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Smooth Trunkfish (Lactophrys triqueter)
The trunkfish is also known locally as boxfish, shellfish and cowfish. They have a hard outer shell formed by thick scales fused together. Their hard shell and the fact that their skin secretes a poison makes them unappetizing to most predators. Trunkfish forage the sandy periphery of reefs and find foot by shooting a jet of water from their mouths to expose small mollusks, and other invertebrates in the sand.
St. John Live Music Schedule Tuesday May 15
Castaways – Karaoke Night – 9:00 – 777-3316 Driftwood Dave’s – Michael Beason – 8:00 – 777-4015 High Tide – Erin Hart – 6:00 – 9:00 – 714-6169 Island Blues – Karaoke & Open Mic – 8:00 – 11:00 – 776-6800 Morgan’s Mango – Greg Kinslow – 6:00 – 9:30 – 693-8141 Ocean Grill – Rascio on Steel Pan – 6:00 – 9:30 – 693-3304 Shipwreck Landing – Chris Carsel – 6:30 – 9:30 Spyglass – T-Bird – 5:00 – 8:00 – 776-1100
Giant Anemone, Reef Urchins Sponges and Corals hide out in Red Mangrove roots
Green Feather Algae
Yellowline Arrow Crab
Squirrelfish
Marine Life a Mangrove Fringe Forest Environment more photos
Mitt Romney wins the Virgin Islands Republican Caucus
ST. THOMAS, U.S. Virgin Islands (AP) — The Republican Party chairman in the U.S. Virgin Islands says Republican presidential front-runner Mitt Romney has won the territory’s GOP caucus….read more
St. John Live Music Schedule for tonight, Monday, March 12
Concordia – Groove Thang – 6:30 High Tide – Mikey P – 8:00 – 11:00 – 714-6169 La Tapa – Samba Combo – 6:30 – 9:30 – 693-8141 Ocean Grill – Chris Carsel – 6:30 – 9:00 – 693-3304
Mangrove Snorkel at Hurricane Hole, St. John, Virgin Islands (USVI)
Water Creek, Hurricane Hole
It’s been sometime since I’ve snorkeled the mangroves at Hurricane Hole and I was pleasantly surprised at how little has changed since my last visit. The coral was still healthy, the sponges colorful, the fish plentiful. The above video and still photos were taken at the little indented bay within a bay at Water Creek at Hurricane Hole.
Mangroves Fringe Forest
The three bays within St. John’s Hurricane Hole, Water Creek, Otter Creek and Princess Bay all offer excellent opportunities to snorkel along a mangrove fringe forest in very comfortable conditions.
Mangrove Snorkel Water Creek, St. John
Brain Coral
Conch
Fireworm
Fish
Pink Sponge
Red Sponge
Sea Cucumber
Fireworm
Fireworm
“Effect on Divers: When disturbed display bristles, which can easily penetrate and break off in skin, causing a painful burning sensation and irritating wound.” Reef Creature Identification, by Paul Human
The Spotted Eagle Ray’s diet consists mainly of mollusks like conch and clams, which it can crush shell and all with its powerful jaws. It gets them by scooping its mouth through the sand.
This photo was taken on the reef between Salomon and Honeymoon Bays. There’s a lot of cool invertebrates shown in this one image. Check it out: Christmas Tree Worms on tunnicates, Red Sponges. Fire Coral and a purple Sea Fan.
It was a beautiful day for power boats. Hardly a breeze, calm seas and sunshine, except for this one big gray cloud that extended from horizon to horizon just to the north. So I got off the computer and got into the boat and headed up the south coast of St. John with my friend Michelle. Did a little snorkeling over at Tektite, where I was able to photograph a little hawksbill turtle down about 15 feet or so in the reef.
From Tektite we motored over to the north where found dolphins, dozens and dozens of dolphins. They were heading east toward the BVI. Some were traveling alone, some in pairs and some in threes. Sometimes they came right over to the boat and dove under the bow. Big, beautiful, graceful animals! What good luck to find them!
I’ve often heard that the Waterlemon Cay snorkel is the best on St. John. Maybe so, but it certainly is a popular one. Here are some photos from a recent snorkeling adventure.
(And by the way it’s WaterLEMON Cay, not WaterMELON Cay)
Just off the east end of Trunk Bay is a small island called Trunk Cay. On the west side of the island the Virgin Islands National Park (VINP) has created a snorkeling trail for visitors to this the most popular beach on St. John.
Trunk Cay
I revisited the snorkel trail a few days ago with an underwater camera at my side and the following is a recap of my snorkel adventure and what waits in store for others planning to see for themselves.
Trunk Bay Snorkel Trail Experience
Beginning of the trail
The first sign is located under the red buoy just off the beach on the west side of Trunk Cay. The next sign is informational. Follow the arrows or the orientation of the signs to reach the next one in the series.
Directions
Sign Three
Please Don’t Touch or Stand on the Coral
The third sign is there to warn those that don’t know any better not to touch the coral. Even light touches can be damaging and in these days of extra warm waters, which have resulted in the kill off of the symbiotic algae that nourishes the coral, corals are more susceptible than ever to disease. Also worth mentioning is that touching the coral often leads to flesh wounds that take some time to heal.
Not for Everyone! You can snorkel around the point at Whistling Cay and return through the passage between the cliffs on the cay.
Passage Through Whistling Cay
Whistling Cay Snorkel Map
There’s a really cool snorkel route around the reef and rocks on the eastern side of Whistling Cay. It’s not for everyone though as you will need to be an experienced snorkeler for this one.
Beginning from the moorings head out north to the rocks on the eastern tip of the island. It’s really a beautiful snorkel, still very colorful and very dramatic.
Instead of returning the way you came, however, you can continue around the point and come ashore on the little passage through the rocky cliffs of Whistling Cay. The water on the north of the cay can be rough and you’ll need to take care climbing on to the island, particularly to avoid sea urchins and corals.
From land you can now walk through the passage and snorkel back to your boat avoiding the slight northerly current that sometimes makes getting back from the rocks on the point to the moorings a little more difficult than heading out.
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