ones that truly stand out like Maho Bay.
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 love snorkeling, don’t miss my comprehensive guide to my 11 favorite snorkeling spots in St. John.
All in one easy list!
Snorkeling map of top St. John USVI Snorkeling Sites
Maho Bay Beach Snorkeling
Beaugregory Damselfish at Maho Bay beach
Rating: 🤿 🤿 🤿
How to Get There
Maho Bay beach is quite easy to access. It is located right off North Shore Road.
You can park in the large lot directly across the eastern side of the beach. Alternatively, there is limited parking right along the road itself.
Parking spots fill up quickly, so get there early!
One really nice thing about Maho Bay beach is the excellent facilities.
There’s an area called Maho Crossroads across from the beach, where you can grab a cocktail or some food. You can also rent snorkeling gear, chairs, kayaks, or paddleboards.
Since St. John is a snorkeling destination, I strongly recommend bringing your own mask and fins.
Here are my personal snorkeling gear items I bring on all of our “snorkations.”
Hi, I’m Nichole—the discerning traveler, wine lover, and adventure seeker behind Enriching Pursuits.
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Maho Bay beach parking lot
Snorkeling Map
Map of where to snorkel at the Maho Bay Beach in St. John
Snorkel in the middle of the bay to see turtles and rays hanging out in the seagrass.
There are patches of reef on both the right and left sides of the bay, but the right side (as you face the water) is supposed to be better.
We only snorkeled on the right side.
Entry
The beach has a sandy bottom and an easy shallow entry.
St. John Fish Sightings
We saw a few turtles in the middle of the bay where the seagrass beds are located.
There were also patches of coral and beautiful tropical fish as we snorkeled on the right side of the bay. My husband who has an amazing eagle eye even spotted a yellowline arrow crab.
By the way, if you love turtles, two other sites in the Caribbean that have lots of turtles are Tres Trapi (Aruba) and Salt Pier (Bonaire)!
Do not forget to bring your favorite underwater camera.
Close up of sea turtle at Maho Bay in St. John USVI
Yellowline arrow crab at Maho Bay in St. John USVI
Final Thoughts
In summary, go to Maho Bay for the cute turtles, calm easy snorkeling, and a fun beach day with a cocktail in hand.
And if you love turtles, don’t miss neighboring Francis Bay Beach!
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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