Last updated: April 12th, 2023
This underwater snorkeling trail is one of the most unique attractions in St John, USVI. It’s 650 feet in length, offers quite the sights, and you don’t need to swim out too far out in Trunk Bay Beach to reach it.
There are plaques in the water that direct you where to go and include information about all the fish, turtles, and plants that swim in the waters. While they have become harder to read over the years, it’s still understandable. While seasoned snorkelers might not be too impressed, it’s a great activity to add to your bucket list if it’s your first time in St. John.
Either way, Trunk Bay should be high on your list of snorkeling spots. Trunk Bay has plenty of marine life, like sea turtles, eagle rays, parrotfish, squid, and baracudda. There is also no shortage of coral reefs on the trail, with elkhorn coral, brain coral, and more.
Every once and a while, I like to check out the Trunk Bay Underwater Trail. It’s not the most colorful reef close to the St. John shoreline, but it does have the advantage of being right off of beautiful Trunk Bay.
Moreover, whenever you put on a mask, fins, and snorkel and dive into the clear blue waters of St. John, wherever it may be, you’re almost guaranteed to see something cool, and this time was no different.
First, there was the school of squid, one of which let me in close for some cool photos.
Then, there was that big old barracuda hoovering seemingly suspended from the one big healthy elkhorn coral on the reef. It even opened its mouth and showed me its old sharp teeth.
Be warned that the trail has gotten famous over the years, so it can be crowded at times. To avoid other tourists, visit early in the morning. It had a lot to offer in the past, but the hurricane that occurred damaged a lot of the coral. Regardless, you can still find plenty of marine life in this part of the ocean.
Here are some more photos of the signs and plants I saw on a half-hour early morning snorkel:
Here is a video I took while snorkeling the underwater trail