Underwater National Park in Trunk Bay
If you’re looking for things to do in St. John, consider one of the most stunningly beautiful beaches in the world – Trunk Bay Beach. The sandy beaches are picturesque, but the views of the snorkeling trail in the Underwater National Park in Trunk Bay are unbeatable.
What is the Underwater Snorkeling Trail?
The Underwater National Park in Trunk Bay is a 225-yard underwater path that travels along the bottom of the shallow waters of the bay. A series of stone markers on the sea floor provide interesting information about the marine wildlife and coral structures you are seeing. The depth on the trail ranges from 3 to 18 feet and the visibility is good enough to see the bottom at all times.
The waters of this beautiful bar are ideal for snorkeling, as they are calm and sheltered. The surface water temperature is always warm and pleasant and there is no need for a wet suit – although they can be helpful to protect against the sun and jellyfish stings. However, all you will need is snorkeling gear – which you can bring yourself, rent on the beach or may be provided by a snorkeling tour or resort.
What can I expect to see?
While exploring the Underwater National Park in Trunk Bay you will have the opportunity to see a range of exotic fish including Grouper, Angelfish, Goatfish, Parrotfish, Lizardfish, Snapper, Trumpetfish, Wrasse, Tang and so many more.
In addition, you’re also likely to see other creatures, including anemone, feather duster worms, urchins, tube worms and sponges. You might even see sea turtles gliding through the water and popping their heads up to the surface for air. It’s a delight to explore this underwater wonderland and see the wide variety of marine life living here.
Tips for Visiting the Park
- Do not touch any of the coral – it is delicate and touching it could damage it and destroy this important underwater ecosystem.
- Did you know that the chemicals in sunscreen can be damaging to the coral reef? It is important to protect yourself from sunburn, so make sure that you are wearing a coral reef safe sunscreen that is safe for the environment.
- The parking area at Trunk Bay gets filled up quickly, so it is best to try to get there before 8:30 AM. Also, going in the morning is advantageous because the sun will not be as hot.
- The park has bathrooms, shower rooms and foot showers. There are also picnic tables available and barbecues you can use, so you could plan to have a picnic after your snorkeling adventure.
- If you don’t want to bring your own food, there is also a little grill snack shop where you can get a bite to eat.
- If you head to some of the deeper areas you might have a chance of seeing stingrays on the bottom.
- Admission to Trunk Bay is $4 for adults, and children 16 years or younger are free.
Book your stay in St. John so you can visit the Underwater National Park in Trunk Bay more than once. St. John hotels and resorts are perfect distance to the beach and best snorkeling spots.