Snorkel Waterlemon Cay / Leinster Bay

St John’s #1 Snorkeling Destination!

Waterlemon Cay / Leinster Bay
The #1 “St John attraction” on Tripadvisor is also one of the top spots to snorkel on St John! The water is clear, corals are abundant, fish and sea life abound. This should be on everyone’s “must see” list when visiting St John.

Snorkeling is the reason most visitors come to Waterlemon. Each year thousands of people make the snorkeling pilgrimage. Waterlemon Cay is one of the best snorkeling  spots to see schools of fish, rays, turtles, star fish, conch and beautiful hard and soft coral reef formations. Access to the water is fairly easy via a sandy beach or a coral stone beach closest to Waterlemon Cay. This location is famous for the variety and density of sea life. You see lots of mustard hill coral, yellow and red sponges, huge purple sea fans, fire coral and large elkhorn. The variety of fish is equally as rich – with schools of blue Atlantic Tangs, parrotfish, blue runners, Seagant Major Damsels and an assortment of colorful and inquisitive wrasses species. Leinster Bay and its sea grass beds are a great place to spot turtles, rays and Queen conch.

Getting There:
The Leinster Bay Trail to Waterlemon Cay leaves from the lower parking area of the Anneberg Ruins on St John’s north shore. The short hike takes you along the shoreline of the beautiful aqua-blue waters of Leinster Bay. The best spot to enter the water is along the coral rubble shoreline – nearest the little island or Cay just off shore. Snorkel out to Waterlemon Cay and you’ll likely see lots of huge red and yellow cushion starfish.

CAUTION! – Depending on the weather, tides and moon phase – there can be a strong current on the western edge of the Cay. Use common sense and never exceed your abilities and always snorkel with someone.