Snorkel· Waterlemon Cay· Virgin Islands (BVI, USVI and Spanish Virgins)
Waterlemon Cay
18° 22.0′ N · 64° 43.4′ W
A tiny cay ringed by a fringing reef in Leinster Bay, often called the best snorkel on St John: turtles, rays, sea fans, a drop-off with blue chromis and the occasional nurse shark.
Practical
Position is the Wikipedia point for Waterlemon Cay. Coast Pilot 5: 30 ft high, 250 yards west of Leinster Point, separated from St John by a 200-yard-wide channel with 12 ft of water. A green dinghy tether is provided at the cay (boats 16 ft and under; Compendium 2026). NPS: shallow coral heads over sand near the entry, a steep drop-off farther out; stay on the southern side of the cay because the northern (Tortola) side has a strong current. The island guide recommends going counter-clockwise around the cay. From shore it is about a 10-minute swim from the Leinster Bay beach (about 1 km walk from Annaberg). Watch for long-spined urchins on entry; stand only in sand. Bleaching has reduced coral cover in recent years (Wikipedia).
Best for
The signature north-shore snorkel
Season
Best in calm trades; current and chop on the north side