Select a Beach by Location: Snorkeling ------ North Shore Beaches ------ Salomon Bay Honeymoon Bay Caneel Bay Scott Bay Turtle Bay Caneel Hawksnest Hawksnest Bay Little Hawksnest Bay Gibney Beach Very Little Hawksnest Denis Bay Jumbie Beach Trunk Bay Cinnamon Bay Little Cinnamon Bay Maho Bay Little Maho Bay Francis Bay Leinster Bay / Waterlemon ------ East End Beaches ------ Brown Bay Haulover (North) Hansen Bay/Vie's Haulover (South) ------ South Shore Beaches ------ Salt Pond Kiddel Bay Grootpan Great Lameshur Bay Lameshur Bay Europa Bay Reef Bay Genti Bay Little Reef Bay Parrot Bay ------ Cruz Bay Area Beaches ------ Ditleff Point Klein Bay Monte Bay Hart Bay Chocolate Hole Great Cruz Bay Frank Bay Cruz Bay

St. John USVI Beaches: Kiddel Bay

Tamarind Tree Swing at Kiddel Bay

Looking for a real “Off the Beaten Track" Beach?

Frustrated when trying to find parking at a North Shore National Park beach?

Are the waves breaking on the north making for difficult swimming or snorkeling?

If you don’t mind sacrificing a sand beach for a cobblestone and coral rubble beach, an ideal alternative might be Kiddel Bay on the South Shore located just west of salt Pond Bay.

Note: I've often seen the bay spelled, "Kiddle Bay" but I'm quite sure the correct spelling is "Kiddel."

Park under the two huge tamarind trees and its just steps to the beach.

Kiddel Bay

View from Tektite Trail

There are no facilities, but you can string up a hammock, bring a picnic and enjoy the fine snorkeling in the bay.

Rock Scrambling
Rock scramblers can walk out to the point on the west coast from where there are spectacular views of the bay, the reef and the rocky cliffs of the southern coast.

Kiddel Bay

The Salt Pond
There’s a beautiful salt pond just behind the beach that’s easy to explore. Great for birdwatchers; especially in the early morning. Look for Pintail ducks in the winter.

Snorkeling
If you snorkel out to on the western shore of Kiddel Bay, you will come to a reef which extends out off the point. A series of rocks rises above the surface.

This area is extremely interesting. There are deep depressions, grooves and arches and tunnels full of colorful corals, and sponges where you will invariably see a vast array of tropical reef fishes. The arches and tunnels are about 15 – 20 feet deep and are usually full of small fish. It’s a great challenge for free divers who can swim through one or a series of tunnels depending on their skill. For less skilled snorkelers the rock lined coasts on both sides of the bay still offer plenty to see and to enjoy.

South East Coast of St John

Snorkeling Reef at Kiddel Bay

Another cool snorkel option is to continue the snorkel from Kiddel Bay to Grootpan Bay. Starting from Kiddel Bay, snorkel around the point, proceeding west along the rocky coastline to Grootpan Bay. Bring waterproof footwear with you and you can enjoy a nice walk back to Kiddel.