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All 19 Virgin Islands National Park Attractions »

National Park Underwater Trail

Virgin Islands National Park, St. John
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4.0 of 5 stars 15 Reviews
Type: Trails, Reefs
Activities: Snorkelling
Description: The world's first marked underwater trail located near the shoreline, making it one of the best snorkeling spots in the Caribbean.
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15 reviews from our community

Visitor rating
    4
    8
    2
    0
    1
Date Rating
PA
Senior Contributor
36 reviews 36 reviews
Reviews in 17 cities Reviews in 17 cities
14 helpful votes 14 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 3 April 2012

We had 5 kids with our group ranging in age from 7-15. We all really liked snorkeling on the beach, however, the older ones wanted to get out a little further. The trail is good swim away from the beach so not suitable really for the younger ones but the rest of us had a blast. Currents made it harder... More

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Portland, Oregon
Contributor
12 reviews 12 reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 27 March 2012

Nice trail for beginners. Gets very crowded before noon so go early to enjoy quiet snorkeling and less skiddish fish. We saw a good variety of fish-cuddlefish, trumpet fish, yellowtail snapper, etc. Brain coral and antler coral were abundant as were purple fan coral. Sadly the colors aren't as vibrant due to wear and tear, climate conditions, etc. but still... More

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virginia
Senior Contributor
29 reviews 29 reviews
Reviews in 7 cities Reviews in 7 cities
5 helpful votes 5 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 26 February 2012

This is a well defined area for beginning snorkelers; it has a well marked area with signs defining many of the 'habitants'. Well done, NPS! More

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Sugar Mtn, NC, USA
Senior Reviewer
10 reviews 10 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
4 helpful votes 4 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 20 February 2012

Snorkling with underwater markers to guide you was really neat idea. Clear water and colorful fish added to the pleasure!!! More

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St. John
Reviewer
5 reviews 5 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
1 of 5 stars Reviewed 16 February 2012

It is the most abused beach on the North Shore and has less Coral and fishes than any other place -it's ugly and they charge you $4 dollars for an entry fee---go anywhere but here More

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W-S NC
Contributor
14 reviews 14 reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
7 helpful votes 7 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 26 January 2012

Not very exciting, but an easy swim for beginners. Pretty beach. Safe. More

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Bethesda, MD
Top Contributor
53 reviews 53 reviews
Reviews in 20 cities Reviews in 20 cities
31 helpful votes 31 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 5 January 2012
1
person found this review helpful

The reef here is not as good as Waterlemon, Hawksnest, Salt Pond, or even Caneel. But it is an easy access, and there are lifeguards. Thus, it is the kind of place you can let your 12-year old daughter tackle if she's new to snorkeling. The corals are pretty, and there are a lot of fish visible in clear water. More

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cary, nc
Contributor
16 reviews 16 reviews
Reviews in 8 cities Reviews in 8 cities
6 helpful votes 6 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 1 January 2012
1
person found this review helpful

The coral reef is not the most colorful, but it is very easy snorkeling and right at the beach ! More

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Philadelphia
Top Contributor
70 reviews 70 reviews
Reviews in 29 cities Reviews in 29 cities
25 helpful votes 25 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 12 December 2011
1
person found this review helpful

We thought the underwater trail would be hokey and overcrowded, but it was actually fun and there was quite a bit to see, especially if you go slightly off the trail toward the rocks where the shy fish tend to stay. More

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Senior Contributor
34 reviews 34 reviews
Reviews in 11 cities Reviews in 11 cities
14 helpful votes 14 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 6 December 2011
1
person found this review helpful

This was the first time I ever snorkeled and it was the perfect place to learn. Calm water and the trail was cool! More

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